SF Trip Day 4 (part 2) & Day 5

Yesterday (aka Day 4) I really hit my groove. I am comfortable traveling solo, I have figured out how to get around and the weather was amazing.

I headed to Mama's for breakfast. I had read reviews and knew they were notorious for having a line. I got there at 8:25 on a Tuesday morning in January and yes there was a line. But I was in the door and had ordered by 8:55, waited a bit more for a table. But it was worth it. 

The food was good and it was a SF experience that was not just touristy. Locals wait in the line too. I got the bay shrimp omelet, with potatoes and sour dough baguette. The potatoes were just ok, the rest was delicious and worth the wait. I was surprised by the number of people dining alone. It was comforting in an odd way. 

You stand in line watching them make all the food. They make french toast out of all these breads. You can get a sampler platter of all the flavors, if you are in the mood for a sweet breakfast this place would be heaven. 

After that I walked back up the hill through China town. It was early, not a lot was open. But the one lady who was open and was nice to me suckered me in. I bought some little jade bracelets from her for M. I realized I forgot my fit bit so I walked to the hotel for a pit stop and to grab my fit bit. Then I walked down the other side of Nob Hill to catch the bus to the Mission. 

Before heading to Betabrand for my meeting (see part 1). I hit up the Fabric Outlet. At first I was not so sure. If this was my neighborhood fabric store I would be happy. They had a little bit of everything. LOTS of spandex and costume stuff which is fun. They have some upholstery, loads of vinyl, quilting cotton, t-shirt knit and more. Along with a good selection of notions.

But it was nothing special, nothing I could not get at home. Until I found my kryptonite. Funky cotton Lawns.

I normally pass on birds, but look at them and their little tree's. The colors are perfect. This is begging to become an Esme Top or a Washi Top.

Blue and purple is my jam! I could not leave this one behind. I know there is already a lot of tie dye in my wardrobe but I am who I am. 

Hello summer pants of 2016! 

After fabric shopping I went over to Betabrand (see part 1). After my Betabrand meeting I shopped my way to the transit station. I finally found a new purse, I have been searching for the right one. And a little gift the the hubby. Cute boutiques on Valencia. 

New Purse! 

I decided to take the BART (subway) back because I knew it would be fast and it was. I treated myself to another cable car ride up to the top and took a break. For dinner I went back to Chinatown and got some dim sum. Can't beat dinner for $4.90! 

This morning I went and got the last fancy breakfast of my trip. I went to Mymy on California Street. Coffee was great, food was decent, staff super nice. It was a good last breakfast. I bought road trip snack at Trader Joe's, rode the trolley up and over the hill and then back up again. I have since been enjoying the luxury and amazing view of my hotel room. 

San Francisco is beautiful and fascinating. It changes from block to block. There is every type of person you could imagine. I have spent a lot of time people watching, wondering what their lives are like. Especially walking in the morning, seeing people coming out of their buildings. Makes you want to know what it looks like inside.

One noticeable problem that SF has is a huge homeless population. And I was reading an article that pointed out that January is a lean month for the homeless. It is cold and people are not as generous as they were during the holidays. Some homeless people I encountered seemed pretty desperate. It is sad and frustrating and I never know what to do for them. I'll admit I gave the nicer ones a couple of bucks. It's always all about presentation. Smile and say hi is a better way to people's hearts.

San Francisco will always have a little piece of my heart. I am super grateful to Betabrand for this experience. It was AMAZING to get a fancy breakfast made for me so many days in a row! And to walk around as much as I wanted and enjoy all the great views and fresh air. However I am missing my peeps and ready to head home. I am ready for school pick up, and stinky neighbor kids invading my house. But most of all I am ready to see E & M, because where ever they are is home to me.

Take one last look at the great view with me. I packing up and heading to the airport.

Peace Out!
- C

SF Trip - Day 4 (part 1 - Betabrand)

Yesterday was quite a day. I did so many things I think I shall break it up into two parts.

"Betabrand" (part 1) and 

"Vacation-y Stuff" (part 2).

How I ended up on this trip to San Francisco? I entered a design contest that Betabrand was having. But I really need to back up and tell you more. In July I was on a train in Scotland, we were going by fields with sheep. As we were passing said sheep, I wondered, what do they do with the wool from the black sheep? Husband and I had witty banter about the possibilities. 

Sometime later I googled "black sheep wool sweater".  The first thing that comes up is the Betabrand website selling their black sheep wool sweaters. So I promptly bought one. Sometime later I further checked out their website and realized I could submit design ideas to them. I submitted my shirt idea, and the timing was right for it to be part of a contest they were having. I got the most votes, won the contest and got the choice of coming to SF or going to Ice Land. Since I was doing this trip solo, I chose SF. 

Back to yesterday...Betabrand is out in the Mission (in Atlanta terms think Buford Highway). So a bit far and a bit of a weird-ish neighborhood. I took the bus out there so I could see what there is to see between Nob Hill and The Mission. Well turns out not much, but was only about a half hour bus ride so no big loss. 

I was early so I did some shopping (see part 2). Then headed to meet Liz for lunch. 

When I arrived at the Betabrand HQ I realized that it is a shop / office / workshop / sewing studio / creative space all rolled into one. It is a really cool space and I think it would be totally fun to work there. All the people I met that work there did seem pretty happy and friendly. 

Hey Liz, up there in your cute office nook!

This picture is a little blurry and dark, but that is Liz working at her desk on the 2nd floor loft above the store. 

She says she stands all day up there on here perch. It seems cool but I would be distracted, I guess you can get used to anything. 

Liz took me out to lunch at a cool Mexican place and since I am technically on vacation I had a margarita, a veggie taco and sweet plantains. It was delicious and Liz was great to talk to. We talked a little business but spent most of lunch getting to know each other. 

After lunch she showed me around the offices and introduced me to everyone. As I said all super nice. But all really busy and actually working. California is supposed to be laid back, but I think we southerners have them beat. I have never been in an office in Atlanta with so many people actually working. 

Super cute Betabrand store.

I captured Sasquatch. Not sure why they have this photo "experience" but it is funny.

Mural on wall outside of store.

I met with the people who are going to take product pictures and design the website page for my shirt. They asked me all sorts of questions and sadly I had no answers for them. Where would someone wear your shirt? Well.... anywhere really. I just wanted to make a shirt that fit people. We did come up with some scenarios and I am going to think on it some more. But I was not much help. I am afraid I am a wee bit too old to be a hipster. And Betabrand is squarely in the hipster category. 

Prototype is not ready but they are working towards crowd-funding (aka pre-orders) being up and running in February. All you peeps who voted for me better spread the word to your friends and buy up some shirts! 

SF Day 3

This morning I wandered around lost. And I learned that there is the SF Muni subway. And the BART subway and the fare cards do not mix. Sadly I learned this the hard way and the BART guy was not terribly nice about it.

Whenever I am in a city that I like, I walk around wondering what it would be like to live there. Which always makes me remember that I used to day dream about living in my current house. It used to feel completely unattainable, so it is also a good reminder that anything can happen. I spent my first two days here wondering what it would be like to live here. Today with the MUNI / BART confusion it made it more real and less glamourous. I still think I could live here. But M & E would have to come because where ever they are is home. (I miss them!)

Due to lack of planning on my part, I had a mediocre breakfast, before I went and got lost (more poor planning). BUT it was BEAUTIFUL weather today. It was sunny and warm and amazing. So I decided to scrap my original no plans plan and head down towards the water.

I plunked down another $7 to ride the cable car over to Fisherman's Warf. I know it is touristy and sort of crappy and not the "real" San Francisco. But it was a great cable car ride down there. I ended up hanging off the side, and talking to a couple of guys from Detroit the whole ride. They are in town for the Super Bowl, which is in SF next weekend.

The Cable Car driver was super nice and was great about announcing stops, telling us where we were going and how to ride. Also yelling at crappy drivers. Just in case you did not know, passing a stopped cable car is like passing a stopped school bus. It is a No NO and you get a huge fine if police catch you doing it. He told me a sad story about a conductor that got hit and killed by a car passing the cable car. So sad! But good information. Now I know how to ride safely and if I ever drive in this crazy city I will obey that rule!

When we got down to Fisherman's Wharf I took a picture of our kind driver. He took a picture of me for me. Which is nice, when you travel alone you don't always manage to get pictures of yourself.

I lived out in the Dublin / Pleasanton area for a few years when I was a kid. And we would go into the city on weekends or when we had guests in town. I remember going to Fisherman's Wharf when I was little. It was different than it is now. There was no Apple Bee's or In & Out Burger.

The old part of Fisherman's Wharf is still there. A row of weird old restaurants that have weird cups of calamari for sale and one old weird souvenir shop. When I was little, I thought it was perfectly normal to walk around with a cup of squid and a tiny fork. I did not know how weird and at times wonderful my childhood was until I saw the more "normal" rest of the country.

I ate some lunch at Boudin's which was just ok. I could not get clam chowder in a bread bowl which was my favorite thing to get there as a kid. I am lactose intolerant and didn't want to risk it. Their crab cake sandwich was just ok. But the boudin's that is there now is about 10 times the size of the one that used to be there. It is sort of fascinating. The Ripley's Believe or Not has been there as long as I can remember. We LOVED going there. Lizzy Bordin was our favorite display. I decided agaist exploring that one, better save it for when I bring M. But they also have a Madame Tussaud's and a SF Dungeon. Did not partake in those either.

Then I wandered around and went in the Musee Mecanique which is basically a video game museum. But they have really, really old stuff along with Pac Man and such. I am not sure when this place opened but it is super cool. I have no idea how they afford to stay there and there is no admission to go in.

I am not sure who thought Opium Den was a fun game?!?

Or execution?

Or the super creepy Laughing Sal! You put in $.50 and she laughs and rocks back and forth. I am sure there is a You Tube of it somewhere if you are interested. So weird! But admission is free and it is pretty fascinating what used to pass for amusement. When Eric and I where in SF on our honeymoon (11.5 years ago) we went here. And I am pretty sure when we bring Marion here this summer we will go here. It is one of the few things I like at Fisherman's Wharf. 

This is the view of the city from Hyde Street Pier. 

Those are the boats at Hyde Street  Pier. 

The Golden Gate bridge is off in the distance. You cannot see it but there were people swimming in the bay. It was warm. And by warm I mean I was walking around in jeans, boots and a sweater and was comfortable. Which for SF is pretty stinking warm. But I was not about to jump in the bay and go for a swim. Crazy!

I took the cable car back to the top of the hill. It really is just a fun way to get around. However this time the driver was not chatty. It was a very efficient ride up Nob Hill. 

I took a shower and a rest and then I took myself out to dinner. I want to Amelie, a little wine bar on Polk Street. I walked down there which was good. I needed to keep moving. All this walking up and down hills, my legs are killing me!!!(over 17,000 steps today)

I had a lovely salad and flat bread with a glass of wine. I wimped out and took the bus back most of the way up the hill. I swear that bus driver was crazy. She was in a hurry or something. It is a steep hill. There is just no easy way to get up it.  

Salad in a jar. Weird presentation. Tasty Salad.

I have plans for tomorrow that include breakfast! Lunch and a meeting with peeps at Betabrand! And hopefully not getting too lost.