As a child, the eponymous Hollywood movie with Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy was probably the first time I became aware of San Francisco. The special effects covering the – 1909 Earthquake – still stand the test of time, I used this footage in the classroom for years, and suggest that any Geography teachers reading this consider having a look. Clint Eastwood’s – Escape from Alcatraz – made more of an impact than Burt Lancaster’s – The Birdman of Alcatraz. So there’s a prison there, San Quentin remains which Lord Clive and Lady Magie of Crawley have visited. Steve McQueen also put this city on the map in – Bullitt.
Over the years I have come to recognise the streets of San Francisco through TV and the movies. Friends have confirmed that this city has more of the feel of being a city in the way that Los Angeles is not, merely a sprawl of suburbs.
Four nights is usually enough to get the feel of any city. In June 2018, Dr. Stan and Hector did our best to more than scratch the surface, with an emphasis very much on Bier.
I had promised Marg than once she is retired, we would visit as part of our – Around the World in Eighty Days. In May, 2024, it came to pass.
Arriving in San Francisco by Air
Having reached the baggage hall, on may have to go upstairs to find the Air Train, the shuttle which leads to the BART (Metro) station. From there it is around a thirty minute ride to the heart of the Downtown area, and beyond to Oakland/Berkley. One buys a ticket from the machine for the price matching the destination, so one has to find one’s chosen stop on the displayed list of stations and pay accordingly.
Getting around
In 1998, the three day Passport, was perfect. This has been superseded by the Clipper travel card which can be reloaded daily, or per journey. Clipper is valid on all buses and trams including the Trolley (cable-tram).
There is also a free bus running from the Ferry Port to Crissy Field (Presidio) via Fisherman’s Wharf.
Places of interest visited:
Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz Island
Fisherman’s Wharf – Pier 39
Aquarium of the Bay
Embarcadero
Colt Tower
Chinatown
Golden Gate Park
The Brewpubs and Bars visited:
Fort Point Beer Company – @ Embarcadero – Ferry Building, One San Francisco Bay Trail #54, San Francisco, CA 94111
Local Brewery & Beer Bar / Local Brewing Co. – 69 Bluxome St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Bartlett Hall / Bartlett Brewing Co. – 242 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
ThirstyBear Organic Brewing – 3915, 661 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105
21st Amendment Brewery and Restaurant – 563 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Pacific Brewing Laboratory/ Black Hammer Brewing – 544 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Wilkommen by Black Hammer Brewing Company – 2198 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
San Francisco Brewing Co. – 3150 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Cellarmaker – 1150 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Magnolia Brewing – Haight – 1398 Haight Street, San Franciso, CA 94117
Woods Polk Station – 2255 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Woods Lowside – 530 Haight Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Standard Deviant Brewing – 280 14th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
The Crafty Fox Alehouse – 1700 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 9410
Toronado – 547 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Mikkeller Bar – 34 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Barebottle Brewing Company – 1525 Cortland avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110
Barrel Head Brewhouse – 1785 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
The Summer Place – 801 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Hotel Adagio – 550 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
The Restaurants and cafes visited:
Chutney Indian Restaurant – 511 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Lahore Karahi – 612 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Punjab Kabab House – 101 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Shalimar Restaurant – 532 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Five Rivers Indian Cuisine – 2245 Judah Street, San Francisco, CA 94122
Brandy Ho’s Hunan Food – 217 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Boudin Bakery & Cafe – 2890 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 93133
Boudin Bakery Cafe – Pier 39, Beach Street Spaces 5-Q, San Francisco, CA 94133
San Francisco’s Hometown Creamery – 1290 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
The Baked Bear – 303 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133