31 years in The City and The Castro is still my safe space. I have memories here from my first…read morevisit to the present time. I know of it's history, from a working class neighborhood and it's subsequent reinventions. More importantly, I as an elder, Gen-X, gay ,disabled, Mexican man have never felt unwelcome here

As I walk on through this wicked world Searching for light…read morein the darkness of insanity I ask myself, Is all hope lost? Is there only pain, and hatred, and misery? And each time I feel like this inside There's one thing I wanna know What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? And as I walked on through troubled times My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes So where are the strong? And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony Cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me wanna cry What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? So where are the strong? And who are the trusted? And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony 'Cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me wanna cry What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding? Written By Nick Lowe

We like visiting this place since it is neat and tucked away. Looks like there have been some…read morechanges with the restaurant's and owners. The new ownership seems to have lost the charm and love for food and was more concerned with handing out french beret's on Bastille Day, which was fun, but the food wasn't. Needs to get back to what this little hidden trek of restaurants used to be.

Always a go to in SF with a variety of places to pick. There is something for everyone, go and try…read moreit.. it's a must.

The Marina encompasses a lot of tony shops, restaurants & beautiful waterfront. Stroll along Crissy…read moreField to get a stunning view of Golden Gate Bridge & buff young men working out on The Green. I love checking out the OCD landscaped trees & marveling at the cleanliness & unique architecture. If you are a blonde woman who wears a ponytail & Lululemon, while you hold your Starbucks cup in one hand, cell phone in another, you are home. Bonus points for a cute small dog. The place feels pretty safe, so add this location to your scared visiting relatives tour guide. A big however, if you're looking to relocate, the district was literally built on sand with a shallow water table. All this explains why the Marina was heavily impacted by the 1989 quake. Many buildings collapsed because the first floors were built on stilts with parking underneath. During "flood season", cars parked along Marina Bld have water covering their wheels. But back to happy thoughts. It's real pretty here.

This is a very nice neighborhood in SF!!…read more Lively, active, and bustling day or night! Lots of local landmarks here including The Palace of Fine Arts, the Wave Organ, Fort Mason, Chrissy Field, and the Yoda Fountain in the Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presidio along with, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge!! There are all kinds of places to eat along Chestnut Street, The Marina Green is a great place to hang out, exercise, bike, or catch some bay views. There is plenty of parking there also. Fort Mason has all kinds of food trucks there. I usually just park at the Marina Green and walk everywhere. It's almost always windy or breezy here, but on sunny days, this is a great area in the city!!!

A totally Lower Haight experience, besides the live music & local art for sale, the surrounding…read morehipster stores have a lot of eye candy. This fair is pretty basic & feels like beginners effort. I'm looking forward to seeing how the LOHA Merchants Association expands the offerings. Of particular note is The Faight. They pretty much took over Haight street next to their store. They sponsored a band, had racks of clothing for sale, & their store & gallery were open for business. A welcome addition to the local scene for sure. The later you stay, the better the fashion gets. So add people watching to the entertainment. Another reason to visit or be proud of the hood.

Oh the history, architecture and beauty of Nob Hill. It is enhanced by reading Adah Bakalinsky's…read morebook "Stairway Walks in San Francisco". The author is quite thorough with the history of neighborhoods in SF. We use her book to explore different neighborhoods every month. Each walk offers fascinating information. Nob Hill was no exception. One must walk the area to truly observe the beauty. Grace Cathedral is a special place to see and the Fairmont during the holidays is always incredibly festive.

Review #1,000. A…read morereview about Nob Hill and a specific personal memory of this place. Today is my friend KW's birthday. Or at least that's what I was told by her many year's ago. But then when she passed away a few years ago, I read a different birthday date posted on her obituary. So maybe I messed up and always celebrated her birthday one month sooner than her actual birthday, but she never corrected me. She's that kind of person. A kind person, a truly wonderful person, someone who just kind of goes with the flow. KW lived in Nob Hill. She was my dad's (an artist) student when I met her. I admired her as a child because she did things her way even though nothing was easy as I learned as an adult. Her life was somewhat glamorous, but not without difficulties that we all have to go through in this life and although I won't go into too much details, I will always remember her being beautiful and had a harp and cats in her apartment. She lived just a few steps down the hill from the Ritz. I remember her kindness, her appreciation for life which was contagious, her love of cats, especially black cats, and her love of people. She helped a homeless/unhoused person found housing/shelter. She loved this vibrant neighborhood. Nob Hill is famous for many fine hotels, the Grace Cathedral, and tons of history in the many buildings that surrounds it. But in these hills, there are many stories, some known and many untold. Time moves on, continuous, every day with new people and experiences. Many of these stories/experiences --forgotten. Thus why I want to write these thoughts down. Whether you are local or a visitor, Nob Hill has lots to offer. If you want fancy hotels or hole in the wall restaurants, this place has them. Probably most visited as it's nearby to downtown, Chinatown, Fishermans' Wharf, North Beach and Pacific Heights. I hope you enjoy the history of this place, the diversity of food offerings, and the cable car rides, ding ding as each one slides up and down these storied hills.

Some nice favorite gems at the Inner Sunset [San Francisco]…read more I don't come to the Inner Sunset often except for one thing... mainly FOOD. Inner Sunset is located south of Golden Gate Park next to the UCSF campus. Many of the businesses are clustered on Irving Street and 9th Avenue... there are a lot of amazing places to eat at the Inner Sunset, maybe not as hoity-toity as the Marina District but the following are some of the places we've enjoyed and visited: * Tartine Inner Sunset [Irving Street] - this Tartine location is open for delivery and takeout only. Online ordering was easy and my bag of goodies was ready in 30 minutes (notifying me by text). My daughter enjoyed both the Lemon Cream Tart and the Lemon Cranberry Pistachio Teacake. I was also happy to see the Pain Au Chocolat Croissant available. Fresh and yummy... but pricey. * Mahalo [9th Avenue] - we ordered the Hawaiian macaroni salad. It's a favorite in our household. Delicious and authentic! * 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - we stopped by this beautiful tiled steps just west of Grand View Park. This popular steps is popular among tourists. There are 163 steps... heading up has a nice view of stars and sea design. There are a few landings in between sections (to catch your breath). The plants alongside the steps are well maintained by the community. Street parking. * Hidden Garden Steps - beautifully tiled stairway. The stairway is between a Kirkham and Lawton Streets. It's easy to miss these steps because the stairs are narrow and very steep. We got lucky at the time... no tourists! I love these steps! The ceramic tiles are colorful with beautiful designs and once we reached the midpoint of the steps there were some great views to be seen of the city. Truly a hidden gem. Next on my list to visit (not necessarily in this order): Arizmendi Bakery Hometown Creamery San Tung "Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul." - Jaime Lyn Review #2061

When I moved to San Francisco, I spent a good month looking for a place to live. I knew where in…read morethe city I wanted to live (where I eventually ended up living), but more importantly, I knew where I didn't want to live. Or at least I thought I did. There were also plenty of places that I would live if I had to, but they weren't high up on my list of places to check out. One of those places was the Inner Sunset. At the time, I was generally a Richmond boy, if only because my brother had mostly lived there, except for when he first moved to San Francisco and lived in the Outer Sunset near Polly Ann's (https://www.yelp.com/biz/polly-ann-ice-cream-san-francisco). In my mind, if I were going to live in the Sunset, I needed to be closer to Polly Ann's, so the Inner Sunset didn't do anything for me. Well, I was wrong. So so so so very wrong. So wrong, in fact, that when I had to start apartment-hunting again this past winter and into spring because my San Francisco home of almost 20 years burned down, the Inner Sunset was a preferred neighborhood, not just one that I would put up with living in. Ninth Avenue by itself is worth everything. But there's so much more, and sometime between my moving to San Francisco and my flat burning down, my brother had moved to the Inner Sunset, and then he moved even innerer into the Inner Sunset. The one place I was interested in seeing during my 2003 housing search was on Irving Street, between either 9th and 10th, or 10th and 11th. This was back when photos on Craig's List either weren't allowed or were few and far between, so all I had to go by was the potential future roommates' descriptions of themselves and the apartment. It sounded wonderful, as did they. But when I showed up for my appointment five minutes early, no one was home. I dutifully called and waited 20 minutes outside, and then called again, but no one ever got back to me. This might seem like par for the course now, but it was the first time, I believe, I had ever been ghosted. I'd been stood up before, of course, but there had been subsequent fake apologies or whatever. This time? Nope, neither of the potential roommates ever called or emailed me or responded to my polite email asking whether they need to reschedule. Ghosted. In 2003. By people I'd never met in person but had had a nice phone conversation with. It bothers me to this day, and sadly, I think I've held that aggravating experience against the neighborhood, if only a little bit. But you know what? Even if Canvas Gallery is long gone (and that's OK, because I really used to like Pacific Catch before it got so corporate), there's still Gordo and Green Apple and Arizmendi and Hometown Creamery and Sunflower Garden and the gelato place and so many other favorites, and again, that's just on a three-block stretch of 9th Avenue. I also love Hugo Street. And here's an important San Francisco-locals-only question for you: Is Hugo the "H" street of the Avenues, or is Hayes? Or maybe it's Haight? I have serious history with Hayes, but despite that, I vote for Hugo. What do you say? Compliment or message me with your true and final answer.

Review #178 - 2020…read more I've heard of McCovey Cove being mentioned here and there, but never thought of making my way over since it's kind of out of the way for me. My kids like the beach; but they're not too crazy about the idea of hanging out at a boat dock, especially since none of us fish. We showed up at around 11 AM for a Trump boat rally on Saturday, October 10th. We were able to find parking pretty easily since there weren't too many people out and about due to COVID. Parking was $9 for the day so that's as cheap as it's going to get around here. I was pretty surprised that the people who planned this event chose this location since San Francisco is definitely a liberal city. I was even more surprised to see that we had a decent turn out being that people were afraid of being judged or attacked for supporting our President. How sad that people who claim that they're tolerant are the intolerant ones. The area is not that safe nor clean, in my honest opinion. I got some pretty awesome photos and videos and the event ended about an hour later. I met a few women who gave me their numbers and asked me to invite them to future events. If the area was cleaner and safer, I would definitely bring my kids back.

What? No reviews for…read morethis place? It can't be! The Yelper in me has to rectify this outrageous injustice at once so here goes: Ahhhh McCovey Cove. Once it was named after Stretch, aka MAC, aka The Big Mac...the original Big Mac; and the name rolls out of your tongue like butter melting. Go ahead...say it. McCovey Cove. Don't you just love it? Gives you chills, right? When I hear it I imagine Barry White's voice singing it, and It makes one wonder if it will make a girl drop her panties upon hearing McCovey Cove. I would like to get some volunteers, please. Is it a coincidence that his name rhymes with Cove? I don't think so. It's a fitting name worthy to be immortalized here in the City of San Francisco with his statue overlooking the Cove. The Baseball Gods knew what they were doing. Lots of historic and crazy antics have taken place here: from Barry Bonds' Home runs while kayakers are jousting for position, thru Dog Ball Retrievers (which was a stupid idea, BTW). I've also seen Pirate Ships, Sailboats, Fireworks, Flugtags, Cruise Ships, the Delorian from Back to the Future, Jetpacks, Jet Skis, Seals, Lou Seal on Skis, Seagulls, Race Boats, Water Polo games and maybe even Marco Polo. Truly a unique and original place that can only be found in San Francisco. And to honor a Man, a Giants Hall-of-Famer that has been a pillar of the community and one who has provided his time, energy, resources and committed his life to serving the organization thru his charity, the City and the children, who will grow up to be lifelong Giants fans is very fitting, indeed. I got Love for the Cove. I got love for the man named after the Cove.

Such a cute doggie sign. I visited SF from LA and took my two dogs to take pics here…read more You can park on street with meter or a bit drive side streets to park for free.

PRAISE DOGGIE! ...PRAISE DOGGIE!…read more We've come a long long way together Through the hard times and the good I have to celebrate you baby I have to praise you like I should I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you I have to praise you... His beet red skin proves he's been under the tanning machine too long, and he's also had some botox injections from what I can tell. But the Doggie Diner Head looks good...all shiny and revitalized especially after the chin lift. He lets me call him DD because we go back...way, way, way back. Doggie Diner was my dining destination of choice when I was six and still full of youthful optimism. Now I'm more cynical...and not six...but my memories of Doggie Diner remain unblemished (...and don't you dare mention the so-called Doggie Diner at AT&T Park...a fraud, I tell ya!). DD would look down upon me with that unique stare of guarded enthusiasm, and I knew the world would be safe. DD has had a rough life. Cholesterol. Chapter 11. He toppled over onto Sloat in 2001 and broke his snout (see archival photos). They reported it was the 45 mph winds, but I know better. It's because he felt suicidal after the diner closed and became the Carousel restaurant. He had no choice but to throw himself into traffic. But he bounced back and went through extensive physical therapy with the guy who trained Oprah but doesn't want anyone to know since she gained all that weight back. Now DD's in fighting trim on the median strip on Sloat at the old entrance of the San Francisco Zoo. Come visit him in all his shiny glory. Bring offerings like a Kibbles n' Bits quiche or a Milk-Bone casserole. Let us praise him as you should.