After a huge Sunday buffet brunch, we decided to go for a long walk. We ended up in the Belvedere…read moreneighborhood and decide to walk around. We parked on San Rafael Ave which leads to a dead-end at the end of the street but then you can proceed by walking on this paved walkway to the next street up the hill. Thanks to the cyclist who pointed us up this road. It ended up to be a beautiful 2.5 hour walk all over Belvedere nooks and corners. We discovered some lovely staircase lanes passing by lovely homes and nature and plants. The views to the bay and Golden Gate are breathtaking. Wonderful discovery. Check out the photos that are posted.

Funday Sunday at the 26th Fiesta On The Hill, located at the center of Bernal Heights neighborhood…read more(Cortland & Andover). The purpose of this Fiesta was to encourage ethnic cultural diversity, and to preserve affordable housing within the community, with the backbone support of the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, BHNC. There were plenty of diverse vendors who participated with today's events, and food trucks that would satisfy even one with the most extensive palate. There were also a miniature amusement rides for kids, dog rescue with hands on petting, and I even got an opportunity to go inside a cute, "Airstream" trailer. I've always wanted to own one, and I probably will during my retirement at some distant future. LOL! All in all, it was a fun Sunday, and it was nice to see everyone especially the residents of Bernal Heights, enjoying their neighborhood festival. Until then, see you next year. Cheers! :p

Jeez, I wished for the sun and had only rain, but this event went off well with live music and…read moregreat eats. I'm biased for anything in my hood and feel this was a great event.

I've attended a few different film festivals in my day, from our own SF International to Tribeca to…read moreSundance, and I've even parodied a festival when I worked on a Keanu Reeves Film Tribute (you'll have to ask me about that one in person). From my recent experiences with the Tiburon Int'l Film Festival over the last few weeks, I have to say that it was right up there near the top of my list. Here's why: Film festivals should always champion films, shorts and documentaries that might not always see the light of day (typically because of commercial reasons), but are definitely important or at least great examples of their genre. Tiburon managed to bring together a series of films that were reflective of that. Two shining examples of that were American Fork (full disclosure: a film that my company sponsored!) and Becoming John Ford, but that's really just the start. After talking to a bunch of folks who attended different screenings, one commonality was the message of: "You should definitely see if it you get the chance." Another was: "Just go see something, the whole program deserves viewing." But a film festival is not just about the films but also about the filmmakers, actors and the community who puts the festival together in the first place. When it all comes together, and you, as a patron, get to meet and mingle with these people, it's just so up close and personal. There's a real sense of immediacy and intimacy happening, and it's a lot better than any behind the scenes interview on a DVD. Are you going to see the next runaway hit at Tiburon? Maybe, but probably not, and that just might be the greatest thing about this little gem of a festival. Thanks to Sia, Rachel and all the other festival staff who put on such a good show this year, and I'll see you at the next one.

Nearly (just incase there's some really horrible film festival out there - that only plays like…read moreAlot Like Love - non-stop) all film festivals should be supported. Especially festivals that are non-profits like the Tiburon International Film Festival. Film Festivals are tremendously powerful things. They provide an outlet for independant directors. They give a voice to people who may not have been heard, otherwise. They increase awareness and understanding about the world around us - through moving (literally and figuratively) visuals. To give a film festival an less that the props it deserves for bringing people together, so that they can learn more about other cultures, other countries, other times, and just others out there, seems almost strange to me. Admittedly there are films and film festivals that may resonate more with others, but I can guarantee that if you were to skim through all of the Tiburon International Film Festival's schedule you would be able to find at at least one film, AT LEAST (because I know I found many) that would resonate with you. If you were to study their film schedule, you would find a film, and I'm sure many others, that would force you to re-examine the way you thought. If even, just a little. Unfortunately not really knowing how to drive, puts me at a little bit of a disadvantage for the later film showings here (since the ferry does stop running early), but Tiburon is a darling getaway - so if you're in the same boat as me, booking a cute hotel room - would be well worth it. I would highly suggest, anyone curious or passionate about film...or well the world around and beyond you - to look into exploring this festival more next year. And on a beautiful day - make sure to take the scenic route over here. Your senses will be blown away. (Disclosure - we've worked with Tiburon International Film Festival this year - but my five star review still stands)

I have to say that I just loved the location of this event! The Craneway Pavillion is…read morebreath-taking! There is so much light, so much space...And, the boardwalk was just what everyone needed after tasting a few craft brews. With the sun beating down and the crisp air, it was so relaxing. Although I do enjoy the Craneway Pavillion, it seemed to be such a grand space for the Chocolate & Beer Festival. I spoke with a few guests who actually pointed this out as something that pleased them, so it might just be my taste of small, intimate gatherings. There was so much space in between the beer and chocolate!!! And, there seemed to be quite a bit more chocolate booths than beer selections. The Chocolate Nut brew was my top pick, for sure. Everyone was super friendly and social! I LOVED tasting the various brews and chocolates! From the chocolate side of things, I enjoyed quite a few chocolates. First, I am always a fan of Galaxy! I tried their chocolate cups of fluffy mousse at La Soiree--just delightful! Landru had some fruit jellies AND chocolate! Clarine's Florentines brought some snazziness with their sliced almond brittle on bittersweet chocolate, for sure. There were many others as well! The chocolate was such a nice sweetly loved snack, but it did leave me craving something more... Since it was a beer and chocolate festival, I understand that there would only be beer and chocolate (plus, food and wine for sale). However, I felt people dropping off the taster map as they had a drink or two. Beer pong was fun! That was definitely the fun crowd. I felt a bit of confusion surrounding the tokens and the tickets in my party and in the crowd. Some guests were under the impression that tastings were included in the price of the ticket, not that they would need to purchase extra tokens to taste. This could have been more clearly stated. Overall, it was a very enjoyable day. The band was entertaining and fun, Chloe and Rob were easy to find and super informative! The sound was a bit difficult to hear in the back, but if you were hanging out near the stage, all the speakers were knowledgeable and interesting as well.

This was a pricey event. Luckily, we got our tickets for super cheap from living social ($9 for…read moreVIP!) so the price wasn't too bad, but I feel sorry for the people who had to pay full price. The admission was $15-25 and didn't include any beer or chocolate tasting. They had a VIP package for $60 that included admission, a beer glass, 2 chocolate samples, 2 beer samples, parking and a poster. Additional beer samples were $6 and chocalate samples were $2-4. I think the beer glass was $10 if you didn't get the package. They filled the glasses (16oz) up if you had them or else you'd get beer in a plastic cup (12oz). There was an area set up for beer pong, a staging area for music and a bunch of benches in the middle. There was double the amount of chocolate vendors to beer vendors. The stand outs were tea infused chocolate, chocolate covered brittle, and quinoa bonbons. My favorite beer was a locally brewed Indian beer that's only served in Thai and Indian restaurants. I wish i could have bought a 6 pack of that! Sadly the only chocolate stout there was just meh. I liked that there was a lot of space and no ridiculously long lines. Apparently the event was a clusterf**k last year. Overall It was fun and a great way to try out some local breweries and chocolatiers. I would go again next year, but definitely not at full price.

Yelp to the rescue!…read more It was stank-ass, 100° F, hot-as-dammit out for the California Beer Festival - Novato. Yeah, sure, it was all the beer you could drink. But in those conditions, you gotta have water or you're not making it through all 4 1/2 hours of beer tasting. & that would be a travesty. Fortunately, Kevin B., Yelp North Bay's intrepid CM, was manning the Hydration Station & passing out bottles of refreshing cold water. For free! That's right, free! Needless to say, he got bum-rushed by the hundreds of CBF-Novato attendees & eventually the free water bottles ran out. But hey, it was free, 1st come 1st served, while supplies last! & did I mention that it was free? Free cold water at a beer festival on a really hot day? Yeah, I'm a fan of that!

This beer festival was not quite the experience I would have loved to have. The food and beer…read morechoices were good. You definitely get a good amount of beer but not too much free food tasting . The lines for the food and beer were long even though the place was not that packed. I think I would attend again however I will do the following. BRING WATER!! You have to wait in line at food stand for water (30 to 45min). The hydration station was sold out of water two hours into event. Bring lawn chairs and umbrellas. there was very little seating around the music area. Even though I was critical of event I would say this is a great way to spend the afternoon if you are really into micro brews. Remember a good beer taste great even in the crappiest of settings so you cant really loose.

This is a long past due review, but not the least bit undeserved. I attended the first three Le…read moreDiner San Francisco events: music concourse in Golden Gate Park; Marina Green; and the plaza by the Civic Center (or was it Opera Plaza?). I invited 3 friends each year, prepped yummy, fun food, made creative table scapes, and then schlepped everything to SF to find rare street parking. Yes, it was a lot of work. Yes, there were times the weather was clearly not on our side - Marina Green: you were terrible. All in all, for the meager cost of less than $30ish each for a memorable night out with friends, I believe I got well more than my money's worth. From what I heard back in the day, Diner en Blanc, the trademarked international group did not have San Francisco on its schedule for some time to come, so some energetic and creative local souls created Le Diner San Francisco to bring a pop up dinner to us sooner than waiting for Diner en Blanc to eventually arrive. Some of the reviews here believed they over paid for what they received. I've worked with caterers, so I'm familiar with the bureaucratic hoops and logistics involved to obtain SF City permits for ADA compliant and accessible locations, Fire Dept clearance, Public Works for potties, traffic, and pedestrian safety barricades, SFPD for public safety/traffic control officers, etc, etc, etc. This event was very reasonable for what we received, especially given that I've heard that Diner en Blanc charges well more than $100 each. I was shocked to read some of the media articles that were ridiculously mean spirited about this event, using words like pretentious, entitled, privileged, etc. I wonder, was it just sour grapes because they couldn't get a ticket? Do they also criticize the venues where not all folks can afford tickets to the ball games, the opera, the theater, or a white table cloth meal in a restaurant? Btw, there were no clothing police, nor table decor, nor food police, so nobody was denied admittance for wearing comfortable flats that weren't white, or not having a centerpiece. There were lots of folks, moi included, who were wearing very plain white cotton clothing, and our food was home made and simple. Yes, some folks were over the top awesome in their outfits. Good for them! No doubt some of the folks probably lived in posh SF neighborhoods and had a driver drop them off, but that's not a reason to bad mouth the event nor its creators. For those who were not able to secure tickets due to the popularity of this event, rather than whine, just gather a group of your own friends and create your own pop up picnic event. It was the excitement of the last minute announcement of the location for the pop up meal that made it fun. I don't live in the Bay Area anymore, so attendance is just not an option for me, though I hear that small white dinner venues pop up now and then throughout California, which I think is wonderful.

This event has it's success and failure all at the same time. It's simply amazing to be a part of…read moresuch a grand moment in time. Everyone comes together to take part in something extraordinary. Some people keep it simple and some people go all out, dressing to the nines, carting in suitcases full of, extravagant table settings, exquisite wines along with fine foods and accompaniments. On the simple side, a backpack with a white table cloth simple settings and some take out from a deli. No question the highlights of the event delightful dress and good friends. The most unfortunate oversight is that the event this year crammed far too many people in to far too small a space. Dinning in close quarters is never delightful, being bummed and pushed in to a table while you are trying to eat is hardly ever expected nor tolerated at a nice restaurant, unless that happens to be part of the charm. Even a chain fast food restaurant provides enough elbow space to not feel claustrophobic while eating. When one goes out for a picnic the idea is to find a nice space to relax. The Le Dîner à San Francisco held in Justin Herman Plaza failed miserably to provide a space to relax and enjoy. The tables were cramped, the isles were just barely wide enough to walk though without having people sitting down let alone people on both sides sitting down. In order to gain access to a table inside the center of the event you have to ask others to make room and possibly ask them to stand up to make room for you to pass. Also the sponsorship is more predominant this last year. All of this makes the event seem more about turning profit than creating a fun safe environment for people to have a fun relaxing diner.

In the Spring this wonderful peninsula drive lives up to its name - BOULEVARD!…read more California State Route 131 N. Yesterday I discovered how and why this short 5-mile drive is always so much cleaner and better maintained than most other California roads and highways that I've traveled. It is just another state highway. What makes this one different? The trash is picked up regularly; the weeds are pulled; and native plants are planted. Year round it stands out, but in the Spring it shines! Flowers everywhere! There is a serious - VERY SERIOUS - volunteer group out there keeping it that way. Yesterday I became one of them. Yesterday I picked up trash, pulled weeds and planted California Poppies! I was muddy, wet, cold and exhausted from clamoring over the vine covered slopes between Rock Hill Drive and Avenida Miraflores. And I felt fantastic. It's amasing how just a little giving back can make your heart grow bigger! Later in the day when I drove this route on the way to meet a friend, I took a deep breath as I passed the quarter mile that had huge piles of weeds, wood & trash waiting to be picked up. And the slopes? They never looked so lush and green. I can hardly wait for the poppies to take root and begin to show their little heads in a month or so. I will be watching for them closely. Lots of highways & by-ways need to be maintained. It takes more than just putting your name on a sign. The highway folks need your help. Get out there and join a group . . . or, if there isn't one . . start one. . . . in your own community! Get permission from local authorities, get yourself an orange vest and some good workgloves and hit the highways!

You know what.... it's just a road. But every time we have friends come and visit us, even the…read moremost reserved or laid back, they comment on how beautiful it is driving in from the freeway. And know what? They are right. I don't take this commute for granted... the rare times I need to venture off this peninsula, it's such a stunning treat. Beats my old commute in Monterey on Highway 1 by a far sight. Sunset, low tide, Hazy days... it always offers a stunning look at the fjords of the headlands, and happy community enjoying it.

I love the idea of MissionCasbah but this is mediocre. Each week there are about 15…read morevendors/designers selling their goods. I've seen most of these vendors already at other events, such as Renegade, Indie Mart, or Bizarre Bazaar. There are some great new designers that I also discovered through here as well. It's a very small event and I can literally walk in and be done within less than 30 minutes. It could be better. They should really try to improve this event with more vendors. It's kind of dead here... In addition to that, the items here are still really pricey.

Sweet spot, be sure to check out their weekly Saturday fair trade markets.read more