To read Part 1 of my day in Haight-Ashbury : Exploring San Francisco Part 1

I walked back on Haight Street but this time turned right on Divisadero St. The road is clibing there, but after a while you will reach the Castro which is the historical gay disctrict of San Francisco. While there, do not miss the beautiful Castro Theater.

Still looking for the blue house, I turned right on 18th Street , and finally here it was on number 3841 ! The blue house (La Maison Bleue) is famous because of a song called “San Francisco” by French singer Maxime Le Forestier. He spent the summer of 1971 in this house with a hippy community. Coming back he wrote that song which was a huge hit, and became famous. But the hippies are gone and the blue house had been repainted green. A couple of years ago, the French consulate in San Francisco contacted the new owners and asked them if they would consider getting it back to its original color. They accepted, and Maxime Le Forestier himself came back to put the last stroke of paint.

For a long time I believed it was just an imaginary place, then one day I discovered in an article that the house actually existed. Sadly, it also counted that most of the friends he mentions in the song had since died from AIDS… It is a beautiful song, full of nostalgia about a golden age of complete freedom. The first worlds translated in English are “It was a blue house, that stood against a hill. We come there walking, we don’t knock, those who live there, had thrown the key”. And here is the full song in French if you wish to listen to it.I did it very every morning while in San Francisco, along with the famous “If you’re going to San Francisco” by the Mamas and the Papas!

Since I was already going toward the Mission district, I decided to continue in that direction. As its name suggests it, this area of town has a more Hispanic architecture. I noticed for example the beautiful Castro high school and the Mission San Francisco de Asís on Dolores Street.

I wish I had more time to explore this neighborhood, which seemed very pleasant. If you need to do your laundry or are just passing by… take a look at the Star Wash Laundromat. With its art deco atmosphere and old movie stars pictures it is probably the most glamour laundromat in the world ! As night was falling, I took the subway on 16th and Mission until Powell Street and went back to my hotel for a well deserved rest after all that walking…

On the following morning, I decided to take the Cable Car in direction of the Ocean. I did the whole Powell-Mason line from the Powell/ Market turntable to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a great way to see the city, and of course an iconic moment in your San Francisco’s stay for only 6$. Pier 39 is full of overpriced restaurants and shops. I guess it can be fun to spend one evening but that’s it, so I didn’t spend too much there. However I enjoyed observing the colony of sea lions. And I started a pretty intense staring contest with a seagull !!

I really wanted to do a bike ride on the Golden Gate Bridge and visit Alcatraz… but unfortunately my time was too limited. So I decided to take a cruise in the Bay to see both at the same time. You don’t really need to pre book as there are several boat companies close to Pier 39. I chose the Bay Adventure Cruise with Blue & Gold Fleet. This one hour ride costs 29$, it takes you under the bridge and then close to “The Rock” where you can see the now abandonned federal prison. Simple but efficient if you are in a rush !

Then from Fisherman’s Wharf, I took Hyde St and walked in direction of Lombard Street. The “crookedest street in the world” is another memorable landmark of San Francisco. However, without the flower beds that you usually see on the pictures (I visited in February), I found it a bit disappointing. But from the top of the hill, you can enjoy a beaufiful panorama on the city, with the Coit Tower in the background.

I continued to walk through the elegant Nob Hill neighborhood. Most of the luxurious mansions built there during the 19th century have been destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. However there are still some interesting architectural curiosities such as the Bellaire Tower, a 20 stories white art deco building with a Spanish style lobby.

I saw on the map that I wasn’t far from Chinatown, which was perfect since I was getting hungry. On a little street I noticed a place called Hang Ah Tea Room which claimed to be the oldest Dim Sum house in America, since 1920. And I never say no to a good Dim Sum meal ! The restaurant is tiny and authentic, I enjoyed my fun gor dumplings (with peanuts) and jasmin tea…

… a perfect way to end a busy day !

****************************** ADRESS BOOK ********************************

LA MAISON BLEUE :  3841 18th Street

THE CASTRO THEATRE : 429 Castro St

STAR WASH LAUNDROMAT : 392 Dolores St

BAY ADVENTURE CRUISE : Pier 39 http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/

BELLAIRE TOWER : 1101 Green Street

HANG AH TEA ROOM : 1 Pagoda Pl  http://www.hangah1920.com/