If you're going to San Francisco...

Night falls on Shell Ridge

Here's a short list of things I highly recommend experiencing in the Bay Area:

Watch owls fly overhead as night falls sitting on Jim and Hana Peterson's patio overlooking Shell Ridge Open Space while discussing life and other frivolities. 

Berkeley Bowl

Grocery shop at Berkeley Bowl, the foodies' Valhalla, where the organic produce section is as big as many entire grocery stores. Where the selection and quality of just about anything else you can think of is huge. 

Dine at Gather in Berkeley preferably with long-time and new friends. Try the summer involtini and the kale salad. 

Before or after dinner, walk around Cal Berkeley campus

Have sorbet at Scream in Oakland. The macadamia vanilla sorbet induces epinonymous responses. 

But first have lunch at Bakesale Betty. Have the fried chicken sandwich on fresh-baked bread and a fresh-squeezed lemonade. 

Blue Bottle Coffee

Have coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee in Hayes Valley. If you like cappuccino, have the Gibraltar. Or be a purist and order the coffee of the day filter brewed to order. 

Go to Golden Gate Park. Any where in the park: the De Young Museum, the Botanical Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Arboretum. Or just ramble through the miles of walking trails past ponds and lakes and serendipitously placed whimseys. 

Beach Chalet Murals

Check out the WPA era murals by Lucien Labaudt at the Beach Chalet on Ocean Beach. The food at the Restaurant and Brewery on the second floor is very good, too. Try the risotto. 

Along 49 Mile Drive

Walk along Ocean Beach and watch the fog roll in. 

Drive any or all of the 49 Mile Scenic Drive. 

Live here if you can possibly arrange it.

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