San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Next Adventure for Spanista

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Next Adventure for Spanista lies over the Golden Gate Bridge after having a fabulous time in Wine Country. What gets better than it?  That is easily answered.  The hype vibe of The City of the West. Having lived in New York it amazes me how different San Francisco is to Manhattan, even though they are both surrounded by an ocean front and amass an eclectic mix of cultures that define day-to-day life as they each have rich historical context that sets them apart. The counter-culture point of view runs through its blood stream. You see and feel it everywhere. So I was on a quest to uncover the unique expressions of Self Care in this part of The City – that includes more delights and a special Spanista Travel Diary Experience to share.

I was drawn to the character of Fisherman’s Wharf.  Most times when I visit The City for business reasons, I  stay on Union Square where most of the well know corporate hotels are located. This time Spanista wanted to explore another side of the city’s colorful waterfront lifestyle with new eyes. Setting the stage for this story starts with a warehouse style boutique hotel – Pier 2620 at North Beach and Telegraph Hill.  All within walking distance of our destinations which we enjoy. (And we found a way to get around the killer hills.) After taking our Australian friends to the airport where we bid our goodbyes until our next visit, they fly onto Alaska’s Kodiak Islands. We dropped the rental car and felt free  to explore.

The Pier 2620 Hotel is a one of a kind. Urbane, intimate, friendly. There are botanical touches throughout like the inspired natural arrangements in the pics.  Best of all we discovered the structure wrapped around a well-appointed courtyard. Often after a day of boisterous day activity we found it a soothing respite from the world outside. A great spot for quiet chat, reading or an early evening glass of wine before the start of an evening. The Hotel location is really great as it does give you full flavor of the neighborhoods in this part of this city. No matter your mood – everything is walkable distance which enhances people watching opportunities which we love – or as the French say  – Flaneur!

Upon checking into Pier 2620 it took a bit of extra effort to get a room to match our needs – I prefer a quieter room not in the mainstream traffic ways. I prevailed with the help of  with a desk attendant who saw to it that we would be comfortable.  Special thanks to her.

It was early afternoon now and we were starved – knowing we were steps away from great seafood but a bit over the white tablecloth experience we wanted to find a great food truck. Heading for the water front we soon came upon aPINIMAGEPINIMAGEfish and chips truck called The Codfather Fish & Chips – the aroma was too good to pass by. ( 4.5 rating on Yelp). We stooped to survey the crowded tables crunched together in a space no bigger than ann average sized bedroom. The Codfather was the right place for the playful street mood we were in.  On holiday it is about savoring the local fare and this simple real food feeds the soul in a different way. Yuma-a yuma!  In fact there was not room for a full dinner that night – just late night dessert and wine.

The Hotel Bar offered a DIY Wine Service – this was something I noticed at out hotel in Sonoma as well. Perhaps you have seen them before? It was new to me – of course the technology for this unique device would come from San Fran right? No human needed to serve – just one to pay and drink it appears anytime your wish! All in all a good day.

Spanista Takeaway: When traveling the hotel and location of the room can enhance or detract from your Self Care intentions for your trip. Tell them at the desk you want to visit the room they assign you before committing to take it and DO NOT TAKE YOUR LUGGAGE to the room. Keep it int he lobby with a bell captain of fellow traveler. If the room is acceptable great – if not  look behind the door to define the layout of the hotel. Look for rooms that are more accommodating. Pick a couple and head back to the desk with a friendly, respectful but firm attitude for the guest reception and two other rooms that could be better. Ask to see it and do not take your luggage to the room until you are happy. Lesson is NEVER SETTLE.

Have you ever settled for a less than desirable hotel room and regretted it? Do tell.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny