Reasons I Love the Sunset: A New Series

As usual, at the end of the year my posts waned despite the many activities logged in my calendar. Instead of trying to go back in time however, I'm hopeful that some of the end of year fun will be captured along with the new year vigor. Especially since the Bay Area Ridge Hiking Challenge continues (we have like 900 miles to go or something...). 

Just now, as I was walking home from one of my jogs through the park, I realized that I could kick-start this year with yet another new series: Reasons I Love the Sunset. Last September, I jotted down a few reasons why I enjoy my neighborhood so much but, there are many more! Therefore, like I did last year with all of San Francisco, in 2014, I hope to highlight some of the hidden treasures as well as those places that everyone knows about, in the Sunset. Like the rest of this blog, it is an ode to where I spend my time.

As a jumping off point, I will simply say that every neighborhood in San Francisco (and probably in most cities, for that matter) has its night navigators who pick through garbage cans for recyclables, the little independent coffee shop that makes the best almond milk latte on the planet, and maybe an indie video (or book) store that they can get lost in for hours. But, the Sunset is sort of like Madonna; it is constantly re-inventing itself. The avenues on the south side of the park have been home to one of the greatest health food co-ops in the Bay Area for decades (or as long as I've been alive) and for almost as long they have been host to a store with 90,000 DVDs and VHS tapes, many of them rare and hard to find. The Sunset also just opened San Francisco's newest Le Boulange and small, unique shops keep cropping up everywhere.

And so, along with Reasons I Love SF and Reasons I Love the Park, there are now Reasons I Love the Sunset.

Reasons I Love SF: Hanging Out in my Neighborhood

There are so many great things coming to the area around the 9th Avenue and Irving Street corridor in the Sunset. And, some of the coolest shops and restaurants from other neighborhoods in SF just keep coming. First it was Nopalito and Ambiance... then Martha & Bros. coffee.... and now, San Franpsycho.

These folks are hand screen-printing t-shirts, sweatshirts, and skivvies. Plus, they have live music on occasion in their cool space on 9th. Check out one of my new tees! I'm into it.

Reasons I Love SF: When the Sun Comes Out, it Means it

When all of July looks like this, in San Francisco (or in this case, Pacifica on the drive home)....

When it looks like this, it is more AWESOME than awesome! Thank goodness we had an evening like this, today. It compelled me to stop off at Ocean Beach, stare at the surf, catch a kite-surfer, and enjoy the warmth from the setting sun.

Reasons I Love SF: The Beach is Walkable

My friend needed a getaway so, has come to stay for a couple of nights. It is great to have a companion with me during the week and tonight we were moved to enjoy all that my neighborhood has to offer: Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, and delicious Pho.

On our walk through Golden Gate Park, the flowers were in bloom, the greenery was lush, and the sun was getting low in the sky and casting that lovely aura over everything we saw. By the time we reached the beach, the sun was setting, the almost full moon was at the sun's opposite, and sand was flying into all of our exposed orifices. Tired and hungry, we wandered back toward my apartment and found a rather popular Pho restaurant where we slurped up noodles and meat and warmed ourselves inside and out.

Reasons I Love? SF: Tiny Bathrooms

One of the quaint things about living in San Francisco (and many places around the world where buildings were broken into apartments and/or did not have indoor plumbing at some point) are the telltale tiny bathrooms. All of the places that I've lived here, which now total four in number, have had them. And, each one was smaller than the last...

This is a panoramic view of my current itty bitty bathroom. It's astounding how large it could be if we all lived in panorama....Anyway, every time I stand in the shower stall that is barely bigger than my small frame I think about the cramped corner shower at the place my old college roommate was subletting in Brooklyn a few years back. Or I think about how my parents speak fondly of the teeny tiny shower in a hotel room they stayed at in Italy. And, then I feel sort of cool. Like I share something with people in New York and Italy that feels less suburban-"little-boxes" and more a rite of passage of some kind.

And, having a bathroom that only fits one person has its advantages. I will never have to deal with dating a dude who insists on using the mirror in the bathroom when I'm trying to go number 2, for one... But, more importantly, while a tight squeeze, there isn't much to clean. If I need to wash my hands while sitting on the toilet, it's totally do-able. And, I really have no use for those huge packages of toilet paper from CostCo that sit in closets around the U.S. for years sometimes. Instead, I had to get creative with storage and, as you can see, found an artful way of displaying my TP in a cute basket on the back of the commode, within easy reach.

So, while my family pokes fun at me, I see my little bathroom as a gift. I don't need to spend much time in it, anyway...

Reasons I Love SF: Uniqueness

When I first started coming to San Francisco regularly as a photography student, I distinctly remember feeling like I was boring. Even the models that were posing for our lighting class were belly dancers that spoke fluent French while traveling in North Africa. After ten years, I'm still in awe albeit over slightly more unique interests than just simple belly dancing and French language skills. It seems that everyone in San Francisco has some unique and/or interesting thing they are working on.

This past Thursday, I went out for dinner and a music show with my neighbor who I really love talking to and spending time with. During the evening, while chowing down on delicious Thai food, we chatted about our favorite Dave Eggers book and his Ted Talk, a recent Fresh Air episode featuring Dustin Hoffman, and the interesting Thai wine that we tried. After that, we headed out to Java Beach to catch Cajun music headed by an Irish American Bay Area native. It was a typical evening in San Francisco but, for a girl who spent several years in Wisconsin talking about beer and football and who tends to talk about work more than she should, it was pretty unique. It reminded me how much I love San Franciscan's desire to learn and share their uniqueness.

Why Would I Ever Move?

Before I started spending time in Menlo Park and Palo Alto, I thought I might move there. The commute must be 45 minutes or less, I thought. And, as I've been able to make it to work in 40 minutes at times, my thinking may have shifted...

This morning, as I walked back from the Masters of Venice and Ralph Edward Meatyard exhibits at the deYoung, past the Botanical Garden, I wondered why I ever thought I would leave this City. My love affair with San Francisco spent the past three years waning and when I was looking for jobs, I pored over postings outside of the City mostly. Seattle, New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles all made the search. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be re-locating in the next year.

With thoughts of an intimate Renaissance painting of Jesus, Giacommeti-like clay sculptures by Stephen de Staebler, and three beautiful black and white photos of men with bowed heads all dancing in my head, I walked through the Tai Chi practitioners in Golden Gate Park's Band Shell Park. I giggled to myself that I would ever want to give up these mornings by myself exploring art and culture.

San Francisco isn't the only city in the U.S. affording these pleasures, of course. But, I can't imagine moving down the Peninsula and foregoing easy access to the excellent Korean food I partook in last night, the friends (and people I don't know) that I can count on to share my views, the excellent theatre that made me laugh 'til I cried last weekend, and coffee that wasn't mass produced by a chain that has taken over the world.

And, while I doubt I'll be able to move anywhere else in San Francisco in the near term due to the out of control rents, I'm happy to have my apartment from the turn of the century in my diverse and mellow neighborhood walking distance to the Park, one of my favorite places to spend a weekend morning.

Too Much Time to Think

As I sit behind inconsistent drivers, creep along 19th Avenue or wait in the long lines of cars slowly exiting or entering 280, I think about the Commute. Sitting behind what I'm calling "inconsistent" drivers (a.k.a. slow or sometimes slow drivers) probably takes up a good 50% of the time I'm commuting, even if I'm on the road early. So, I think about driving or what is going on while I'm driving a LOT.

When I used to ride the 43 Masonic, I could read magazines or books, listen to podcasts or music on my iPod, tweet or check email. Of course, I can still listen to podcasts or music or books on tape on my iPod or the radio. I can listen to live NPR, which I never could before the car (b.c.). Often, on the bus, I had to contend with co-workers it was too early to interact with or homeless people that smelled like poo, unwashed body, and cheap beer. But my thoughts were often about things other than the Commute. Or so I remember, now.

Shifting between first, second, third, fourth, fifth... and sixth gear, I have the freedom to stop at Target on my way home or at lunch or any time I want. I get to drive to Mill Valley for a hike, this weekend; drive to my parents' house whenever I want without renting a car; and visit my friends in the East Bay or South Bay or Outer Richmond during the week, if I decide to.

And, I get to say I have a Mini Cooper S and get an exhuberant and covetous reaction on a weekend night at a wine bar, in my neighborhood.

Nuevo Latino in the Sunset

On my way to dinner, I stopped in at the Great Overland Book Company on Judah and 9th and bought a $1 Mistress of Spices and a super cheap copy of Gertrude Stein's A Novel of Thank You. After seeing the Stein exhibit at the SF MoMA, I was inspired to read one of her books from the time period focused on in the show. The book shop's owner was incredibly friendly and someone I'll enjoy visiting at the store in the future. And, I will go again... Probably too much, especially since I vowed not to buy any books until I gave the same amount away. I am giving away two recent reads but, I also have two books coming from QPB since I neglected to opt out of the automatic order for June. Again.

Anyway, Fresca is a restaurant I've wanted to go to for years, now, and yet haven't (so many restaurants so little time!). But, Pasion, its sister restaurant in the Inner Sunset has brought the yummy Latin flavors to me. My old roommate and I headed here after work, this evening. Apparently, Thursday is a good night to go since one of the sous chefs from Fresca is there helping prep and serving his infamous jello shots to patrons.

We met up at 6:00 and it was the perfect time to go as there was not a wait and we were able to get the prime spot in the window, allowing us to enjoy the long summer evening. We ordered a side of fried plantains as our appetizer, which was incredible, as always. You can't really go wrong with sweet plantain goodness. I ordered the vaca encebollada, a roasted pepper wrapped New York steak with yuca fries and chimichurri. Oh my goodness, that is good! If I ate fish, I would have ordered the ceviche but, my companion did on our behalf. She said the trio she chose for her main dish was lip-smacking good aside from one which had vanilla in it. The neighbor who raved about this place the week prior as I stood reading the menu was not lying when she said the food was delicious. I'll be back again!

More Farmer's Market Finds

My favorite stand at the Inner Sunset Farmer's Market is probably Serendipity Farms' stand, where I get three greens for $5! What a steal and the greens are delicious. This is the last stand on my tour of the market and with the delights I pick up I've made kale chips, kohlrabi hash browns, and sauteed pea tendrils. And, the lettuce is hardy and long-lasting enough to make it through a week or two. Last week I also picked up some delicious radishes for my lunch-time salads, as well.

Aside from the places I mentioned in a previous post, I always stop at Fifth Crow Farms, Garcia Farms, and Far West Fungi. Fifth Crow Farms also has wonderful lettuces and as I mentioned, they have organic, free-range, pastured eggs that never give me tummy aches. Far West Fungi, which can be found at pretty much every farmer's market in San Francisco, has some of the best mushrooms around. They have the basics (which are humongous) and they have a wide variety of exotics, like the oyster trumpets I picked up today. My first stop is usually Garcia Farms where I get Brussels sprouts for as long as they're in season (which seems like forever), artichokes, and the foods that are okay to eat even if conventionally grown because they don't harbor as many pesticides (like onions).

Quartets and Sunsets

Kronos Quartet is a unique group of men who play stringed instruments - like in a quartet - primarily at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. But, they are not your average every day quartet; along with the violins, viola, and cello, they use instruments like toys and mouth organs and transistor radios. And, today, they played with the amazing Wu Man, the pipa master (for good reason!) in a preview of their show called A Chinese Home. It's like a history of Chinese music from the times of the 19th century Qing dynasty in the mountains of the north and southwest to the present with cellphones and technology and noise. Wu Man played the pipa in the traditional way and ended up rocking on it like a guitar, to illustrate the present day din. It was a great show!

 The stage before A Chinese Home

Directly afterward, my friends and I wandered through the Song Dong exhibit which is a variety of pieces that he created about his family, mostly his father whom he struggled with much of his life. But, the largest exhibit that had the biggest impact was the one called Waste Not. It was a large room filled with the stuff his mother hoarded during her life, made into an artful installation that could be viewed from above or within. Truly thought provoking.

After an art-filled afternoon, I made my way with another friend to Beach Chalet for a great dinner. I enjoyed a tasty Thai beef salad, with beef so tender and juicy I wanted more. My fellow Chalet-goer enjoyed a burger and fries which left him quite satisfied. We watched the sun set and the youth start storming the Great Highway (I still don't know why) as summer tried to start. The Chalet's historic murals were also of interest from the days when the building served as the Golden Gate Park visitor's center.

View of Ocean Beach

Delicious Thai

As I'm checking out all the fine dining establishments in my neighborhood, I had the opportunity this evening to try Soi Gow Thai and had it delivered right to my doorstep. I recently had Thai downtown and the Chicken Satay was tasteless and the peanut sauce bland. The same dish from Soi Gow tasted as though they just pulled the chicken off the grill and the peanuts were hand mashed earlier today. So good!

And, I've had a lot of Panang Curry over the years; many times once it goes in the fridge the oil separates and it looks pretty disgusting. That did not happen with this restaurant. I will be ordering a lot from Soi Gow despite the rave reviews of nearby Marnee Thai.

Sundays at the Market

Since I moved into my new neighborhood, I've been enjoying the Sunday farmer's market just a few blocks away between 8th and 9th Avenues and Irving Street. It has not only fresh fruits and veggies from farms nearby but, also a few other items that I appreciate being able to purchase locally. For example, hand made soap and skin care products from Pamela Soap, almonds and dried fruit produced by Rodin Farms, and hard and soft goat cheeses from Achadinha Cheese Company (recently featured in Sunset magazine). Pamela's rose clay soap with lavender, rosemary and shea butter leaves my skin feeling soft and supple. The applewood smoked almonds and dried peaches from Rodin are full of flavor! And, the Capricious hard goat cheese is amazing grated over the fresh asparagus I pick up at the market.

Exploration - Part 6

As a friend and I wandered toward Lincoln and Golden Gate Park, this evening, I suggested we step into this small store front that I've periodically spied on since I moved into the neighborhood. It was fabulous because we met Peter, the owner and creator, Alex, the West Coast Manager, and Misha, the soon-to-be Denver Manager of Magnolia Photo Booth.

This company is cool because they set up a Magbooth where ever you want them to - birthday, wedding, block party - and you end up with a great commemorative book as well as tons of photobooth pics of your friends and family, from the event. I'm still trying to figure out what event I can host that would be appropriate for a Magbooth. Maybe it's more a question of what wouldn't be an appropriate event for a photo booth?...

Good Morning Sutro

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Sunset?

My friend and I walked this morning and although I left my house and the heavy clouds were merely spitting, by the time I walked the five blocks to meet her in the park, the rain had begun in earnest. And continued, getting heavier and heavier, until at one point we were walking past the Presidio Golf Club and the rain was pelting our newly purchased Safeway umbrellas (thank goodness we made that little detour). When we finally reached my office, the sun was beaming through the clouds. The same sun that had been shining in my bedroom window when I woke up, this morning. Before the torrent hit.

And, this evening, that rain was but a vague recollection as I gazed toward the beach at the sun setting....

Exploration - Part 2

Feeling like I needed to get a lay of the land (literally), I hiked up to Mt. Davidson Park today which allowed me to perch over my new neighborhood. While I moved to the Sunset to get to some flatter land, Golden Gate Heights is a mere 15 minute walk and provides the San Francisco hills, just like my old neighborhood.

The great thing about getting to Mt. Davidson is being able to see the amazing Mosaic Steps at 16th and Moraga. Check out the journey to the top and the views from up there. You can see almost 360 degrees: Sutro Tower, the Ocean (not seen by most of the other hills of SF), the tip of the Golden Gate Bridge, and most of downtown. It's going to be one of my favorite spots, I can tell already.

View From My New Window at Sunset

Exploration - Part 1

On my way to the bus stop from my new place this morning I saw this interesting little church hidden amongst the other residential houses. Turns out it is a Russian Orthodox Church although I didn't see the tell-tale double-parked cars lining the street on Sunday.

Moving!

In a month and a day, I get to move into a wonderful new abode (look how cute it is!) in a fabulous neighborhood and here are all the things I'm most excited about:
1) Public transportation will pick me up and drop me off a 5 minute, super-flat walk from my doorstep
2) Those high ceilings and mostly neighborless walls will provide sweet serenity, especially in my bedroom
3) It's going to be so fun to decorate and buy furniture for that unique and history-soaked space
4) If I want to, I can host guests for dinner or overnight
5) And, the East-facing morning light, brand new double-paned windows, the fresh paint, and the excellent upkeep will help the apartment stay dry and resistant to mold and mildew

Oh, I can NOT wait!