I had very high hopes for Fog City, it had been elected to quite some pedestal by my dad and Gilly. Stories of how cosmopolitan, yet European and highly cultural it was enticed me – suffice to say, I was pretty excited!
During our stay in Yosemite, I would listen to KFOG (do listen online, it’s really good) radio a wonderful station playing classic million dollar soft rock such as The Police, U2 and Bonnie Tyler next to Goldfrapp and Ladytron. Presenters had seductive, soft and educated voices, I could not wait for this city.
The Ugly
Steep 30-degree inclines
A number of let downs initially ruined this unfortunately. I had tooth problems and had to see a dentist for root canal surgery. Thank goodness this fell in America, where the standard of dentistry is sublime. Dr Quach really sorted me out. Brilliant guy who spent time making me comfortable and explaining his every precise manoeuvre. I am considering flying back for future dental work as prices are also much better here. Anyway, that’s an aside…
The Bad
Another striking disappointment was Fisherman’s Wharf – tourist shithole, don’t bother wasting your time and energy, this is not San Francisco. Pier 39 is simply criminal, can we get Al Qaeda in to sort that one out please? Oh, and did I mention – people in SF are a little cold and unfriendly, shopkeepers are a little too pushy for the sale. Some ageing queer in Macy’s with a face and god knows what else pumped full of Botox tried so hard to sell Gilly a bad beige sweater.
The Good
Homes on Telegraph Hill
OK, San Francisco is wonderful really. It has a Euro-feel. It’s laid back, the quality of life is excellent and it’s architecturally magnificent. I really wish they could just forget about tourism and get on with their great city, allowing us tourists to just enjoy.
Financial District
Architecturally I really rate the town planning of the business district. They have thought carefully about how the light off the bay falls onto the buildings and illuminates those steep streets, the effect is magical in the late afternoon.
Cable car rides up those 30 degree inclines are charming, Telegraph hill is so boho-chic it hurts, the art-deco buildings and there are some really lovely green areas. Not a bad place, but for me – not the full package.
Cow Hollow
We stayed on Lombard St in Cow Hollow. Seemingly quite an upmarket and chic area. Once I had recovered from my visit to the Chinese dentist (Dr Phil Ling as Gilly called him) we went for a great Thai meal in Asha on Union St followed by a surprise Monday night out til 3am in Matrix on Fillmore St.
I realise that being in pain needing to see the dentist followed by touring the city off my tree on Vicodin (Thanks Dr Ling) is not the best way to appreciate the city, so maybe I will have to visit again somtime.
Tags: california, dentist, fog city, kfog, pacific, road trip, san francisco
