Fog City: MoMA and More

I haven’t figured out how to get a different picture to display if it’s not the first one on here so we’re getting Michelle off the bat! 

As I visit different cities, I am on the hunt for things that would draw me to want to settle in that city. I don’t have a particular timeline in mind (it won’t be any time soon if all goes well) but I also haven’t developed any specific criteria while courting a new home (except no winter)! I do know San Francisco is not on that list.

This was my second visit to SF in the last year. I have enjoyed both times, but know the city is not a future home. I chose to spend 7 nights in SF because my good friend Laura from Des Moines was out there for an extended period for different projects. If you don’t know Laura, she is an amazing artist and has most recently been rocking the mural scene in the SF Bay Area along with other places around the US! She works with schools to turn blank walls into vibrant murals and works with the kids at the schools to incorporate their illustrations and to be an invested part of the project. Some schools she partners with do not have a formal art program so this is a really special thing for these students and schools.

Because Laura loves art so much, she has a membership to the Museum of Modern Art and took me there for a cliff note tour on a Friday afternoon because we had a busy afternoon and evening. I got to see some great exhibits including Michelle Obama’s portrait by Amy Sherald.



After I was sufficiently cultured, we popped up to Starlite at the Beacon Grand Hotel for a beverage. It’s a great bar with stunning views of the city. 

That night we had dinner at Collina. We chose this restaurant because Laura had asked earlier in the week if I liked lasagna as she was apparently unaware I’m like Garfield and lasagna is my favorite! They have a lasgnette with 40-some layers that she saw so we had to go. I didn’t bother counting the layers while I was devouring!  Beware, for all six of you reading, this may turn into a lasagna-review blog on my travels!


I’m so proud of Laura and all of the hard work she has been putting in being creative and working to create these new, meaningful projects! We had so much fun and I hope Laura’s projects take her to other fun locations so I can join!

Other things/places/fun events:

Laura and I had two trips to my favorite SF bar, Hi Tops. We watched an Iowa Men’s Basketball game there on a Tuesday and the first half of the Super Bowl that Sunday.  While I was looking for a different outcome for the game, Hi-Tops was a fun spot for the game! But prior to the Super Bowl, I got to knock out some chilaquiles next door at Santeria.


Blackbird Bar for drinks with Jess & Allan. I met Jess and Allan on my last trip to SF through Laura and they’re always a great time! This bar has a drink named the Laura Palmer (made w/ St. George Terroir Gin, Lillet, Benedictine)

We also watched an Iowa Women’s Basketball game at the Boardroom


At Blush, the bartender shared that he had tarot cards he created. First, they were beautiful. I drew the thoroughbred [power, noble, potency]. When I read the description of the thoroughbred, I thought….neigh, I don’t think that’s me.

Tea at Delores Park Cafe 

I got to have a beer at Fort Point with my college buddy Bo. We both lost close friends recently (who we both knew) so it was nice to get together and to meet his daughter for the first time.

I love cities with Waymo! It’s pretty much the same price as an Uber, but you don’t tip on Waymo so it ends up being a little cheaper. There is no driver to talk to and you know what car you're going to get since they're all the same.

I stayed at the Timbri Hotel - I’m a Hilton guy and the Hilton locations are not great in SF but I don’t think that’s unique to Hilton properties. I looked at Airbnb, but couldn’t find anything that I wanted in the neighborhoods I was looking. SF hotel rooms are always small which isn’t ideal when you’re working 9-10 hour days, but I was able to utilize some spaces around the hotel to spice it up at points! I try to stay in spots where I can walk to get a lot of places to avoid having to find transportation. This was not that location as there wasn't much in the immediate neighborhood. However, I love a good solid breakfast and they crushed it each day!

Next Stop: Vegas

Location: San Francisco, CA, USA

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