Kilted in San Francisco?

[Mark Keeney]

I'm traveling tomorrow on vacation, and will spend a couple of days in San Francisco. Being a city kid I am aware of wind vortexes in cities but being from Missouri I have no experience with oceans and cities.

What should I watch for, or prepare for, to keep from having a Marilyn moment? We also plan to take the ferry around the bay, will that be a problem?

Thanks in advance,

[Roan Carter]

Wear a heavy sporran and watch out for the corners of buildings. ; )

[Monkey@Arms]

Hmm, I haven't kilted on the ferry, so can't say for sure, but it does get windy (and cold) out on the bay. Otherwise I've worn kilts about town, and out on Pier 39 (a tourist area) without problem or incident.

Just as a general matter be prepared for extreme temperature change: cold foggy mornings and nights and the occasional hot and sunny afternoon.

Best regards,

Jake

[rollerboy_1979]

Ditto to all that's been said. While there, make sure you stop by William Glen & Son, Imports from Scotland at 360 Sutter St. in downtown SFO (not far from Union Square). Say Hi to Paul & Mark and take a look at their quality merchandise. They have a nice selection of jackets and a number of unclaimed bespoke kilts, plus, they are probably the largest purveyor of single malt Scotch in the USA as well. I found a beautiful Gordon tartan 8 yd wool kilt on the rack and it fits perfectly. The price was a bargain for such a fine garment. A word of caution: you will be stepping over multitudes of homeless people who live on the streets, and a heavy sporran will serve you well as you ride on the cable car steps. Enjoy!

[walkerk]

What should I watch for, or prepare for, to keep from having a Marilyn moment?

Biggest updrafts are from the gratings in the middle of Market Street above the BART line. Whenever a train passes underneath there can be quite a blast. However, you shouldn't be walking down the center of the street.

Standard advice for San Francisco tourists: When riding public transit (buses & trolleys) always ask for a transfer when paying your fare and remember to STEP DOWN when egressing to open the automatic doors.

Have a great time. Take lots of pictures!

[Mark Keeney]

Thanks for the info guys. I had a great kilted time. I did stop in on Wm Glen and son and purchased a nice kilt pin.

[AtagahiKC]

Hi Mark. I'm glad you had a good time in SF. I'm sorry to have just found your post. I'm from Kansas City and live in SF now. It would have been good to catch up on all that is going on there.

By the way, if you would have had a "Marilyn Moment" it probably wouldn't have been that big of a deal except to other tourists. San Franciscans are pretty easy going about the odd moment, whatever it may be. They have been there, seen it all and already disposed of the t-shirt.