Rice-A-Roni

I leave on Wednesday for a firm meeting in San Francisco for five days and I could not be more excited.  Although I spent 10 days in Southern California a mere three months ago, I feel like I need a fresh transfusion of "America".

To that end, I've already made a list of all the things I want to see, eat, and buy while there including

EATING:

• Scharffen Berger chocolate (I know I live in France, but this is some tasty choco)
• Mexican food
• an In-n-Out Double Double burger (there is one located in Fisherman's Wharf)
• Dim sum (there is a dim sum emporium on California Street that I can never remember the name of that we have been going to since I was 9 years old. Any other suggestions?)
• Only in my dreams: Chez Panisse, The French Laundry...

SEEING

• Botanical Gardens
• Coit Tower for the amazing view of the city and WPA murals supervised by Diego Rivera on the ground floor
• de Young museum of art in Golden Gate Park, a museum I visited for the first time on a class trip at 10 years old, but which I credit for encouraging my love for fine art
• North Beach, if only for a cappuccino and a browse through City Lights bookstore, home of the Beat Generation

BUYING

• Yarn, of course. Lots and lots of it!

Any other suggestions?

Comments

[Aimee]

Have fun!! Looking forward to seeing what yarn you bring back! :)

[gina]

restaurant in sf: heavy on garlic! http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

if you head down to napa valley, you should definitely eat at
Taylor's Refresher (flavor-bursting-in-your-mouth shakes and great all-american hamburgers...even their fish tacos are fresh and tasty)
The Martini House
and the Culinary Institute of America
http://www.ciachef.edu/

French Laundry is definitely something to experience once in a lifetime. I went when I was in college...it was expensive but so enjoyable: the ambiance isn't too stifling, the service was prompt, and the wine selection was extensive.

(this is my first time posting but i had to pitch in since i lived in the napa valley for 3 years!...love your blog, am deeply jealous of your life and am searching for ways to live in france for good...1 year abroad was not enough!)

[gina]

oh, one more place to explore in sf: the exploratorium!
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ it's not only for kids and the scientific.

[stacy]

i live in the states...and im STILL jealous of your trip! mainly because i have been craving that dim sum place for weeks now (pork sticky buns..mmmm)and i would love to go to north beach and the botanical gardens!

but, im glad you've posted this since andy and i will be in san fran in september and you've now laid out a very nice itinerary for us! miss you!