Trip to San Francisco
I’m very excited to be going to San Francisco at the end of the month. I’ll be dragging my husband to Song, Red Blossom and Samovar. Any others we should check out? What are your favorites at the spots listed? Especially at Song, I really want to try what’s remarkable. I like just about all teas except heavily roasted oolongs and dian hong. Just can’t enjoy those. And due to numerous food allergies, I tend to stay away from blends or flavored teas. I appreciate your suggestions!
I believe Purepuer is based out of San Francisco and that they have a booth at a local Farmer’s Market each week. I don’t think they have a store.
I’m a real Japanophile, and one of my favorite tea experiences was having tea in the Japanese tea garden. I don’t really remember how good the tea was, but the quality of the environment is incredible
http://japaneseteagardensf.com/tea-house.php
I went there too on my trip to SF. It was small but beautiful and serene. The tea was okay (I had an iced matcha) but the matcha cheesecake was scrumptious!
Wonderful suggestion! And since food can be involved, I might be able to sell this as something other than tea focused. :)
I’ll second that suggestion! The Japanese Tea Garden is a bit of a trek, but totally worth it – it’s in the middle of Golden Gate Park, which is hands down my favorite part of SF. There are a couple of great museums next to it, too, so you could make an afternoon of it.
I should have mentioned that it is near a pretty good museum (de Young). You could link the two to sell to hubby (“After the museum, let’s stop by this lovely Japanese garden… Oh look! they sell tea!”)
James Norwood Pratt lives in SF. He’s super friendly and would probably have some recommendations if you emailed him. He has his email on his website.
If you’re able to make it to Oakland (across the bay) there is an absolutely phenomenal tea shop called Sophie’s Cuppa Tea – highly recommend visiting (this Instagram photo of ours is from there – https://www.instagram.com/p/BBQHRSvQsnP/?taken-by=rosalitea)
This is also a great time to visit the Japanese Tea Garden with the blossoms!
Anyways, let us know how you like the city and what tea you end up trying!
Welcome! I don’t have much to add other than Lovejoy’s which has a really fun afternoon tea – a bit of a trek to get there, though.
Great! It really is fun if you end up in that direction (unlikely, but not a long trip if you take an Uber or Lyft or something)
There are a variety of shops on Grant Ave. in Chinatown.
Yes, I think it will be fun to walk along and take advantage of what’s there. For best use of time (and my guy’s patience), which do you recommend?
+1 on Vital Tea Leaf. The staff at the location with the giant teapot outside is really sweet and helpful. Whenever I go, I stock on their little ripe puerh squares (6 for $10).
Teance across the Bay in Berkeley. There’s also an Imperial Tea Court where you can sit down and eat.
If you go to Teance, check out the Pasta Shop two doors down. They have Mariage Freres in bulk and tins.
David’s Tea has a few locations in SF, if you are into that type of tea. Lupicia also has a location in a mall on Market where David’s has a store too.
Actually, the David’s Tea in Noe Valley isn’t too far from Lovejoy’s….afternoon excursion, perhaps!
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