San Francisco - August 2004

After a bit of confusion at DIA, which I won't go into, we were in the air headed to San Francisco by mid-morning. It was a direct flight so we still had most of the afternoon and evening. First order of business was to get from airport to our hotel. Since we were only staying for such a short time we didn't rent a car. It had been a few years since I had been in San Francisco and Chris has never been. Since I visited, they had extended BART to the airport. This is definitely the way to get between downtown and the airport. It was easy fast and cheap.

We got off the train right at Powell Street where the trolley car turns around. Not wanting to wait in line, realizing that the trolley cars are expensive, and thinking we really didn't have that far to go, we walked to the top of Nob Hill. It was a nice a walk. The hotel lobby was huge and lavishly decorated. Our room was nice, especially the bathroom. Truthfully, I tend to enjoy the smaller bed and breakfast places and boutique hotels. They just seem more personal and real.

After a little unpacking, and changing clothes we headed for Chinatown and to get some lunch. There is a restaurant just outside of Chinatown that serves up Chinese at very reasonable prices, and is highly recommended. I had eaten there once and remembered it was really good. I didn't have an address or name, but thought I could at least get close. It's right across the street from the Francis Ford Coppola restaurant. We found it with surprising ease. Lunch was excellent! Chris loved it. I think it was the highlight of her trip.

After lunch we decided to walk up to Coit Tower and soak in the scenery. More walking — San Francisco is a great place for walking, and we did plenty. That evening we found an Indian restaurant + bar. It was literally an Indian food restaurant surrounded by pool tables and what you would find in a sports bar. A little bizarre, but the food was good.

Here is the short list of the rest of the things we did in San Francisco:
Navigated the public transportation up to the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down to the Haight-Ashbury; went to a movie at the Castro theatre; took a ride on the trolley; ate some amazing dessert at a tiny little bakery in the North End; took a short cab ride with a driver that that was more than a little excitable, she also liked here heavy metal.

Before we knew it we had to start packing up to go home.