I Left My Heart

I’m in San Francisco visiting kids and grandkids for the weekend. That’s one of the reasons this post is a couple of hours later than usual. I gotta get up and get going so I can extract as much pleasure from my final few hours here as possible. I love this city. It is the most unique town in America that doesn’t start with “New”. San Francisco is distinct. The history here creates a vibe unlike that of New York or New Orleans – my two other favorite cities.  

Those who malign this city have either never been here or are so uptight that they don’t appreciate anything. Sure, there is a little urban grit and grime, but no more so than any major metroplex, and the characters here are endlessly entertaining. I walked the streets of SOMA and the Theater District yesterday, and they were clean, vibrant, and bustling with people from all over the world. You could feel the energy in the heartbeat of the city.

I lived on Telegraph Hill, just a handful of steps from Coit Tower at the top, for most of 2018. It’s a good thing that I had to walk uphill, or I would have gained twenty pounds from all the amazing restaurants in proximity. A weekend is not enough time to revisit them all. Dim sum at Great Eastern, spicy fried tofu at the House of Nanking, heaping bowls of pasta at Original Joe’s, oysters at Swan’s, and fancy food at State Bird Provisions.

Sadly, Beach Blanket Babylon closed after a 45-year run, but there are other uniquely San Francisco things to do and see. I love taking first-timers to see the sea lions at Pier 39, walk the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise, have lunch at Sam’s in Tiburon, ride the cable cars (standing on the running board of course), shop in Chinatown, drive by the Full House house, walk down (or up) Lombard Street, and, of course, take the Alcatraz tour. You could spend a whole day just visiting the shot locations from iconic movie scenes – although I don’t recommend driving like Steve McQueen or Clint Eastwood.

The tiki bar scene in the city is unparalleled. Smuggler’s Cove, Pagan Idol, and Tonga Room should top anyone’s list, but lesser-known spots dot the landscape. I frequented Bamboo Hut when I lived in the neighborhood. You can also hop over the bridge to try Trader Vic’s and get into an argument about where the Mai Tai was invented.

San Francisco is not just about great drinks, food, and fun. Its compact footprint means that every block can represent a different culture. This is where the future of the United States is built and rebuilt. Where the counterculture becomes the culture. The tech bros may have overtaken the hippies, but they are still here, influencing the vibes of this great city. I’m leaving my heart in San Francisco – with Eli and Maya.