Our main reason for visiting San Francisco was to join Gary Holloway on one of his historical walks through the Richmond District, ending at Katia's RussianTea Room. Before we get started, here's a quick picture of the amazing architectural details of his 1800's Victorian home. Isn't it pretty?
A quick detour takes us to the Secret Garden Tea House for a delicious pot of Irish Breakfast tea and an enjoyable chat with the owner. Besides the classic tea sandwiches and crumpets, they also offer smoked salmon, grilled feta & tomato salad, baked brie & mango chutney... YUM!!!
Now it's time for our tour. Gary is a very entertaining guide and his
historical knowledge is extensive, making the tour very enjoyable. There were several people returning from a tour Gary lead the day before, and some had been on a number of his tours already.
The Richmond District was built on sand dunes? You wouldn't know that seeing it today. An Art Deco home built next to a Victorian cottage is a typical sight.
A Fire house with a past. A police woman joined the discussion to learn these offices were once the horse stables and the upper windows were the hay lofts.
The elementary school Gracie Allen attended and continued to support throughout her life.
A See's Candy store breaks the record for being in this same location for 75 years.
And now it's time for tea at Katia's Russian Tea Room!
We were greeted warmly.
The food was so delicious (eggplant caviar, salad olivier, chicken cutlets) I didn't think to photograph it until desert, Meringue Pavlove. Aren't these teacups amazing?
A few more photos around the city.


And one last stop at Lovejoy's Tea Room, but I took so many photos my camera's battery died just after I took this shot of their dogie water bowl outside.
We had a great time, and to learn all the history in San Francisco would take months, but if I had to learn it from anyone, I'm blessed I had an awesome and charming tour guide. If ever in San Francisco, I highly recommend one of Gary Holloway's tours. Sorry.