By Bill Malcolm
Francisco, the city by the Bay. The homeless situation has improved, they have a new mayor, and it is the city of the future. Employees of high tech companies now live in “the City” and take premium buses to their jobs on the Peninsula. Rents are sky high. The drought is over. And there’s so much to do. You
may not leave your heart in SF, but if you follow my tips, you won’t leave your wallet there either.
GETTING THERE
I took Southwest through Denver to SFO. The flight was late as rain and fog slows operations at
SFO, but Southwest put me on an earlier flight without giving me the third degree. I ran into the band
SoLo on the flight out which was playing that night at the Bill Graham Civic Theater. I checked out the Harvey Milk exhibit in the Harvey Milk Terminal as well as the SFO Museum (which was featuring on the now defunct Virgin American Airlines). (Harvey Milk was slain in 1978 while serving as a Supervisor on the Board of Supervisors as was Mayor George Moscone. The killer was fellow supervisor Dan White.)
On the way back, Delta rerouted me through Oakland Airport which does not suffer the weather delays
that SFO does. They even offered to put me on the United nonstop. I love their new purple uniforms and in flight entertainment (I streamed Matlock) plus free internet and free streaming of Paramount. DL is the best. (I connected through the new terminal in Salt Lake City.) Unfortunately, the city of Oakland
has challenges. Getting around San Francisco, I walked, took Muni Metro (the city light rail and subway) and of course the regional subway known as BART (which serves both airports and now extends to North San Jose).
WHAT TO DO
Walk or run with the Frontrunners. They meet Saturday at 9 a.m. in Golden Gate Park. The walkers do two loops around Stowe Lake. Pick up the free shuttle there to go anywhere in the park (De Young Museum, Asian Museum, Botanical Gardens, Pacific Ocean beaches). It’s friendly group (the
Frontrunners). We went to the fabulous Crepevine on 624 Irving brunch. Try the turkey sandwich
with fries. Hike with the San Francisco Hiking Club. (I co-founded it and was the first President). They meet at the Whole Foods on Market near the Safeway Saturdays and hike in the many parks around the Bay. I led a hike while I was there which featured Corona Heights, Randall Museum, and Buena Vista Park followed by a ride on the Historic F Line Street cars to the Ferry Building for lunch and enjoyed
scenic views of the San Francisco Bay. Details at http://www.SFHikingClub.com.
Explore the many neighborhoods. The Castro is the gayborhood. Over the hill, you can explore the too cute Noe Valley. Try Erics for great Chinese Food (on Church Street). The West Portal is also very cute and just a 10-minute subway ride away from the Castro. Enjoy the nightlife in the many bars in the Castro. I like the Midnight Sun, Toad Hall, Moby Dick, The Overlook, and Beaux. Beaux has a fun drag weekend brunch. High Tops is a fun sports bar at 2247 Market and serve food.
A new lesbian sports bar opens soon across the street from Beck’s on Market Street as well. Work out with the Hotties at a class at Barrys, Learn about the history of LGBT culture in SF at the LGBT History Museum. Grab coffee or a sandwich at the new Epicurean Trader (2240 Market). They also have fresh
baked goods. While in SF, enjoy an It’s It ice cream sandwich (a SF tradition). It’s graham crackers with ice cream in the middle covered with a light coating of chocolate. Grab a carrot juice and freshly made
sandwich at Courtnery Produce, 101 Castro.
WHERE TO STAY
I always stay at the Beck’s Motor Lodge on Market. It offers free parking (although you don’t need a car to visit SF), cute, updated Motel style rooms. Peets Coffee is across the street and there are many bars and restaurants just steps away. You will find them at Sanchez and Market Streets. Tell owner Brittany that Bill sent you. Other lodgings are mostly around Union Square and environs, a short Muni ride from the Castro. There is also one other hotel (with no staff) across from Mollie Brown’s
Natural Food Store on 18th Street near Castro. There are also B&Bs close.
OTHER FUN FACTS
The Gloss, Bay Area Reporter and SF Bay Times are the three publications in print and online.
Spring is a perfect time to visit: the hills are emerald green and there are wildflowers everywhere,
including the native California poppies. And look out for the driverless Waymo cars. They are
everywhere. My friends take them and like that you don’t have to tip (unlike UBER and
LYFT), and the fares are comparable. Download the Waymo app to schedule a ride (or save your money
and walk, take MUNI, or take BART). PS: They do not go to either airport at this
time. I always enjoy a visit to San Francisco and this time was no exception.
Bill Malcolm is North America’s only syndicated LGBTQ value travel columnist. He received no compensation of any kind for this trip and his views are his own. A former resident of
the Castro, he co-founded and was the first President of the SF Hiking Club which
is still going strong today. He is a graduate of UC SantanCruz.
Commenti