Actually, we had a fabulous time in San Francisco (except for the flights...too much turbulence on the way out; I thought I was going to hurl)! I think this was the best vacation we've had in a while. And it is alway nice not to come home with our luggage, clothes, and ourselves smelling mildewy. Granted, at $230 a night, we'd hope we'd smell better than at our parents' musty homes.
We did Pt Reyes National Seashore first, spending a couple of nights at Olema, a short drive from the Nat'l Seashore itself. Got lots of hiking/walking done...in 40 mph winds, no less. Stayed in a nice B&B (actually, the Pt Reyes Seashore Lodge and Convention Center). Ds#2 decided to get sick overnight on Sunday and threw up all over the floor in front of the eating room Monday morning. Fortunately, there were no other guests there yet, unlike the same time on Sunday. I thought he was past the "ralphing projectiles" stage, but apparently not.
Drove to S.F. city proper on Monday. Dh had a conference to go to and the kids and I did the touristy thing - Chinatown, Fishermen's Wharf (including the infamous sea lions on Pier 39), cable and street cars. Our hotel was downtown and close to some interesting places. One must walk, naturally, when one is in San Fran.
What's the most stark is the contrast between rich and poor...you have your homeless and pan handlers right down the street from Saks and Macy's. And the noise...woohee...it was nice to be back in our own bedroom where the only noises at night are crazy birds and howling coyotes. I got pretty tired of hearing emergency vehicle noises all the time.
Found a really good dim sum place in Chinatown. It's called Pearl City Seafood Restaurant on Jackson Street. Not much to speak of in terms of ambience and the wait staff don't exactly fawn over you (pretty typical on both accounts), but the dim sum is as good as, if not better than, some we've had in Vancouver.
Also good was a dumpy little Vietnamese place around the corner from the Asian Art Museum. The frog legs were particularly meaty and tasty and the women there were really sweet. Plus, lunch for 4 cost about $100 less than some of the really fancy meals downtown. Good deal.
While we're on the topic of food, our meal at Neptune Palace at the Wharf was particularly memorable. We were happy, too, with the calamari salad and clam chowder we got from the street vendors there. As dh said, we didn't have a single bad meal in S.F.
"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)
