Brian's Guide To San Francisco

Background

My ancestors sailed from Ireland, around Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco in 1840. My Grandfather was born in 1900 on Hawthorne Street and often told stories of growing up in Old San Francisco, surviving the 1906 earthquake and struggling through the depression years.

Ironically, my father worked on Hawthorne Street. When I was a young boy, I could not wait to visit my dad's office and experience the mystique of Chinatown or the streets of downtown with all it's grand buildings and stately architecture. Their were Hippie's in the Haight Ashbury and The Filmore was reminiscent of a Dirty Harry film. Fisherman's Wharf was more operational then and small manufacturing dominated South of Market. In fact, it was not too long ago that American Licorice was still operating their plant between 2nd & 3rd and Brannan & Townsend.

My best friend, Steve Benetti and I would take the train into San Francisco when we were about 12 years of age. We would meet my Dad at the train station at 3rd & Townsend grab a juicy burger at the Doggie Diner and then explore San Francisco on our own. We always seamed to end up in in Chinatown buying firecrackers, cherry bombs and M80's. We were scared half to death and always scouted the streets for a quick exit strategy in case we were confronted by the police. That's how Steve and I got to know my way around San Francisco.

I had an opportunity to work for my Dad when I was 16 years of age. I drove a small delivery van in San Francisco. I loved making deliveries into the skyscrapers and taking in the magnificent views of the city. It was 1974 and One Embarcadero Center just opened and Two Embarcadero Center was under construction. The Giant's were last in NL West and less than 5,000 were attending night games at frigid Candlestick Park. Turk Murphy's was raging and the Magic Cellar attracted only the finest magicians.

I went to work for my families business on Hawthorne Street after completing college. San Francisco's downtown was growing and new commercial construction was everywhere. Comedy was in it's prime and the Punchline would headline talent like Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Dana Carvey and Kevin Pollack. My friend Wade Buckingham was a Roady for Journey and would invite me down to Studio Instrument Rentals (4th & Howard) to watch Journey, Santana or Boz Scaggs rehearse.

I worked on Hawthorne Street for 14 years and another 10 years just a half block away at 2nd & Folsom Street. I never grew board of San Francisco. Everyday was an adventure. Hard to believe, but I even met my wife on Hawthorne Street.

I have shared the significance and importance of Hawthorne Street to me and my family. I am a fifth generation San Franciscan and merely invite you to explore, taste and enjoy San Francisco as much as I have.

Enjoy Your Stay,

Brian D. Haverty