San Francisco: Foody Heaven!

The Japan Center is more commercial than cultural but the display of flower arrangements in the windows of the ikebana school are worth seeing. Japantown has many restaurants. Our favorite is Isobune for its unique salad sushi that arrives on boats, 1737 Post between Steiner and Buchanan. 563-1030, no reservations. Come early or late or plan to wait. Kinokuniya is a large, interesting Japanese and English bookstore on the second floor at the western end of the Center.

The Mission

As the name suggests, The Mission District got its name because it has one of the state’s 21 missions that were placed one day apart for travelers. It has been home to the city’s Hispanic community since then and is now the city’s East Village, a hotspot for creative people that has seen an explosion of fine restaurants as well as literary events. The corner of 16th Street and Valencia is a good a place to start exploring. Dave Eggers’ Pirate Shop is at 826 Valencia.

Ti Couz, between Valencia and Guerrero on 16th Street, 252-7373 is a popular, reasonably priced place for crepes.

Mission Street between 16th and 24th Street and 24th Street between Mission and Potrero are the main streets of the city’s Hispanic community. If you want a treat, visit one of the Mexican bakeries.

Noe Valley

Michael’s favorite village in the city is home to many of the city’s creative people. Stroll from Sanchez to Diamond on 24th Street, check out the Victorians as you stroll, and you’ll want to look for an apartment. On Castro off 24th Street is the small but friendly Cover to Cover bookstore.

The Castro

From Sanchez to Castro Street along Market Street, and from Castro and 17th to 20th is the heart of the city’s gay and lesbian community. Full of life and home to the landmark Castro Theater. Books, Inc. is at 2275 Market between Sanchez and Noe. The Different Light Bookstore, 489 Castro at 18th St., is near the site of Harvey Milk’s camera store.

The Haight

From Masonic to Stanyan, the spirit of “67″ is alive and well in the liveliest street in town. A haven for young people creatively dressed and coiffed, with many restaurants and used clothing shops. Our three favorite stops: The first two are on the same block: Cha Cha Cha, 1801 Haight, 386-5758, nouvelle Hispanic small plates; no reservations; Amoeba Records, which has the best selection of used CDs and DVDs in town. The Booksmith at 1644 Haight gives good browse.

The Richmond District

The first ten blocks of Clement Street have more different kinds of restaurants than anywhere else we know of. Green Apple, 506 Clement between 6th & 7th Avenues, has used as well as new books and CDs and is a pleasure to browse in.

A block away, at the corner of 5th & Clement is Toy Boat, a coffee shop filled with old and new toys.

Ton Kiang, between 22nd and 23rd, 5821 Geary, 387-8273, has outstanding dim sum and is equally good food for dinner. One of their taste treats is the traditional Hakka garlicky green sauce they bring to the table. At the corner of 22nd and Geary is a Russian delicatessen worth checking out. It’s a one-stop spot for buying a picnic.

The Palace of the Legion of Honor is a lovely museum in a spectacular setting next to a golf course. Enter at 33rd Avenue and Clement Street. Ask Mike why you have to wear two pairs of pants when you play there.

If you enjoy walking, you will enjoy strolling through the city’s varied, picturesque neighborhoods. The city is laid out in streets divided by hundreds, the 100 block, the 200 block, etc. It’s easy to find a coffee shop or restaurant, and many neighborhoods have independent bookstores. Wear rubber-soled shoes and bring a sweater.

More Info

If you want to drive around the city, just follow the 49-Mile Drive Seagull signs at street corners. Grayline has bus tours of the city and beyond. Zagat’s is the best guide to the city’s restaurants. Apps and the Web have it all. Almost everything in Elizabeth’s book, Fun Places to Go with Children in Northern California, is for adults as well. Northern California is beautiful, and we hope you’ll see as much of it as you can. Happy Trails!

Elizabeth Pomada & Michael Larsen / larsenpoma@aol.com / 415-673-0939 / sfwriters.org. / larsenpomada.com / 1029 Jones Street, San Francisco, California 94109

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