Victoria Smith's Profile

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

Today I just wanted to wrap things up by saying thank you to San Francisco Convention and Tourist Commission for inviting me here to share my city with you. It was fun, action-packed weekend and I had a great time sharing some of my favorite haunts with you. I couldn't quite fit it all in, so I wanted to leave you with a list of other great shops to check out on your next visit to San Francisco -- all wonderful, and quite a few you can visit online as well until you arrive here. Thanks again and Bon Voyage! Cheers, Victoria • Bell Jar (http://www.belljarsf.com/) • Candy Store Collective (http://www.candystorecollective.com/) • City LIghts Bookstore (http://www.citylights.com/) • Collage Gallery (http://www.collage-gallery.com/) • Eden & Eden (http://www.edenandeden.com/) • Ferry Building Marketplace & Farmer's Market (http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/) • Flora Grubb Gardens (http://www.floragrubb.com/idx/index.php) • Little Otsu (http://www.littleotsu.com/) • Park Life (http://www.parklifestore.com/) • Paxton Gate (http://www.paxtongate.com/) • Perch (http://www.perchsf.com/) • Rare Device (http://www.raredevice.net/) • Rose & Radish (http://www.roseandradish.com/) • X21 Modern (http://www.x21modern.com/) • Zinc Details (http://www.zincdetails.com/)

Dec 14, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

Last up for the day, we wander past all the beautiful shops decorated for the holidays and the trees all strung with white fairy lights, to a favorite restaurant of mine, The Elite Cafe (http://www.theelitecafe.com/), for a late afternoon Sunday Supper. The Elite is great brunch spot too, with a Cajun flair, and yummy Bloody Mary's. Their buttermilk biscuits are definitely on on our mind, so we order those to start and we split their delicious hominy crusted catfish & mashed potatoes with collard greens. Yum! A pretty prefect end to a busy weekend, and a nice warm meal to send us on our way. I'll be back tomorrow with a wrap up and to share anything I think I may have missed, but you need to see on your visit to San Francisco.

Dec 13, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

Then, we begin our walk up Fillmore Street, a wonderful shopping district here in Pacific Heights. In between streets lined with rows and rows of old Victorian homes, is nestled this great area full of small cafes and gorgeous shops. We stop in at my local book shop, Browser Books (http://www.fillmoreshop.com/pages/browser_books.html/). It has the feel of a well worn leather chair, and looks a bit like a used book store might, but they carry all the latest best sellers, and the best of the classics. I like to shop local whenever I can, and Browser is my go-to book store. There's also about four coffee shops within a block or two, so you can pick up a good book, grab a cup of coffee and relax and read. The Grove Cafe (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grove-fillmore-san-francisco) even has cozy sofas and a fireplace to enjoy, and is where I usually hang out, so we pop in here for a nice hot latte. We wander up Fillmore doing some window shopping, past the cool, old Bead shop, and one of the last standing old theaters, The Clay (http://www.fillmoreshop.com/pages/clay_theatre.html), and head into Nest (http://www.nestsf.com/), another all-time favorite shop of mine. Full of vintage-inspired collectibles, beautiful coffee table books, linens, bedding, clothing - you name it - they've imported it from Europe and beyond and the shop is full of incredible eye-candy. Then we drop into my very own 'secret to the stars' skin care shop to pick up some essentials, Kiehl's (http://www.fillmoreshop.com/pages/kiehls.html/) -- I love how it almost feels like an old-time pharmacy, and the staff is always friendly and ready to give you a few samples of their latest lotion, or hair product.

Dec 13, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

Well, this was the last day of our San Francisco adventure! Luckily, since I live here, I only had to head home a few miles and still am able to enjoy, and love, our beautiful city by the bay! After another leisurely breakfast served in bed at the Hotel Adagio (http://www.jdvhotels.com/adagio/), we gathered up our belongings and shopping bags (!!) and headed out for a few more stops around the city - this time in Pacific Heights, my very own neighborhood, to share a few of my favorite haunts. First up is a trip to Timeless Treasures (http://www.timelesstreasuressf.com/), a wonderful vintage shop just off Fillmore Street on Sutter. Joan O'Connor is the proprietor extraordinaire and she has shopped the Paris flea markets for you, bringing back some wonderful antique trinkets, home decor accessories & furnishings, jewelry, glassware, and her specialty -- vintage letters -- I have found many a 'V' here, and Joan is really helpful when it comes to spelling out something creatively.

Dec 13, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

Also on our itinerary was a visit to Robert Redford's recently renovated Sundance Kabuki Theater (http://www.sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html) for a late afternoon movie matinee. What's super cool about the Sundance Cinemas is that you can go online, choose and reserve your seats in advance, so if you're out for dinner, or running around shopping, you'll know you don't have to rush to get a good seat - it's all taken care of in advance. Also, if you so choose, you can have cocktails, wine, beer and snacks in their balcony level seating from their Bar Bistro, all while you watch the film! All very cushy and comfortable with stadium seating, so there's not a bad seat in the house. Last up, dinner at one of my favorite new spots on Fillmore Street, just down the street from the Sundance Cinemas -- the Woodhouse Fish Company (http://woodhousefish.com/). It's delicious, and afforable, with a great menu, including amazing lobster roll sandwiches, fresh cracked crab, oysters and fish & chips! It's so cute, and the staff is super friendly and effiicient - great before or after a flick. And, until tomorrow...time for some rest!

Dec 12, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

It's raining again in San Francisco, but that doesn't stop us from having a good time! We started off the day with room service - a divine breakfast in bed. Oh, I do love the luxury of that! After a relaxing morning, we were off, taking a walk and doing some shopping in quaint and quite charming neighborhood, Hayes Valley (http://www.hayesvalley.com/Home). Our first stop is in Zonal (http://www.zonalhome.com/), a great re-purposed and vintage-inspired home furnishings shop. I love the unique styling of this store and their abundant collection of antique wrought iron headboards and local artisan accessories. We also dropped into Lemon Twist (http://www.lemontwist.net/), one of my favorite fashion boutiques for locally designed and beautifully sewn individual clothing. Next up a stop into a favorite spot of mine for gift shopping, the lovely Lavish (http://www.shoplavish.com/), with beautiful clothing and toys for children, and wonderfully specialty home accessories, soaps, candles and jewelry for women. I picked up an amazing selection of great gift cards and gorgeous holiday wrapping papers. Feeling a bit chilled, it was time for a warm up at the Blue Bottle Coffee Kiosk (http://bluebottlecoffee.net/) where we grabbed a cup of their famous brew, so worth the short wait in line. Then we wander over to Miette Bakery (http://www.miettecakes.com/), to gander at the beautiful jars full of old-time candies and beautiful pastries and just have to grab a cupcake to have with our coffee.

Dec 12, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

First stop before dinner was The Curiosity Shoppe (http://www.curiosityshoppeonline.com/), one of my favorite mom & pop type boutiques in San Francisco, full of truly great artwork, collectibles and hard to find unique gifts. We visited for a bit with owners Lauren & Derek, and perused the new art gallery installation by local artist & designer Tom Bonauro (http://www.tombonauro.com/), and then popped across the street to 826 Valencia (http://www.826valencia.org/). 826 Valencia's Pirate Supply Store (http://www.826valencia.org/store/) was hosting an evening of new artwork, too - some great Pirate Posters designed by a local SF design firm, Eleven Inc. (http://www.eleveninc.com/). Aye Matey, it was fun! Eye patches, and spy glasses, how can you go wrong? Next up, dinner at local hot spot Range (http://www.rangesf.com/). We started out with one of their speciality cocktails, I had a Bitter Maestro - a yummy, sweet whiskey drink. And then we feasted on fresh pasta stuffed with yams and topped with a delicious buttery sauce with walnuts and spinach, followed by a Parmesan Bread Pudding, fresh greens and amazing Seared Duck, all locally grown. Yum! We've finally returned back to our home away from home at Hotel Adagio (http://www.jdvhotels.com/adagio/), and I'm ready to be horizontal in the comfy big bed, with lovely, soft bedding. A fantastic evening out in San Francisco to be sure! I can't wait for tomorrow!

Dec 11, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

What a perfect evening in San Francisco rain or no rain. We checked into the beautiful Hotel Adagio (http://www.jdvhotels.com/adagio/) and relaxed in the room and admired the beautiful view of the Christmas lights in Union Square for a bit with a glass of wine from the mini bar, before heading out to the Mission District's Holiday Block Party on Valencia Street. All the small shops stay open late tonight, serving wine and snacks, and all decked out for the holidays.

Dec 11, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

Hi! It's Victoria again from sfgirlbybay.com. I'm gearing up for my weekend, playing San Francisco tourist for you, and pretty excited about sharing my version of the city with you! I've been coming to San Francisco since I was about 10, when my family made trips up here every summer (as you can see from this photo of a long ago cable car ride - that's me on the far right!) and I fell in love with the city way back then. I moved up here 15 years ago, and could never imagine leaving. This is city has so much to offer - from the downtown shopping in Union Square, to the quaint neighborhoods, and the nature of the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, all in such close proximity. I hope to share with you some of my favorite restaurants, a peak at the Mission District, and perhaps a stop in Hayes Valley for some great shopping and snacking. I'll see you back here tomorrow when I check into the beautiful Hotel Adagio (http://www.jdvhotels.com/adagio/) and let you know how I like it, and then share my yummy surprise dinner with you. Until then...check the other guest bloggers for more great places to visit in San Francisco.

Dec 10, 2009

Victoria Smith added a photo at Shop SF

hi, if you don't me, i'm victoria smith of sfgirlbybay (http://www.sfgirlbybay.com/), a daily design blog i write here from my home in san francisco. i have a pretty fun task ahead of me and i wanted to give you all the heads up, that the weekend of december 11 through the 13th, i will be playing tourist in my very own city by the bay. i was very kindly invited by the san francisco visitors bureau to eat, drink, shop and be merry in my very own city for the weekend. the san francisco visitors bureau is introducing some really fun new packages for visitors to san francisco, so i'm going to give you all a 'test run' and give you a sneak peek into great visitor packages brought to you by american express. i'll be sharing some of my best-kept secrets, places i think visitors would enjoy that will make you feel a little bit more like a 'local', and partaking in eating in some of my favorite neighborhood cafes, visiting sites and unique shopping in a few spots, perhaps off the usual beaten track. so, to follow my adventures, here on the san francisco visitors bureau's community site beginning december 11th!

Nov 27, 2009