Bay Area Favorite Series: Issue #1

While sometimes it's hard to come home from travels around the world--all the different colors, cultures, foods, and change of pace--one thing that has always brought me joy from living in the San Francisco Bay Area is that I can often capture that joyful feeling of travel in my own backyard. Granted, there's generally some planning around traffic, weather, etc. but I feel truly lucky to live in a place where there's so much opportunity to enjoy other cultures, scenery, and experiences if you're willing to look for it. I decided to start writing down and sharing some of my personal "Top 10" favorite outings that I want to share with those interested in such adventures:

1. Get Going on the Golden Gate: One year, when I first moved to San Francisco, I made a goal to ride my bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and take photos on the way every month. It was a random goal but integrated exercise, socializing, and an artistic photography outlet for me which turned into a pretty fun highlight of that year. I certainly saw the bridge through all kinds of weather, seasons, people, and adventures. So now, anytime a visitor comes to town and is up for a little exercise and city scenery, I recommend this ride.

For visitors (or locals without a bike), I highly reccommend renting bikes at the Presidio Sports Basement (note: there is ample free parking and the bikes are better quality + prices than more touristy rental places). Going for a ride on a Saturday morning and biking across the Golden Gate bridge down to Sausalito is a blast. There are amazing views all along the way, starting with the Presidio: a perfect place to start biking as it provides great views of the city and gives direct access to the Golden Gate. Crossing the bridge and coasting easily into Sausalito, you can grab an ice cream cone/lunch/shopping as you enjoy the charm of the lovely little coastal town, then get your ferry ticket over to either Pier 39 or the Ferry Building* (*this is a longer ride but I think it adds a more complete "tour" of SF by bike). Either way, the boat ride across the bay is lovely and will give you great views of Angel Island and Alcatraz, as well as the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges. And, from the Ferry Building, you can sample some of SF's food highlights. On Saturday AMs, there's a huge (and somewhat pricey) farmers market with tons of gourmet, fresh foods, and fun people watching as well as the permanent shops like Cowgirl Creamery, Miette, Out the Door, and Humphry Slocombe. After taste-testing the smorgasbord of flavors at the Ferry Building, you can start making your way back along the piers, enjoying the scenery past the new Exploratorium, quirky street performers as well as the open-air seafood market at Fisherman's Wharf. Next you'll get to see Ghirardelli Square's iconic sign, Fort Mason, then The Palace of Fine Arts (one of my favorite locations in the city thanks to it's lovely architecture, pleasant park, and swan-filled pond). Finally, you'll end your ride along beautiful Crissy Field before returning your bike to the friendly Sports Basement folks.


Next time, tune back in for other favorites like Sing-a-longs and family-friendly fun in the Castro!