Oh San Francisco, how do I love thee? My heart is here. San Francisco is where I met my husband, raised my kids, and built a life surrounded by my closest friends and my sister. No other city has her natural beauty, charm, and lightness of spirit. No matter her foibles, fog, or chilly summers, no other city comes close to stealing my heart.
This Valentine's Day, I'm sharing — in no particular order — my personal list of:
The Parrots of Telegraph Hill brightly circling and squawking above - our official San Francisco City Bird - see their documentary, too! Madrone Art Bar delivers the best neighborhood dance party every Motown on Monday The Wiggle bike route follows historic water pathways through town, it's the easiest way to get from Ocean Beach to the Embarcardero India Basin Waterfront Park in the Bayview is teeming with views and history, featuring water access, a massive sunny plaza, a Shipwrights Cottage, mosaic staircase, and more. It's really cool! Folk (formerly Yoga Garden), offers yoga & workshops with the best teachers in the City (Thanks, Roy, Anna, & Rachel!) The little sighing sound of the N Judah when it slides to a stop
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass a free 3-day lowkey celebration, bring your picnic blanket and enjoy. Thank you, Warren Hellman!
(not-so Secret) Hidden Swings - the best place to bring your out-of-town visitors - whee! Bike Share, the e-bikes make it super easy to get around town and no looking for parking! Wear your helmet, please!
Blue Bear School of Music has been rocking since 1971 making music available and accessible for everyone. It’s a great place for lessons, band workshops, and just great people
Palace of Fine Arts I love thinking that it was built of burlap, wire and plaster to be temporary, part of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, but then, was rebuilt to be a permanent, beautiful exhibition hall.
Parklet @ the Page Bar with mellow afternoon live music (and all my friends are there!)
Slow Streets special low-vehicle neighborhood streets for recreation, walking, running, cycling and even Little Free Libraries across town. Fort Funston - hang gliders and hawks, frolicking dogs, and see the sun slide into the horizon at sunset. Always wonderful
Bob’s Donuts, a 24 hour remedy when you have a hankering for a chocolate Old Fashioned... and who doesn't?? (yum!)
Flower Piano in the Botanical Garden, each September, 10 days of magical music surrounded by blooms. Come play your favorites! Or, go now to see the Magnolias in bloom! Arsicault Bakery, our family staple for the very best croissants in town
Tunnel Tops Park at the Presidio - especially those fun spinny red-top chairs!
Ferry Building - the gorgeous stalwart of the Port of San Francisco and Market Street, with a world-famous farmers market and gourmet food. Plus, the ferries!
Black Nose Trading Company for all your pup’s needs
The Golden Gate Bridge. Beautiful. Always (be sure to check out the interactive exhibit in the plaza to see how the engineers decided on the height of the towers)
Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista. Say what you will. Just be a tourist for a day or a week. We live in a great city. Ride a cable car (it's so fun!) Have an Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista, and check out the National Maritime Museum & Hyde Street Pier. It's really cool to learn about San Francisco's maritime history. (Plus the Ferris Wheel at Fisherman's Wharf!) Karl the Fog - it's July! time to put on your puffer coat!
Outside Lands Music Festival, huge, loud, and SO much fun!
The Exploratorium a favorite school field trip destination when I was a kid, and continues on for my kids.
Harvey Milk Photo Center from SF Rec & Park operates the oldest and largest community wet darkroom in the United States, with amazing shows, and photo lessons open to all Cable Car Museum is an awesome place to watch the giant wheels turning to move the cable cars across town - plus it's free! Green Apple Books where you can spend hours discovering new amazing books to read, and sell your gently-read books for more books!
Fun and Friendly dog parks across the city - woof!
The Independent, a low-key venue for great live music - celebrating it's 20th anniversary!
Beach Chalet Murals - gorgeous frescos around all the walls, depicting everyday life in San Francisco in 1932…, part of a WPA project.
Bonfires at Ocean Beach, no better way to spend time with friends and watch the sun set
Balmy and Clarion Alley Murals and our public art everywhere!
Best. Burritos. Ever.
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who make every event an EVENT, promulgating joy since 1979.
McKinley Elementary School - a gem of SFUSD!
Farallones Center at Crissy Field, a wonderful spot to learn about sharks and local sealife - and a restroom in a pinch!
The Golden Fire Hydrant at Church & 20th Street, credited with saving The City from burning after the 1906 Earthquake
The roar of the Blue Angels during Fleet Week (the bane of many dogs and their people, I know!), and the soft hum of the cable car cables underground
South End Rowing Club where my daring husband, daughter, and friends brave the frigid Bay for bracing morning swims (I wait onshore w hot cocoa)
Crane Cove Park transforming the industrial waterfront into a Paddleboard & kayaking launch, now with a sauna & don't forget margaritas at The Ramp!
311 app - the easiest way to report trash & dumping for DPW to collect Cupid's Span - Love on the Bay, Every Day ❤️
