Here I am at my favorite taqueria, Poncho Villa, in San Francisco. It’s in the Mission on 16th St. near Valencia. If you came to visit I would probably take you there.
We would probably stop by Dynamo Donuts on 24th St for some coffee and a Strawberry-Earl Grey donut, then stroll over to Southern Exposure for a dose of edgy contemporary art. Or maybe Tartine’s for a morning bun, if the line isn’t too long, on our way to do some people watching in Dolores Park. I’d take you to the red clay room at the Imperial Spa, the Korean bathhouse, near Geary and Filmore for some deep relaxation, to Imagiknit on 18th at Sanchez to drool over yarn, and then to Cliff’s Variety Store and The Castro Theater to clap along with the organist between double features as he plays…
San Francisco, open your Golden Gate
You’ll let nobody wait outside your door
San Francisco, here is your wanderin’ one
Saying I’ll wander no more.
Oh there are so many amazing little ins and outs of San Francisco and the Bay Area. I could go on and on… but I’m traveling to PORTLAND for the first time, from July 5 – 10.
So please dear readers, tell me about the places, neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, landmarks, sights, and oddities I MUST explore while I’m in Portland!
Hi Sherri, I’m trying to figure out how to do the curves on your mood quilt that I see on your blog. I can’t remember how to get this link. Could you please direct me to it as I have all my colors ready to put together. I love how colorful your quilts are and I so LOVE color. Blessings,Cleta
Here is the link to that post: Get Your Curve On
Here is a link to the tutorial archive: Mod Mood Quilt-along
We enjoyed a picnic and beautiful views of the city from Mt. Tabor, and a fabulous dinner at the Screen Door restaurant. (I recommend the beets and romaine salad with the macaroni and cheese!) Nicholas restaurant is also yummy, with Greek and Lebanese food served with a table-size pita. Have a great time, and keep Portland weird!
I went to the Screen Door for breakfast and had their infamous Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Waffles – yummmm!!!!
Screen Door: Chicken and Waffles
I agree with the recommendations for Por Que No and Museum of Contemporary Craft. I like Mississippi Street for wandering and vintage finds. Check out Flutter while you are there. Find the food trucks downtown and have the Korean tacos….visit the Rose Garden which overlooks the city. Do not miss Powells Books and Cargo in the Pearl District. Portland is a great town. YOu will love it!
diane
Hi Sherri! Have a good time in Portland! I hope you are well.
My two favorite stores are Knittin’ Kitten http://www.knittnkitten.com/ and Scrap http://scrappdx.org/, both excellent sources of good quality and interesting low-priced secondhand fabric and many other sewing and craft supplies. Scrap also has a reuse gallery and a place to purchase locally made reused-materials crafts.
Also be sure to notice our many bridges, and if at all possible take some public transportation. It’s an important part of the Portland experience.
Lovely! I’ll check these out! especially the Knittin’ Kitten – what a great name.
Here is a link to favorite things to do in portland from Alicia Paulson of the “Posie Gets Cosy” blogs, compiled with help from her readers. I bet your readers can add a few (I can’t — I just moved to the Pacific Northwest and am still getting my bearings…)
http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2012/05/things-to-do-in-portland-oregon.html
I heard about this post from one of my Thursday night knitters but couldn’t remember the name of the blog – so thanks for the link!
I’m sure you already know, but you MUST visit Fabric Depot (http://fabricdepot.com/) for the sheer size of it! I’ve recently left Portland and am so sad to visit the paltry fabric/craft shops in my (much larger) city now. Portland also has a number of boutique fabric shops like Bolt and Cool Cottons.
If the weather is nice, I’d suggest renting a bike and exploring the city that way. There are lots of fun neighborhoods that all have their own character, and by bike you’ll experience more. Some of my favorite spots that feel uniquely Portland to me: Por Que No (fun, sustainable taco place), Apex bar (50 beers on tap and huge outdoor seating area – also good Mexican food next door), the Museum of Contemporary Craft (http://www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org/), Laurelhurst theatre (cheap second-runs with food), and if you’re a serious thrifter: the Goodwill Bins (http://www.yelp.com/biz/goodwill-outlet-milwaukie) where I used to find all kinds of vintage linens to recycle into quilts.
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Sherri, I do remember the restaraunt you mentioned, it was burritos I think we had. I really wish I could come visit again and enjoy all those places with you- We did so much while I was there but Im sure there is so much more to do and see. I just booked our 20th anniversary trip to….Portland, but on the other side of the sates, Portland, Maine. I am so ecxited to go somewhere different and explore. I hope your trip to Portland is fun and productive, call me when you get back- i love and miss you
-Jennifer
Would you know of any fab fabric stores in San Francisco as well? Suited for an avid quilter?
We’ll be in SF coming September, so thanks a lot for those addresses. Should you ever plan to go to Munich, Germany, I will be pleased to give you some tips …