While we continue to shelter in place, I’m going to take you on a virtual experience of my newest favorite urban adventure in San Francisco. 

On a morning in early February, my kids and I (mostly me) were feeling nostalgic for our trip to France last summer.  Although my kids may not have fully shared in my nostalgia, they were promised a bike ride and pastries, so they went along with my plan!

Our first stop was to the Destination Baking Company in Glen Park, where they sell delicious croissants and baguettes.  As a side note, the challah is also excellent, and at Passover, they offer amazing kosher desserts! 

Here is the delicious spread we had for breakfast.

Just kidding, that’s from our first morning in France last summer! 

But here is our actual breakfast spread:

Even without the view of Notre Dame across the Seine River, the baked goods at Destination Baking Company are delicious.  And we had other exploring to do, right here in on own fair city. 

The last time I’d been to the bakery, I’d noticed a small display of watercolor paintings by a local artist named Martha Stookey.  It was a series of watercolors of all the gates along a path called Penny Lane that I learned is not far from the bakery. 

So after we nourished ourselves with fresh croissants and pain au chocolat, we parked our bikes and continued by foot to see the gates of Penny Lane.  It is one of those little paths that you could easily walk by and not even realize there is more to discover.  It feels a little bit like being on a country road. 

The gates are charming for sure, but I think I’m even more enchanted by Martha Stookey’s watercolors. 

While walking the trail on Penny Lane, we chatted with a Glen Park resident who suggested we also walk up to Poppy Lane, just a few blocks away.  Poppy Lane is a dead-end path that opens up to a view towards the southeast side of San Francisco.  I love the experience of being in the middle of an urban setting but totally surrounded by nature.

This urban adventure satisfied my Francophile cravings and reminded me of how much I love my own city of San Francisco.  But if you share my affection for France, you might also enjoy these blog posts on Garden Hopping in France and  Timeless Design. 

If you are interested in seeing other water colors by Martha Stookey, please contact her son, Nathaniel at nstookey (at) sbcglobal (dot) net.