While everyone is concerned about buying and working locally, it's still part of the human condition to need adventure and change. Don't run away from your desire to see exotic lands or just the town next door simply because you're an eco-perfectionist. While living 100 percent green is a lofty goal, it's unachievable and there are ways to make sure you take a green -- or relatively green -- trip.
One of the destinations for the green-minded New Orleanian is San Francisco, the city by the Bay. Known for its hippies on Haight Street -- and yes, they still exist -- as well as great sourdough bread, Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, Alcatraz and earthquakes -- this city is nothing if not eco-conscious. And it's very similar to New Orleans in that it's home to great music, eclectic people and brag-to-the-folks-back-home-about fish restaurants.
For starters, book a green flight. Fly United, for example, and you've chosen an airline that will allow you to offset your carbon footprint by purchasing a certificate that will go towards funding environmental/sustainable living projects around the globe. Many other airlines have similar programs: Notably, JetBlue, Delta, Continental, Brussels Airlines, American, Virgin. Check with your favorite carrier and ask about how to offset your flight. (Click on the green flight link above for more information).
Secondly, choose a green hotel. In San Francisco, one of the best is the Orchard Garden Hotel on Grant Street. While parking is pricy, as an out-of-town tourist you'll easily get around that by just taking BART or a cab from San Francisco Airport. (BART - for Bay Area Rapid Transit - cuts down on your carbon footprint since it's public transportation and travels along tracks rather than via fossil fuels on the highway). If you take BART, get off at the Powell Street station and walk past the cable car turnaround area up Powell till you get to Grant. Warning, you should probably take a cab from Union Square -- the park you will pass along the way -- since it gets quite steep from there. Remember, this is San Francisco -- think hills.
Thirdly, while at the Orchard Garden, you will have the option to forego linen changes -- take advantage of this and help save water and energy. Unless you are in town for the mud-packers convention, chances are a couple of towels will work fine for your five-day stay. If you are there longer, of course have your linens changed. This hotel touts many green features including its organic restaurant downstairs, Roots. Orchard Garden is the real deal, built to the national standards for green buildings spelt out by the U.S. Green Buildling Council: from its energy-saving key-card way to dim and turn on lights to the provision of organic linens, toiletries and plush bathrobe. The bed touts 100 percent Egyptian cotton linens and one of the most comfortable mattresses you'll ever find anywhere.
Fourthly, walk, walk, walk. Since the hotel is right near Chinatown then you'll want to start there. Walk back on Grant heading west a couple of blocks and make a right where you see the entrance to Chinatown on Powell. For five or six bucks you can pick up cool souveneirs such as prosperity bracelets or paper lanterns. Pick up an egg roll here but remember that sumptuous Italian food awaits you as you walk toward North Beach.
Note: for you romantics who have never taken a cable car, by all means hop on. The Powell Street cable line will take you to North Beach. For a map, click here.
In North Beach, stop in a cafe and sip a cappuccino or head over to City Lights Books and just browse. While buying a book may not sound like a great way to stay green, think about it: reading online burns power in a way reading a book under a tree never will. Also remember to listen to some music or stop for Comedy at the Purple Onion on Columbus Ave.
When you get to the Marina Green -- so called because it's a waterfront playground for adults on, you guessed it, an enormous grassy area overlooking the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge -- stop in Safeway supermarket and pick up some fruit, cheese and nuts. You can also bring your refillable water bottles with you from the hotel and fill them at the green from the water faucet.
Nothing beats throwing a frisbee while watching the boats bob along the bay. Hear the foghorns in the wee hours of the morning or late at night: it's magical.
For dinner, consider eating at Scoma's on the Wharf, on Al Scoma Way at the Pier (make sure you've brought a map from the hotel). Scoma's recycles all its cooking oil and adopted green practices over two decades ago. You will know you're enjoying crab plucked fresh from the sea and that Scoma’s — which has an outpost in Sausalito — diverts 95 percent of its city restaurant waste from landfills via composting and recycling, and because of this has received "Golden Dumpster” awards from the city's Department of the Environment as well as state Waste Reduction Awards.
Although it's quite a hike to get to the restaurant from the Marina Green, the great view is worth it if you choose to walk - first up Marina Green, then meander along to Bay Street (past Van Ness) to Powell and turn left. Alternatively, the F line cable car can get you to Scoma's as well as a long list of buses. Check the Scoma's web site here.
After dinner, use your imagination. Peruse Pier 39 and bop the head of a mole in the arcade, drink one of the local California varietals at a nearby bar or take snapshots of your honey while you balance a wand of cotton candy.
(Next week: take a trip to LA, via the Green Tortoise bus, for another green holiday.)
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For a list of the Orchard Garden Hotel's green features, please click here.
For a list of San Francisco bars and clubs, click here.
Comments
This is new - will have to remember this next time we fly out that way. Thanks!
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