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A Tourist In My Own Backyard
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/25/5 | Cinnamon Stillwell

Posted on 05/25/2005 10:48:32 AM PDT by SmithL

To the extent that one can tune out of politics in this age of 24-hour media, such has been my state for the past week or so. Relatives visiting from abroad gave me an excuse to take a little vacation myself and be a tourist in my own backyard.

Although I now live in the East Bay, it was to my old stomping grounds in San Francisco that I went to play tour guide. Showing off San Francisco's surrounding natural beauty and cultural offerings is something I usually enjoy. And, indeed, I did, with one glaring exception.

Of course, what residents might view as appealing doesn't do it for everyone. One time, my in-laws visited from Detroit and brought along with them a fear of heights and, believe it or not, a phobia about pigeons. Because heights and pigeons are two rather unavoidable aspects of San Francisco, the visit was challenging, to say the least. Far from enjoying the panoramic views or the walks through pigeon-laden Golden Gate Park, the phobic relatives were reduced to quivering masses.

Then there are the long and often hilly walks many locals make part of their daily life. One needn't be a fitness expert to walk the streets of San Francisco, but halfway up one of those hills, out-of-shape visitors could be heading for a heart attack. I never realized just how much walking I do in the City, until I was forced to come up with plans for fatigued visitors that didn't include neighborhood walks or nature hikes. It wasn't easy.

Anyone who's had relatives visit the Bay Area will tell you that trying to prepare them for San Francisco summers is an exercise in futility.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Local News; Outdoors; Society
KEYWORDS: bayarea; bayareabackroads; macandmuttley; stillwell
Something a little lighter from Cinnamon Stillwell, one of my favorites the Chronicle.
1 posted on 05/25/2005 10:48:33 AM PDT by SmithL
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To: Citizen James

Bay Area homegrown tourist ping


2 posted on 05/25/2005 10:50:05 AM PDT by SmithL (Proud Submariner)
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To: SmithL

I moved here in 1991 and haven't stopped being a tourist since. It's just an amazing place - if it weren't for the fruits and nuts - it would be perfect.


3 posted on 05/25/2005 11:11:41 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game.)
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To: Dashing Dasher
It's just an amazing place - if it weren't for the fruits and nuts - it would be perfect.

I got to experience SF as a kid in the 60s and, outside of the Haight, it was.

4 posted on 05/25/2005 11:16:11 AM PDT by skeeter ("What's to talk about? It's illegal." S Bono)
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To: skeeter

Now, the whole place seems like the Haight in the 60s.
You never know where you'll see oddly dressed and undressed people roaming the streets.

Remember when public nudity was frowned upon? Well, in SF - it's just another day. They protest nude (http://www.nakedprotesters.com/), run nude (http://www.baretobreakers.com/) and parade nude (gay pride - barf - parade).


5 posted on 05/25/2005 11:24:24 AM PDT by Dashing Dasher (Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game.)
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To: Dashing Dasher

A few months ago, my daughter was visiting, so we decided to drive to Point Reyes to sightsee. Going through a Marin County college town, we stopped to let pedestrian traffic cross, including one young woman wearing her bra outside of her dress. We never did figure out the point, but we did find it amusing.


6 posted on 05/25/2005 11:36:57 AM PDT by SmithL (Proud Submariner)
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To: SmithL
I like Cinnamon but even she has some of the coastal contempt for "regular" folks. Yeah, not everybody likes wheat grass juice or burritos and some people prefer plain food. This is not yet a Federal offense.

And what's wrong with going to tourist places when you are one? There's a reason they're popular. Sure, after several trips you might want to branch out some but really there's nothing wrong with actually being a tourist.
7 posted on 05/25/2005 12:11:56 PM PDT by Gingersnap
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To: mhx; charwel; dcbayarea; rogue yam; ßuddaßudd; risk; sasquatch; Gal.5:1; albee; Dashing Dasher; ...

Click here for Bay Area News Pings!

Thanks for the ping. San Francisco is a fun place. It does, however, takes a strong stomach to live here amongst the hoards of moon-bats, but you learn to survive. When showing folks around, I pretty much schedule 'where not to go,' ie. the Haight, the Tenderloin, the Mission, the Castro, parts of the Western Addition, etc. The rest of the city is fair game...

8 posted on 05/25/2005 4:45:50 PM PDT by Citizen James (Live Better, Work Harder)
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To: Citizen James

born in SF, it's now my backyard (to the north).


9 posted on 05/25/2005 5:16:46 PM PDT by Gal.5:1 (stand firm, speak truth in love)
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To: Citizen James

"I pretty much schedule 'where not to go,' ie. the Haight, the Tenderloin, the Mission, the Castro, parts of the Western Addition, etc. The rest of the city is fair game"

Many pleasurable hours can be spent in the Marina-Cow Hollow District. Shopping on Union & Chestnut Streets, eating in great restaurants and enjoying coffee or spirits in many fun and interesting establishments on those same streets as well as their cross streets. Wandering around the Palace of Fine Arts and surrounding grounds, taking in the exhibits at the Exploratorium. Golden Gate Park can take many weeks, months and even years to truly explore from Stow Lake to the Museums (which are being enhanced and remodeled as we speak). Picnic areas to numerous to mention. Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf, as well as Ghiardelli Square may seem like "Tourist Joints" but many gems can be found to make the trips worth while. Union Square and surrounds still offer fantastic shopping opportunities despite the panhandling. The views from Twin Peaks and Coit Tower are amazing, and who wouldn't enjoy wandering around North Beach with the wonderful shops, restaurants, Washington Square and local color. Even with the fruits, nuts and oddballs San Francisco is one of the greatest place on earth!! Do I sound a little prejudiced about my hometown? You bet!!


10 posted on 05/26/2005 9:00:50 AM PDT by Primetimedonna
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