I had THE best table mate at the Bay Area Book Festival this last weekend (June 4 & 5, 2016) in Berkeley, California – Daniel Bacon, the creator of The Barbary Coast Trail through San Francisco. Daniel’s non-fiction book, Walking San Francisco on the Barbary Coast Trail, leads curious souls into the past with tidbits of delightful history, starting with the Old Mint and ending at Aquatic Park (and back again, on a cable car). Marked with beautiful medallions set into the sidewalks, The Barbary Coast Trail is a walking tour (inspired by The Freedom Trail in Boston), connecting twenty of San Francisco’s historical sites, some dating back to the California Gold Rush.
Can’t get more synergistic than that!
Daniel has also made the foray into historical fiction with his novel Frisco – the title of which drew people to the booth sometimes because of its controversial use! But Daniel assured the visitors that San Francisco was affectionately known as “Frisco” for decades before the noted journalist Herb Caen denounced its use in the 1960s (which he recanted in the 80s, although few knew about that).
Daniel and I happily beckoned visitors to our booth, claiming distinction as “the San Francisco History” table – three works of historical fiction and one non-fiction guide through the streets of old San Francisco.
The weather was great, the visitors (especially on Sunday) were enthusiastic (and buying). And after a professional exchange, I am now the proud owner of a wonderful guide to historical San Francisco that will have me walking in old “Frisco” on my next visit there. Many of those places I’ve already been, but it will be fun to connect the dots, as it were.
