left my heart in san francisco {grace cathedral}

Dress: Urban Outfitters; Jeans: DL1961; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Wallet: Emerson Fry; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Bracelet: Bauble Bar

Truth be told, the first time I visited Grace Cathedral was when my mom was in town visiting and we had ridden the California line cable car that runs right past the church square. It's a breathtaking building, situated at the top of Nob Hill, surrounded by some of San Francisco's finest: The Mark Hopkins Hotel, The Fairmont and of course, Huntington Park. And up until that point, I had always admired this pocket of the city, often coming up here at sunset to watch the city glow on all sides of the hill. 

But, for some reason, I hadn't ventured inside the church, until that evening my mom begged me to go. As we rode past the cathedral, gripping to the cable car railing as we chugged along, she led the charge, bolting off (as soon as we stopped) and made her way straight to the church steps. I had no choice but to follow. It was late. Probably around 8pm and an evening service had long since finished, with just a few members of the staff milling about at that point, on their way out. They were nice enough to just let us in though and we grabbed two seats toward the middle. And just sat. And just listened. It's amazing how quiet and yet at the same time, how much you can hear in a church like that. The high ceiling acoustics carrying and amplifying the soft hum of the church, almost as if it's breathing along with you.

For those in the area, I highly recommend you stop by -- they have a whole lineup of non-denominational activities scheduled each month, including yoga classes and a silent movie night, where the church organ player accompanies the film.

Photos by Anna-Alexia Basile

I'm bidding adieu to San Francisco! See part 1 HERE, part 2 HERE, part 3 HERE and part 4 HERE. And stay tuned for next week, where I'll be sharing some of my favorite San Francisco haunts, including restaurants, coffee shops, bars and boutiques! Happy weekend!

left my heart in san francisco {cafe de la presse}

Jacket: Zara (old, similar style here); Sweater: MiH Jeans (from last year, similar style here); Jeans: Parker Smith; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: Alexis Bittar; Watch: Daniel Wellington; Boots: Isabel Marant

Like good members of any big metropolitan city, us San Franciscans take our coffee pretty seriously. Almost to the point where you could liken it to a West Side Story rivalry -- we literally choose sides. Friendships can be forged because of it. Relationships can be ruined because of it. And while I'll save my roundup of favorite roasts and coffee shops for a later post (coming next week), I wanted to share this gem of mine, Cafe de la Presse, a little bistro + cafe nestled in the Union Square/downtown area. 

 Granted, it can get pretty touristy in and around this area, but what I love the most about Cafe de la Presse is its ability to make you forget all about that. Their outdoor patio has the right amount of greenery and potted bushes around it to enclose the space and the ambiance inside is unbeatable. A large wrap around, alderwood bar, a magazine news stand flanking the back (loaded with lots of foreign magazine goodness), an entire staff whose accents lilt with that certain French je ne sais quoi, and loads of little dimly lit corners, perfect for tucking away and enjoying some close conversation over wine. It's a little bit of 1930s Paris, right there in Union Square. And I'm certainly going to miss it.

Photos by Anna-Alexia Basile

I'm saying goodbye to San Francisco! See part 1 HERE, part 2 HERE and part 3 HERE. 

left my heart in san francisco {chinatown}

Top: Bebe (from last year, similar style here); Skirt: Express; Shoes: Manolo Blahnik; Bag: Chanel; Sunglasses: Celine; Lips: Marc Jacobs "Oh Miley"; Bracelet: Bauble Bar

Chinatown is a great example of a neighborhood that I unfortunately don't make it to often. For a slew of reasons (traffic usually makes it tricky to get there or it's just way too packed with people), I usually opt to admire it from the gate entrance at Grant and Bush. 

If I'm feeling up to the challenge though, I'll venture in on a Saturday afternoon to window shop at the many vendors that line the streets here. Knick knacks, porcelain galleries, tea shops, Chinese grocery markets, restaurants, there's a little bit of flair for everyone. And it's bustling to the brim with people! Families, tourists, moms and grandmothers shopping for dinner that evening, street performers, all pulsing in and out of the narrow alleyways and streets here, different languages heard buzzing and blending all together, with traffic at an almost standstill trying to get through the throngs -- there's an undeniable energy that immediately sweeps you up. And sometimes, that's part of the beauty of a place like that, right? Getting lost in the crowd and seeing where it takes you.

For these photos, my dear friend and (collaborator who I'm going to miss dearly!), Anna and I decided to head to Chinatown early in the morning, to capture it at it's most serene moments. Deserted and sleepy. I just love how darling the lanterns look, especially above the empty streets, almost as if we stumbled upon this scene after a big party had just ended the night before. And I, the lone party straggler, am just now deciding the evening has ended and it's time to head home.

Photos by Anna-Alexia Basile

Just joining my San Francisco tribute now? See part 1 and part 2. 

left my heart in san francisco {conservatory of flowers}

Dress: A.L.C. (sold out, but similar style here) via Syllabus (thanks, Alicia!); Shoes: Saint Laurent; Clutch: Charlotte Olympia; Necklace: Wendy's Lookbook X Bauble Bar, Jennifer Zeuner (from last year, but similar style here); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Thanks for all the kind words about yesterday's post! I'm glad you guys are up for following along my memory lane of sorts through San Francisco. I'm finding it to be both a fitting tribute and also somewhat therapeutic (yep, I just admitted that), so it feels great to have you guys along for the ride.

When I first moved to the city, I was a stone's throw from the Golden Gate Park Panhandle, which is another stone's throw from the Conservatory of Flowers, nestled right at the entrance of the park. I remember one of the first times I rode my bike past the sprawling grounds here and being completely awe-struck. The rolling green hills, the thoughtfully laid out flower beds sprinkled around it and the stark elegance of a white greenhouse, nestled at the top of a hill. I've spent my fair share of weekends here, sprawled out with friends simply losing track of time, wishing the afternoon wouldn't end. And every time I go back, I find myself wanting to sprawl right back out, kick off my heels and get lost in a deliciously lazy afternoon.

Photos by Anna-Alexia Basile

If you're just joining now, you can see the first part of my San Francisco tribute right this way.

left my heart in san francisco {north beach}

Dress: Amour Vert; Vest: Alexander Wang; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Bag: Saint Laurent; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: Wendy's Lookbook X Bauble Bar; Cuff: Hermes

It's been a bumpy past few weeks. But in the best way possible. Who knew packing up your life to go from one coast to another could be so, well, HUGE? Monumental? Scary? A tad overwhelming?

I suppose I did, but it's hitting me hard right now. The good news? A lease has been signed for an apartment in New York and I couldn't be more relieved (more on that to come soon, possibly a mini apartment tour!).

In the meantime, it's gotten me thinking a lot about this new chapter I'm about to start and how it doesn't quite feel right to start it, without properly bookending this current one. A proper San Francisco farewell, if you will. A lot has happened to me since moving here back in 2010 -- a new job at a start up, another new job at Google, two apartments in different neighborhoods that both hold a special place in my heart, new friendships, new relationships, some heartache and a lot of good laughs. For that, I tip my hat to you San Francisco. 

And in my best proverbial hat-tipping fashion, I've decided to dedicate a mini series over the next few weeks to some of my favorite San Francisco haunts -- some old and some new to me. I'm looking at it as a chance to say goodbye (for now) to some places that will always hold so many memories for me and also as a way to finally explore some places of this city that have still escaped me (until now, that is).

First up? This mini stretch of Columbus Street overlooking downtown, toward Kearny Street. Quintessential San Francisco -- with the Transamerica Building peaking in the background and bustling North Beach in the foreground. Some favorites are sprinkled here: Citylights Bookstore, Cafe Zoetrope and even Jack Kerouac Alley (who I should really thank for first igniting my love of San Francisco so many years ago with On the Road). 

Every time I turn the corner from Broadway onto Columbus to catch this view of Sentinel Tower (the green, flatiron-looking building you see above here), I feel new to the city all over again. 

Photos by Anna-Alexia Basile