I Always Leave My Heart in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of those cities that once you have been there, you have to go back. And back again. I love the city, and on my last trip I was only able to spend one day because of the San Francisco weather. My flight out of Denver to San Francisco was canceled, so I only had one day to enjoy the city. And enjoy it I did!

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco at the foot of Market Street and Embarcadero Center, a great location in the city. I have never seen a bigger lobby and atrium…and I quickly discovered that it holds the world record for largest lobby with a length of 107 meters, width of 49 meters and height of 52 meters, in other words, 15 stories! It is huge! Also, if you are an empty nester or midlifer, you might be interested to know that the Hyatt Regency San Francisco lobby is where The Towering Inferno, starring Steve McQueen, was filmed back in the 1970s! It is still spectacular.

So, one day in the city! What to do first? We arrived at the airport at 11 a.m., so we had to get going quickly. The first thing we did was check in to the hotel, and kudos to the Hyatt for having our room ready! I had alerted the staff that we had been delayed a day, and it was a relief to have our room ready so early. Next, off to the Hop On Hop Off San Francisco Bus Tour. As I always say, one of the first things I do in any new city is to do a bus tour, and even though I know San Francisco from having been there so many times, I decided to enjoy the city from the top of the double decker bus.

First stop: Fisherman’s Wharf and Scomas Restaurant! I ate at Scomas for the first time in 1989, when I was there for a conference. Every trip I take back to San Francisco I eat at Scomas.  The restaurant was founded in 1965, and I’m not sure it has been updated much since then…but that is a major part of its draw. The walls are covered with photos of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the rest of the rat pack, along with other Italians of note. The waiters still wear their white dinner coats, and the seafood is always fresh. For a trip back in time, head to Scomas! (Be sure to have Dungeness Crab! YUM.)

With little time in the city, we enjoyed a bus ride and took in the sights! It was impossible to hit every district in the city…but we certainly went through many of them.

I love the murals in San Francisco…they are everywhere. But the Mission District has the most.

My all time favorite thing to do when in San Francisco is to go to Chinatown. I don’t know why, but just entering the gates is a thrill for me. (Also, our favorite Chinese Restaurant is there…Hunan Home. No frills, just good family food. Try it!)