I love being an urban girl. I really do. But sometimes I long for the suburban megastores of my childhood, places that will sell me furniture AND popcorn AND a set of picnic plates AND the DVD of The Way We Were. When this happens, I [more...]

Once upon a time, it was possible to see Shakespeare performed at Stinson Beach. A few years ago, sadly, the company had to move to Novato, but you can still see the Bard in all his silly, hapless glory over a picnic dinner and under a [more...]

For a really beautiful beach camping experience, check out the campgrounds at Manresa State Beach near Santa Cruz. The campsites are perched on a bluff overlooking [more...]

If you prefer your campsites to be away from the smell of car exhaust, Northern California is rife with places to backpack. My personal favorite spot is located in the Sierras just past Feeley Lake. Yo [more...]

Most of Big Sur's stunning coastline is reservations-only when it comes to campgrounds, and those reservations get made a year in advance. If you're someone who doesn't plan your weekends that far ahead, check out Andrew Molera State Park. Ca [more...]

Though Mount Tam holds a firm grip on the imaginations of our city dwellers, Bay Area natives have another mountain they can turn to in times of trouble: Mount Diablo. Many aren't aware that in addition to creating a pleasing skyline, [more...]

Grab your favorite purebred pup for your run on Dillon Beach. This exclusive coastline is home to some of the richest folks around. It's also hound heaven, with vast stretches of sand and dunes for off-leash running. Come dressed to [more...]

The Edge is a very decent gay bar if you're tired of the OTHER Castro scene -- you know, the one where you must be dolled up to the nines to get a drink? The Edge offers a dive-ier style for a more relaxed evening. I've heard many [more...]

Even if the food sucked, the Sausage Factory would surely have become a Castro favorite for the name alone. However, the food -- thick, meaty sauces and [more...]

What I love most about Harvey's is that they provide diner-sized portions of diner-hearty food in a much cleaner, cozier atmosphere than you'll find in the average [more...]

I can't believe I'm submitting a tip about produce, but Golden Produce on Church Street is actually worth reading and writing about. Let's face it, we don't all make it to the Civic Center Farmer's Market every day. And Safeway, just [more...]

Benicia (pronounced ben-EE-sha, NOT ben-IH-sha) is a little undiscovered jewel box in the East Bay. With its clean streets, smiling families and beautiful views of the water every way you turn, this would be the perfect place to settle [more...]

I was raised on Kinder's sandwiches, and now I wish to pass the tradition on to a new generation. This small chain of world-class delis (pronounced to rhyme with [more...]

Whether you're in Union Square to shop, work or people-watch, do yourself a favor by taking a minute to sit at the Emporio Rulli Cafe in the square [more...]

Pay a visit to the Bullshead Restaurant if you're interested in sampling what the website calls "the finest tasting hamburgers in the land." This cozy little [more...]

Don't you miss toy stores? All that excitement and wonder, all those primary colors and plush fabrics and sparkly plastic? If you're sighing with longing now, pay a visit to Ambassador Toys in [more...]

If you find yourself hungry in the Inner Sunset, drop by Toasties for a quality sandwich. I recommend the crab melt and the curly garlic fries, but don't be afraid [more...]

If you've fallen for one of SF's last remaining carnivores, taking them to Guerra's Deli & Meats will ensure you have a long, happy future together. No one who's [more...]

You don't have to go all the way to Ireland to load yourself up with schlocky Irish gifts. All Things Irish is a store packed with every fun, silly Irish-themed item you could wish for, as well as some genuine Irish import foods that [more...]

Some claim Tartine is the best bakery in the city. Others vote for Miette. However, those of us lucky enough to live in the Castro vote for Sweet [more...]