Still San Francisco Treats: Hollywood Cafe + More

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If I do go to heaven, I’m going to do what every San Franciscan does who goes to heaven. He looks around and says, ‘It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.’

—HERB CAEN, San Francisco Chronicle Columnist

San Francisco packs a lot of excitement into its eclectic seven-by-seven square miles. No wonder it’s beloved by tourists and residents alike.  World Atlas ranks it the 10th most visited city in the U.S. with 25 million visitors per year and U.S. News ranks it the 7th best place to live among America’s 125 largest metro areas.

But, I’m just a visiting neighbor.

I marvel at the cruise ships whenever I visit the Embarcadero. Like a swan dropping her babies off to play for the day, tourists return faithfully, spent and weary for all their fun and in need of a mother’s wing. Exploring new areas bombards the senses in a good way.

Since I’ve traveled a few times to Europe and Asia, I know the excitement of visiting a foreign country. And when I see these cruise ships I stand taller, a proud hostess welcoming guests to my home that I hope exceeds their expectations just as theirs exceeded mine and that changed my idea of the world.

It reminds me to soak in San Francisco like a tourist and not take my time here for granted.

A week or so ago my family and I spent the day along the Embarcadero.

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Hollywood Cafe

Lured by 4.5/5 star reviews loaded with words like “amazing” and “sublime”, Ron and I headed west at 6 a.m. to arrive at the Hollywood Cafe at its 7 a.m. opening. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations so our early-bird, first-in-line rank scored us prime seats by the window in the tiny restaurant.

It’s a cheat day or “Faturday” as The 4-Hour Body fans call it, where we can eat anything we want free from our usual low-carb diet. It’s French toast and poached eggs for me. Perfection!  The eggs are dreamy creamy, not runny, and served without the usual residual water in the cup. The French toast is just-right fluffy with crisp edges. I couldn’t commit to the berry jam or pure maple syrup, both sublime to borrow a word, so I alternated between them. The fruit served here isn’t an afterthought and really stands out. You get a variety and there’s a lot of it. Berries, banana,  grapefruit to name a few — all fresh and served at room temperature which makes all the difference. This seemingly insignificant gesture makes the meal.

Ron and I met tourists from Finland visiting for the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.  They talked of their effort (an 11-hour non-stop flight) and cost (lots) to get here and remind me how lucky I am to live within a one-hour car ride. They also raved about the restaurant and told us we made a great choice. I agree.

• Address: 530 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94133-1312
• Phone: (415) 563-3779
• Noteworthy because: Large portions; the freshest and widest variety of fruit; perfectly cooked french toast; swift service; and the location at just .2 miles from Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Website

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Ferry Building & Farmer’s Market

The Ferry Building never dulls my senses no matter how many times I visit. The vibe remains as fresh as the gluten-free fare at Mariposa Baking Company, as perky as the Blue Bottle Coffee, and as sensuous as the lavender flowers spilling over buckets lining the sidewalk, its familiar scent mixing with wafts of Nepalese dumplings from down the way. Even shopping remains fresh. Shopkeepers stock their tiny stores with only the best items.

The Gardener shop remains one of my favorites as I always find the thing I need that I didn’t know I needed. Scarves, totes, books, napkins, soaps, vases, jewelry, classy and clever gadgets —all unique and gift-worthy, but-buy-one-for-yourself-too-lest-you-decide-you-can’t-part with-it-later kind. I never leave without something special.  This year I bought the best seller 111 Places in San Francisco That You Must Not Miss book. The universe must have heard my vow last week to my niece Nicole that I’d find unique places to visit and experience the City in greater depth.

More San Francisco adventures beckon me! 

(Click the images below for larger pictures and captions)

• Address: One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
  • • The marketplace is accessible by MUNI, BART and Ferry Boat. The historic trolley cars (Line F Market) stop directly in front of the Ferry Building.
    • Farmer’s Market operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm and Saturdays 8 am to 2 pm.
• Noteworthy because: of its vibrant scene on the waterfront with unique shops, a book store, and restaurants. The Farmer’s Market is widely acclaimed for both the quality and diversity of its farm fresh products, artisan and prepared foods, and fresh flowers. Each week, 40,000 shoppers visit the market.
• Website

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The Exploratorium

With just a nine-minute walk down the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building, there’s the Exploratorium, “a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception”.

With its new location since 2013, the Exploratorium is better than ever. I don’t know who had more fun, the grandkids or the grandparents. The ‘laboratory’ serves as both a museum and a place with hundreds of explore-for-yourself exhibits. It’s all hands on, just the thing kids want, and there’s plenty of room to wander and explore at your own pace.

(Click the images below for larger pictures and captions)

• Address: Green Street, Pier 15, San Francisco, CA 94111
• Noteworthy because: everyone can participate and explore science, art, and human perception together in a hands-on, fully satisfying endeavor.
• Website