Mission Safari

Our wanderings took us to Mission Dolores today via the Western Addition and Hayes Valley in another 5 mile trek.  We saw some fantastic murals including this macabre installation outside of Tim's Market...

...and Medusa in the heart of the Mission Dolores.

We were surprised to see a moon at high noon...

This pug looked none too happy to be left alone while his owner went in to get something to eat at Morning Due Cafe but suffered in silence.

Three jaunty motorcycles graced the corner of 17th and Dolores.

Wall art for every taste could be found at Therapy.  Fortunately, these "clings" are easily removable when your taste for chainsaws, skull-and-crossbones and revolvers passes.

We stopped for lunch at Regalita Rosticeria.  It seemed a tad cruel to put a mural of poultry in a restaurant that specializes in rotisserie chicken.

We decided to walk home to work off the calories from lunch.  Along the way we passed Mission San Francisco, the neighborhood's namesake.

More murals decorated our route along with this curious display of CDs for 1865HipHop.com.

So far for 2009, we've clocked over 17 miles trekking the streets of San Francisco!

Wet Weather Safari

It rained today in the City but I didn't let that stop my safari.  I clocked 5 miles this morning.  

This sign seemed appropriate to kick things off in light of the weather...

After grabbing coffee at Espresso Roma in the Marina, I headed east and saw this written in the sidewalk -- "Act Up...Fight Back...Fight AIDS".  Some of San Francisco's activist spirit captured in the pavement.  

I'm so glad I'm not in this person's shoes... I'd be freaking out if I lost a passport or a green card!  I hope someone returns this person's papers.

A house on Bay St. near the border between Russian Hill and North Beach was covered in whimsical murals including this one of the mailman...

... and this one of a giant keyhole.  I wonder what this door unlocks?  Maybe the secrets of the universe?

I soon crossed Columbus and into North Beach.  The neighborhood is clearly marked with the colors of the Italian Flag.  

I love the murals and theme decorations at Trader Joe's, my favorite supermarket in the area.  

I saw this sign on an unmarked storefront a few blocks from Trader Joe's.  I wonder what people were wearing to this establishment that prompted them to post a sign reading "Strict Dress Code Enforced.  NO Athletic Gear, Baggy Attire, or Boots/Timbs/Lugz...Guys must have a full button-up collared shirt."  Yikes!

Apparently, it is possible to get an education in just about anything.  I passed The Cheese School of San Francisco.  I wasn't familiar with their curriculum when I walked by but found out upon returning home that the Cheese School "is the only institution of its kind in the Bay Area dedicated entirely to helping people maximize their enjoyment and appreciation of cheese."  Who knew?!

Looks like someone is upgrading their TV to prepare for the All-Digital revolution in 2009...

Is this more activist sentiment on Washington Sq. in North Beach?  "Enough with the plywood."

Now that's a Happy Hour!  I was tempted to stop in to check it out but decided that starting Happy Hour at noon on a Friday was probably not a great idea if I wanted to have a productive afternoon.  

I opted for an organic salad at Mixt Greens for lunch instead.  I was a video game fiend as a kid and I couldn't resist taking a snap of this bicycle with a Pac-Man ghost monster tucked into the spokes!  Awesome!

I decided to splurge and take the California St. Cable Car home.  I love hanging off the side even when the weather is inclement.  

I ended my safari today window shopping at Harris' Restaurant.  After a veggie intensive lunch, a steak for dinner sounds pretty good although this is a tad rarer than I typically like my meat.

Tourist Safari

We went on an extended urban safari today to kick off the New Year. In total, we covered 6.5 miles through the Marina and along the Embarcadero into tourist central, Fisherman's Wharf. Even as a local, it's fun to pretend to be tourists every once in a while so we decided to dub this walk a "tourist safari". I'm sure my camera and constant photo-snapping helped us blend in!

We started our walk through the sleepy streets of Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow. New Years Day is all about college football. This car owner clearly has school spirit and isn't afraid to show it!

Both canines and humans alike crowded around to admire these docile Newfoundlands on Chestnut St. in the Marina. They were HUGE but so quiet and instantly lovable.

In the City, your home is your castle and apparently you have to work hard to protect your patch of green...even if it measures about 5' x 7'.

Ah! Our first sighting...tourists flock to the Cable Car terminus at the end of Hyde St.

On a whim, we stopped at the Musee Mechanique on Pier 45.

The mechanical amusements were a hoot and worth investing $5 in quarters and a half hour exploring to try out some of the machines. Some of the attractions were childlike and innocent...look at her go!...




others were a bit more risque...

...and yet others were downright dark and sinister ("Opium Den" and "English Execution" come to mind). I also liked this barbershop quartet which included both a hobo and a police officer as members. Singing...the great equalizer!

Despite the chill in the air and the ever-present fog, visitors to the City love to rent bikes and make their way over the Golden Gate Bridge. Blazing Saddles was doing a brisk business today.

Boudin Bakery is another tourist favorite in Fisherman's Wharf. The sourdough is delicious and even comes creatively shaped as a variety of sea-creatures including crabs, turtles, and alligators.

Of course, Pier 39 was incredibly crowded. We weaved in and out of foot traffic and continued on our way. We stopped for a quick bite at Taylor's Refresher in the Ferry Building to recharge after our long walk before catching the bus back home.

Three more days off from work equals three more days of extended safaris. Stay tuned!

¡Feliz Año!

We procrastinated this year in finding something to do on New Year's Eve. A couple days ago we settled on dinner at Maya, an upscale Mexican restaurant in South Beach. The menu looked inviting and there was music and dancing planned to ring in the New Year. The dinner service was busy and featured a strolling mariachi band.

People started clearing out around 11 pm despite the festive atmosphere and promise of party favors and a champagne toast.

By the time the music started (the mariachis transformed into a band playing Spanish language favorites...) the only ones left were the staff, a large Latino family that had been dining at the next table, and the two of us. We took to the dance floor and the next thing you know, we had been adopted. We were doing the conga and showboating in the center of the dancing circle.

At midnight, there were handshakes, hugs, and kisses all around as we wished each other "¡Feliz Año!" What a fantastic time! Gabriel, one of the staff-members (and an amazing dancer!) gave me a bouquet of black and white balloons to take home. We made quite the sight boarding the public bus with our balloons and feathery party hats! All the buses in the City were free for New Years Eve -- Thanks Muni!

What a fantastic way to welcome 2009!

Christmas Trees: Love 'em and Leave 'em

Selecting just the right Christmas tree and lovingly decorating it is a time honored tradition for many families.The tree sparkles in the front window and passers-by admire the beautiful sight. Presents nestle beneath the tree to the delight of both children and adults.

I've always been amazed at the care and reverence people show Christmas trees...before the holidays.
On December 26th, a mere day after Christmas, trees start dotting the sidewalks of the City. What was once a beautiful, living, stalwart of the forest and a true holiday icon is quickly kicked to the curb.
Here's to the memory of those that have paid the price for our holiday enjoyment...