Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

San Francisco’s Treats

                      IMG_7263


Going to San Francisco to skip stones from the Golden Gate, roll with the fog over the hilly streets, sight see through antique shops, hop on a cable car, taste sweets, feel nostalgic with French Husband as we pass through old stomping grounds and absorb as much as we can of a city we love.


Places to see in San Francisco:


The first place we go to when we arrive in San Francisco, regardless the hour is to eat Mexican food: Pacho Villa


Grenouille: French antique shop for the trade only. But a wonderful place to visit if you want to taste French country.


Bell’occhio: Unusual gifts, ribbons and things that make an artist feel romantic.


Chez Spencer: A delicious French restaurant, chic and hip and the best food.


Bittersweet: Chocolate Thai ice tea.


Baker Beach: Mile long beach with a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. (clothes optional, I’ll have mine on.)


House of Nanking: Let them tell you want to eat!


Hayes Valley: Where I use to live many moons ago when it wasn’t cool, but just plain cheap and behind the Opera.


Flax: A paper artist’s heaven.


Britex: Wrapped up in silk, cotton, wool and tied up with a million ribbons.


Stairway on 16th: Handmade tiles, stunning artwork and spectacular community project. If your legs can take it, go to the other side of San Francisco and hike down the Greenwich stairway where wild parrots will sing to you.


Do you have a favorite dig in San Francisco?


 

Comments

30 responses to “San Francisco’s Treats”

  1. david from France

    Yes, indeed I have a favourite place for breakfast in San Francisco. This is Mama’s (stockton street – Washington square).
    But as I live in the south of France I do not go there very often!!! Enjoy this beautiful city which is also a favourite of mine and my family.
    Have a great day (after a good night’s rest… I almost forgot the time change!!)
    David.

    Reply
  2. le petit cabinet de curiosites

    I don’t , as I have never been there !
    But if I would , for sure I would stop at the bell’ochhio shop and I would buy some beautiful earrings and a beauté mouche packet for someone I know …

    Reply
  3. Caffienated Cowgirl

    One of my favorite places in the whole world!

    Reply
  4. Shannon

    I hope you have Euros to cash in!!!! Have a great time and too bad the club where you and Yann met isn’t still open. There’s got to be another where you can go and dance 😉

    Reply
  5. darla

    North Beach, Vesuvio’s, City Lights bookstore… and so on.
    Have fun in the City by the Bay.
    Darla

    Reply
  6. herhimnbryn

    Have never been, but one day, one day!
    I love the stairway, but then I would wouldn’t I?
    Sending you good thoughts and extra joy for your trip.

    Reply
  7. JO

    I saw the ocean for the first time in San Francisco…No one told me it was artic waters…. and then went for breakfast at a diner next to Cliff House. I have never walked so much anywhere as in SF. I had to explore around every corner I turned, climb every hill and I must say that Russian Hill was wonderful…I do believe I was in private spaces up there but it was irresistable not to look down on the city. My first impression was that the pyramid bldg looked out of place but now it identifies SF in pictures I see. My husband has never been there and I long to go with him.

    Reply
  8. kare

    ?
    Why would you go to a great American city to eat Frech food and look for French antiques? Isn’t that a bit like going to France to have a hamburger and hunt for American Colonial?

    Reply
  9. Jeanne

    Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.
    I love San Fran
    I love you
    Love Jeanne

    Reply
  10. Suzanne G

    San Francisco is the one city I would leave Canada for. There are so many things to see. My favorite place for breakfast is the Tuscan Inn near Fisherman’s Wharf (425 North Point St.), they have the most amazing granola, fresh fruit and yoghurt breakfast in San Fran.
    There are also great yarn stores if you are into knitting.

    Reply
  11. Joannah

    I love SF! My best friend lives there, and I make it up once or twice a year for a visit. We’ve had lots of fun shopping and eating, and shopping and eating our way through town. My husband and I spent a couple nights there on our honeymoon last fall after being married in Sonoma County. We love the area.
    There are too many favorites to list, but I really enjoy a meal at the Cliff House. The food is great and so is the view. Another favorite is the Ferry Building, especially on Saturdays during the Farmers Market.
    Oh, now I’m longing for SF. Sigh…

    Reply
  12. Beachy

    Have a fabulous time! I LOVE SanFran! I remember fondly walking down the sweetly crooked Lombard Street with hubby, just so we could say we were actually on that famous street! Crab cakes were DELICIOUS down at the Pier!

    Reply
  13. clarice

    you know both my father and I were born in SF. I have not been there is 10 years but miss it so. I also love bell’occhio. I love golden gate park, especially the Japanese gardens. I always loved going there as a little girl. xoxoxo Clarice

    Reply
  14. nyvintagechic

    I love Coco-she is such a doll. Tell her hi if you happen to wander in there today! Living there was a wonderful experience. That area is full of hidden gems.

    Reply
  15. Amy

    I’ve been to Baker Beach! But it was in February, so you know….clothing wasn’t really optional. LOL I love SF. All that humidity….my hair never looked better….

    Reply
  16. Tamara ModernGear TV

    Oh my goodness, I LOVE SF!! We are hoping to move there some time.
    Favourites:
    Dragon Well restaurant 2142 Chestnut St. – healthy, yummy Asian fare.
    For a taste of France: Boulange de Cole 1000 Cole St (corner of Cole and Parnassus) – I always debate over the granola or the Croque Monsieur. Always end up with the granola and hubby the Croque Monsieur, so I sneak a bite.
    Curbside Too 2769 Lombard St. – French toast with a side of bacon. The very definition of yummy.
    Hmmm – all my attractions are culinary!

    Reply
  17. Joy

    Ohmigosh, just went there this past May and fell in love with it – heart body and soul! Wish I would have had this list with me… 🙂
    Joy

    Reply
  18. Ladyhead

    Hmmmm…Super nachos from Pancho Villa sound so good right now ;). I was just in Bittersweet Cafe yesterday, Corey. I always get their mocha–yummers!
    I’m glad you’re having fun with the Cooch. Tell her i said “Okway!”
    xoxo,
    Lady

    Reply
  19. Beverly

    Love the tiled steps…they’re beautiful!

    Reply
  20. nousha.com

    Never heard of Grenouille, I miss my country, I ll check it out!

    Reply
  21. Kieren

    Well, one of my absolute favorite restaurants is the Slanted Door in the Ferry Plaza bldg. Amazing view, terrific shrimp spring rolls and shredded beef that melts in your mouth!
    We went there last year on our anniversary after the place we had reservations at was suddenly closed for an emergency and they gave us a terrific table instantly – walked us past all the people waiting in line! Have fun!
    PS I think the best Mexican food is at Tacubaya (4th st, Berkeley)or Dona Tomas (Oakland) in the east bay.Or somewhere in the Mission…

    Reply
  22. Rosemary

    OMG Corey,
    We love House of Nanking!!! We do let them tell us what to eat!!
    It’s our favorite when we go to San Fran.
    One of my favorite shops is Brown Dirt Cowboy on Polk St.
    Sounds like fun!!!
    Rosemary

    Reply
  23. Hasmin

    Lived there for a couple of years when I was younger. Would love to go back and visit. I remember going to China Town every weekend with my Mom and Aunties. We’d go have lunch, then see fresh fortune cookies being made, and then buy a box of steamed buns to take home. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Elaine L.

    I love to cross the Bridge to view the cityscape. It’s always a breathe taking view.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  25. Marie-Noëlle

    I’ve never been to the USA …
    My knowledge of SF is limited to hackneyed pictures harking back to the 1970s…
    including flowers, long dresses, guitars, …etc…
    and to one song by French Maxime Le Forestier:
    http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=9GYmW3CI0o0

    Reply
  26. Marie-Noëlle

    PS That stairway and its mosaïcs remind me of Gaudi’s Guell Park in Barcelona !
    Beautiful !!!

    Reply
  27. Mary

    Just have a fabulous time stomping the old grounds with Yann! dh and I do that when we go back to Washington D.C. as that’s where our history started! I love SF city too, have friends who live there so pop over now and then.

    Reply
  28. My Mélange

    Well, since I lived in Walnut Creek, my fondest memory of my time there was spending time on the Wharf with the sea lions, eating a sourdough soup bowl at Boudin and bringing my hippie sister who was visiting, to Haight-Ashbury and Jerry Garcia’s house. Oh yes- and for a tatoo 🙂 And can’t forget our trips to Napa. Ahhhh.
    It has been 10 years since we have been back- way too long- I must go back to visit!!
    Enjoy!

    Reply
  29. Elizabeth

    My 12th birthday request was to go over and to SF and eat at Fisherman’s Wharf Grotto #9, I think it was called…that was SOOOOOO long ago now. I grew up, school years mostly, in Sacramento…and this was mid-June so it was granted. Those meals were to die for at that restaurant, if you could resist that wonderful bread until they arrived!! And then we wandered along in that area, until time to go home. My other birthdays were simpler by far and cheaper, but for whatever reason, my parents granted that one (I suspect they wanted to go just as much). I only wish SF was now as it was then…have not been back in many years and now on the opposite coast. Thanks for jogging my memories.

    Reply
  30. An Enchanted Cottage

    Yes… A total tourist trap on Fisherman’s Wharf, but it is the memory of my mother visiting from the east coast that is the treasure… For the 3 years I lived in northern CA, mom would fly out once a year and we would head to San Francisco so she could eat at The Franciscan restaurant, overlooking Alcatraz (her absolute favorite view)… It’s been almost 12 years since she’s been gone, and 27 years since I lived there, but the memory of us sitting there laughing and sharing and enjoying being together are as vivid as if it were yesterday… I hope you enjoyed your visit to San Francisco…Donna

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions