Exploring Fort Point; Presidio District

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Facing the wind //  Photo By: Ciurdars

Fort Point is the perfect place in San Francisco to get an up close and personal view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Deemed a National Historic Site in 1970 by President Nixon, this FREE attraction boasts a lot more than just stunning views, but a storied past to boot!

The strong brick structure (then adobe) was erected in 1794 by Spanish Military forces thwarting off any opposition seeking claim on Bay territory. In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain, but did not maintain the fort on the coast as they moved inland toward Sonoma. The US occupied the fort after their victory in the Mexican-American War.

This site has seen the US through early victories, Civil War, and World Wars. It is a BEAUTIFUL structure architecturally. Its strong exterior leads into a many tiered maze above. Walking through the corners of the fort, you feel as if you are in Medieval times. The open-air stair cases, spiral you from floor to floor. The roof being the least appealing of them all requires you to look up, only into the face of one of the worlds most iconic giants.

Parking is easy and with many other SF attractions near by like, Crissy Fields and the Walt Disney Family museum, this is a perfect place to spot off for the best shots. 

Preserve Your Penny:

  1. Don't buy a thing and head to this super picturesque monument for $Free.99

Photos Above By: Ciurdars

If you head to Fort Point after the famous SF fog has rolled in, be ready for a freeze. The wind is incredible and the chill unreal. I felt pretty comfortable in layers underneath this amazing H&M thrift store coat and my Hunter Rain Boots. With my "Stunner" camera strap around my neck from Dark Water Classic, my Fuji is always close.

xx

Sara De.

Tourists In Our Own Town - One; SF

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It had been a rough week at work. I was looking so forward to the weekend, but the weather decided my fate early. With storms both Friday and Saturday, my mood stayed gloomy and body in bed. Then Sunday reared around with a plan unbeknownst to me. 

I made plans to spend the day with my dear friend Taylor. What our plan was: Go with the flow. We decided to meet at my place and start the day with a pricy brunch (no penny pinching there!) to treat ourselves for the rough and hard working weeks we had just seen. Since I have moved here I have wanted to dine at the Wayfare Tavern. Between its ambiance, open kitchen aesthetic and yummy menu, I knew that was the perfect place to live bit larger this morning.

By the time we were in and seated at the bar, overlooking the hustle and bustle of the dreamy French-tapestried kitchen it was seemingly Lunch time. Fried Chicken it is then! A regular on many of SF's best lists, I figured I would see what all the fuss was about only side a starting order of "Poutine" and an accompaniment of asparagus. Oh, an beer, did I mention the beer! Feast your eyes.......

Wayfare Tavern // financial District; San Francisco

Wayfare Tavern // financial District; San Francisco

Our lavish lunch was a fantastic way to start off the day. It felt good to check this famed SF restaurant off the list. It encouraged us to want to do more things that turned us into tourists for the day. That got us thinking about all the things that people come here to do, yet we had never accomplished. An Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista?! With eager curiosity, despite the pushback from out taste buds, we hoped in an Uber and head for the bottom of Hyde St.

Now, I am not big into coffee. I know.... shocking, but true. But I do love me some whiskey, so I figured I would give into the experience and throw one back. If you are unfamiliar, the Buena Vista Cafe is FAMOUS for dishing out lines and lines of pipping hot "Irish Coffees" as well as having one of the best views of the Golden Gate and SF Bay. Their Irish Coffee is Simple: 2 sugar cubes, 2 parts hot coffee, 1 part whiskey, 1 part whipped foam. Boom! The gentlemen behind the bar are all dressed with fitted white jackets and a black bowtie. Very old fashioned for an old fashioned drink. Savor it, throw it back, whatever! Just go, try and be like the rest of the tourists. Truly an experience!

Now, I can see why these unique beverages are sought after for the experience. I myself have had nothing like it. If not for the warming drink, head to the Buena Vista for the bustle and views.

With a little more liquor in our gust we decided to continue on in the area and push ourselves to do something we have never done. We walked one block down to Jefferson, and head for Fishermans Wharf. Look, since the dawn of time, tourists are told to come to this area. And in all honesty, I am not sure why. Over priced tourist traps and tacky vacation knick-knack are in high supply, but do your best to put your head down and not get sucked in. Instead seek out a particular treasure just past the Crab Markets; "Silver Fox Fishing and Tours." For $15 cash (plus a polite tip, if you please) you get a lap from the dock, past the Marina District and Palace or Fine Arts, under the Golden Gate, round the back side of Alcatraz, ending with a beautiful view of The Bay Bridge, Downtown, Coit Tower and Nob Hill. 

I had exactly $30 cash in my wallet, a rare thing. It was a serendipitous moment. So we hopped on, ready to see to the Bay like never before; In it!

Taking the last few inches of space on the bow of the boat, we expected some ocean spray and even better sites. Windy, noisy, and beautiful! Again, I highly suggest this easy, cheap and enjoying time on the water.

Those were the last pictures I got of the day before the sun went to sleep. After our boat ride, we decided to have cocktail at a place with one of the best views in all of California; The Top of the Mark. 360 views of the entire city, the Bay and Beyond, all from a restaurant and bar at the very top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel at the peak of Nob Hill, catty-corner from Grace Cathedral. Also, amongst  other notable buildings along California St., The Fairmont Hotel is home to the Tonga Room; a tiki-themed bar and grill in lowest level of the iconic hotel. A dark island paradise with Mai Tai's the will pack a punch! Of course, we got a lethal dose of rum for 4 in a fish bowl to share. Yes, a fish bowl. 

The end of the day was a silly and slurry one. Using ride shares in the city like Uber, and Lyft is the only way to enjoy yourself responsibly on a Sunday Funday. Come to San Francisco, see the sites, sip the sustenance and enjoy yourself! 

xx

Sara De.

 

How Sunrise is Done, Birthday Edition! ; Slacker Hill

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We are strolling down memory lane with this post and reliving a moment from Fall 2014:

It was the wee hours of the morning of my 25th birthday. I had mentioned to a few friends (many of which are photographers) that I was hoping to catch the morning sunrise over the bay at "Slacker Hill," immediately beyond the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marin Headlands. I had only every seen photographs of the nearby landscape and figured it the perfect place to hover above the city, and ring in my new year. They lovingly agreed despite the early alarm!

It was just after 6 AM. I was rushing to get dressed, grab a few dozen doughnuts, and make my way across the Golden Gate to make sure I caught a 6:44am sunrise. It was a particularly fogging morning. I couldn't see street lights or stop signs until I almost passed them. Carefully, and with hope still, I head for Slacker Hill. Approaching the bridge, I was haunted. Deep, dense fog was glowing an amber hue from the lights adorning the icon. Fog horns sounding as Cargo Ships slid unnoticed under its mass. Were we completely fogged in? It seemed hopeless from the middle of the suspended giant, but I had to be sure. Just passed the threshold, we turned off onto the first exit and head UP. 

We were ascending into the headlands, past Battery Spencer and just before Hawk Hill we parked  near a round-about. Free and Clear. The higher we climbed, the more the fog settled. Now that the fog was no longer a concern, I had to remember the clock. Myself and 20 others friends made our way from the parking lot up the 1.1 mile trail to the top. Now, it was no (birthday) cake walk. It felt like a total chore at the time, but BOY, was I gifted with the best possible outcome at the top......

Me, above the clouds on my 25th birthday // Slacker Hill; Sausalito, CA - Photo by: Sam hylton

We made it within minutes. As the first sliver of copper shown over the horizon we were in awe. With many hugs, the unfolding of blankets, clicks of the shutter and hands reaching for doughnuts, it was the official start of what was one of the best years of my life. I like to think that morning; the warmth, the freshness, the effort, the accomplishment, the joy trickled its love throughout the remainder of the year. 

I haven't ever seen another sunrise like this. I truly believe it was such a special morning. If you would like to achieve some of the same views and moments, here is......

HOW TO:

 

From the City

  1. Head North on US 101 over the Gold Gate Bridge.
  2. Take Exit 442, Alexander Ave.
  3. Stay left towards Conzelman Rd.
  4. Take Conzelman Rd. left thru the tunnel & bearing right up into the headlands. (Otherwise you are headed back Southbound onto the bridge!)
  5. Park at the Slacker Hill trail and Enjoy!  

Portraits of Sara // Photos by: Emma Fineman

Kate and sara // Photo by: John thatcher

 

xx

Sara De.