California Dreamin’

California Dreamin’
            My dad was an east coast aerospace electronics engineer who had many business trips to California when I was growing up. He spent a lot of time in San Francisco and what we now call Silicon Valley.
            He loved San Francisco, bringing home intriguing souvenirs for me and my brothers. He talked about Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf, and sailing in San Francisco Bay in his friend’s boat.
            When he wasn’t at his job or fixing the house or car, he played his piano or one of another dozen instruments. 
            Another creative endeavor was dabbling in oil and acrylic painting. His biggest piece was a six-foot wide landscape painting of San Francisco at night, with Coit Tower in the center. My brothers and I looked at that painting and imagined San Francisco as an iconic dreamland.
            I lived in San Francisco for a short time during my college years, and fell in love with the city. My husband had a similar experience as an exchange student from Japan. San Francisco is where we settled after getting married.
            Most major cities have suffered through rough stretches due to economic downturns, the pandemic, and other challenges. This gives all the more reason to continue highlighting the best of our beloved city. Despite the recent “doom loop” refrain, San Francisco is still alive and kicking. It is our joy and privilege to keep exploring it.
            Love where you live. If it needs some tender loving care, do what you can to make things better. Keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes, Ferry Building/Pier 7-San Francisco Stroll, describes a relatively short walk filled with amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, the city skyline, and the East Bay and Marin County in the distance.
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New this week:
Hike Notes 202: Ferry Building/Pier 7-San Francisco Stroll