Hello! This week’s postcard features the Dragon Gate in San Francisco’s Chinatown!
Photo: K. Glaser, Jr.
The Dragon Gate was completed in 1970
China donated 120 ceramic tiles depicting parts of Chinese history
Located on Grant Avenue and Bush Street, the arch marks the south entrance to San Francisco’s Chinatown
After our lovely lunch at Wayfare Tavern, my family and I took a stroll around nearby Chinatown.
Portsmouth Square Park with a view of the Transamerica Pyramid
“This marks the site of the first public school in California” (1848)
welcome to Portsmouth Square Park
one of many souvenir shops in Chinatown
spotted on Grant Avenue and Clay Street
a view of the Bay Bridge from the cable car tracks on Grant Avenue and California Street
across the street from this French bistro, you can see…
…the Dragon Gate!
Over the years, I have accumulated hundreds of postcards from around the world, which I’ve either purchased from my local antique shops or received from thoughtful family and friends who know I collect them. When I travel, I also like to send myself a carte postale just for fun!
I hope these postcards will make you want to revisit a favorite vacation spot or to embark on a journey to the destination of your dreams (when it’s safe to travel freely again, of course!)
And if you’ve been to the destination featured, tell me about your experience there – I’d love to hear from you.
Until the next Wednesday Postcard, take care!
Thanks to my dear husband for this “behind the scenes” snapshot 🙂
Tyler Florence, celebrity chef and television host, recently featured one of his San Francisco restaurants, Wayfare Tavern, on the Food Network show, “The Great Food Truck Race.”
The restaurant opened in 2010, but briefly operated as a food truck at the start of the pandemic when many restaurants had to close. Their food truck service is now on hiatus, but their restaurant has reopened!
Wayfare Tavern and the Transamerica Pyramid in the background
The magazine even reveals thecooking technique used to achieve its special quality. (Hint: after marinating in buttermilk brine, the chicken is baked on low heat for a few hours before frying!)
Enticed by the idea of trying this special chicken on a special occasion, my husband immediately booked a lunch reservation at the Financial District restaurant to celebrate our anniversary.
Burrata Toast, Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco
For appetizers, we ordered charred country bread with burrata. The soft, creamy Italian cheese was lightly sprinkled with balsamic vinegar, served with several cubes of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pear, and topped with some fresh microgreens. My elder daughter called first dibs on the prosciutto di Parma. (By the way, she snapped all of the photos shown here. 📸)
While we waited for the Burrata Toast, we nibbled on warm popovers (our American version of Yorkshire pudding). My younger daughter and I thought they were freshly baked croissants until we tore off a piece, revealing a soft, hollow inside. The popover was especially tasty with a spread of butter!
As for beverages, I recalled Sancerre’s recent win as « Le village préféré des Français » on the France 3 program of the same name, so I decided to have a glass of the Karine Lauverjat Sancerre 2019. I thought it was light-bodied and soft. I wondered, Is this typical for this appellation? Didn’t matter – I liked it anyhow! Meanwhile, my husband enjoyed his red sangria cocktail of Tempranillo and rum with licorice-flavor from the French tarragon.
Preceded by the distinctive scent of roasted garlic and the woody aroma of rosemary, the main course arrived, at last. After removing the rosemary sprigs that were perched atop five assorted pieces of golden fried chicken, I squeezed some lemon on top and took a bite. I decided it was definitely worth the splurge: the chicken was simple, but tender and seasoned to perfection!
Organic Fried Chicken, Wayfare Tavern in San Francisco
In San Francisco, mask-wearing and social distancing are still required indoors (regardless of vaccination status), but neither rule seemed to be strictly enforced here. Despite the full house, the noise level was comfortable. At our table, we could hear each other without having to shout. We couldn’t hear others’ conversations either over the cheerful music playing softly in the background, like this tune:
🎶
With its mahogany walls giving warm British pub vibes, savory Italian cheese appetizers, lively Cuban music, and sweet French wines from the Loire Valley, Wayfare Tavern is true to its name – the atmosphere lent a feeling of journeying to distant lands!
Overall, I had an enjoyable experience – and that’s not the sauvignon blanc talking! 😉
Hello! This week’s postcard features “Words and Colors” from the Illusions and Other Surprises Postcard Exhibit at The Exploratorium, San Francisco’s Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception.
Instructions:
“Read this card aloud — but rather than reading the words, say the color of ink that was used to write each word. It’s not easy; the written words have a surprisingly strong influence over the actual color. The Exploratorium’s Language exhibits let you explore some of the patterns of meaning you make with words, sounds, and symbols.”
San Francisco (2017)
I enjoy visiting museums and I’m glad to see many of them gradually reopening after being closed since the pandemic began.
From 1969 to 2012, the Exploratorium was located at the Palace of Fine Arts. In April 2013, it opened its doors at its new location: Fisherman’s Wharf at Piers 15 and 17.
The Exploratorium is a popular school field trip destination, too! I went as an elementary school student, and in recent years, my daughters have gone there with their classes. I was even a chaperone for one of their field trips to the interactive museum.
There are hundreds of educational, entertaining, and hands-on exhibits at the Exploratorium. My favorites include:
Over the years, I have accumulated hundreds of postcards from around the world, which I’ve either purchased from my local antique shops or received from thoughtful jet-setting family and friends who know I collect them. When I travel, I also like to send myself a carte postale just for fun!
I hope these postcards will make you want to revisit a favorite vacation spot or to embark on a journey to the destination of your dreams (when it’s safe to do so, of course!)
And if you’ve been to the destination featured, tell me about your experience there – I’d love to hear from you.
After being indoors for most of 2020, I just had to get out and go somewhere beyond the mailbox or the grocery store! I also wanted to do something special to ring in the new year since fireworks were cancelled. So, to feed two birds with one scone, my family and I decided to go to San Francisco!
Normally, we’d take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) or the ferry into The City because finding parking there can be challenging. But this time, we decided to go by car to limit exposure.
Since we hadn’t crossed the Bay Bridge in almost a year, we were surprised to learn that there were no toll collectors. You either use FasTrak (the Bay Area’s electronic-toll taking system) or they snap a pic of your vehicle’s license plate and send you a bill.
How efficient! There was no usual backup on the approach to the Bay Bridge either. Not sure if it was due to it being New Year’s Eve or because of no-stopping at the toll booth! Either way, it was much appreciated. I figure we saved at least 10 minutes of driving.
Here are some of the places we visited (or drove by while I took pictures from the passenger side):
Haight-Ashbury District
In the summer of 1967 (“Summer of Love”), thousands of young people gathered in the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco. Because they believed in peace, love, psychedelic drugs, nature, communal living, and rock ‘n roll, they were called “hippies” or “flower children” (scornfully or affectionately, depending on whom you asked!) 🌼
For 43 years, the district was also home to the Haight-Ashbury T-Shirts store. Sadly, it suffered financially due to the pandemic and had to close on December 31, 2020.
On the last day, everything was 50% off: vintage-looking (reproduced) shirts with popular ’60s bands on them, minor league baseball shirts, and tie-dye shirts. Some postcards were even complimentary. Right on! ☮️
Which brings me to… This week’s postcard featuring (you guessed it): the Haight-Ashbury District in San Francisco!
Images: A. McKinney/K. Glaser, Jr.
On the left are images from one of the annual Haight-Ashbury Street Fairs. On the right is a sidewalk memorial for Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) of the American rock band, Grateful Dead. In the late ’60s, members of the band lived on 710 Ashbury Street.
“We will get by. We will survive.” – from Touch of Grey by Grateful Dead 🎶
Now that’s the right attitude going into the new year!
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
Quelle heure est-il ? It’s always 4:20 here 🙂
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Piedmont Boutique
Piedmont Boutique is not only a costume shop, it’s an institution. After nine years in the Castro, they moved to Haight-Ashbury in 1981. You can’t miss it: the fabulous gams that dangle provocatively from the window above the shop is an attraction in itself:
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
Just an idea: if they painted the soles red, they’d look just like Louboutins!
Cliff House
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
In 1864, Mark Twain was quoted as saying, “If one tires of the drudgeries and scenes of the city, and would breathe the fresh air of the sea, let him take the cars and omnibuses, or, better still, a buggy and pleasant steed, and, ere, the sea breeze sets in, glide out to the Cliff House…”
In 1879, two years after his presidential term ended, Ulysses S. Grant visited Cliff House and reportedly used a telephone there for the first time.
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
The structure shown here is not the original Cliff House restaurant from 1863. It was destroyed by fire, rebuilt, destroyed again, and rebuilt again in the same location. This Cliff House was built in 2003.
Unfortunately, the owners of Cliff House and the National Park Service weren’t able to reach a contract agreement before the end of 2020. As a result, the landmark restaurant had to close its doors.
On December 31, 2020, the public was invited to watch the removal of the letters spelling out “Cliff House.” By the time we drove by, though, all we could see was the sign’s frame.
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is the largest German church in California. It was dedicated in 1895 and cost $56,000 to build.
The name on the cornerstone, St. Markus Kirche, reflects the congregation’s German heritage.
San Francisco – December 31, 2020
We’re still under stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic, so we headed home well ahead of curfew.
Enjoy this 8-second video of the drive back to the East Bay from San Francisco:
Over the years, I have accumulated over two hundred postcards from around the world, which I’ve either purchased from antique shops or received from thoughtful jet-setting family and friends who know I collect them. When I travel, I also like to send myself a carte postale just for fun!
I hope these postcards will make you want to revisit a favorite vacation spot or to embark on a journey to the destination of your dreams (when it’s safe to do so, of course!)
If you’ve been to the destination featured, tell me about your experience there!
Until the next Wednesday Postcard, take care! ✌🏽+❤️
Every December, thousands of visitors from around the Bay Area come to Thompson Avenue in Alameda, California (10 miles/16 km east of San Francisco) to walk and admire the festive decorations and twinkling lights. It’s not the largest holiday lights display, but it’s a favorite among locals who’ve been coming to “Christmas Tree Lane” since 1938!
Of course, due to the pandemic, it’s different this year. Visitors are advised to forgo the stroll around and encouraged to drive by instead.
Unlike previous years, there are no sidewalk vendors selling hot chocolate to warm your hands and tummy. But one advantage to driving by is that you get to stay warm inside your vehicle!
Christmas Tree Lane – December 12, 2020
In addition to Christmas tree displays, there are parols (Filipino star-shaped lanterns) and farolito/luminaria (paper bag lantern commonly used in Hispanic culture and the southwestern United States). There’s a menorah for Hanukkah, too.
Also spotted: signs for social distancing, Black Lives Matter, and Biden-Harris on a few front lawns. Sign(s) of the times, indeed.
Menorah for Hanukkah
Parol
Farolito/Luminaria
Participation in the winter tradition is optional for residents who live on Christmas Tree Lane.
Seeing that most homes have some sort of decoration, even as simple as a string of lights on their windows or front steps, I get the impression that no one wants to be the Grinch on the block!
The local electric company chips in, too. They sponsor the cost of the lights in the median (where there’s a mailbox for letters to Santa!)
Christmas Tree Lane – December 12, 2020
The holiday lights will be on each day until New Year’s Eve from 5:30 pm until 10:00 pm, which is also the county’s curfew, per the Limited Stay at Home Order.
Bonjour! This week’s carte postale features the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands as a backdrop to the Main Post in the heart of the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Presidio is where San Francisco began.
The indigenous Ohlone/Costanoan people lived in this area for thousands of years
In 1776, Spain established a military fort on this land
In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain and controlled the post and established a new pueblo nearby called Yerba Buena (later known as San Francisco)
I learned about Donut Petit a few years ago when I spotted their float in Alameda’s 4th of July Parade in 2017 (see above). This weekend, I finally got the chance to visit the cute little bakery.
A little word about petit
Recalling the handy acronym BAGS (beauty, age, goodness, size) that I learned in my French classes, I know the word petit (meaning small or little) should go before the noun.
So while I’m tempted to call the charming little donut shop Le Petit Donut, I just tell myself, “Do not (be) petty!” (Donut Petit!)
Just a guess, but perhaps the name is supposed to sound like “bon appétit”…?
The pale blue paint, gold accents, and wicker bistro chairs give the shop an elegant, French-inspired appearance, as well as an inviting atmosphere. However, due to physical distancing protocols, there’s currently no dine-in, only take-out.
Behind the glass, I could tell they had creative flavors, such as lavender, lilikoi (passionfruit), and Mauisadas (Hawaiian sugar donuts filled with pineapple).
They looked appetizing, but I wasn’t in an adventurous mood. Instead, I ordered pastries that looked familiar: a brownie croissant, a chocolate twist, and a pair of French crullers – one glazed and the other with chocolate icing sprinkled with rainbow nonpareils. As a lagniappe, they gave me a blueberry cake donut.
I’d never seen a brownie inside a croissant before. It tasted OK, but it felt a bit strange to bite into a baked good inside another baked good. Sadly, the glazed French cruller was disappointing. I was expecting it to be light and airy, not greasy and dense.
Maybe next time, I’ll get out of my comfort zone and give their matcha or guava donuts a try! 🍩
Do you like donuts? I love maple bars. 🍁 Tell me your favorite flavor in the comments below!
In California, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is nearing 750,000.
During this past 3-day Labor Day weekend (September 5-7, 2020), temperatures fluctuated between 97-103 °F (36-39 °C) in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live.
On Sunday morning, we had a relatively small (yet still scary to me) 3.4 magnitude earthquake.
At the same time, wildfires burned throughout the state. Sadly, hundreds of firefighters are still trying to contain them.
Today is Wednesday, September 9, 2020 and look at the sky:
Skies over San Francisco: Sept. 9, 2020 at 9:45 am (PDT)
I took this picture with my phone (no filter) at 9:45 am (PDT) today, which also happens to be the 170th anniversary of California’s statehood.
The orange glow is said to be a result of wildfire smoke that’s trapped in the atmosphere, which explains why there is no smoky smell.
These are some of the words I’m hearing to describe today’s skies. It’s a bit disorienting, too. Is it dawn or dusk, a sunrise or a sunset? But since it’s not changing, it’s like the sky is on pause.
The 4th of July Parade in Alameda, California (10 miles/16 km east of San Francisco) is one of the largest Independence Day parades in the United States, with over 170 floats and 2,500 participants.
A little over 3 miles/5 km long, the parade route is also the longest route in the United States, drawing over 60,000 spectators from around the Bay Area.
Unfortunately, there won’t be any floats, horses, marching bands, dancers, or vintage cars this year. The 4th of July Parade for 2020 was cancelleddue to the pandemic.
In honor of the holiday, I’d like to share 4 of my favorites from the 2017 parade:
Alameda’s 4th of July Parade 2017 – I love the beignets at Café Jolie!
Alameda’s 4th of July Parade 2017 – honoring all the brave people serving in the Armed Forces
Alameda’s 4th of July Parade 2017
Alameda’s 4th of July Parade 2017 – a mini BART train!
What do we celebrate on the 4th of July?
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 2, 1776, but it wasn’t approved by the Second Continental Congress until July 4, 1776. We celebrate the day that the thirteen colonies gained independence from Great Britain.
The famous passage says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Since there won’t be parades, carnivals, large family reunions, and fireworks this year, it’ll be a good opportunity to reflect and think about those words.
An unalienable (or inalienable) right is something that can’t be given away or denied, like freedom.
But recent events have shown that we’re not quite living up to the Founding Fathers’ ideals.
Ask any person of color, woman, or member of the LGBTQIA community in America!
It just goes to show that even on its 244th birthday, the United States is still a relatively young nation and we’ve still got lots of work to do!
The 109th Bay to Breakers 12K foot race through the streets of San Francisco will now be a virtual race taking place from Sunday, September 20, 2020 to Friday, October 2, 2020!
Instead of the traditional “live” route through San Francisco — from downtown SF (“Bay”) all the way to the Pacific Ocean, where the waves break and touch the shore (“Breakers”) — participants will get to choose their own route. Each day, there will also be a costume theme.
They call it virtual, but it won’t be filmed. Instead, participants will have the option to run around their neighborhoods or on their treadmills at home. It’s not quite the same, but Bay to Breakers organizers are determined to keep its spirit alive!
So far, I have done Bay to Breakers three times – in 2011, 2014, and 2018. I’m a long-distance walker, not a runner, so I go for the fun of it.
Bay to Breakers 2011
Doing Bay to Breakers is like being in a parade. It’s festive! It’s like a traveling fashion show. It’s a great opportunity to re-use an old Halloween costume. One year, I felt especially creative and made Frozen-inspired costumes. My friend was Queen Elsa and I was Princess Anna!
Bay to Breakers 2014
bacon-wrapped hot dogs
I spy a French bakery – do you see it?
Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies
Bay to Breakers is an all-ages affair, but if you want to bring the baby, you’ll need to wear the child in a backpack-type of carrier. A few years ago, they banned alcohol and anything on wheels, like floats.
But part of the fun is trying to see what you can get away with, right? So, you’ll see the course dotted with the occasional baby stroller. Also, some people carry alcoholic beverages in plain-looking water bottles. Security officers are not likely to stop or cite rule breakers if they are discreet.
The event is also educational, let’s just say! You learn about plants (cannabis), anatomy (nudity), and games (adult toys and paraphernalia)…and so much more!
But no one judges and no one cares because it’s all for fun. Sure there’s serious prize money involved, but those winnings go to the top two finishers who usually reach the finish line around the 30-minute mark. Incredible! It takes me 30 minutes just to locate the starting line for the walkers’ corral!
Bay to Breakers 2018
“athletic” is used loosely here
Traditional tortilla toss at the starting line
The Murphy Windmill, one of two windmills in Golden Gate Park
Every registered participant who reaches the finish line gets a finisher’s medal and all the free snacks you can eat courtesy of event sponsors.
By no means did I win any costume contests nor break any speed records (my personal best remains at 2:15:50 at my first Bay to Breakers in 2011.)
Bay to Breakers 2011
But walking through San Francisco —literally from downtown SF all the way to Ocean Beach — provides a feeling of satisfaction like no other. It’s kind of addictive. Maybe that’s why people sign up year after year!
Question is: Will people sign up this year for the virtual race? I’m concerned about everyone’s safety. We’re still in the middle of a pandemic, with recent spikes in new cases in many places (California, sadly, being one of them.) We are still required to practice physical distancing.
It’ll be interesting to see how the virtual race will go. According to the Bay to Breakers website, “You can run wherever. The beauty of a virtual race is you can create your own course – we recommend something that’ll shock the neighbors.”
Like what? Participants wearing face masks and not much else, perhaps? I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s Bay to Breakers – that’s the spirit!
Bonjour! This week’s carte postale features the Cathedral of Christ the Light, located near Lake Merritt in Oakland, California.
In 1962, the Diocese of Oakland was established. Unfortunately, its first cathedral, St. Francis de Sales, was heavily damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
In 2005, construction began on the Cathedral of Christ the Light. It is the first cathedral in the world to be built in the 21st century. It opened its doors in 2008.
I’ve been going to Specialty’s Café & Bakery for work lunches for over 15 years. So when I learned that the San Francisco Bay Area-based chain would be permanently closing their doors after today, May 19, 2020, I was shocked!
The reason for the closure? The pandemic.
Their website explains that “Current market conditions attributed to COVID-19 and shelter-in-place policies have decimated company revenues.”
Founded in 1987, the company operated over 55 cafes in California, Illinois, and Washington state. Before the pandemic, Specialty’s was popular among busy office workers who wanted a quick, but nutritious lunch, like salads, sandwiches, and soups.
I will miss their Priority Pick-up mobile order system. It was convenient and easy to use.
Most of all, I will miss their Spicy Thai Salad, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Spinach and Cheese croissants, avocado on toasted ciabatta, walnut brownies, and giant fresh-baked cookies.
my favorites from Specialty’s
Thanks for all the work lunches, Specialty’s! You’ll be missed! 🍪
Fans of the hit comedy, Friends, will have a blast at the show’s 25th Anniversary pop-up that recently opened in downtown San Francisco!
view of Market Street from the second floor of One Powell
Located inside the AT&T Flagship Store at One Powell (in front of the Cable Car Turnaround), visitors can enjoy two floors of interactive digital displays, view actual props and costumes used on the show, and step into recreated show sets, like Central Perk and Monica & Rachel’s apartment in West Village.
It was my first time at the Friends 25th Anniversary Pop-Up Experience, but the spot-on sets and familiar memorabilia on display made me feel… like I’d been there before!
not sure why I’m knocking here – after all, I’m “inside” apartment 20!
Enjoy two floors of interactive displays:
Look through the peephole and view a short clip from the show:
Record your cover of Phoebe’s famous song, “Smelly Cat”:
Read lines from scripts:
Visit the mini Friends museum with real costumes and props from the show:
Chandler’s Halloween costume
the award that Joey stole, plus Rachel’s wedding garter
Find Friends-themed merch at the Friends Boutique:
Check out the couch that Ross, Rachel, and Chandler tried to carry upstairs:
… and the fountain and orange couch from the opening credits:
Central Perk:
Watch the video for the Friends’ theme song here (from YouTube – All rights reserved) >
Your Friends will be there for you, but this Pop-Up will be in San Francisco for a limited time! ☕️
Are you a big Friends fan like me? If I had to pick a favorite character, I’d pick Phoebe (she’s kind, plays guitar, and speaks French)! Who’s your favorite Friends character? Tell me in the comments below!
Bonjour! This week’s carte postale features the City Lights Booksellers & Publishers in San Francisco, California.
caption on the back of the postcard
“Founded in 1953 by poet, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Peter D. Martin, City Lights is a landmark independent bookstore and publisher that specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics.”
What you may have heard is true! The San Francisco Bay Area is currently experiencing scheduled power outages, strong winds, and poor air quality due to smoke from wildfires. But that won’t keep us from going out and about enjoying life!
These photographs were taken on Saturday (October 26, 2019) during a leisurely stroll I took with my family in San Francisco’s Marina District.
Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar | 2132 Chestnut St in San Francisco
Classic Affogato – “2 shots of espresso poured over vanilla ice cream” and Dark Chocolate Strato – “a creamy, icy beverage finished with an espresso float”:
I am reusing the plastic cup! It’s sturdy and it looks nice, too. This location is a coffee bar only. It doesn’t have a roastery. (Read about my visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room in Seattle here.)
Le Marais Bakery (North Beach location) | 2066 Chestnut St in San Francisco
Another Le Marais Bakery in San Francisco! Two down, one to go! (Read about my visit to the Le Marais Bakery in the Mission District here.)
someone left their art in San Francisco
Looking east from Yacht Road– Alcatraz Island:
Looking west from Yacht Road– Golden Gate Bridge at golden hour:
Palace of Fine Arts:
A swan swims in the tranquil Palace Lagoon:
Have you been to San Francisco? Tell me in the comments below!
Let’s keep everyone impacted by the California Wildfires in mind and hope they stay safe.
caption on the back of the postcard 
I am reusing the plastic cup! It’s sturdy and it looks nice, too. This location is a coffee bar only. It doesn’t have a roastery. (Read about my visit to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room in Seattle 
Another Le Marais Bakery in San Francisco! Two down, one to go! (Read about my visit to the Le Marais Bakery in the Mission District 
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