Monday, November 4, 2013

From Place To Space: San Francisco - Part One




After Vancouver, Portland, and Seattle I am taking you to San Francisco this week. However, there are so many cool things and photos I want to share with you, I had to split it up in two parts. Today's part will speak more generally of the sights that I enjoyed during my one week stay in the city by the bay. Next week I will give you a more in-depth view of shop discoveries and other fancy travel joys. But let us roll. Buckle up, San Fran, here we come!

A little warning straight ahead: For those of you who know San Francisco or live there, excuse my touristy rejoicing of the most known sights in town. It was my very first time in San Francisco and I couldn't help! So, judging from my pictures I was utterly charmed by the city's most famous sight - the Golden Gate Bridge. No need to say this is a must visit, but even better, rent a bike and ride over the famous bridge and descend to Sausalito on the other side of the bay. Most probably you'll have the honor to greet one of the most known San Franciscan, Karl the Fog. I said hi. He was kind to us!



Apart from the famous bridge, I recommend an afternoon strolling through the Golden Gate Park. Even though the name might suggest it is a park next to the Golden Gate Bridge, it is not. However, it is a huge, leafy park with fabulous museums such as the De Young museum with art from around the globe. At the very end of the park you will reach the shore of the Pacific with wide, sandy beaches and surfers riding the waves. Impressive!

Another must-do is a ride with the popular cable car. Little warning: the queue can be tedious and annoying so don't be too angry at yourself if you just give in and skip that. I did it cause I was lucky enough that the queue was short (I have no idea why) but the cable car was super full nonetheless and I couldn't even take a decent picture. Well, we tourists! If you take it, get off at Chinatown, it's definitely worth a stroll with plenty of colorful facades - but in general, San Francisco is a color loving city!

Not to miss is Castro district - if San Francisco is a liberal city in general, than this is the core of a liberal, open-minded lifestyle. Be prepared for all kind of styles, fashion extravaganza, and a very lively nightlife on the streets of Castro district. If you like cinemas, go to the Castro Theatre, it is amazing, like a huge theater and every session starts with a little organ concert - totally unique!



For amazing walk, food and shopping I recommend the Mission quarter. The long Valencia street is the quarter's lifeline boasting with fab stores, restaurants, cafés. Enjoy a break in the beautiful Mission Dolores park, have brunch at fancy Craftsman & Wolves or Tartine, shop home goodies at Aggregate Supply, curiosities at Paxton Gate, vintage finds and antiques at Stuff (wow), food at Bi-Rite Market (and ice cream at their ice cream parlor), enjoy dinner at Delfina Pizzeria (delicious) or a fantastic fromage tasting at Mission Cheese. But next week I will speak more about shops and other finds in San Francisco.




Yet another great touristy attraction is a trip to Alcatraz island. It is worth the hassle because the audio guided tour is really interesting. Did you know that one of the prisoners taught crocheting to the other inmates so they started crocheting and decorating their cells? Well, sounds different from the famous Al Capone stories, right? Tip: Avoid ticket queuing by buying the ticket online in advance. Way better!

So, that's it for today, I don't want to steal your entire Monday. Have a great week and see you back tomorrow on Happy Interior Blog!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

26 comments :

  1. Ohh the pictures are lovely, Igor! I'm so happy you enjoyed SF. The bridge is amazing and those steep streets still make a bit anxious. I'm glad you had fun. Xo, Elba

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so jealous, Igor! The photo's you made are beautiful, I am dying to go to San Francisco! xx Femke

    ReplyDelete
  3. The pictures are amazing and your blogpost comes at the right time, yesterday I watched the movie "Milk" in TV and now - well yes, I thought that several times before - I really have to visit SF too * all the best julia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should go there, Julia! It is a fabulously vibrant city!!

      Delete
  4. Lovely pictures of SF. The bridge is amazing, and the parks when you can rest, or eat even better.
    I sure you had a great time over there. Have a great week too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wunderschöne Bilder...vor allem das Streifen Shirt Foto ist unglaublich...perfektes Color Setting bis hin zur Uhr! lg Anette

    ReplyDelete
  6. Exactly how I imagine it - sunshine, colour, the painted ladies, the golden gate bridge...great tourist tour and fab pictures :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I was in SF years ago and I was so taken by it! It's a stunning city and you've really captured that colourful vibe so beautifully :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge as it remind me of one of my favourite TV programmes Charmed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my, I loved to watch Charmed, too *confessions* LOL

      Delete
  9. Love the little tip off about the Castro Theatre - such a golden nugget of info! Love the classic SF snaps of the GGB in the mist, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely a tip!! It was so fun plus they play mostly old classics!!

      Delete
  10. Picture perfect Igor! Can you believe I still have not been to San Fran?! MUST GO.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Igor you went to all my favorite spots! I love that city so much! looks like you had a perfect time.
    Happy Monday to you friend.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Vielen Dank für die perfekten Bilder!
    Auf manchen scheint die Sonne doppelt! Das verrate ich jetzt aber nicht, warum!?
    Heute scheint mein Blogpostreisetag zu sein. War gerade in der Toskana, dann in Südtirol und jetzt...
    LG
    Angelika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Den Montag muss man sich ja verschönern mit Reisebeiträgen, oder? :-)

      Delete
  13. Not been to SF and would love to go so bookmarking this.
    I always enjoy your photographs and love seeing you so relaxed and having a 'happy' time.
    Great stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  14. San Francisco is one of my fave city's and your pics capture it so well. Your pics of Alcatraz even make it look cool and stylish!
    x R

    ReplyDelete
  15. You look so relaxed! And so does SF! Even Karl seems to be doing quite all right ;) Looking forward to also discovering part Two!

    ReplyDelete
  16. oooh! wonderful pics! a few years ago we've spent our holidays in san fran. i love that place. the bridge is amazing and the people are really cool. thanks for bringing back my memories!
    cheers,
    frau s.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you Igor for the little escape this morning. Can't wait for Part II.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Awesome pictures, I love the green lamp, the pastel coloured houses and your apples & berries T :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Stunning photography Igor. The last time I was there, I was a kid, can hardly remember it. Now I definitely want to go back. Thanks for sharing this, looks like you had a super fun holiday. Looking forward to your follow up post. x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great pictures Igor! And I mean all the touristy stuff here in SF is pretty impressive. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful pictures! I love San Francisco- so glad you got to eat at Craftsman and Wolves- one of my favorite restaurants!
    I hope you got to have Humphry Slocombe (also in the Mission Disttrict); they are so delicious!
    Lori

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...