“It’s no longer The City. It’s not the fog-lined streets Herb Caen described as a woman putting on her slip and sneaking out in the pre-dawn shadows of Sunday morning. It’s not the foghorn quieting conversation over cocktail hour. It’s not finding comfort in all the similarly octagon-tiled bathroom floors of Pacific Heights.” (Pridgen/DPBSports)
Having lived in “The City” for three years after spending significant time there throughout two decades preceding, the idea of moving back occasionally crosses my mind. Then when I read articles such as this quoted above, I’m reminded that my occasional idea is not exactly a good one, sadly enough. While there seem to be more ways that ever to say “it’s not,” perhaps the hardest one of all, personally speaking, is to say: “It’s not for me (in more ways than it is).”
But then, change comes to everyone and everything, as fortunately and unfortunately very little remains the same forever. On that note, check with me in five years for an update to my thoughts on living in San Francisco. That change might come sooner than we think.
Tags: leaving SF, present-day SF, San Francisco, San Francisco change
A unique, unexpected and tasty surprise it is. Quietly tucked away along Marin County’s Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, just a few miles northwest of Point Reyes in the little town of Inverness, lies a family-run dining establishment that’s been around for quite some time. Suffice to say, it immediately called to me. Once the menu was before my eyes on the front door, I knew this would be the site of my evening’s meal. In the end, disappointment was nowhere to be found. The garlic rabbit proved as delicious as it sounded. As such, I highly recommend the Vladimir’s experience, whenever you might wander into the area. Just be sure you have cash or a checkbook, as credit cards are an unknown concept. Fortunately, friendly service is not!
Tags: Inverness CA restaurants, Marin County restaurants, unique dining Marin, Vladimir's Czech restaurant
The portions are large and the temperature hot! While unfortunately this cannot always be said for many popular dining establishments, thankfully one of my San Francisco favorites knows what’s important. My previous glowing review stands, even if liver is no longer a daily option. From the rich and hearty beef bourguignonne to one sizable and flavorful marsala pork chop, my menu exploration will most certainly continue. I highly recommend your own visit the next time you find yourself on the Marina-Presidio border. It’s refreshingly clear that now after 40 years of practice, Liverpool Lil’s leads the way in doing it right.
Tags: entrees that are hot, large dinner portions, Liverpool Lil's, Liverpool Lil's San Francisco
The repair ended up taking only about ten minutes. This allowed enough time afterward to tack on an additional 12 miles to the initial 15, in order to piece together some semblance of a workout. In the end, the ride cut short was not a total waste. If this annoying detour should ever fall upon you, simply remember it’s a rather quick fix– especially if you time it around 9:30am just before the bicycle shops open!
Tags: broken shifter cable, cycling in SF, Roaring Mouse cycles, shifter cable repairs
At 108 miles in the first week of this year, the odometer sits ever so slightly ahead of last year’s 103 at this time. If only I could not just maintain this rate in the coming weeks and months, but better yet exceed it, my 2013 cycling mileage will far surpass that of 2012. Then again, while a new year always seems to start strong, demands on my time– such as making a living of course– won’t always keep the miles rolling in. If only I were getting paid to ride, the numbers would be off the charts. In any case, it’s always good to have goals– and dreams– along with a nice view on a crisp and cloudy morning. Strava can keep track of the rest!
From the top of the Marin Headlands on a post-rain January morning.
Tags: cycling in SF, cycling mileage, Marin Headlands cycling, Strava activity feed, weekly cycling distances
It doesn’t get better than this. Well actually it does, if you go for the big meaty frog legs in the extensive hot section. Either way, how can you possibly beat plate, after plate, after plate of all-you-can-eat sashimi, among all else no less, at Hokkaido Seafood Buffet in San Mateo? Go ahead and try, but anywhere else you’ll surely spend far more than the going dinner rate of $20! That’s right. Stuff yourself silly with succulent raw fish, for less than the cost of gas to get there. One delicious deal it is, hands down! Good thing I don’t live next door.
Tags: all-you-can-eat sashimi, frog legs for dinner, Hokkaido Seafood Buffet, Japanese buffet
It’s true once more. As I’ve noted time and again, old school never fails. A visit to the above-pictured historical establishment is highly recommended anytime you happen to find yourself hungry and thirsty– healthy yet not necessarily obese wallet in tow– in the Union Square vicinity of San Francisco. Anytime, this is to say, except perhaps a Saturday night in December when getting the lone bartender’s attention may present a challenge during the extended table wait. Nevertheless, if you’re already guessing the “old school” menu feature that for me of course is a must, then along with a heaping side of history you might enjoy it as well!
Tags: historical SF restaurants, John's Grill, John's Grill SF, San Francisco historical bars
As for that busier-than-usual weekend in San Francisco, it’s certainly here, while my car is certainly staying put until Monday. In a change from my usual Saturday cycling routine, I didn’t dare cross the Golden Gate Bridge amidst the horrific thought of one million tourists in town. Instead, my Strava app recorded a shortened yet decent 35 miles in the saddle without leaving the city. Leaving, however, may be your best choice of them all!
Tags: cycling in SF, San Francisco busy weekend, Weekend events in SF
“It is an extreme experience – cutting edge wing-sailed catamarans flying at speeds over 30 miles per hour, and a mix of fleet and match racing to test the abilities of the best sailing teams in the world.” (RedBull.com)
I’m vividly and happily reminded of my days– on a far smaller scale– on the waters of Lake Maxinkuckee at Culver Summer Naval School. Much of the sailing terminology and technique I learned more than two decades ago quickly returned to me here in 2012, much to my enjoyment and satisfaction.
This is to say, the America’s Cup World Series has quickly returned to San Francisco Bay this week for round two, following the first go-around in August. “The best sailors” and “the fastest boats” are captivating onlookers from Marina Green this week– including myself obviously.
Despite all this excitement on the water however, it’s not the only game in town. America’s Cup remains just one of many events in a very busy week for San Francisco!
Tags: America's Cup Round 2, America's Cup San Francisco, America's Cup World Series 2012, Culver Summer Naval School, Marina Green SF
“One of a Kind.”
“A Tasty Classic.”
“An Institution.”
What can I possibly say now that hasn’t been expressed once, twice or 5000 times over the past 163 years? For all the positive reviews out there of “San Francisco’s oldest restaurant,” both my discerning eye and satisfied palate heartily concur.
The bread, butter and water are already on the counter as you sit down. While images of bygone times decorate the walls as history permeates the air, one very thorough yet no-frills menu awaits. Tadich Grill remains the unmatched place to savor a real meal while enjoying a unique journey through time. Despite today’s higher-than-1930 prices, portions remain more than generous as service proves extremely efficient. After this long it’s safe to say the entire staff has procedure and routine down to a science.
Time and again the rave reviews have poured in, a book awaits your purchase, and a brief yet informative history synopsis covers the daily printed menus. As the establishment’s website proclaims: “The Tadich Grill experience is like no other.” To this, upon my much-anticipated second visit and repeat enjoyment of the best liver-and-onions in town, I happily add my own accolade: Old school never fails!
Tags: San Francisco dining, Tadich Grill, Tadich Grill review, Tadich Grill San Francisco
“This must be a 1958,” I declared with quick yet careful thought, if not just calculated guessing. “You hit it right on the nose,” the gentleman replied. “1958 it is.” Oh, how I love it when I’m dead-on with MBZ model years!
Spotting it well ahead of me in the gray-sky distance while cycling through Golden Gate Park, I knew right away this one would stop me in my tracks. And let me tell you, it was well worth my break in cadence, not to mention an excellent photo-op. What I had the good timing to encounter has to be the most pristine Mercedes-Benz 190 SL I believe I’ve ever seen in the open air, outside of a showroom or auto show that is.
If you’re even more spellbound than I am and happen to have a bit of cash to spare, this timeless automotive masterpiece can most certainly be yours. All Steve at CarPlanet will need is the money of course. See if you can guess this classic’s asking price; you might just hit the figure on the nose!
Tags: 190 SL, 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, classic Mercedes-Benz cars
Even without personal watercraft it’s so easy to get out on San Francisco Bay, thanks to the commuter ferries linking the Embarcadero with Marin County. For those of us who don’t normally use them, it’s also easy to forget this simple privilege exists. The views are truly spectacular, especially on a clear day such as this one.
Tags: San Francisco ferries, San Francisco view
Taking the positive with the negative– from a time of celebratory self-expression to a massive and exhausting crowd worth avoiding altogether– another San Francisco Pride weekend has come and gone. As the city now thankfully returns to “normal”– of course a relative term around here– the history behind this longstanding annual event is not far from my mind. Despite a seemingly endless street mess among various unruly elements scattered about, all in all it’s good to remember the fortunate reality that each of us has the right to our own Pride, however it might, or might not, be expressed.
Tags: SF Pride, SF Pride crowd, SF Pride history
From one of my most recently discovered vantage points, often on the horizon gazing south-southwest appears a certain famous landmark. On a day like this one however, with weather conditions so drastically different from one mile to the next, you really wouldn’t know anything was out there. And trust me, having pedaled through that thick, damp, blinding cover not long before this photo was taken, indeed the cycling day was far more satisfying in the vicinity of this present location.
Tags: cycling in Belvedere CA, Marin cycling, Tiberon loop
What a fantastic outdoor day, when it’s unusually hot in the Bay. From one picturesque viewpoint to another, this is a time to savor what feels like Southern California weather, never knowing of course how long it will stick around. When it falls on a Sunday, all the better! Summer is indeed upon us, and not just by calendar alone.
Tags: Crissy Field beach, Marin Headlands cycling, San Francisco heat, San Francisco weather
Ryan R. Sanderson 