Dog sitting for the weekend lent itself the opportunity to stop in at Catnip & Bones to find some treats for Oliver, my cousin’s Maltese Yorkie. This small pet boutique located on Chestnut Street is bright and welcoming, clean, and neatly organized with nearly everything an owner could want for their cat or dog. Oliver was most interested in the dog desserts and edible chew toys, and since I could not decide between all the choices, the owner’s recommendations helped keep that puppy preoccupied all afternoon.

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm
Sun: 10am-6pm

With one of the most iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s no surprise that Baker Beach is a very popular destination year-round for locals and visitors alike. Located on the western shores of the Presidio, this mile-long stretch of beachfront is a romantic locale for a walk along the shore or a relaxing place to enjoy a good book. On warm days, the beach is very popular for sunbathers (the northern section of the beach is favored by the clothing-optional type). There’s even a picnic area near the parking lot with tables and grills perfect for a warm weather barbeque.

Upon parking, one may think the hilly terrain at the right of the entrance is merely a sanctuary for wild plants, but it’s actually the site of a former military gun installation built in 1904 to protect the harbor. Baker Beach was also the site of the first five Burning Man Festivals from 1986 to 1990. The festival has since moved on to Black Rock Desert, Nevada due to campfire size restrictions that prohibited the burning of large wooden structures. Though Burning Man would have had to be much smaller at Baker Beach, here’s a cool video of the festival from 2009 to envision what the party could have been like:

|Burning Man|

Mike Myers plays a romantically challenged beat poet named Charlie (and also plays his very Scottish father Stuart). Charlie has a habit of breaking up with women for trivial reasons, such as an ex who smelled like soup or another that was an apparent kleptomaniac. This jadedness seems to change when Charlie meets Harriet (Nancy Travis), the proprietor of a butcher shop, their first encounter being when Charlie stops in to buy a haggis for his parents. Intrigue of meeting someone new sets in, and eventually the two hit it off, but mysteries surrounding Harriet’s past, which is strangely similar to a tabloid story of a female axe murdering husband serial killer at large, may put a damper on the whole romance thing.

What started in 1983 as merely a temporary alternative for tourists who couldn’t ride on a Cable Car while the system was being upgraded, is now one of the world’s largest fleets of historic streetcars still in operation. The F-Line is a beautiful route that begins in Fisherman’s Wharf, travels along the Embarcadero, and heads down Market Street to the Castro district.

The 1940’s era PCC model as seen in the picture to the right typically operate the route most often, but once in a while the opportunity strikes to ride a vintage |Milan Trolley circa 1928|. Just imagine riding in a polished wooden streetcar with vintage Italian advertisements, |Madeline Peyroux| faintly playing in the background, combined with beautiful views of the bay. If all public transit was this charming and romantic, maybe I wouldn’t drive so much. |Historic Streetcar Route Map|Market Street Railway|

Celebrated in conjunction with the Columbus Day festivities since 1981, Fleet Week draws over one million visitors to the city for its various exhibits, parades, air shows, roof deck parties, and beer gardens at the Marina Green. The beer garden is often packed, drawing crowds for their cold brews, various prepared foods, and unobstructed views of the bay. Festivities run pretty much all weekend, starting with the parade of Naval ships at 11:30 am on Saturday and concluding with a live concert series at Pier 39 that goes from 1 pm until 7 pm Sunday. Other notable activities include the air show and Blue Angels aerial performances that start at 12:30 pm and finish at 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night, pick a nice vantage point, grab a blanket, and watch the fireworks show at Pier 3 that begins at 9:30 pm. When Sunday comes around, the Italian Heritage Parade is another event worth seeing. The parade starts at 12:30 pm and moves right down Columbus Street, through the North Beach District. So dust off that old bomber jacket, don some aviators, and prepare yourself for Highway through the Danger Zone on repeat. |Fleet Week|

On Union, between Gough and Steiner Streets
1st weekend of June, annually
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For the past 33 years, the Union Street Festival has the been the unofficial beginning of Summer for local residents, ushering in longer days of sun and marking an end to the cold temperatures. Open only to pedestrian traffic, the street is filled with booths selling various types of food, local vendors selling their wares and artwork, a few live music stages, a beer garden on nearly every block, and plenty of Marina scenery. This year’s event was particularly warm, and crowded; the beer was ice cold and the food was extra greasy, fried and delicious. Admission is free and the festival runs both Saturday and Sunday. Parking is impossible, using public transit is highly recommended.|Union Street Festival Site|

Background scenery for the music video features geometric shapes of some notable architecture in San Francisco. The black and white film adds to the drama. My first |Tortoise| experience was watching them perform at the |Barrel House| back in May. The small intimate venue of hipsters gathered in the historical exposed brick commercial space in SoMa was a well-suited compliment to their synthesized instrumentals.

Fort Mason
99 Marina Blvd,
San Francisco, CA, 94123
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On the third Saturday of May for the past 10 years, the Beer and Oyster Festival has been a great daytime drinking event held at the meadow in Fort Mason. Clear skies and temperatures in the upper 80s, large cups of Harp Ale and Guinness, raw and barbequed oysters on the half shell, live music, and of course the nice Marina scenery all make for a memorable Springtime event. |SF Beer & Oyster Site|

There are dress shirts and there are dress shirts, Cafe Coton makes the latter. Down the street from high profile retail shops by the likes of Hermes and Prada, this quaint little shop near Union Square is one of only a handful of US locations and is definitely worth a visit. The superior quality over other brands is noticeable in the way these fabrics look and feel; the fine Egyptian cotton comes in a wide spectrum of colors and patterns, and are styled with a European tapered fit with either French or button cuffs. There is even a choice of thread count, the highest of which features mother of pearl buttons, which are an unexpected luxury. In addition to shirts, Cafe Coton makes and sells silk knots, great ties, and very comfy boxers. Remember to check the treasure chest of sale items, which is usually stocked and worth perusing for some great deals. |Cafe Coton|

Erected on the site of the 1895 original that was demolished following the ‘89 earthquake, the rebuilt M. H. de Young Museum is a great example of modern architecture that enhances its natural surrounding landscape. Clad in perforated copper plates that patina over time, the long, dramatic lines and sharp edges of the exterior exude an industrial feel that create beautiful outdoor spaces, perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon.

The de Young is a great place for that daytime date, tickets are only $10 for general admission, and the special exhibits, while additional, have featured some amazing art pieces like Chihuly’s massive glass installations (seen below). Current special exhibits include the work of the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, currently on display until April 5th, and Andy Warhol Live, on display until May 17th.

When a moment to relax is needed, the expansive outdoor patio at the de Young Café is a great place to enjoy the landscape, accompanied by a hot espresso. |de Young| |Dale Chihuly Glassworks|

Hours of Operation:
Tues-Sun: 9:30am-5:15pm
Fri: 9:30am-8:45pm (extended hours mid Jan. thru Nov.)