San Francisco

I love almost everything about San Francisco; the great transportation system, the abundance and variety of restaurants, a corner market within a couple of blocks from just about anywhere you are, and it’s also very walkable. But, it’s chilly, especially when the fog rolls in. We came prepared with sweaters and lightweight jackets, but, at times yesterday as we walked to Golden Gate Park, we could have used something a little warmer.

We visited the Botantical Gardens which is beautiful and free to the public. You could spend days here wandering the paths and trails admiring the landscape. They have a tranquil Japanese Tea Garden (admission is $5) were you can visit the tea house for a cup of hot tea, which was a welcome respite for us and an opportunity to warm our hands around the hot cups of tea.

There is also an amazing Conservatory of Flowers full of tropical plants, ferns, and orchids. We quickly passed a few hours exploring the park.

Last night we went to Yoshi’s Jazz Club to hear Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings. At great blues trio with a guest saxaphone player last night. Roy was born in Northern California but can play a slide guitar equal to any southern-born blues musician. San Franciscans are more reserved while listening to good blues than our table of southerners, not a lot of head bopping or dancing in their seats, but we had a great time and headed to North Beach afterwards to have drinks in a small bar in Little Italy (I’m not sure if that’s how it is officially referred to, but it certainly fits).

All in all a great first day of our vacation.