San Francisco December 2016

San Francisco

December 9-12, 2016

    It's a familiar sight now, San Francisco at Christmas. But growing up in Southern California it requires some travel to get any sense there is winter out there someplace and that the Christmas downtown spirit and experience is alive someplace other than New York.

We checked into the fantastic Marriott Marquis to be greeted by the amazing Rosana, our front desk friend. She has become a friend and we bring her gifts from other travel, she takes good care of us. We wandered through the lobby to see the annual gingerbread contest and made our way to a suite with an awesome panoramic view. 

And like clockwork we headed to our happy lunch place, Hog Island at the Ferry Market.   We stood in line under heaters avoiding some rain and peering in at fortunate seated diners. Sardines, sliders and those amazing oysters kick started our holiday visit. 

Afer lunch we walked to the Hyatt to see the holiday decor. This year it was an 10 story indoor snowfall on the half hour. Pretty cool sipping a cocktail at the bar and watching kids frolic-in the lobby. 


We were there to once again "compete" in the now 7th annual Jingle Beer Run. Its a 5k that includes a beer or bloody mary at the finish line. Questions? In the event of a tie run there is a drink off. All true.  But this year it rained and poured and was SF cloudy grey. So we took an Uber to the finish line to join in the post run festivities. There were some braver souls who did the run and were soaking wet and we toasted in a warm tent being tossed in the rain and wind. (In hindsight this is the moment we both had colds when we got home) We celebrated the winners and greeted some acquaintances and enjoyed the invisible harbor views. 

Then part 2 of our Christmas in SF is the annual   Santa Con. Hundreds of Santas on a pub crawl across the city in groups with elves and snowmen  and reindeer. Festive and fun this year was hindered tremendously by the rain. Where last year there were hundreds of not thousands this year stood a few dozen of the dedicated. We made a walk through and photoed then headed into the dry Macy's to see where Santa was hiding. 

Evening fare was to be casual we had made no reservations and didnt want to wait too long. So we found Hogwash, a little pub with some great chow and sausages from Chicago. It was delicious with a window stool facing Sutter street. Great beer choices and warm atmosphere made this place a go again choice a short walk from our hotel. Amazing how many great places there are in the city to discover. Its part of what keeps us coming back. No plans, just walk. And it works. Every time. 

I had read about the camera obscura located at lands end in SF. Based on a DaVinci design the camera rotates and projects a 360         degree view of the stunning California coastline. But it was closed. The gift shop indicated the opening time was "when he gets here". SO we found a spot for a drink overlooking it and waited. It opened and we enjoyed the view from inside a hut. 

We continued to wander and very much by accident we discovered the lands end trail that hugs the coast and goes a couple miles thorough untouched coastal terrain. It was muddy and damp but we marched on and were treated by some of the most spectacular views of the city and the GG bridge we ad ever seen. 

A friend at T's work recommended a restaurant called Burma Superstar nearby so we Ubered there for lunch. A short wait outside and we entered a small packed place buzzing with excited patrons. We
 were all there to order the famous tea leaf salad. It is delivered to the table and carefully explained then the dozen or so ingredients are tossed together to create the most perfect tasting salad perhaps on the planet. This is a not to be missed place here and will now enter our rotation for places we will try hard to get to when in town. 

We spent the evening walking union square and into a gastropub in the sketchy mission district. Not memorable but it hit the spot. 

Our last day was spent riding the historic street car. We hopped on one and noticed the cars origin was San Diego. This was our first trip from our new home to SF and it made us smile. 

Crab was the goal. A big live fresh one from our spot the Alioto Lazio Fish Co. Walk to the end of the wharf and keep going. They will pack it for travel, still alive...for the time anyway.

Safely checked in our luggage with a loaf of sourdough nearby, we got home and boiled the water. That's the last thing I remember. Delicious in season fresh dungeness crab! 

And of course that means we will have to go back soon. But a remodeling project is ahead in 2017 and it may be a while. Stay tuned.