Patrick has invited me (Anna) in as a guest writer for this entry, just to clarify things up front. This will probably equate to more words for you to read. Enjoy, readers. Picture lovers, skip to the pictures.
This weekend brought us the opportunity to get up to San Francisco for a little adventure and relaxation, plus a bit of last-minute recon before our wedding next month. We lucked out and got a weekend with a great balance of sunshine and cooler weather, giving us a small dose of the fall we we've both been craving. Please join us for the drive up!
We arrived early Friday afternoon after a six-hour drive up from LA. We got checked in to our hotel and then set out to explore the city. We did a little clothing (me) and record (Patrick) shopping on Haight Street, stopping along the way for some coffee (me again). It was really nice to be a little cold and sipping on a warm beverage. To be clear, it was really nice, followed by briefly confusing, then back to nice.
Patrick had stepped inside the store for a moment when a gentleman stopped his car in the street (with a woman and infant in tow) to ask me, "What is this, a coffee shop?" I affirmed that it was. Then he laughed and laughed, saying, "You're detoxing, aren't you? Yes you are! You're detoxing! You are DETOXING!!" This went on for just longer than I could comfortably pretend to laugh along and was relieved to be rejoined by Patrick. The family wagon immediately left. For the record, not detoxing.
Friday evening was spent in the Mission, where we had some warm dinner, then over to the bookstore where everyone got a new book. We did a little more wandering down Valencia and called it a night pretty early, tired from the long drive earlier in the day.
Saturday morning we got to know our (hotel's) neighborhood a little better on foot. We grabbed some coffee and walked over to the San Francisco Wholesale Flower Mart. If you love roses and bamboo, well then, this mart is for you. I think we may have just been there in the off-season, and I do understand that October is not known for its blooming flowers - but if Trader Joe's is outshining you in florals, Mart, something is off. Or I may have been grouchy and in need of some food.
We met up with friends and had a delicious lunch at Universal Cafe Saturday afternoon. Saturday was sunny and lovely, with the air still nice and crisp. Then a little more wandering and shopping in Hayes Valley. We were a bit priced out of this neighborhood, but we could still stop and take pictures of the houses of those in the higher brackets! It was a great place for a walk and we highly recommend the Arlequin Wine Merchant.
After a little afternoon nap, we headed back to the Mission to Woodward's Garden for dinner. Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, wonderful service. And a good thing, because that's where we're having our wedding. The food tasted like relief. A couple glasses of wine, a walk around the neighborhood, and early to bed...
... only to wake up to this!
Found some good espresso just a block from the hotel. The accompanying donuts are not pictured, but were also very tasty.
We had a great visit, but of course it's always nice to be home.
