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This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit the
beautiful city of San Francisco as well as spend a day down the coast visiting
Monterey and Big Sur. I like to think of San Francisco as the girl next door, especially when you think about her in contrast to her sexy neighbour Los Angeles, but just as you’d imagine she is petite, naturally beautiful, gifted with eclectic interests and possesses an amazing spirit. So very easy to fall in love with!
Yes, I’m extremely fortunate to be able to travel to such
great locations and then share them with you, and this trip I was blessed to
have a local tour guide and friend (thanks Amelia!) to show me some of the
lesser-known but extraordinarily beautiful places in this part of the world.
Indelible Tip #1:
The city of Monterey is about a two-hour drive south from San
Francisco, past the well known Silicon Valley and the
tech corridor. This delightful seaside town is as charming
reminder of a bygone era with its gorgeous Victorian homes, which are
juxtaposed with the rocky coastline that surrounds the Monterey peninsula. Staying at the Seven Gables Inn which overlooked the
coast was an absolute treat, as was the wonderful hospitality and unbelievably
delicious breakfast, which was included. If you go, you have to stay here!
As you know I love early morning photo shoots and this visit
provided me with an opportunity to get out as the sun was rising over the Diablo mountain range directly to the east. You can see some of the
photos from the pre-dawn shoot in last week’s blog. However, if you wanted a more photos from my
entire weekend, albeit not all 1600 photos :-) you can check them out in my ImageBrief portfolio.
Following the coast a further hour south from Monterey will
bring you to Big
Sur. The first thing you
notice about the drive from Monterey is the rugged coastline and beautiful
green coastal foothills, which makes the drive down the coast so stunning.
On the drive down the coast definitely take you time to take
in the views and especially the Bixby Bridge.
This architectural gem was completed in October 1932 for the princely
sum of just under $200,000 and was the longest concrete arch span bridge on the
California State Highway System – very cool!
There are some great photo opportunities all the way along the coast so
don’t rush, but take your time to breathe them in.
Indelible Tip #2:
Finding myself back in San Francisco after a blissful day (although I
must admit it felt longer) in Monterey and along the California coast, I made
it back just in time for my first sunset in SF and no better place that to
capture the moment was visiting the Palace of Fine Art. This gorgeous structure was build for the Panama-Pacific
Exposition, which San Francisco hosted in 1915.
Since then it’s been renovated twice, once in 1965 and again in 2009 and
is a favorite spot for wedding photographers and locals alike to come and
absorb the beauty of the magnificent vaulted ceilings and soaring columns. Close by in the Marina district is Crissy Field,
which at one time was an US army airfield that bordered San Francisco bay and part
of the larger Presidio complex. An
amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge with a fiery red sky as its backdrop was
just what I needed to end another great day exploring!
Indelible Tip #3:
It’s impossible to encapsulate my trip to San Francisco into just three
tips, especially given the incredible days I spent at exploring the many wonders,
which the city has to offer. I think the other reason I love California is
because I’m constantly surrounded with groves of eucalyptus, which reminded me
of being home in Australia.
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a stop at Vista Point
and the Marin
Headlands on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge. We were fortunate as the tongue of fog that
partly enveloped the bridge and bay when we arrived lifted to show both the
enormity of the architecture and the innate beauty of San Francisco bay and the
city skyline. And my recommendation is
if have time for lunch definitely stop by the Cavallo Point restaurant (Murray
Circle) in old Fort
Baker and enjoy their terrific fare.
There were a number of other high points over the course of
the weekend including visiting the “Painted Ladies”, which are located on Alamo
Square Park (Steiner Street). These six,
brightly painted Victorian homes have the good fortunate to have the city as
their backdrop and so one of the most photographed places in San
Francisco. I even held an impromptu
photo shoot for two lovely ladies from New York City (thanks Nicole and Lauren)
hope you’re enjoying your photos!
We also hiked the trail at Lands End (access from El Camino
Del Mar) and along the coastline to the ruins of the Sutro Baths. On your hike you’ll see surfers catching some
massive waves off this rocky and intimidating coastline from your cliff top perch. As well, check out the views of China Beach,
ship wrecks and the mighty Pacific Ocean as they all come together on this
amazing trail.
The other important part to San Francisco is the fantastic
food scene in the city. I had a couple
of fabulous meals, including a lunch at Burma Superstar (309 Clement Street) after
visiting the Farmers Market in the Inner Richmond neighborhood. If you go, you have to try the Nan Gyi Dok.
This mild coconut chicken rice noodle curry is spectacular!
Another was SPQR in the Lower Pacific Height (1911 Filmore
Street), this charming little Italian restaurant was amazing! I had the Parsnip Ravioli…they melted in my
mouth, and if it were a little more acceptable to lick the plates I likely
would have - it was that good…just sayin!
And for those of you that love street art as much as I do, check out Clarion Alley in the Mission District, I have a few photos on my portfolio at ImageBrief but clearly I'm unable to do them justice given the large number of murals and the stunning high quality work.
Have fun exploring San Francisco...she's one of my favorites cities in North America!
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“Hanoi Posting”
A series of fictional micro-stories by Terence Wallis
Episode 33: Hard Facts
Phuong was sitting in his normal spot at the Star Cafe chatting to Bin Dong when Bill entered the next morning. Thank god he thought to himself, at least I hadn't totally pissed him off. As Bill approached, Bin Dong turned, nodded and retreated behind the counter to make their morning coffee. After sitting Bill started to apologize but Phuong held up his hands, we cannot speak of this he said firmly.
Bill was confused, he felt as though something had changed in their relationship and that a measure of distance now separated them...
For the remainder of their conversation that morning Bill practiced his Vietnamese under Phuong's tutelage, as if it were a normal day which confused Bill more than ever. As they exited they strode into the oncoming traffic and crossed the busy thoroughfare for their daily walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
Once out of the turbulence of the scooter traffic and cacophony of noise Phuong said in a low voice. I warned you about Mai he said firmly, you could have been killed the other night. So this is what this is all about, said Bill. A couple of thugs beat me up and you think it was because of Mai. Mate, you're dead wrong about that he said firmly...
Am I? Phuong shot back staring firmly at Bill
They continued to walk in silence, however Phuong was at odds with himself and felt compelled to protect Bill from the dangers of Mai and Anh.
Phuong explained that Anh, Mai's lover had most likely set Trung and his thugs upon Bill the other night, hoping that it would scare you enough to leave Hanoi. "Why would I leave Hanoi?" Bill protested. It feels like I just got here, and to be honest I'm starting to like it, although a little bit warm for my liking he said smiling trying to lighten the mood.
Phuong decided to take another tack with Bill, he then went onto tell Bill the story of Hanoi Rose and her escort service. He said that she had enforcers that accompanied her everywhere and that it was most likely they were responsible for the beating and subsequent head wound.
Bill was feeling perplexed, "Are you sure we have the same Mai?" After all, she certainly didn't have any bodyguards with her when I was with her last. Now it was Phuong's turn to smile wryly.
Next week: Episode 34: Tuesday 2:00 pm
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This week's selection of photos are from the series of photo shoots in San Francisco.
Enjoy!
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| A gorgeous weekend in San Francisco - staying near the Presidio |
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| The "Painted Ladies" with the cityscape in the background |
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| Heading over the Golden Gate Bridge |
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| The view of the Golden Gate from Vista Point |
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| San Francisco from Vista Point |
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| A tourist taking in the views from Vista Point - monochrome |
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Statue dedicated to all the military personnel that left for the Pacific
in WWII from San Francisco |
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| Stunning views from the Marin Headland |
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| San Francisco as a backdrop for the Golden Gate Bridge |
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| The Golden Gate Bridge taken from Horseshoe Bay |
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| A friendly pelican who seemed to love the camera |
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| Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay taken from Telegraph Hill |
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| The Christopher Columbus statue at Coit Tower |
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| Sunset over the city |
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| Surfers catching waves below the Lands End trail |
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| Oil tanker coming into San Francisco bay weighed down with her cargo of crude oil |
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| Eucalyptus groves on the Lands End hike |
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| The Golden Gate Bridge from the Lands End trail |
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| Ruins of the Sutro Baths and the Pacific Ocean at the end of the Lands End trail |
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| The Inner Richmond neighborhood |
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| Fresh organic vegetables at the Farmers Market - Inner Richmond |
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| Awesome to visit the Farmers Market on such a gorgeous day |
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| If you go - you have to eat at the Burma Superstar...so good! |
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| The City of San Francisco seal on a garbage can |
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| Roller skating enthusiasts at Golden Gate Park - quite the scene! |
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| They were an eclectic bunch... |
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Check this guy out - he only used a couple of skateboard wheels
that he stood on independently... |
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| Skaters in motion |
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Skating on one leg in a yoga pose - takes an enormous amount
of strength to do this move standing still....let alone on skates |
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| Cool Keith Haring sculpture at the de Young Museum in the Golden Gate Park |
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| The bike rake at Golden Gate Park |
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| San Francisco City Hall building at sunset |
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| Street Art in Clarion Alley - Mission District |
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| TW in front of the camera for a change - Mission District street art |
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Clarion Alley is just one of the many laneways festooned
with amazing murals and street art |
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| So cool! |
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| Sunset over San Francisco from Dolores Park in the Mission District |
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