PJ and I had a delightful visit up to San Francisco (Sept 13 - Sept 19). Here's what happened -
Wednesday, September 13
Easy flight (after a 3+ hour delay). Lunch with EPG at Starbelly's; grocery shopping and some errands; we get to EPG's apartment. Nicole arrives there just a bit later (by fortunate coincidence she was in the Bay Area for work this week); then we go over to Shane's place to celebrate his (very recent) birthday. Had a lovely evening, met family; Hayden leads the decorating; charcuterie, pasta, chicken parm, chocolate cheesecake; gifts; lots of talking; fun night.
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| b'day party! |
Thursday, September 14
In late morning NOC and PJ head downtown - Diamondbacks (including POC) are arriving in SF and staying at the Westin in Union Square so NOC has a room there - the two of them do prep stuff for the evening's events. EPG, Shane and I do some errands and go to lunch at [don't remember the name but it was maybe my best lunch of the trip]; then we get dressed and Uber down to the Westin. San Francisco Orchestra has a "gala" event to launch the new season - a pretty fine evening for the five of us (later six). Drinks and appetizers at the lovely/historic City Hall; followed by dinner there; then we wander over to the orchestra venue where there is a performance headlined by Yo Yo Ma.
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| Red carpet etc. on arrival at City Hall |
EPG lines up almost the identical seats we had for Faure's
Requiem - first row behind performers and facing the conductor - this is a location that makes a difference! For me the concert highlight, surprisingly, was Ravel's
Bolero - I had been disappointed to see it on the program as it seems like a cliche-for-a-fundraiser type piece - but with our vantage point, some effective lighting, and a pretty amazing orchestra - it really worked. We test a couple after-parties and end up spending most of our time in an outdoor setting (where POC joins us). PJ and I did go into the performer's after-party - took a picture with Michael Tilson Thomas, however Yo Yo Ma didn't show there. This was a really fun evening.
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| Great company, great seats, great performance. |
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| PJ 'n me collar MTT, who is gracious about this sort of thing. Cello music at after-party was a nice touch. |
Friday, September 15
We meet POC and NOC for lunch at Coqueta (Pier 5) - ok, this really was my favorite lunch of the trip. Then wandered the pier area a bit, some had ice cream, then POC had to go to work. Errands and miscellany ensue.
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| Between Coqueta and our ice cream. Perfect weather. |
In early evening the five of us meet Meghan Stern at Flour and Water - where everyone knows EPG's and Shane's names (and treat us great) - a wondrous variety of pastas, they continue to hit the mark.
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| Shane running stuff in theater lobby. |
After this we head over to opening night for
Reefer Madness at the community theater Shane supports. Joined by some SF friends; we had a good group. Very good crowd, responsive; we liked the performance; some snacks (and Lagunitas) at the concession stand. POC joins us after the game. Shane gives us a tour of the old theater, which we also liked. Enjoyed talking there with everyone in our group for quite some time; then we head back to EPG's apartment. Yup, another fun day.
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| By now POC has rejoined us; our theater tour has reached the stage. |
Saturday, September 16
We meet POC and NOC downtown; they were having brunch (we had already eaten breakfast); then POC gets on the team bus (we felt rather surreptitiously) to head to the game. Today was our unscheduled day - devoted to walking around town and checking out eating/drinking places. Which the five of us did, in fine form. And we brought along "Five Crowns." Chinatown - where we were less impressed by the pork-buns than we were on previous trips; but the DIY fortune cookie shop made up for it. Little Italy - we stop for pizza, pasta, beer, Five Crowns at Il Casaro - had a great seat at the window. (Weather, BTW, was gorgeous throughout our entire visit.)
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| An ideal Saturday wandering, and wandering, around SF. |
Then we walk up to Coit Tower (but, there being a line, we don't go in). Then we walk down toward the waterfront and make our way up to the Fisherman's Wharf area. Lots o' tourists walking around (ok, including some of us). We're getting hungry and thirsty again; end up at Blue Mermaid (selected mostly for outdoor seating that accommodated Five Crowns, but the food also was fine). Onto EPG's place for games - Five Crowns and Telestrations - plus some pretty wonderful charcuterie, beer, etc. As we enjoy that view. POC again makes the effort to join us after the game. Fun day.
Sunday, September 17
EPG, PJ and I get organized and start working our way downtown for D'backs-Giants game (thanks for tix, POC!) Walk to Spike's for coffee/pastry; meet Shane and a short walk with him to the muni; after arrival in Union Square area we pick up NOC; then a lengthy/nice walk to the stadium. Beautiful day! Giants stadium was great - pretty much unbeatable setting (McCovey Cove etc.) - POC is familiar, and walked us around the place.
Very fun hanging around there (plus they have plenty of good beer and food). By the way the D'backs were beaten. After the game we walk to a couple POC-recommended places and end up at Black Hammer Brewing - which we really liked for light-duty sipping. The place keeps a bunch of games on hand, we had a fine time playing "Anomia" (ok I was terrible) - a new game by us but the Amazon orders went in as we played. In the evening we head over to Shane's place for drinks, supper, games (Telestrations round 2). Fun day throughout.
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| Telestrations medalists, with participation-trophy-ists. |
Monday, September 18
EPG, PJ and me to Boulangerie for breakfast; then pack/prep. We decide to do a little wandering in the Golden Gate Park area; walking near the California Academy of Sciences, and we decide to go in - we pretty quickly determine this place is quite the gem. Lots of neat stuff, we were rather amazed by the coral displays - which somehow I've never really seen, or perhaps never paid attention to? Planetarium show always impresses (this one on earthquakes). Etc.
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| We liked this place, a lot. |
Then a fine lunch at Nopalita followed by a bit of ice cream at Hometown Creamery. Back to EPG's place; Shane stops by to see us off; EPG drives us to the airport (as he then heads to LA).
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| Our "closing lunch" for the trip was pretty excellent - except we weren't happy that the trip was ending. |
PJ and I were lucky to enjoy another wonderful visit; our out-of-town kids treat us great; this trip on its face looked to be pretty heavily scheduled, but it never felt that way. The five of us found it really easy to hang out together (unsurprising), POC made a great effort, and it was fun to meet Shane's family. Yay.
