The Bay Bridge is San Francisco’s front door, and the Ferry Building acts as our mailbox, proclaiming “Port of San Francisco” in big red letters so as not to confuse delivery vehicles.
On Jan. 1, the toll went up to $8.50, although some folks consider it more of an amusement park admission charge — cheap at twice the price.
This makes The Embarcadero our front yard. There is a 45-foot naked woman in our front yard, which most of the public disdains. Of course, in the beginning, no one was a big fan of the Pyramid Building either, and now we all hang tiny replicas as ornaments on our Christmas trees. So let’s give her eminence R-Evolution a couple of decades to catch on. Got to love the Pyramid Building — what other city would provide Ring Toss for aliens?
This town is truly worth the cover charge.
San Francisco. Where guys in motorcycle leathers trade recipes. The birthplace of competitive yoga, where the goal is to become Zennest fastest.
And you can always bypass the cover charge (and two drink minimum — not enforced) by using the back door, motoring up 101. Our side door via the Golden Gate Bridge is 10 bucks. But those cars are coming from Marin County so they can afford it.
And now a tutorial. Say it with me: “San Francisco.”
That’s it. The whole megillah. Everything. Not “Frisco,” “San Fran,” “The City” or even “Ess Eff.”
“San Francisco.”
Because we deserve all four syllables. It’s about respect, people. A sleepy 18th-century European city on the east coast of the Pacific Ocean, busy engineering the future.
Where tomorrow starts today.
Will Durst is a Wisconsin native who has enjoyed safe and sane refuge in the 415 area code for 46 years. Thanks.