the little luxuries
the small things that make san francisco san francisco
there is no city like san francisco. there are obvious reasons - the culture, the people, the weather - but there are also the smaller things, the ones that are harder to explain, that make this city my favorite
every little kid has their weird hyper-fixation city. for most, that was nyc or los angeles; for me it was san francisco. I grew up telling everyone who would listen I was going to move here, that this was where my life was going to be. I grew up in lake forest, illinois - so this was not a common dream amongst my friends (to say the least). I grew up hearing my dad talk about how diverse and wonderful the city is. one of my earliest memories is a picture book full of watercolored pages detailing lombard street and the park. years later, I got into school in the bay and my dream was finally coming true
we are so extraordinarily lucky to live here. here is my love letter to the little things in san francisco:
the window seat at compton’s on a warm day; they open the windows onto columbus and you’re half inside, half outside. the coffee is great and the people-watching on columbus is even better (get the touch of grey latte)
the fog rolling over the hills around 6 or 7pm; i usually catch this view out my kitchen window or on my walk home from work. it’s like the city is putting a blanket over itself for the night
a hot day in the park; i’ve said this before and i will say it again, “san francisco’s job is park” (quoting my friend dewey). every single inch of it covered with people - reading, lying in the grass, doing absolutely nothing on purpose. did you know 100% of sf residents live within a 10 minute walk to a park? the whole city decides at once to be outside
a warm bowl of pho; my comfort meal, or just what i crave when i’m having a bad day (my go-to is ly’s)
the views that show up on an ordinary walk; i take this one for granted sometimes - just walking to a workout class or the commute down to work - and then you pick your head up and realize the whole city is sprawled out in front of you. it just never gets old
the jasmine that blooms in the spring; you smell it before you see it. spring into summer, on almost every block - one of my favorite things ever <3
a solo dinner at saru handroll bar; my favorite spot to solo-dine. bring a book (or don’t) and order the fatty tuna with scallion. the staff will always help you pick out what to order
waking up on a saturday to jazz music from the north beach farmers market; every saturday morning i wake up to live jazz coming through my window :)
ocean beach; the surfers, the families, the couples, the dogs. i love to sit here and read and soak up the sun while shane surfs (I always forget my glasses to watch him). one of my favorite parts of living in san francisco is the little beach culture we have surrounding the west side of the city
the red flowering gum trees; the wildflowers, the bougainvillea spilling over fences. this city is so aggressively and unexpectedly colorful
the commotion of clement street on a sunday; the whole street is full of familiar faces, amazing shops, and great bites. i always leave with flowers i didn’t plan on buying and fruit that i will eat on my walk down to the park. we are spoiled with our farmers markets and our produce!
the parklets; a newer thing after covid, but one of my favorite parts about the warmer months is being able to grab a table outside, for working and people watching or splitting a bottle between friends. the city designed for lingering
the jazz group in golden gate park, underneath the bridge near the conservatory of flowers; every time i’m walking through the park i will stop here and listen to them play in the tunnel
jumping in the water on a really hot day; after a walk, a run, or just a hard day (my favorite spot to jump in is crissy field beach)
our wine bars; san francisco knows wine. the people who work at them are some of the most knowledgeable and warm people i’ve met anywhere
grandview park; i found it on a walk through the inner sunset, on a block i’d never been down. turned a corner and there it was - a viewpoint, the whole city laid out. you get a perfect view of the whole sunset neighborhood and GGP
the fog horns; so funny because it freaked me out when i first moved here, but now it is kind of soothing
the fact that there is always something going on; a music event, a street fair, a free concert in the park. i have never once been bored here
the microclimates; noe valley to the outer sunset is like walking from summer to fall. the inner richmond to the marina is a whole season change within itself. don’t like the weather? just walk inland
the weekends when you leave; napa, carmel, mendocino, bodega bay - all within a few hours. we are so lucky that all of these amazing places are only a drive away
Thank you all so much for reading! I would love to hear your little luxuries in the city. I hope everyone is having an amazing week, xoxo.
Love Always,
Su
Love this!