SF Gems (and a couple looks from this weekend)

And what I consider as that feeling of home...

San Francisco has changed over the years… it’s not what it once was… but she’s still my happy place and what I consider as that feeling of home… even though I haven’t actually lived there for years. (But I’m in the city often). I know many of you have lived in SF as well ~ and it’s truly hard to beat the city on a sunny day!! Brings all the joy and memories from my childhood to college and early 20’s. We were talking about this all weekend with my mom, and it was fun to hear she feels the same way. My mom grew up in Berkeley / Oakland, and her uncle (who helped raise my mom and who we considered our grandpa) lived in Marin … so a lot of my childhood was spent visiting him in Marin and going into SF. Visiting FAO Schwarz at Christmas time with him and Italian food in North Beach. I remember my 10th birthday vividly… it was my first time out to a really special white table cloth dinner. My sister and I wore our best dresses and I remember going to the bathroom numerous times just because it was so gorgeous and we couldn’t get over the fact that the waiter would put your napkin back on your lap when you returned to the table!

For my mom’s birthday, my mom, sister and I wanted to spend the weekend like we used to when living there (my sister and I shared the same apartment that we kept in our friend circle for years). Long walks from Nob Hill to the Marina. Hit up the Fort Mason Farmer’s Market on Sunday… multiple cups of Saint Frank Coffee… a lingering lunch at Cotogna, popped into the new McMullen boutique on Sacramento Street (very excited about this!!)… it was just the best!

A few SF musts for me:

Morning | Walk from the top of Nob Hill through to the Marina (I like to walk down my old street, Jackson, to Polk and grab Saint Frank Coffee on the way)… then to the Fort Mason Farmer’s Market (on Sunday mornings). You can walk along Chestnut and back up to Union Street and hit up Rose’s for brunch… a classic! Also a walk through Pac Heights for those Golden Gate / water views.

Afternoon | Grab a later lunch at Cotogna and shop around afterwards (William Stout Architectural Books is great for design books), there are some galleries in this area as well as shopping: Zimmerman, Isabel Marant, Anine Bing and Lan Jaenicke’s Atelier ~ the most gorgeous cashmere coats!)

Sacramento Street Shops: McMullen Boutique just opened their SF location!!, March SF, Future Perfect (Design)

Additional Shopping: Fillmore Street and Hayes Valley (pop into Métier)

Evening | This time we grabbed dinner on Friday at an older gem: SPQR. A twist on Italian which is fun and delicious. It’s a bit quieter for a nice meal out (a good one to bring the parents to) and Fillmore is a great street to walk along and shop / grab a drink beforehand.

Additional dinner faves for more special occasions: Robin (sushi and hip hop vibes ~ such a fun, memorable date night… I went for my birthday last year), State Bird Provisions, Flour + Water, Foreign Cinema

Art | SFMOMA, Berggruen across the street, De Young, Minnesota Street Projects and the gardens at the SF Botanical Garden. Flower Piano is coming up ~ if you’ve never been it’s pretty special and cute to bring the kids to for a picnic.

Additional Musts for me / Quick Bites: Tartine Bakery, Souvla (I crave the veg white sweet potato salad constantly), Blue Barn salads or pick-up lunch from Bi-Rite and head to the park (easy with kids), Delfina for pizza, El Farolito (pick up burritos)

Tennis Necklace (a great under $200 option… more sizes here).

Older Khaite Leather Jacket (might be my most prized closet hero at this point! Another Khaite fave that I love.)

Bodysuit (very comfy / stretchy option) worn with an Ulla Johnson Skirt (from the recent warehouse sale ~ did anyone else snag it?).

Boots are older from The Row (a sale find)… these boots are the most similar and another great splurge-worthy option in my book. The heel on these Khaite boots actually makes them much more walkable for longer distances. (More sizes here). I own these in the two-tone python and honestly would also get the black as they were my most worn boots last year. The black is perfection as far as a classic black heeled boot to wear with jeans goes!

Sunglasses. As mentioned previously, this is my most worn / packed lightweight sweater and closet hero for layering. I tie it around my waist and wrap it around my shoulders. *code: ALICIA15

In SF it is all about the layers. It was sunny during the day but the cashmere coats, parkas and leather jackets were out in the evenings giving me that dose of fall!

When on Fillmore Street ~ I finally got to see these Freda Salvador loafers in person and they’re good!! Love this camel color for fall. (*code: 15ALICIA)

In comparison to the Jaime Haller loafers I’ve been wearing: the Freda’s have more support to them. They’re padded in the cushion which is nice and are ideal for city walking. The JH pair are more of a slipper type loafer… I still walked a lot of steps (and hills!) in them this past weekend but they don’t offer the arch / or support in the same way. Both are great options! Depends what you’re wanting. The JH ones are perfect for my daily life and just slipping on and wearing around / walking a few blocks, where the Freda’s would be a true longer distance city walking loafer option if you’re needing more support.

Loafers (come in a number of colors). Vintage Levi’s (similar and these too).

Sweater underneath that I’ll have to get better photos of as it’s a great one with shorter sleeves. Super soft and a staple to wear with everything.

Jacket is Soeur (a sale score… I’m wearing size 34 fyi, fits true to Euro sizing). They have some great coats ~ I’m honestly sad I didn’t see this parka sooner. Let me know if you see anything similar!!