A Native San Franciscan's 10 Favorite Places to Visit that are FREE and Off the Beaten Path

1. Hike from Coit Tower down the Greenwich Steps to Montgomery Street. Make a right and walk up the lower part of Montgomery to Alta Street. At #31 appreciate this beautifully restored Gold Rush Era home. Walk back toward the Filbert steps and don't miss the beautiful art deco building (featured in Bogart and Bacall's film noire classic, "Dark Passage". Look up- Bogart is peering out the window as he did in the film!). Take the Filbert Steps through the Grace Marchant Gardens "I don't think we are in Kansas anymore" is a quote that rings true here! At Napier Lane walk down San Francisco's last wooden street. Be quiet and respectful- people live here. Walk all the way down to Sansome and the Levi Plaza. If you are really energetic make a left and head back up the Greenwich steps - you will pass all of the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill.

2. Catch a Sunday Free concert at Sigmund Stern Grove. 19th and Sloat. Sundays 2PM. Check earlier blog for schedule and website.

3. Pace through the labrynth in Grace Cathedral. It is a gorgeous setting and the process can be truly "centering". California and Taylor Streets.

4. Walk down Stockton Street (from Washington Square) for a taste of the real and untouristy Chinatown. Though it can be a bit shocking, it is always fascinating. Turn down Washington Street and make a left down Ross Alley to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company (Fortune cookies are a SF invention!). Retrace your steps to Washington Street and cross over to Waverly Lane... the site of many bloody Tong Wars in the 19th cenury. Mid-block on the right is a sign that says Tin How Temple. Take the stairs to the very top and experience one of the oldest Buddhist temples in North America.

5. Go to the Industrial Light and Magic campus in the Presidio. The Yoda fountain is charming and inside the lobby are some wonderful "Star Wars" memorabilia.

6. Walk from the Cliff House at Land's End to the Legion of Honor museum in Lincoln Park. The waves and the cliffs are breathtaking. It is hard to believe you are within the city boundaries of San Francisco. No joking aside, a healthy respect for the cliff's edge is recommended.

7. Take a stroll through the Gold Rush era Barbary Coast in Jackson Square. Walk down Jackson Street from Montgomery. The buildings on the left sit on the shore of the original bay cove (1850's). Look to your right and the buildings are built on fill (1860s). On Hotalling Alley, the original bay shore is represented by the wavey pavement. The cast iron facade of the building on the SE corner is the Hotalling whisky warehouse that was saved, because of it's treasured contents, from the fire in 1906. There was a saying at the time that said SF was punished by fire for being wicked. The plaque on the building pokes at this notion saying (roughly) "If God spanked the town for being over-frisky, why did He burn the churches down and save Hotaling's whiskey?"! Also in the area: The Old Ship Saloon (notorious for shanghaing sailors- built over a sunken ship, as were most of the buildings in the whole area), the original Ghirardelli Building, (Jackson near Sansome), the Firehouse on Pacific (near Sansome) and the old Hippodrome Dancehall (looks like it might have back in the Wild West) on Pacific near Kearney. San Francisco really blew it when it allowed the fabulous Belli buildings at Montgomery near Jackson, to be, (all but), torn down. Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde and Melvin Belli were associated with these wonderful buildings.

8. Free Band Concerts at the Spreckles Bandshell in Golden Gate Park. Sundays from 1PM. to about 2:45. June through late September. The artists vary from the City band to a wide variety of guest artists. There is just something pleasing and timeless about sitting in the park and hearing a live orchestra! www.goldengateparkband.org Check for scheduling.

9. Fly a kite on the Marina Green. This patch of grass between Marina Blvd and the Bay is one of the best places to people-watch. Joggers, volleyball players, picnics, sunbathers, dogs... and kites- of all kinds make for a pleasant day against the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

10.At Golden Bear Inns and rentals: Complimentary wine or ice tea on the rooftop deck overlooking the bay, Alcatraz, the crookedest street- Lombard, the Golden Gate Bridge, Russian and Nob Hills, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Coit Tower and Grace Cathedral. If the weather is too chilly - complimentary wine inside one of the "Painted Ladies of Postcard Row" on Alamo Square.

These and other suggestions are available from your hosts at Golden Bear Inns and Apartment Rentals.

Posted by George

http://www.sfgoldenbear.net/

Chocolate Festival at Ghirardelli Square Sept 12 & 13th!

CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 12-13
Indulge in chocolate delicacies, sip wine and
enjoy chocolate inspired family activities.

Proceeds benefit Project Open Hand.


Chef Demonstrations in the West Plaza
SATURDAY
1pm: Mitchell Hughes, Spun Sugar
2pm: Casey Thompson, Top Chef Finalist
3pm: Kara Lind, Kara's Cupcakes
4pm: Ghirardelli Chocolate School by Steve Genzoli

SUNDAY
1pm: Jason Etzkin, Fairmont San Francisco
2pm: Casey Thompson, Top Chef Finalist
3pm: Rebecca Lugtu, Sweet Dreams Bakery
4pm: Ghirardelli Chocolate School by Steve Genzoli•

Wine & Chocolate Pairing Seminars
at Cellar 360 at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30
Space is limited; 1st come, 1st served
$5 per person (refunded with bottle purchase)•

Chocolate Tea Party
Saturday at 3pm and 5pm & Sunday at 3pm
Crown & Crumpet will host a tea & chocolate pairing on their patio.
Enjoy 3 types of chocolate tea paired with food items such as chocolate chip scones, tea-infused truffles and chocolate-hazelnut tea sandwiches for just $12.
Space is very limited, advanced reservations recommended. Call 415-771-4252 for reservations.•

Ice Cream Sundae Eating Contest
on the Main Stage at 2pm daily!
Earthquake (adults) on Saturday only. Children's contest both days.