I left my heart...

One of my favorite parts of San Francisco is Hayes Valley. It's definitely changed over the years, and right now it's one of the hottest places to be. I always make sure I stop by for lots of eating and lots of shopping. This here is a little walking tour. SAY WHAT. Walking? Me?? Only on vacation.

That morning it was a frigid 40 something degrees - hey, that's cold for a SoCal girl like me, and the only thing that could warm me up was breakfast comfort food.
Stacks is good for what they are named for - stacks and stacks of pancakes.

Wow are they good. And everyone knows it too cause this place is ALWAYS packed. I opted for the Bacon Waffle, (how could I not, just look at it?!) but there was so much more I wanted to try. Next time.

Besides, the kids were DYING to go on the jungle gym at Patricia's Green right across the street. Like I said, it was FREEZING, but they had so much fun they wanted to stay for hours. Heck no. It was cold and I wanted to get moving...
Just down the way is Isotope comics (where I had just been a week ago to see Paul get a toilet seat).

We stopped in to say hi to James Sime and drop off some Yoda cookies for him. The kids lost themselves in the books - and of course we bought a Star Wars comic. I I am bad at saying no to Star Wars.

A few doors down, is the fairly new store, "The Fatted Calf".

Hog heaven? Totally. Vegans may grimace, but wow do they have a way of making pork look gorgeous. I've never felt so carnivorous in all my life.

But the real reason I stick around Hayes Valley is for the sweets.

Miette makes my sweet tooth ache, in the most loving of ways. I love how the inside of the store changes colors according to the season.

You know I have a real soft spot for glass displays, and nothing is more alluring than jar after giant jar of candy. Chocolate from around the world, candy bouquets, homemade cupcakes - all beautiful.

I let the kids pick out ONE DUM DUM POP. You can see by the slight pout in the pic that the Baby is not that happy about it, given that he is SURROUNDED by candies - but hey, they just got to go to Skywalker Ranch (recap, here), I'd be happy with what you got, kid.

As quickly as we got there, I had to hop a plane and head back to L.A. sigh. I miss those Bacon Waffles already...