Let’s Go – Day Trip to San Francisco’s Chinatown

Who’s ready for a day trip? I know I am as it’s been a while since I was able to put a Bay Area day trip together. Let’s Go explore San Francisco’s Chinatown!

North America’s first and largest Chinatown is right here in San Francisco, full of rich culture and history.  Join us on Saturday, July 1st at 10am where we will start at the Chinese Cultural Center (CCCSF) before walking up and down the heart of the hilly town to the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum (CHSAM), lunch at the famous R&G Lounge, and check out a few cool monuments. Throughout, we’ll of course stop to learn, shop, snack, and capture our day’s adventure. We may even hop on a cable car!

Tentative Itinerary for July 1st:
10am – Meet at Portsmouth Square, 745 Kearny St.
10:15am – Cross the street to CCCSF, 750 Kearny St.
11am – Walk towards CHSAM, 965 Clay St.
12:30pm – Start walking towards R&G Lounge, 631 Kearny St.
2pm – Start walking towards the “Comfort Women” Column of Strength, 651 California St.
2:30pm – Start walking towards the “Dragon Gate”, 401-413 Grant Ave.
3pm – End the day with a group photo.
*Note that itinerary may be updated as we get closer to the day.

Costs:
– While the CCCSF admission is free to visit, the CHSAM is not. Timed admissions tickets are only $12, which must be purchased through their website.
– If you choose to ride the cable car between CHSAM and R&G Lounge, the single fare charge is $8, which you can purchase in advance as instructed by the SFMTA.
– I will confirm by June 17th if a deposit will be required to hold our reservations, based on the number of confirmed attendees.
– You are responsible for the cost of your lunch, snacks, shopping, etc.

All Else:
– Chinatown is quite hilly, PLEASE wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
– All COVID guidelines and recommendations are to be respected and followed.
– Day trip organizers are unpaid volunteers. By agreeing to attend, you assume responsibility for your own safety, conduct, and well-being. Being kind is not that difficult.

Please confirm your attendance by making a comment below or via InterNations. Come with an appetite for food, culture, and engagement. I can’t wait to see you all then!

Links:
SF Chinatown: https://www.sftravel.com/neighborhoods/chinatown
CCCSF: https://www.cccsf.us
CHSAM Tickets: https://buy.acmeticketing.com/orders/512/tickets?eventId=621fd4e4027c761f00ba51ea&cdEventIds=621fd4e4027c761f00ba51ea&date=2023-07-01T00:00:00-0700R&G Lounge: https://www.rnglounge.com
SFMTA: https://www.sfmta.com/fares/cable-car-single-ride
Let’s Go: https://mshala.co/lets-go


Our First Family Iftar in Our New Home!

Cancelled – Let’s Brunch with Ms. Hala & Friends

Tickets On Sale Now!

Our family has sadly experienced a tragedy with the death of our uncle last night. As such, we have decided with our partners to cancel the brunch event tomorrow until further notice.

All tickets will be refunded in full via the ticketing site.

We appreciate the support and partnership of My Good Pie and our fellow sponsors. Our family appreciates your kind thoughts and understanding during this difficult time.

Join us for an engaging conversation over brunch!

We will come together Saturday, September 24th at 11am to converse over a special set brunch menu at My Good Pie.

Located at 300 De Haro Street in San Francisco, My Good Pie is a women-owned eatery with plenty of parking and near multiple public transportation lines.

Early bird tickets are on sale now for only $35 Tickets are on sale now at $40. Get them before prices go up on September 20th. Spaces are limited and sold on a first come first serve basis.

Click here to buy tickets! If you prefer Venmo or Zelle, please email hala@mshala.co.

Event sponsorship and on-site vendor opportunities are now available. Please email hala@mshala.co for more details.

T&Cs: Ticket prices before September 20th are set at $35/each. On and after September 20th, ticket prices will be $40/each. Ticket includes entrance, meal, and drink(s). All else will be sold separately by either My Good Pie or participating vendors. Tickets are limited to the number of seats available, sold on a first come first serve basis. All sales are final. All sales are final

This is a business venture by Ms. Hala under Hatshepsut Enterprise, LLC.

SAVE THE DATE!! Let’s Brunch is happening September 24th at My Good Pie in San Francisco! Tickets go on sale soon. Sponsorship opportunities available! Please email for details.

SF Sundays – Summer Time!

It’s been a while since it’s been safe to head out and about around the Bay again. Plus, I moved across the Bay Bridge, which has me going between my hometown of San Francisco and my new home in Contra Costa County. With that, expect a lot of East Bay shenanigans. Who’s ready?

TOWN HAPPENINGS

The Guo Pei Couture Fantasy exhibit at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco is the exhibit not to be missed this summer! Guo Pei is China’s most renowned couturier. Her creations for the last 20 years have been donned by the everyday successful businesswoman, brides looking for a one of a kind wedding gown, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and celebrities such as Rihanna in the iconic yellow gown at the 2015 Met Gala.

Every piece has a unique story, took thousands of hours to create, and will simply put you in awe of her genius. She takes materials such as silk threads, copper ornaments, resin sequins, and Swarovski crystals, just to humbly name a few, to come up with these masterpieces!

Her main collections are beautifully set up throughout the museum but start downstairs through the many rooms showcasing her collections and work your way upstairs to see her iconic pieces among the museum’s permanent exhibits. Visiting this exhibit once just doesn’t do it justice!

So if you’re a Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) member or a Bay Area resident, your exhibit admission can be free. You just have to book your timed tickets online like everyone else. Trust me though, this exhibit is worth every penny to check out before it’s gone in September.

Here are a few other happenings in the Bay for you to check out this summer:

LET’S EAT

Can’t remember the last time I was at the Hard Knox Cafe on Clement Street in San Francisco but I walked in with friends and a massive craving for waffles.

Let me tell you, this place does not disappoint. The staff was gracious, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was warm. The waffle was spot on, fluffy, crispy, and tasted homemade. We of course ordered the spicy fried chicken and lots of fries to go with it. My taste buds thanked me, everything was so divine!

Across the bridge at my office in Dublin, I was super stoked to find Ike’s Sandwiches just a few minutes away. I’ve gone back to see where else I can escape from the office too and came across Sri-Thai Restaurant. Not seeing it on the menu, I asked about one of my favorite dish, pumpkin curry. Yes, they serve it all year long! I no longer have to wait until fall to indulge my cravings for it. Their pumpkin curry may not be the best I’ve had but it still hit the spot. I’ve also tried their take on the classic yellow curry which was pretty good. Their service is friendly and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. Yay!

What are your summer plans? Do share below!

Disclaimer: This rant was not sponsored or paid for by any of the above-mentioned entities unless otherwise noted. Any and all sponsored rants are always based on actual experiences and/or interests. If you’d like me to check out a local event or eatery to rant about, please email ha@mshala.co.