The Final Guide

From Trader Joe’s, Stonestown

To Caltrain Station

Time: 2:30 PM

My friends, what a great semester it was in San Francisco but it is now time for my departure. I will migrate south for the summer as this is where the women go to find the sun and tans. Let’s jump into the final Breesy Guide to San Francisco as I take you down to the Caltrain Station to catch the MegaBus.

Trader Joe’s is a special store that I could practically call my home. The free sample ladies here feed me everyday and help me pick an affordable option for my meal that day. So here I am, in the salad aisle picking up a Caesar’s salad. This is always a good choice for when you are on your way out. Grab a 17 cent bottle of water and it’s a party.

Head out the door and catch the next inbound 17 bus to West Portal. A vey direct bus ride that gets you to West Portal quickly. West Portal is our direct line to Powell Station and we have done this ride before in our Breesy Guides.

After about a twenty five minute ride through the underground tunnels of San Francisco we will find ourselves in the middle of chaos in the downtown of San Francisco. Nosy your way through tourists and homeless and find yourself on 3rd street. Take this street southwest and enjoy your walk through the skyline to San Francisco. This is bit of a walk until we hit the Caltrain station, but I think it is very peaceful watching all the busy people doing their busy walking. You know you are getting close when you start to leave the tall buildings and start meandering through the warehouse looking buildings of SOMA (South of Market). When you cross under the freeway and start to see Giant’s colors hanging in the windows you know are about five minutes away. From third, take a right on King street and you will cross in front of the mighty AT&T park. Walk a few more minutes down the block and you should find yourself in front of the CalTrain station. Make your way to the MegaBus line outfront, buy a sandwich for the road, and say so long! You are going to Hollywood kid!

Hope you enjoyed all my Breesy adventures,

hasta luego!

JB

From the Beach to Glory

From: The Great Highway to Ike’s Sandwiches

Time: 11:30 am

It’s Saturday morning. You wake up on the beach with nothing on but with your jeans and a t-shirt. Your head hurts and you check your pockets. You find 5 bucks in one pocket and find another 5 in the other pocket. You have ten dollars, what are you going to do now?

Get an Ike’s sandwich of course...

Welcome to another episode of Breesy’s Guide to San Francisco. We are gonna help you get from the cloudy location of Ocean Beach to the sunny streets of Castro/Mission/Dolores.

You are gonna find your nearest MUNI. This is either the L car or the N car and run all the way from the beach to the downtown stations. My guess is we landed near the N car because we can see the trees of the Golden Gate Park very close by. With 10 dollars in our pockets that leaves us some change for an espresso at Java Beach Cafe, one of San Francisco’s coolest little cafe’s on the West side. Enjoy the ambience of locals and the hungover college students. Wait around for about ten minutes and you will find yourself jumping on the next inbound N. I will say it is not a short ride from the beach to Market street, but if you look out your passenger window you will not be bored one bit. You will explore the neighborhoods of the Sunset, Inner Sunset, Haight and Lower Haight. Right when you pass Duboce Park in Lower Haight and before the car goes in the Market Street tunnel you are going to get out. Once you get off you should be right next to the Safeway at Market and Church.

We are close! Your stomach is growling! Walk on over to 16th street, it should only take a couple minutes. Once you are approaching Dolores street I am sure you will be able to see the Ike’s line stretching out the door and down the block. It’s okay though, we called in early. We ordered a classic, “Name of the Girl I’m Dating” is the name of the sandwich and that first bite will cure any heartbreak. Enjoy that sandwich at the local Dolores Park and screw it, grab yourself a tall can of PBR while you are there.

Hope you enjoyed another episode of Breesy’s Guide To San Francisco

JB

The Buena Vista Cafe part II

Van Ness station is our halfway mark on this journey for a great breakfast. Our stomachs are rumbling but the desire to eat a San Francisco trademark fuels our fire to keep going. The route by Muni bus is a straight forward ride North on the 47 bus. With no traffic one should expect a 15-20 minute ride but it is easy to get distracted by most of the sights you will see on your way. To your right you will find the Civic Center standing tall and majestic looking almost like it belongs in Philadelphia or Washington D.C. On your left you will find the well-known SF Opera House, which I have yet to attend. A little farther North you will pass another local favorite Tommy's Joynt where you can sit down and dig into a fantastic meal of your favorite slow-cooked meats. But don't get off quite yet! As the bus continues to get closer and closer to the San Francisco Bay the hills are going to become quite bigger and bigger. You will even pass the famous Lombard street, known for it's picturesque steep zig-zag hills. 

Lucky for us the 47 bus seems to want to take us right to our destination. All we have to do is wait for the bus to turn right off of Van Ness on to North Point Street and get off a couple blocks down at Hyde street. You can almost smell the good cooking from the bus stop. Now the next move is to take a left on Hyde and walk exactly one block down the hill. You know you are at the right place when you are on the corner of Hyde and Beach street and across the street is the turn-around for the old street trolleys. A large line of tourists will probably be waiting for their turn to take a ride but little do they know they should be getting in a line for The Buena Vista Cafe on the corner. 

Within your first five minutes in the cafe you can tell this place has some history to it. The smell, the staff, and the food just tells the customer that quality doesn't happen overnight. Recognitions are framed all over the walls but are accompanied by cute decoration. From the window you can see the Bay water or you can take a seat at the bar. This place I come to find out is credited with being the first place to come up with the "Irish Coffee". This is a blend of Coffee and Whiskey that is supposed to hit the spot for those tough mornings. A round of Irish Coffees are bought between the group of us and they really do live up to their legend. The home-made feel of this cafe adds to the warmth of the delicious breakfast and no one is disappointed in the long trek we took for us to taste the Buena Vista Cafe. With nothing but good times and smiles while we occupied our booth at the Buena Vista it was time to head off and explore some more places in the city. We said our good-byes and were off. 

Five stars from Breesy

You can find the The Buena Vista Cafe @ 2765 Hyde Street, SF

The Buena Vista Cafe

It is safe to say that The Buena Vista Cafe is another one of San Francisco's treasures that keeps bringing old timers back to the city by the bay. I actually heard of this establishment from a friend's father back in Los Angeles. He told me wild tales of his times in San Francisco but he mentioned that a crucial part of his visit was always the morning breakfast at The Buena Vista Cafe. He explained to me that to this day this cafe holds as one of his favorite cafes in the United States. He couldn't exactly explain to me why, but he insisted that I must make the trip.
So here it is: Breesy's Guide to The Buena Vista Cafe

Start: The San Francisco Zoo, San Francisco
End: The Buena Vista Cafe, San Francisco 

The air is quite different over here by the zoo, in my opinion it is the near-by ocean water that makes the difference, others would like to argue it is the elephant dung. Anyways, I woke up early and I am in the need of a great breakfast to start off my weekend. I had a wild night with a few friends and I need a hearty meal to push me through my day. The word is The Buena Vista Cafe has it going on and is a must for these hazy Saturday mornings. Unfortunately the trip is a long one but I am willing to put in the effort for the reward. 

My first move is to take the local Muni L line to the downtown San Francisco stops. This L line is very convenient for San Francisco State Students that live in the Sunset region. The Muni car stops all along Taraval street and takes you to West Portal Station. After being very tempted to get off and walk into the countless Chinese and Japanese establishments to pick up a quick meal, I clutch my stomach enough to get me to the downtown Van Ness station. 

Once getting off the Van Ness station, most people will probably be a little uncomfortable by the sights they will find. This area is known for a lot of homeless and drug-abused residents. Never have I once encountered a serious problem walking through these parts, but I do recommend holding your nose at certain times and to watch where you are walking. I will let your imagination run wild.

continued in part II 

Sutro Baths Sunday

Sutro Baths Sunday 

My mother is in town for the weekend and I want to show her something special in the city, a San Francisco secret. Today I am trying to avoid the tourist destinations like the Golden Gate Bridge or Fisherman's Warf, somewhere with less of a crowd but still magical. 
The Sutro Baths ruins is a local favorite for lazy sunny afternoons by the beach with a little exploring if you want it.

Start: University of San Francisco 
Finish: Sutro Baths Ruins

Getting to the Sutro Baths is a pretty straight shot, just a trip west on the 38 bus and when you see the Pacific blue you hop off. From the University of San Francisco, located right next to the famous Haight & Ashbury, you can walk a couple blocks north until you get to Geary street. This street is a mainline for many San Franciscans who commute from the Westside to the Downtown area and is filled with lots of great asian cuisine. 

After making your way through a couple San Franciscan hills to get to Geary you will hop on the next double-car bus. For all the ones stuck with out any cash to pay for your fare, the Geary 38 bus is one of the easiest busses to catch by slipping on the back. 

A short 15-20 minutes later you will find yourself getting off at the last stop of the 38. You can practically smell the Ocean air from the stop. Cross the street and walk a few more blocks until you enter the Sutro Baths parking lot. The Sutro Baths was a famous public pool next to the water where you could learn to swim. Over time it was washed away by the Pacific Ocean winter waves but the ruins still remain and have been taken over by sea otters and tourists. Being so close to these powerful waves can be very humbling. If you want to keep exploring you can also hike along the trails above the ruins and find yourself amidst a beautiful view of the Golden Gate bridge. This is a must-go for any visitor seeking a tranquil day. 

-Breesy

An Espresso in the Gardens II

(continued from part I)


Yes, Powell Stop is the one we are hopping off today. Just like the last time we got off at Powell, you should watch for Muni Police, tip your local street musician, and dodge large Westfield mall shopping bags. Head up the stairs to Market street. Instead of taking a left for Union Square, take a right on 4th Street and make your way south of Market Street, also known as SOMA. Soak in the feel of the tall tall tall buildings and smelly alleyways, because soon enough you will be relaxing on the green grass. But first! A coffee! A kickstart to your slow afternoon, a breath of excitement after a sleepy rail ride. 

Take a right on Mission street and walk past 5th Street. Watch carefully because we need to take a right on Mint Street before we get to 6th Street, which is often mistaken for a downtown alleyway. The secret and humble corner the Blue Bottle Coffee cafe resides in is what makes this spot so special. No words needed on the wall to tell you where you are, only the strong smells of fresh coffee and the sign of a blue bottle above the entrance. The line will most likely be out the door because of the small space they occupy and the slow, careful work the barristas put into making each order. My go-to here is the espresso and cookie, which is served with a side of sparkling water which makes for an interesting time. Blue Bottle is also known for their slow drip coffee which has every coffee lover in the city coming back for more. Enjoy the ambiance of the modern design inside the cafe or take your coffee to go and walk down Mission street once again towards the Embarcadero. Walk a few blocks down Mission and you will pass the new Target that has got all the locals excited. Another few steps down and you will see a historic looking church on your left and a very inviting grassy area to your right. This is known as the Yerba Buena Gardens and is one of my favorite little areas in the city. This little nook is a calm and peaceful area to sit under some trees or have a picnic under a blue sky and is only minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Market street. You are also surrounded by SF's finest cultural centers, those of which include the San Francisco Modern Art Museum, The Yerba Buena Cultural Center, and The Jewish Contemporary Museum. On a good day this place will be packed with every type of person you could find in San Francisco hanging out enjoying the company around them. So take a load off and enjoy the gardens!    

An Espresso in the Gardens I

An Espresso in the Gardens

Start: Inner Sunset, San Francisco
Finish: The Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco

It's a Tuesday early afternoon and the young professionals are hard at work in the large office buildings of Metropolitan San Francisco. But hey, I got no job, I got no kids, I got nothing to do but explore. Come with me for a sip of coffee and a sit in the garden where you can meet a friend, read a book, or do whatever you please. Bring a friend, bring a dog, but please don't bring your worries. 

Today we start in the Inner Sunset region of San Francisco, known for its busy restaurants and relaxing walks along the edge of the Golden Gate Park. This is not the park we will be hanging out at today, though; we are looking for something a bit smaller. Walk along Judah street until you find yourself walking along railroad tracks. Wait about 5 to 10 minutes until you hear a small light rail in the distance. Find your the closest stop and hop on the "N" line towards downtown. Take a seat next to a San Franciscan and ease into a light conversation to pass the time and make a new friend. You will pass The University of California San Francisco Medical School and make a small pass through a tunnel where you will find Duboce Dog Park, another cute park but not the one we want. Another five minutes and you will find yourself going into another tunnel but this one will take you to the downtown stops...

POWELL STOP
POWELL STOP
POWELL STOP
....

(continued in part II)

Pizza with Parrots II

Pizza with Parrots (part II)

San Francisco Chinatown will most likely catch you off guard. You might even start to believe that you caught a quick plane ride to Hong Kong. The streets are packed with food vendors, music, and people trying to get you to buy things. It's quite an experience essential to the North Beach trip. Continue walking until you get to Columbus street and start walking north. You can feel the raw energy of San Francisco. If you look to the skies you can find the well-known TransAmerica building, a SF staple. Keep walking north and you will cross Broadway Street where the lively strip clubs, neon signs and music will let you know you are close to North Beach. The switch is a very subtle switch in the lamp posts and their Italian flag colors. Before you know it you are in the middle of Italy (North Beach) ready to grab a slice of pizza with a side of gellotto and espresso. It's best to walk the streets until you smell something that is just right, grab your food to go and head over to Jackson Square Park where you will be greeted by dogs, benches, and a grand view of the Catholic Cathedral. North Beach at it's finest.

Now, if you are like me and are always trying to explore more there is a tropical secret hanging out very close by. It requires a bit of hill climbing but in my opinion it is well worth it. Follow the signs Northeast towards Coit Tower. The hike up the hill is no joke, but this gives you a chance to work off that pizza. When you reach the top you will get an amazing view of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz, but the real reason I bring you to this spot is for the colorful parrots in the trees. If you pay close attention to the birds above you, you will start to notice the playful parrots flying all around you. I learned about from a documentary called "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill,", an amazing story that I highly recommend. 
Hope you enjoyed the trip, 'til next time. 

-Breesy

Pizza with Parrots I

Pizza with Parrots

Start: West Portal, San Francisco

Finish: North Beach, San Francisco

Ah, what a beautiful day in the Paris of the West. The sun is out and the people are smiling. 11 o'clock and I got an itch for a piece of pie-pepperoni pie that is. There is only one place in San Francisco where they claim the best slice and that's where I am headed. 

The journey to North Beach is not an easy one. It includes a few busses, a few Muni rides and a guaranteed story to tell. From West Portal you walk over to the Muni station across the street from the burned down Squat & Gobble and hop on one of those inbound downtown trains. Close your eyes and visualize each stop
West Portal -> Forrest Hill -> Castro -> Church -> Van Ness -> Civic Center -> 
"Powell Station" says the driver. The doors open and they're off. People rushing left and right of you to get off and get where they gettin' to. Head up the stairs to exit and 2 out of 3 times there will be a bright highlighter yellow jacket waiting to make sure you paid your fare. Forget to pick up a fare transfer and there goes a hundred bucks down the drain. Forget about the Muni officer and listen to the music. The soft sounds of a violin, the upbeat strums of a guitar, or even the howls of a singer, the Powell station has so many street performers you would think you were at a music festival. Throw a couple coins in the hat and move along up some more stairs to find yourself in the middle of downtown San Francisco, skyscrapers and all. 

Dip and dodge away from a few more money hagglers and take a left up Powell. Pay a pretty penny and catch yourself a trolly ride up the hill, but be prepared to wait a half hour in line. The sensible call is to walk the street and window-shop your way to Union Square. Union Square is a beautiful sight, but we have pizza business to handle so cut your way through the square. Start walking north until you hit the largest tunnel in San Francisco. With a bright light at the end of the tunnel you'll think you've died and reached heaven. But at the other side is not heaven but Chinatown...which for foodies might as well be heaven...(to be continued in Part II)