Almost a year ago, I came across the announcement for Depeche Mode’s tour dates. This brought me back to when I was a junior in high school and visiting my cousin in LA. My cousin took me to Black Celebration Depeche Mode concert at the LA Forum way back in 1986. In fact, I have some vague memory of waiting in front of their hotel for a glimpse of someone from the band. Marla, Ryan, and I found a performance that worked for our schedule, got tickets, and booked our flights on Hawaiian Airlines to San Francisco.

We prepared by getting the concert set list to get familiar with the newer songs and refamiliarize ourselves with the classics that we love. Upon arriving at SFO, we headed to Hotel Adagio where Deaner was waiting for us so we could hit the ground running after dropping our bags off in our rooms. We walked to the Fairmont Hotel to see their beautiful gingerbread house and decided to stop and get some champagne and small bites to eat while we were there. As we made our way back to our hotel, we came across a bar called Stookey’s, a fun Art Deco style lounge in the style of the post-prohibition era and had some cocktails. After that short hangout, we made it back safely to our hotel where we made the decision to enjoy a nightcap paired with Gardetto’s as we enjoyed our first night in SF.

Marla smartly shut the blackout curtains so that I would wake up with the sun and start Ryan on the Anne and Marla SF tour too early. Our first stop was to the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market. I had intended for us to walk the mile there but it was rainy so we ended up hiring an Uber. After exploring the market, we stopped Hog Island Oyster Company for some oysters, champagne, and chowder. After lunch, we explored the shops inside the building before visiting my pal Moises at Tsar Nicolai for caviar and more champagne. We also purchased more caviar and accouterments to take to Deaner’s home that evening. We also picked up some Alfajores shortbread, dulce de leche cookies from a local vendor for our dessert that evening. Since the weather cleared up, much to the chagrin of my travel mates, I suggested that we walk back to the hotel where on the way, I made a quick stop at Saks before stopping in at the Westin St. Francis to visit Russ at the Chateau Montelena tasting room. Next stop on this Saturday—Deaner’s house in a neighborhood that was beautifully decorated for the holidays. We enjoyed amazing pasta and homemade meatballs where Deaner’s hospitality was on full display. At close to midnight, we decided it would be fun to head to Zam Zam in Haight for a nightcap. Check out Zam Zam for some cool history. I wish I could ask the amazing mural to tell me the stories of what it had seen over all the years of being on display. Also—you won’t get a napkin unless you request one. You can find out why if you go there.

On Sunday, I got up and walked to the Trader Joe on Hyde Street to get some pantry essentials and non-essentials before starting our Sunday tour. After meeting up with Marla and Ryan, we strolled to Chinatown so we could get some dim sum at Hang Ah restaurant, purportedly the oldest dim sum restaurant in America. I loved looking at the 1940s and 1950s Miss Chinatown contestant posters on the walls. After dim sum, we walked to Vital Tea for tea tasting for fun and health and I ended up getting more of the Iron Goddess King tea that I hope will help me with antiaging, antioxidants, prevent diabetes, and burn fat. After a quick refresh back at the hote, we had some pre-concert drinks at the hotel bar and then walked to Union Square where we caught the Muni to the Chase Center. It was so easy to catch and very clean.

The Depeche Mode concert was so fun and brought me back to my teenage self as I heard the songs I loved so many years ago. After catching the Muni back to Union Square, we stopped at Pinecrest Diner for a past-midnight snack before packing up for our early-morning flight on Monday morning. Living Hilo Style in San Francisco.