I started with a walking tour of Chinatown, followed by another walking tour of Telegraph Hill. Both of these were with San Francisco City Guides. They're a department of the SF Public Library and entirely volunteer guides. Both of them were REALLY fun! Though as we were about to start the Chinatown tour, there was a group starting a Foodie tour of Chinatown, which nearly sucked me in... another time. These tours were both about 1hr. 45 mins. and an easy pace. They had lots of history, but not obnoxiously detailed. All in all I enjoyed it and they're FREE! I'l definitely be doing more of these.
Here are a few highlights:
After the tours I stopped in a shop and got something required for all San Franciscans... scarves. Now I have scarves, don't get me wrong. You can't live in Minnesota without them either. But here it's less about fending off death than a bit of comfort and a flare of style. So I got my foot in that door making me feel abundantly more like a local.
Then, I like to think due to this purchase, I was asked for directions no less than 4 times in the next hour and a half. I went and continued my shopping, and not only was I asked for directions, but I could actually answer all but one! I have no idea where Hollister or Abercrombie is. Sorry I couldn't help lady (though not really I don't know where they are). Then to wrap it all up, I bought more San Franciscan-y clothes. Good Day.
