Our day trips to SF always include lots of eating while visiting friends and relatives…read more So I try to balance our caloric intake with some scenic incline hikes. Today we did a 1 mile out-and-back hike at Corona Heights. Park on Ord Street Go up Vulcan Stairway Left on Levant Street Right on Lower Terrace Right on Michael Sullivan Steps Left on Clifford Terrace Left on Upper Terrace Right on Mt Olympus Stairs Sit and rest on a cement bench under the obelisk to enjoy views from the center of San Francisco. Then reverse back the path.

I really liked viewing the backyards of houses on Vulcan Stairway. It was rustic and backyards…read more It's hard to find and somebody led a hike and we took the stairway towards Corona Heights park after Mt. Sutro. It's a fun adventure. Hadn't done it in all this time.

I almost hesitate to post this because of how fantastic and "classic SF" it feels but I do think…read morepeople should know about this amazing starcase walk near Coit Tower. I actually found this trying to visit Coit Tower but it wasn't open early enough whereas these stairs are basically 24 hours. We arrived around 8:30 am on Friday and there are 3 parking spots right at the bottom of the stairs. During peak times I'm not sure where you can park that is closer but there is a lot of metered street parking in a 1-2 block radius around it. My 75+ aged parents were able to climb and descend the 300 steps but it did leave them winded and we had to stop a couple of times. The payoff is definitely the top area near the houses. If you go to the right "off-trail" you'll find these amazing public areas covered in trees, greenery, sitting areas, and art installations that will feel like you found a Secret Garden. This is a perfect and quiet place to blast off and on the way back there was a guy about to shoot up sitting on the stairs.

It's quite a workout with 384 stairs across 3 different landings up to Coit Tower…read more The first leg the stairs are the steepest and looks very foreboding. During the summer this part has wild blackberries in bloom. From there the stairs turn into a path that goes alongside some small gardens and houses. In the spring expect to see roses, lavender, and bougainvillea. In the winter rainy season, it looks very green. There are always lots of bird chirping and it feels so peaceful, like a little retreat. There are a couple of other legs of stairs before arriving at Coit tower with killer views of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. Greenwich stairs are parallel to the Filbert stairs so basically you walk up one and down the other. They are both equally awesome, but it seems like Filbert gets all the attention. From the base to Coit tower and back is about a mile but to make it longer and add more stairs I'd advise to walk through North Beach to Ina Colbrith Park or the top of Lombard street. That will tack on an extra mile each way and it's always fun to stop in North beach at an Italian café, pizzeria, or Washington Square Park.

Great neighborhood that has gone through some major ups and downs over the past 30+ years. From a…read moreworking class, family oriented community to a hot bed of gang crime and drugs in the 80's, to dot com annexation to current day luxury loft gentrification, this neighborhood more than any other in SF has become the home of the activist and the yuppie, the secretary and the executive, the native and the transplant, the hipster and the socialite, gay and straight families, Latino, Asian, white, middle eastern. A venerable cross section of San Francisco. You have businesses that have been here for over 40 years and for under 40 days. I love my hood..more to come......

I've lived in this neighborhood for 12 years and have seen a variety of transitions and feel it's…read moreheld its personality and strengths. It is starting to feel a bit like Valencia Street circa 1992 or so but still not quite to being a copy of it. I've started seeing the urban safari vehicle talking folks to Balmy Alley which is not a good sign, but visitors are always welcome. It still has the best mix of people in town in my opinion.

Tiny labyrinth at the end of the trail. Great place to view…read moreGolden Gate Bridge. There's no proper trail to go down to the labyrinth, need a good hiking boot

Beautiful!! I'm not sure but I think they do this every year! I absolutely love it. I hope they…read morekeep doing this. It's always beautiful to see.

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.

I've never actually seen 'the Parrots of Telegraph Hill' on Telegraph Hill but have seen them all…read moreover the Northeastern part of the city like Russian Hill, Pac Heights, North Beach, and the Embarcadero area. This is one of those things at least for me is that when I'm looking for them I won't find them but they turn up all the time when I least expect it. They are very distinct because these birds are LOUD. Especially if they are in a big group, they are really noticeable. It sounds like they are constantly arguing about something or chanting together with high pitched voices. The birds are quite pretty with a rich green hue and red head. If you are looking for them specifically the best bet would be to go to Ina Colbrith Park or across the street from Sue Bierman Park in the Embarcadero at the aptly named 'Parrot Park'.

Dang! These guys are loud! (But adorable)…read more First of all, this neat group of animals have a documentary featuring them: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424565/ and a really cool website discussing their existence: http://www.markbittner.net/parrot_pages/wildparrots.html (by the author of a book bearing their name) Scoping out the parrots is one of my favorite free hobbies in San Francisco (free hobbies are few and far between in SF - hahaha!) The best way to hear and see them is in Sue Bierman Park, which is just west of the Ferry Building or on Telegraph Hill in and among the trees along the Greenwich and Filbert Steps. I find that they are loudest in the afternoons until sunset.

I spent six months working in this lovely neighborhood. Bougie yes, but I enjoyed the experience. I…read moremade many friends and ate so much good food. I left my heart in Cow Hollow :-)

Cool boutiques. Small restaurants. Bars. A huge Equinox gym. Home decor shops. Medical & dental…read moreoffices. Personal service businesses (spas, manicurists, etc). That's Cow Hollow in a nutshell. But if you just go by what you've just read you'd be missing out. The architecture along Union Street is very cute. There are Victorians as well as modern buildings. No high-rises here. A historical home can be seen in the Octagon House. Just one block off Union Street at Octavia is the Golden Gate Valley library. So cosy inside with a big children's reading area. Magazines and a soft leather seat sound heavenly to me. If you're feeling hungry, there are many varieties of cuisine in the restaurants here: Japanese, Italian, Belgian, American, French, etc. In fact, this area is quite nice for a staycation as it is within walking distance of the Marina, Fisherman's Wharf, the Presidio and Pacific Heights. Exercise fiends I challenge you to run uphill from Union Street to Broadway Street. That'll get your heart pumping without being on a gym treadmill. Enjoy the beautiful view at the top. You'll get a panorama of the Bay and a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Worth the effort! Now, I've let you in on the secret of why this neighborhood is a gem don't blow it and miss out. Visit.

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.