As you all know, I love parties, and way back when, to celebrate the release of my first trade paperback, The Frog Prince, I threw my first-ever book launch bash at La Barca on San Francisco’s famed Lombard Street. The Frog Prince is about Holly Bishop, who, after a failed marriage to a failed Prince Charming, moves to the city by the bay in search of her happy ending. San Francisco was a natural setting for this novel because I used to live there while attending grad school at USF and teaching junior high in Belmont at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School.
The launch event was an absolute hit. Read my post-party blog post, titled The Party, for more details. Also, check out my Travel Spotlight on San Francisco for pictures from the party (including a photo of Mayor Gavin Newsom and me!) and a list of my local SF favorites, some of which are mentioned in the book.
Have you read The Frog Prince or visited San Francisco? What are your favorite memories? Share your favorite places to visit, or your fav experiences, and you’ll be entered in my City By The Bay contest which includes a signed copy of The Frog Prince, yummy Ghirardelli chocolate and lots of JP reader goodies! Contest will end at midnight PST (2-3 days away) with the winner announced shortly thereafter.
I was lucky enough to visit San Francisco in 1990 (gawd, almost 20 years ago) when my best friend was doing her PhD at Stanford. We had a few days in San Francisco and then drove to Yosemite, stopping at the Monterey Bay aquarium (we each had 2 kids with us under the age of 4). The drive up the coast was spectacular, I loved Carmel and Yosemite was stunning. One of my favourite photos is my son and daughter feeding the ducks in a park not far from the Golden Gate bridge.
And I have to say that my favourite memory of the whole trip was realizing that I was not sick with stomach flu, but actually suffering with morning sickness and was pregnant with my third child.
Sorry to say I am not a San Fran girl. Too cold all the time. I’m a So.Cal/L.A. girl myself. I have never read Frog Prince and would love to. It’s on my list. Oh, I hope I win!!
I loved The Frog Prince! I read all the Jane books backwards and this is the most recent book I’ve read – I thought it was so cute!
I’ve never been to San Francisco but grew up loving the show Full House and since then have wanted to visit! LOL!
I have been to SF about 4 times, and I love it. It is one of my favorite US cities. SF is a beautiful, fascinating city. I love going to Fisherman’s Wharf, visiting Alcatraz, and riding the cable cars.
I haven’t read The Frog Prince yet. It is the only Jane Porter book that I don’t have.
Hi Jane,
I’ve never visited San Francisco, but it sounds amazing from what I’ve read about it.
The Frog Prince is on my TBR list.
I have only been to the airport in SF but hope to someday get there to see the City.
My favorite place is Kailua, Kona on Hawaii’s big island. I have been there on holidays many times, and think I could quite happily live there some day if we ever win the lottery!
The Frog Prince was the first JP book I read, and I loved it…but it’s been a couple of years, and I would love to re-read it!
Love San Fran and Frog Prince. Next time I’m visiting that beautiful city I will take the book with me, it will make the trip even more magical.
They have the best food, coffee, parks, visited Stanford campus, loved sightseeing and the weather was always nice when I was there.
The Frog Prince is just the book some people need to get power and the feeling that one can do everything by (her)self.
I read The Frog Prince way back when and loved it. I will have to dig it out of the box and re-read it. Somethings are even better the second time around.
I have never been to San Francisco, but I have read a lot about it and many movies I have watched use the city for a back drop.
I’ve been to San Francisco twice. My fondest memories include Ghirardelli Square, China Town, riding the cable cars & eating at Bubba Gumps on Fisherman’s Wharf.
I’ve never been to SF and haven’t read the Frog Prince – yet!!
San Francisco Giants baseball. Nothing like it at AT&T park. Jeremy and I went last year for our anniversary for four days. We’ve been many times over the years and we never get tired of this city full of gorgeous architecture, history and good food.
I’ve never been to San Francisco, but definitely want to go. I loved Frog Prince, but am absolutely hooked on your other books and their characters. I can’t wait to read Easy on the Eyes.
Strange timing! My review of The Frog Prince posts on Friday of this week! I just finished reading it. Next one: Easy on the Eyes!
I hope the baby is feeling better!
Sheri
I enjoyed a visit to San Francisco many years ago. We went to Chinatown, and loved walking around the Fisherman’s Wharf area.
I have not been to San Francisco but it sounds like a lovely place to visit. When my kids were younger, I loved taking them to Sea World.
Also haven’t had the pleasure of reading The Frog Prince but hope to get the chance.
Cheryl
San Francisco is one of my favorite towns. I go there about every two years. I love Pier 39 for shopping….Candlestick Park is amazing, the view at night is stunning..
My favorite experience was seeing the Stones with Sheryl Crow on a warm summer evening, holding hands with my husband and gazing out at the bay. I kept getting tears in my eyes at the pure enjoyment of the night. We kept looking at each other and just grinning.
Sorry to say I have never been to San Francisco or have not read your book The From Prince! We do not travel so I travel in books. We have been to Florida and Myrtle Beach. I love the ocean and the beach, I could just walk for hours on the beach and watch the ocean. We have not had a real vacation in years.We are a one income family right now and I have a son in college, so we don’t really have the money to travel! I will just have to continue to travel the world in books.
I went to college in Stockton one year and the big deal was to go to San Francisco on the weekends. My room mate’s family lived in a mansion on Washington Street that had a view of Alcatraz Island and the GG bridge and I loved the city. Their lifestyle was an eye opener for me; however, one of her teenage sisters was Down’s and so I learned you can have all kinds of material things but it doesn’t mean things are perfect (whoops, wrong book).
Then, a few years later for our honeymoon we drove to San Francisco so I have great memories of “The City” and love to go back and visit. Still, those memories of trips there in the late 60s are the best!
Love San Francisco and may head back there for Labor Day weekend if all goes well. Love the breeze off the ocean and the sexiness of the city!
i loved frog prince! i would love to visit san fran too. my favorite place is hawaii. outriggers at waikiki to be specific.
I did read Frog Prince and I loved it! Last time I was in San Francisco was probably when I was about 12. My favorite city is Cabo San Lucas. I have been there about 10 times and keep going back. Such a beautiful place and I love relaxing by the pool all day. My kind of vacation!
I love San Francisco! And as my sister moved there last year I have a great excuse to visit. First stop when I get in from the airport is dinner at the Elite Cafe on Fillmore. I’m usually asleep in my jambalaya from jetlag but I must go!
Running down on the Marina whilst gossiping with my sister. And being taken to all the fabulous restaurants. Ooo and the nailbars. And the scenery. And the wine. And the chocolate.
(And of course I met you there at RWA last year).
Hmmm I went in April but I think I might need to book a flight for another visit soon!
Jane, you know that The Frog Prince is my absolutely favorite book of yours. I have bought more copies than anyone. I give them to all my friends and say, “You have to read this!” No one has ever been disappointed!
Looking forward to Easy On The Eyes. Great title. And you can’t go wrong with an SF setting.
Hi all – I cannot believe I have never visited San Francisco or California for that matter. Why o why?
Just wasn’t on my to do list I guess. Now, I did read Frog Prince but so long ago – Holly was someone who at first needed a hug a day to get her going but in the end came into her own. The interaction or maybe it was just the polyester cracked me up with her mother. It was a delightful book and I loved it but then I love all Jane Porter books
I am sure I told you this when I met you, but Frog Prince is my absolute favorite book of yours so I would LOVE to have a signed copy. It was my first introduction to your writing and I fell in love with the character of Holly (she is my favorite followed by Taylor!). And, yes, I have visited San Francisco. I like the normal things–cable cars and China Town and the Golden Gate bridge and walking up and down the steep hills. We stayed at a quaint little hotel and I was enthralled by a certain pair of monkey salt & pepper shakers in the adjoining restaurant so I had to find an identical set when I got back to Minneapolis–and I did!
I have never visited San Francisco but would love to do so some day. I think that will have to wait, though, since I live on the east coast and have one child in college and another starting in a year.
The Frog Prince was the 2nd of your books I read. I got it after reading Flirting With Forty, and I bought FWF after reading an excerpt in a magazine (I forget which one!). I also own Ms. Perfect & Odd Mom Out. So of course I can’t wait for Easy on the Eyes!
I loved “The Frog Prince”! Holly’s issues with her mom — it’s one of the few books I’ve ever read that I cried over.
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. I was so excited to go back there last year for RWA National. My best memory of San Francisco, though, was right after I met my husband. He was there on business, so I got on a plane to meet him. We went up into the Presidio late one night. The view of the San Francisco Bay from the hillside was amazing. The stars looked like diamonds thrown over black velvet. I couldn’t believe how quiet it was.
I can still see that scene in my head today, and it’s been sixteen years!
-S
Hi Jane,
It seems as though I am the only Northern Ca person here! I live in Sonoma County..north of SF. We go frequently to the zoo, Fisherman’s Wharf and Giant’s games! I also love seeing plays in the city. I saw Wicked there not that long ago. So, yes. I’m lucky to be close to that city. I loved Frog Prince! In fact, I may have to read it again soon!
Cathy
I went to San Fran with my parents when I ws 16. I haven’t been back since although I really loved it.
I took several pictures of Knob Hill and the fish market. It was so much fun riding the ‘rice a roni’ car-which is what I called it at the time.
One of my Pi Phi college roommates has an awesome cupcake shop there-Kara Cupcakes. We keep in touch and I really should get out there to visit her.
What can I say…life does get in the way. Really no excuse b/c life is too short.
Hope all is well with Mac.
I’ve never been to San Francisco, but would love to visit the place that has the yellow bricks like in the Wizard of Oz that you can follow. The Frog Prince was a good book that made you identify with the Holly on so many different levels.
I’ve never been to San Francisco either. I’d love to go and ride the cable cars. I remember the TV ad for Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat and they show cable cars.
I love San Francisco. Last year that is where my children and I took our summer vacation. We took the BART to the warf, went to the museum of natural sciences, rented bikes and rode all around then across the golden gate bridge, had the most wonderful clam chowder, just to mention a few things. The city is alive with art and culture. Each time I go, I always discover new and wonderful things about this city. How wonderful it would be to win the Frog Prince. I have not read it yet and didn’t realize the background was SF. What a fun way to re-live my many trips to SF.
The last time I visited SF was at least 15 years ago! I’m sure a lot has changed. I do remember the shopping and the cable cars. We just revisited Disneyland last year and I have to say that is my favorite little getaway spot right now. It is so much fun to see the magic in your Grankids eyes as they explore Disney! We loved it so much we are going again this year.
I have not read The Frog Prince yet, but it sounds like a wonderful book!
The Frog Prince was the first Jane Porter book I ever read and I liked it.
Went to SF last year for conference – it was my first trip there. I enjoyed it but dang it was cold in July!!!!! 🙂
I did read Frog Prince…it was great. I haven’t been to SF since 1976…way too long ago. Loved it and hope to go back soon.
Dawn
City By The Bay Contest Winner!!!
Congrats to #31 Latesha as you are the winner of the signed copy of The Frog Prince, Ghirardelli chocolate and JP reader goodies!
Please shoot me a private email with your mailing address and we’ll get your prize out in the next mail!
Yours,
Jane
http://www.janeporter.com
Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no backup.
Do you have any methods to stop hackers?