Shoes by the Bay

I have recently returned from a glorious long weekend in the City by the Bay. My husband and I took our daughters on a first family trip up north. New Yorkers and other East Coast city dwellers typically prefer San Francisco to Los Angeles, two to one. I have never taken a survey but I am guessing I am on the money. L.A. is the land of flip flops, rice cakes and spray-on tans. San Francisco is much more sophisticated. The St. Francis, Nob Hill, pearls, and a martini, straight up. Of course, during summer, tourists roam North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf. Many of these tourists speak French and wear nice shoes. Don't get me wrong. I get the comfort/shoe connection. After all, lots of hills and walking to find transportation from one tourist spot to another. That said, when we took our cruise and tour of Alcatraz, I was the only one in Tory Burch Reva flats and pearls. I am not a sweatshirt and sneakers kind of girl. Imprisonment in Alcatraz would not have been an option.

Our trip to San Francisco was definitely a learning experience. We hit almost all of the tourist hot spots, some from the Hop On, Hop Off double decker bus. I would like to share some of the more salient points.

Lessons from Alcatraz

I will admit. The allure of visiting a prison, closed or not, has always escaped me. I guess it may be a guy thing. However, the gift shop did offer some pretty kitsch items quoting rules from the Regulations for Inmates, USP, a copy of which was given to each prisoner upon arrival.

1. You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter and medical attention. Anything else that you get is a privilege. I am presuming this doesn't extend to caviar, designer shoes, a suite at the Hyatt, or a face lift but elements of the more basic type.

2. As a general rule, you will work eight hours a day, five days a week, with Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays devoted to recreation. Weekend warriors or not?

3. LOAFING, LOITERING, VISITING, OR UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCE FROM WORK will result in disciplinary action, and may result in loss of your job, and withholding of, or forfeiture of, good time. Of course, in the outside world, loafing, loitering, and visiting during work may constitute a "good time."


4. Meals are served in the dining room three times a day. Do not exceed the ration. Do not waste food. Take what you eat; eat what you take. Of course, on the outside, leave some food on your plate, especially if you are on a date or watching your weight!

Lessons On the Outside

Following our departure by ferry, we visited the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building, a foodie's paradise. Where else can you stand in line to buy "pig parts," artisan chocolates, and Acme bread? I picked up Indian spices and sauces, presumably to prepare curries at home which brings me to our next lesson.

5. Naan N' Curry: My twelve year old daughter and I practically convulsed with laughter when we noticed an Indian/Pakistani restaurant, open 24/7, across from our hotel. Because you never know when you might crave biriyani or curry at 2 am. Imagine our disappointment when we found out a la carte items were not available while the kitchen was undergoing renovations.

6. Try it, you'll like it Our trip offered many opportunities to try new experiences or tastes. My husband tried a Gewürztraminer. Our eight year old and I sought adventure on the Rocket Boat, a 45 mph rock n' roll cruise on the bay. All four of us rode across the Golden Gate Bridge on top of a double decker bus.

7. If you are a crab, it is best to avoid long, hot baths. At Fisherman's Wharf, we witnessed live crabs being boiled in vats until they turned red and were served up on someone's plate. To avoid a similar predicament, know when to get out of the jacuzzi or hot tub.

8. Window shopping should be an Olympic sport. While my husband went back to the hotel for some R & R, my "team" strolled around Union Square for some girl time. Saks, Neiman's, designer boutiques galore. Nordstrom's and Bloomie's a few blocks away. San Francisco is a shopper's nirvana. Birthplace of GAP, Esprit, Levi's, and Benefit Cosmetics, a fabulously fun cosmetic line started by the identical Ford twins with their modeling earnings. This witty line features such products as BADgal Mascara, dr. feelgood complexion balm, and pink to please woman...gold to get the guy color palette. Macy's Union Square features an fab Benefit boutique, complete with Brow Bar. I just love being a girl!

On our "workout," we noticed a window display at Macy's featuring the Verse collection of Converse, preferred shoe of my footwear interns and countless other tweens and teens. Available only at Macy's, Verse offers women sparkling glitter, shiny varnish prints, and hand-drawn graphics in a casual shoe. These shoes "tell stories" and "inspire the creative individuals who wear them to act spontaneously and discover their own stories." Glittery footwear is my personal Kryponite. And as a "creative individual," I will tell you spontaneity and self-discovery are not typically a problem for us right-brained types. Maybe we should pass out these shoes to lawyers, accountants, and other left-brained types?

Our four-day sojourn to San Francisco was filled with laughter, great food, and various modes of transportation. Long after the bracelets bought from street vendors are broken, the memories of family experiences and lessons remain. Back in L.A., I have renewed my vows to avoid wearing flip flops! (And I think I may have eaten enough sourdough bread to last me till the next trip!)