24 Hours at Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco

After a group tour through Sonoma, I gifted myself one day of solo time in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. With only 24 hours on the clock before I returned to the airport, I arrived at the Best Western Tuscan Inn, where the valets looked like gondola pilots in their black and white horizontal-striped shirts and black straw hats. The hotel lobby resembled a casual and cozy Italian manor, with a rear window that looked out on a multi-level terrace full of potted flowers and greenery, and small trees. A sign reminded guests about the free happy hour offered every evening, and I vowed to return from my adventures in time to socialize.

I put on my warmest jacket against the February chill, and set out on foot. The smell of salt water, and uncharacteristically blue winter sky, lifted my spirits. I explored Pier 39 and then headed to the other end of the Wharf where I met a writing acquaintance and S.F. resident, for a private wine tasting at a new wine store. Fueled by great food and drink, I returned to the streets with stops at Ghirardelli, Boudin Sourdough and several other food purveyors.

As the sun set I walked briskly towards the hotel again, where I joined a large crowd of ruddy faced guests before a roaring fire, still wearing fleece and scarves as they sipped wine and munched on freshly made bruschetta. Conversation flowed as it often does in a room full of strangers without agendas or previous connections and I found myself talking with a couple visiting from Ireland.

Before we knew it Jackie and I had talked for nearly an hour beyond the last guest's departure. Only then did I realize how good my comfy bed and soft pillow sounded.

Fisherman's Wharf's Chocolate Mecca

Ghirardelli Square at Fisherman's Wharf has been home turf for renowned chocolatier, Ghirardelli, since its founding, in 1852. The square is actually a collection of buildings that host numerous food and beverage venues, from the classic Lori's Diner to Cellar360, the ultimate wine retailer, and McCormick and Kuleto's, with its Crabcake Lounge overlooking San Francisco Bay. There are also cupcakes, an Irish pub and several other vendors. And, with the recent addition of Fairmont Heritage Place, the Square has added a luxury private residence club too.

But chocolate still rules at Ghirardelli Square. Of the more than four million people who visit each year many stop to indulge at Ghirardelli, where enormous palettes of new products fill the adjacent sidewalk each morning before most people have had a cup of coffee. Chocolate lovers, young and old, feast on signature squares of filled milk and dark chocolate, savor slices of decadent flourless mocha torte, or chase away a chill with rich hot chocolate - all where this sweet legend began.