Before moving to San Francisco, remember that each neighborhood will
define you and bind you. I thought that the bay area was one big
community. Yet there are actually many like the Mission, Marina, North
Beach, Richmond, Sunset, SOMA et al. My favorite neighborhood is the
Haight, as I landed here a year plus ago. I like its central location
and eclectic vibe.
Now, I am at home in the Haight. The pig sty smelling sidewalks piled with hobos and retirees snapping photos keep my rent down. The hills offer downhill bike rides to everywhere along ‘the WIGGLE’. I enjoy this cult classic riding through picturesque neighborhoods with lighter traffic. When I get visitors, I send them to the Haight’s Red Victorian for an inexpensive stay in a vintage Victorian B&B. Page street’s artistic and better kept Victorians fascinate me along my grocery runs, while Haight street’s vintage clothing shops intrigues me for new styles or Halloween specials.
I am often surprised that tour guides forget the best views of SF, Twin Peaks and Buena Vista. The path to Twin Peaks passes through quaint Cole Valley, while Buena Vista is a high rise for hobos, so be careful at night. I enjoy Twin Peaks for a nice city weekend hike with visitors or locals alike. Just to the north of the Haight is the panhandle, my front yard. From there, I jump on the panhandle’s bike route connecting to the museums in Golden Gate Park (10 minutes), the Mission or Richmond (15), Embarcadero (20), and Baker’s beach (30).
I live in foodie heaven with Haight’s grocery store selection including: Bi-rite (ice cream & priciest local quality produce), Falletti (europhile), Haight market (local grocer & produce), Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Lucky. Each has something for everyone, including good local coffee and deli sandwiches. The Mission has the best cafes and food for hipsters, yet Stanza Coffee, Bean Bag cafe (crepes/ bicycle hang out), Vinyl cafe (wine/hipster office), and Central Perk Cafe provide ample coffee stations with good snacks.
If I am too lazy to cook, I indulge in tasty treats at Napolito (Horchata & Pueblan tapas), Nopa, Green Chile Pies, Little Chihuahua (Tacos), and Rosamunde (bison Austrian sausage). Taxis are horrendous here, while lyft like apps make it easier to get around. Fortunately, I can walk to neighborhood bars such as, Madroneartbar (unusual cocktails tasting of old clothes), Page street, Tornadoes (best Belgian beer), Magnolia Brewery, and Club Deluxe (good jazz). After a night out, eat brunch at the Pork Store, Zazie, Velo rouge (breakfast burrito), or the local chain Squat and Gobble.
I noticed that I was becoming a local, when I forget about fast food chains existing. One day, some foreigners in cars asked me where any fast food was! I had to tell them to try ‘Pho’ on Clement, tacos at Chihuahua, or savory crepes at Bean Bag. Stumped, I completely forgot any franchise names, as they just don’t make the cut in the neighborhood. Annoyed at my not knowing about Amerikan staples, they drove off wondering how San Francisco survives without most major chains.
I lacked community elsewhere, yet here I have a neighborhood again. However, once I felt at home in San Francisco, I became a foreigner to the rest of Americans. Pick your neighborhood wisely, as commuting in cars or public transportation is not easy. I just walk a block to find what I need or bike along the ‘WIGGLE’ to travel outside of my community to neighborhoods representing many slices of the global culture. I am lucky to have picked the right neighborhood for me and am exploring its depths. So, good luck choosing wisely and exploring your neighborhood within this global American culture.
Now, I am at home in the Haight. The pig sty smelling sidewalks piled with hobos and retirees snapping photos keep my rent down. The hills offer downhill bike rides to everywhere along ‘the WIGGLE’. I enjoy this cult classic riding through picturesque neighborhoods with lighter traffic. When I get visitors, I send them to the Haight’s Red Victorian for an inexpensive stay in a vintage Victorian B&B. Page street’s artistic and better kept Victorians fascinate me along my grocery runs, while Haight street’s vintage clothing shops intrigues me for new styles or Halloween specials.
I am often surprised that tour guides forget the best views of SF, Twin Peaks and Buena Vista. The path to Twin Peaks passes through quaint Cole Valley, while Buena Vista is a high rise for hobos, so be careful at night. I enjoy Twin Peaks for a nice city weekend hike with visitors or locals alike. Just to the north of the Haight is the panhandle, my front yard. From there, I jump on the panhandle’s bike route connecting to the museums in Golden Gate Park (10 minutes), the Mission or Richmond (15), Embarcadero (20), and Baker’s beach (30).
I live in foodie heaven with Haight’s grocery store selection including: Bi-rite (ice cream & priciest local quality produce), Falletti (europhile), Haight market (local grocer & produce), Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Lucky. Each has something for everyone, including good local coffee and deli sandwiches. The Mission has the best cafes and food for hipsters, yet Stanza Coffee, Bean Bag cafe (crepes/ bicycle hang out), Vinyl cafe (wine/hipster office), and Central Perk Cafe provide ample coffee stations with good snacks.
If I am too lazy to cook, I indulge in tasty treats at Napolito (Horchata & Pueblan tapas), Nopa, Green Chile Pies, Little Chihuahua (Tacos), and Rosamunde (bison Austrian sausage). Taxis are horrendous here, while lyft like apps make it easier to get around. Fortunately, I can walk to neighborhood bars such as, Madroneartbar (unusual cocktails tasting of old clothes), Page street, Tornadoes (best Belgian beer), Magnolia Brewery, and Club Deluxe (good jazz). After a night out, eat brunch at the Pork Store, Zazie, Velo rouge (breakfast burrito), or the local chain Squat and Gobble.
I noticed that I was becoming a local, when I forget about fast food chains existing. One day, some foreigners in cars asked me where any fast food was! I had to tell them to try ‘Pho’ on Clement, tacos at Chihuahua, or savory crepes at Bean Bag. Stumped, I completely forgot any franchise names, as they just don’t make the cut in the neighborhood. Annoyed at my not knowing about Amerikan staples, they drove off wondering how San Francisco survives without most major chains.
I lacked community elsewhere, yet here I have a neighborhood again. However, once I felt at home in San Francisco, I became a foreigner to the rest of Americans. Pick your neighborhood wisely, as commuting in cars or public transportation is not easy. I just walk a block to find what I need or bike along the ‘WIGGLE’ to travel outside of my community to neighborhoods representing many slices of the global culture. I am lucky to have picked the right neighborhood for me and am exploring its depths. So, good luck choosing wisely and exploring your neighborhood within this global American culture.
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