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

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