Tuesday, April 1

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:

erica lorraine scheidt said...

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

Janis said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

tangobaby said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Sarah and Ryan said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

sfgirlbybay said...

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. :)

jennifer said...

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

Nathalie said...

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 :)

Relyn Lawson said...

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

Anonymous said...

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.

Maria Baker said...

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.

read me... said...

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

sfgirlbybay said...

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!).

Anonymous said...

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!

Uncle Beefy said...

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 ;)

sfgirlbybay said...

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!

Our Hands For Hope said...

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

Michelle said...

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

cassandra said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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 :-)

London Calling said...

Feeling the SF love!

Orange Pattern said...

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

CarrieAlair said...

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!

Bacchus said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

amy korngiebel said...

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

Christopher said...

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?

sfgirlbybay said...

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!