Destination: San Francisco and Oakland, California

I have been all over the world and yet never to California.  Phoenix and Las Vegas are the only cities in the West which are familiar to me.  When my new organization, Public Health Institute, advised that there would be a 2-day orientation in Oakland I was excited!  Finally, a visit to California!  I did not have much time as I landed on SuperBowl Sunday and was due to leave Wednesday afternoon.

My orientation was actually in Oakland but I chose to stay in San Francisco.  I perused hotels.com and based on guidance from my friend, Niki, I finally chose a hotel which fit my budget and ideal location making the 20 minute commute quite easy:  Hotel Whitcomb.  Located at 1231 Market Street in San Francisco, Hotel Whitcomb is considered a historical hotel.  In 1906 San Francisco experienced a devastating earthquake which resulted in fires which lasted for several days burning down much of the city and a large death toll.  Hotel Whitcomb served as a temporary City Hall between 1912 - 1915.

Once the original City Hall was rebuilt, Hotel Whitcomb officially opened its doors as a hotel in 1916.  The rooms usually sell for $200/night.  I paid $99/per night utilizing hotels.com.  The lobby was beautiful - chandeliers, marble, statues, red carpet leading up to the check-in desk.  The service was gracious. The room was small but ideal.  My only issue is that there was no closet so be prepared to live out of your suitcase.  This was not an issue for me since I was only in town for 3 short days and backed wrinkle free clothing.

The price was not also right but so was the location! The BART station was right outside the door of the hotel.  More conveniently, in the lobby was a Starbucks in which I would stop in for tea and a scone before the commute to Oakland.  The commute was only 20 minutes - door to door - and cost me $6.60 round trip which was affordable.

In Oakland I was lucky enough to stumble upon Miss Ollie's (http://www.realmissolliesoakland.com/). Located at 901 Washington Street this restaurant was in walking distance from the 12th Street / City Center BART stop in Oakland.  I was craving a patty and found this restaurant using yelp.com.  Lunch was so good I went back for dinner with friends Justin and Priscilla!  The menu changes daily as the restaurant uses fresh ingredients they can find locally and at the farmer's market.  You can taste the love in this food!

For lunch I enjoyed chicken patties with arugula salad garnished with half of an avocado and light homemade dressing.  With this amazing meal I enjoyed a refreshing drink which was half ginger limeade and hibiscus juice.  For dinner, Priscilla and I enjoyed the fried chicken which came with collard greens and potato salad.  Justin enjoyed  jerk shrimp.  The fried chicken was served family style so we were all able to enjoy the BEST fried chicken that I have ever consumed (sorry Mom)!  The outside was perfectly flavored, crispy and the inside was hot and juicy! Miss Ollie's also boasts of a top shelf rum bar featuring rum from all over the Caribbean.  I could not refuse!  Of course, I enjoyed a rum and coke with lime.  Our server suggested I try Plantation rum from Barbados and I was not disappointed. Enjoy the photos which still make my mouth water.  And if you are ever anywhere close to Oakland, please do yourself a favor and stop into Miss Ollie's for lunch and dinner!

Miss Ollie's dinner menu

Chicken patties with arugula salad

Half ginger limeade and half hibiscus juice

Fried chicken and potato salad - perfection!

Collard greens which I topped with sherry vinegar.

Jerk shrimp

As I mentioned, I was in San Francisco for a very limited time.  I had to make the most of my one free day - Sunday - so instead of watching the SuperBowl I hopped on a Big Bus and took a tour of San Francisco!  Before my tour I walked less than half a mile to Absinthe (http://absinthe.com/). Located at 398 Hayes Street at Gough, Absinthe's cuisine is of French and Italian influence.  I admit I was disappointed that the Coq au vin was not on the brunch menu ( I could eat this all day, any time of day).  Instead I chose a warm croissant, a side of Bayley Hazen Bleu cheese which was served with a honeycomb and bacon.  For my brunch boozy beverage I requested a "Ginger Rogers."  I sipped this amazing adult beverage in such haste that I forgot to take a photo!  It was made with gin, fresh mint, ginger syrup, topped with ginger ale and a squeeze of lime.  Refreshing!  Dessert was a homemade mandarin sorbet served with a warm spice cookie.  Brunch was delicious and I do regret not returning for dinner.  Maybe next time ...

After brunch I took a wonderful tour of San Francisco in the late afternoon well into the evening:

By day ...

...by night

Night view from Treasure Island

After the tour I was cold and starving!  On the tour the guide mentioned The Buena Vista (http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/home.html) which was also mentioned by a friend to me. Located at 2765 Hyde Street, I took the bus to Fisherman's Wharf and walked to the restaurant for dinner and the much acclaimed Irish Coffee. My server advised that crab was in season and she insisted I try one of the specials of the day: dungeness crab melt.  It was served warm over toasted english muffin with a side salad.  It was made with a lot of crab meat and was nice. Finally it was time for dessert!  Of course I had to have the infamous Irish Coffee! It was amazing!  Coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and cream - it was perfection.  And strong I might add - you only need one!  For more on how the Irish coffee and The Buena Vista became famous: http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/irishcoffee.html If you are ever in San Francisco, this is a must try, even if you only go for the Irish coffee.  It is perfect for sipping on a chilly night in San Fran!

Dungeness crab melt

Irish coffee

I was also lucky enough to dine and catch up with my old friend, Tiana.  "Yelp that sh*t!" haha well that is how we found Don Pisto's (http://www.donpistos.com/). Located at 510 Union Street in San Francisco, we almost missed this small restaurant.  Tiana and I enjoyed a pitcher of margarita.  While I appreciate the margarita was made with top shelf tequila and fresh ingredients, it was a bit sour for my taste. They are strong so sip slowly!  For an appetizer we shared guacamole and homemade chips. Fresh and delicious - start your meal with this appetizer!  For dinner I ordered beef tacos topped with arbol chile and cotija cheese.  Perfectly spicy and delicious.  Tiana, however, went Mexican classy and ordered lobster.  The lobster was perfect:  well cooked, juicy and sweet.  It was served with decadent cilantro butter, rice, beans and warm tortillas.  You could either indulge by dipping the sweet meat directly in the cilantro butter (which is what I did) or make decadent lobster tacos (which is what Tiana chose to do).  Either way you will absolutely enjoy!  Please bring extra money and treat yourself.  I would say this is also a must dine location when visiting San Francisco.

Delicioso!

Perfecto!

After dinner we drove to Castro Street so I could catch a quick glimpse of The Castro Theater. Located at 429 Castro Street in San Francisco, the theater was built in 1910.  It was remodeled and opened again in 1922.  

Three days was honestly not enough time!  However, it was just enough of a 'tease' to convince me that I NEED to return to California, return to San Francisco and Oakland.  Hopefully, on my next visit I will see more of both cities as well as a visit to Sausalito and of course, wine country!  

Until next time ...

At night the Bay Bridge displays a fantastic light show!  Sadly, due to budget cuts this light show is due to end by the end of the year.  Enjoy while you can!  Song: Otis Redding's, "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" which he wrote while relaxing on a houseboat near Sausalito.