San Francisco: Social Butterfly columnist Kristi K. Higgins shares experience, gallery

Kristi K. Higgins, Petersburg Progress-Index

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a joyful trip. Stop. Go back and sing that first sentence to the Gilligan's Island theme song. Ha! I attempted to match the tune to a T with a second line but had to stop lollygagging.

Wondering what's up with the crazy introduction? I decided to hang my hat in a new city, and I'm losing my ever-loving mind. Packing for me is a nightmare, and my marbles are rolling every which way. I have not had time to take on any new experiences, so I decided to share my trip to the Golden Gate City.

At The City Club of San Francisco on July 16, 2022, Social Butterfly columnist Kristi K. Higgins strikes a pose with newlyweds Ben Lecuona and Zac Eggers, her nephew, on the left.
At The City Club of San Francisco on July 16, 2022, Social Butterfly columnist Kristi K. Higgins strikes a pose with newlyweds Ben Lecuona and Zac Eggers, her nephew, on the left.

In July of 2022, I flew to San Francisco to attend my nephew Zac's wedding. Benjamín "Ben" Pérez Lecuona and Zachary "Zac" Eggers tied the knot at The City Club of San Francisco. The night before their beautiful ceremony, the love birds hosted a scrumptious, rehearsal dinner on Starbelly's patio.

Their flower girl Helena Levin aka California Barbie Princess, dressed in pastel pink from head to toe, looked fabulous coming down the aisle while she tossed pink, rose petals. The 30-something teenager uses her passion for Barbie to help create a world that celebrates kindness, empathy, diversity and pink.

A pair of shapely, lady legs flail from the second floor of a Victorian building over the Piedmont Boutique in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco in July 2022.
A pair of shapely, lady legs flail from the second floor of a Victorian building over the Piedmont Boutique in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco in July 2022.

Zac and Ben spared no expense for guests from Iowa, Washington state, Mexico, New York, London, Oregon, Hawaii, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Canada and numerous California cities. Their celebration included a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, a late-night snack and an after party.

During the long weekend, family members from Iowa generously shared ride-hailing services with each other to check out various sights. It was my third time to San Fran, but my first time on an open-air, double-decker, bus tour. We visited the following sights: Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury neighborhood with its historic hippie vibe, San Francisco Botanical Garden, iconic Golden Gate Bridge and more.

I took a fun-filled, solo journey by foot from the Hilton in Union Square to Chinatown. During the Lion Dance Festival, I shopped, visited art galleries, watched children perform the traditional lion dance and dined at the Far East Cafe. Little Jane on Grant, a cafe and bakery, generously handed out free chocolate chip cookies to give sustenance to tourists and locals. They also provided happy bubbles which enhanced the cultural experience at San Francisco Unified Lions Club Foundation's inaugural event.

A man wears a red nose at the Haight-Ashbury intersection in San Francisco in July 2022.
A man wears a red nose at the Haight-Ashbury intersection in San Francisco in July 2022.

San Francisco is a great place to visit. The birthplace of diversity and inclusion does not disappoint. My favorite tourist attraction is Lombard Street aka the "Crookedest Street in the World." The one-way, steep section between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets has eight hairpin turns adorned with gorgeous Victorian-style properties. I also thoroughly enjoyed walking through a path surrounded by Asian bamboo at the botanical garden.

Homelessness in San Francisco did not escape me. Tents lined city sidewalks just blocks from our hotel and almost everywhere I ventured. I also witnessed individuals sleeping in shelters made with cardboard boxes. San Francisco is very picturesque, but the homeless encampments were a sad, ugly, sight to see.

Tents in the Castro District of San Francisco in July 2022.
Tents in the Castro District of San Francisco in July 2022.

In 1984, my high school friend Jodi Mojeiko Housenga and I visited "The City by the Bay." Four years ago, she was struck by a falling tree and died. If touring San Francisco is on your bucket list, don't delay. You never know when life may take a turn for the worse.

After I move to Hopewell's historic City Point, founded over four centuries ago, I have faith the views of the Appomattox and James Rivers from my front porch will fully restore my sanity. Read this story at progress-index.com to view a gallery and video footage from my memorable trip.

Celebrates kindness, empathy, diversity Barbie movie review by California Barbie Princess: 'I cried multiple times'

Celebration at historic City Point Hopewell, Grant's Headquarters: Earth Day event, free family-friendly programs, tours

Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

Your support is vital to local journalism. Please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: San Francisco vacation: Columnist shares experience, 60-image gallery

Advertisement