Sunday in the City: Home At Last.

Okay, so I got home from Los Angeles last night and if I could have, I would have kissed the ground that is San Francisco. I grew up in L.A. – it’s fun, it’s got beaches, it’s got weather, it’s got loads of cool stuff, and I am not dissing it to be sure, but I am just not at home there, it is not me…it never was me. I never felt so at home as the day I moved to San Francisco almost 14 years ago, and I am so, so very happy and grateful to be home. In honor of my home….and in lieu of my normal Sunday In The City post…here’s a little glimpse through my eyes, of San Francisco.

First Blossoms.

Open and Closed.

Historic Records.
Art Welcome.
Signs of The Times.
Have and Have Nots.
Surf ‘n Turf.
Just Pointing Out The View.

31 Comments

  1. Erica
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 7:52 am | Permalink

    I love your POV, that Rothko is always so welcoming. One more image and you would have 17 Reasons.

  2. Janis
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 8:14 am | Permalink

    Yes, I love SF. It is a good fit and holds a special place in my heart as well…

  3. missy
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 11:15 am | Permalink

    beautiful photos…i love living in the bay area!! :)

  4. sunny
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 11:16 am | Permalink

    I lived in SF for 8 years before moving to Wisconsin a few years ago..and I miss it. Imagine my delight when I open this post and see the church where I was on staff included in the first photo!

    Thanks for some beautiful photos and a trip down memory lane for me.

    I love your blog anyway but today – even more!

  5. tangobaby
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 1:16 pm | Permalink

    Love these pairings. So many wonderful things to see in our city.

  6. mike
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 1:17 pm | Permalink

    I love these pictures! It makes me want to go home to San Fran. What camera are you using? The quality is incredible.

  7. sarah
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 1:25 pm | Permalink

    Lovely photos! I’ve only been in SF a year and I love it. It’s definitely home to me. :)

  8. TracyVille
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 1:50 pm | Permalink

    What a lovely, lovely, post. Not only are the photos beautiful but it’s the sentiment behind the photos that most tugged at my emotions. You are so fortunate to deeply love where you live that you would honor it. I so look forward to the day when I, too, shall find my home in a town/city that I adore. Well done. I can’t say how much I love your blog!

  9. sfgirlbybay
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 1:51 pm | Permalink

    Ah, 17 Reasons! They tore it down!

    Thanks y’all – I’m so glad you like the pics.

    Mike – it’s just a little Sony Cybershot 6.0. :)

  10. jennifer
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 2:41 pm | Permalink

    i completely agree with you. i was just at gino & carlo’s on friday. that bar is always fun.

  11. Nathalie
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 3:02 pm | Permalink

    i was only in SF for 10 days back in September and believe it or not the city has been on my mind almost every day, i fell in love with it ! it was love at first sight…. if that’s possible with a city :)

  12. Relyn
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 3:21 pm | Permalink

    Wow! Gorgeous photos, but especially great juxtapositions. I want to come visit your city – today. Happy Spring.

  13. chez shoes
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 3:35 pm | Permalink

    I so agree with you. L.A. has a lot going for it, but it’s not the best fit for me either, and I still hope of returning for good to my San Francisco hometown someday.

  14. marlo
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 3:44 pm | Permalink

    I took a solo trip to SF on my spring break a couple years ago. I was only there for 5 days, but I didn’t want to leave!
    That Rothko painting hit me so hard. I remember a big lump in my throat and I just sat and stared for a long, long time. It’s stunning.

  15. read me...
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 3:46 pm | Permalink

    Lucky, lucky girl… If I could I’d move to SF tomorrow! Great pictures, thanks!!

  16. sfgirlbybay
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 3:49 pm | Permalink

    Thank you all so much for the kind comments. A nice welcome home, indeed! And yes, the Rothko sweeps me off my feet (and I wasn’t supposed to take that pic!).

  17. Anonymous
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 4:42 pm | Permalink

    I was born in SF 40 years ago! A lot has changed over the years (SOMA and The Embarcadero especially), but a lot is still the same – the Inner Sunset with all the UC students studying and eating at all the great cafes and food places; North Beach hasn’t changed too much, either, but now you can find Italian food everywhere else in The City. We grew up in Cole Valley and I used to ride my tri-cycle around the block, there were a lot of hippies back then…heh! My mom grew up in the Western Addition and back in her day, they called Hayes Valley, “Death Valley”. She can’t believe how that street is now a design mecca! If I can help it – I will never leave. The only sad thing about living here is all the friends I’ve made over the years who are not originally from here – they eventually move away and go back to their home towns, especially when they have children. Not to get into it – but unfortunately, it is expensive to raise a family here. But I see many people do whatever it takes to stay here for it’s worth it!

  18. Uncle Beefy
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm | Permalink

    I don’t want to see any more posts like this, Victoria. Do you understand me? I was born in San Francisco. But I don’t live there. But good GRACIOUS! How you make me SO WANT to be there with these amazing pics! You make my heart ache for The City!!! You capture the very essence and spirit of the place. You are a lucky lady :)

    (But hey, instead of “boring” old San Francisco, I got to grow up in a town where the mascot of the hight school was a potato! No joke. I could kill my parents for EVER moving me from SF!)

    And “welcome home”! I’m sure the city would kiss ya’ right back ;)

  19. sfgirlbybay
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 6:12 pm | Permalink

    anon – thanks for the memories! :)

    Uncle Beefy – you are too kind to me. Stop, I say! :)

    And then, let’s everybody just move back and we’ll have a big old party!

  20. Sabii Wabii
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 6:24 pm | Permalink

    Love the photos and inspiration. I want to design an outfit now for each of your photos!
    Terisa

  21. Michelle
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 7:09 pm | Permalink

    Oh so beautiful. I love these photos, but I think I agree with you.

  22. coco+kelley
    Posted April 1, 2008 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

    as an LA born girl who was raised in Seattle (and is now back in LA), I’ve always thought that San Francisco might be my perfect happy medium… maybe someday! gorgeous photos. they make me want to move NOW!

  23. Stéphanie
    Posted April 2, 2008 at 6:21 am | Permalink

    Hello,
    It gives me more “envy” (i don’t know if this world is correct in American) to go to SF : what a beautiful city!!!
    I love the colors !
    have a great week… Still love your blog, I think I am addict :-)

  24. LondonCalling
    Posted April 2, 2008 at 7:33 am | Permalink

    Feeling the SF love!

  25. Orange Pattern
    Posted April 2, 2008 at 8:32 am | Permalink

    Love you pics. So beautiful and interesting. I look forward to this part of your blog…

  26. CarrieAlair
    Posted April 2, 2008 at 8:38 am | Permalink

    So glad to have found your blog and I love when you post your pictures of SF! I look forward to it every week. I love that you point out beauty in uncommon places. I am making more trips into the city thanks to you!

  27. Bacchus
    Posted April 2, 2008 at 8:48 am | Permalink

    SFGIRLBYBAY, Welcome back home! Our great little city by the bay. I’ve been here over 8 years now and just can’t imagine anyplace that is more like home. Of course it is so many creative people, like yourself, that make it so great.

    Nathalie, it is true that you can have love at first sight with SF. It happened to me 10 years ago. I went back to Tennessee knowing that I’d be back for good some day.

  28. Cait
    Posted April 2, 2008 at 6:22 pm | Permalink

    These are gorgeous and cunningly arranged. I miss my city!

  29. amy korngiebel
    Posted April 3, 2008 at 12:04 pm | Permalink

    amazing photos! you’ve got such a great eye for the city.

  30. benignarama
    Posted April 4, 2008 at 12:02 am | Permalink

    I’m coming to SF next month,and,inspired by your blog,wioll trying to check out as many of the cool shops you mention as possible.
    I’m very keen to do some sort of walking historical tour and would love to see inside some of the old Victorians.Do you now of any such open house tours?

  31. sfgirlbybay
    Posted April 4, 2008 at 2:16 pm | Permalink

    thanks again everyone! i am so flattered.:)

    benignarama – i do not know of house tours off hand, but the decorator showcase house runs in May and is wonderful to see. if you google that, and walking tours in sf, i’ll bet you can find some!

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