left my heart in san francisco {north beach}

Dress: Amour Vert; Vest: Alexander Wang; Boots: Stuart Weitzman; Bag: Saint Laurent; Sunglasses: Ray-Ban; Necklace: Wendy's Lookbook X Bauble Bar; Cuff: Hermes

It's been a bumpy past few weeks. But in the best way possible. Who knew packing up your life to go from one coast to another could be so, well, HUGE? Monumental? Scary? A tad overwhelming?

I suppose I did, but it's hitting me hard right now. The good news? A lease has been signed for an apartment in New York and I couldn't be more relieved (more on that to come soon, possibly a mini apartment tour!).

In the meantime, it's gotten me thinking a lot about this new chapter I'm about to start and how it doesn't quite feel right to start it, without properly bookending this current one. A proper San Francisco farewell, if you will. A lot has happened to me since moving here back in 2010 -- a new job at a start up, another new job at Google, two apartments in different neighborhoods that both hold a special place in my heart, new friendships, new relationships, some heartache and a lot of good laughs. For that, I tip my hat to you San Francisco. 

And in my best proverbial hat-tipping fashion, I've decided to dedicate a mini series over the next few weeks to some of my favorite San Francisco haunts -- some old and some new to me. I'm looking at it as a chance to say goodbye (for now) to some places that will always hold so many memories for me and also as a way to finally explore some places of this city that have still escaped me (until now, that is).

First up? This mini stretch of Columbus Street overlooking downtown, toward Kearny Street. Quintessential San Francisco -- with the Transamerica Building peaking in the background and bustling North Beach in the foreground. Some favorites are sprinkled here: Citylights Bookstore, Cafe Zoetrope and even Jack Kerouac Alley (who I should really thank for first igniting my love of San Francisco so many years ago with On the Road). 

Every time I turn the corner from Broadway onto Columbus to catch this view of Sentinel Tower (the green, flatiron-looking building you see above here), I feel new to the city all over again. 

Photos by Anna-Alexia Basile