With a major work project launched, I took the opportunity to plan a getaway out to California. Primary motivation was to get some interesting cycling in and I hope to do that. Landed last night to enjoy a couple days of bumming around San Francisco before joining up with a bike tour group on Sunday for the rest of next week. Took BART into the city and it’s a good thing I arrived yesterday. Today BART is on strike. I suppose that would have left me grabbing a taxi but taking BART into the city from the airport is such an easy and economical option.

I’ve done a short term rental of an apartment in the heart of the city. The Nob Hill area to be specific. In fact, it’s literally across the street from the Ritz Carlton. I had intended to just find a hotel for the couple few days but all the places I usually stay out there that aren’t mega expensive and that are reasonably decent were booked. And I looked quite awhile back. Turns out there’s a big marathon going on Sunday that leaves from Union Square which is just a couple blocks from here so I’m guessing that is why the hotels around here are so booked. I had tried to stay at the Hotel Monaco (which is where I meet up with the bike tour) but – booked.

So, I found this place and schlepped my luggage up the hill to my home away from home for the weekend. It’s a nice little place. 3rd floor apt with 1 bedroom, a living room area, bathroom and small kitchen. Don’t need much more than that. It’s not large but it’s bigger and better and certainly more livable than your average hotel room. You can see the main living area in the photo below.

I arrived kinda late in the day so with the 2 hour time change it wasn’t long before I was ready for some dinner. A place named Cotogna had been recommended to me so I ventured off to find it. Made my way through Chinatown to get there. Trendy kinda place, with with hearty Italian food. “rustic Italian” the website says. Somehow I managed to score a table outdoors. Weather was ideal as far as I was concerned. They had a prix fixe menu that looked interesting so I went with that. Opted to add a salad which in hindsight was probably more food than I wanted. I apparently arrived at a good time because it wasn’t long before they were turning people away. The place filled up fast.

I snapped the photo at the top as I walked back through Chinatown after dinner. Nice evening. Full moon. Happen to catch it rising over the Transamerica building.

From there, back to my humble abode for the evening. More on the trip in subsequent posts.