There is also the small matter of the rich literary past, and present, that this city boasts. Despite the cool breeze brought over from the bay, the place certainly witnessed some of the hottest history if wordsmiths float your boat. First, there is the City Lights bookstore and publishers. This was a theatre of dreams to me. Wall to wall of the greatest writers that ever lived - and its all for sale.
Next door is Vesuvio. So you can drink a stiff one and pretend it is 50 years ago and all those great minds are at the table beside you. Unfortunately in my case, they had Premiership football on the TV. I'm not sure Jack and Allen had such distractions when their wandering eyes scanned the place but it was a nice reminder of home nonetheless. I was in danger of becoming nostalgic until I noticed the barmaid.
And if scanning the shelves at City Lights and Vesuvio isn't enough of a beat fix for you, then down the road amongst the neon-lit strip clubs is a museum celebrating the area's past.
San Francisco was kind to me. I was lucky enough to be shown round by a couple of local girls who introduced me to their neighbourhood, which went by the name of the Mission. This embodies everything Notting Hill did in the swinging sixties and East London did at the turn of the century - before they both went so tragically wrong!
Bars disguise themselves as members' clubs so you can smoke. Dave Eggers has a 'pirate shop' where you can barter down the price of his books. The place is still a ghetto and you have to look over your shoulder to ensure safety. But its worth it. There are endless treats awaiting you on every corner. Diners still look like diners but they are packed with bright young minds. Its worth letting your coffee go cold just to observe.
San Francisco was kind to me. I was lucky enough to be shown round by a couple of local girls who introduced me to their neighbourhood, which went by the name of the Mission. This embodies everything Notting Hill did in the swinging sixties and East London did at the turn of the century - before they both went so tragically wrong!
Bars disguise themselves as members' clubs so you can smoke. Dave Eggers has a 'pirate shop' where you can barter down the price of his books. The place is still a ghetto and you have to look over your shoulder to ensure safety. But its worth it. There are endless treats awaiting you on every corner. Diners still look like diners but they are packed with bright young minds. Its worth letting your coffee go cold just to observe.
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