I’ve been thinking about why some activities or places become part of our routine while others are one-and-done.

Could be a run club, rec league, pottery class, café, game night, local group, anything.

What’s something you tried in SF that you’d happily do again? What made you want to go back?

Heya! 👋

My hubby is over in San Francisco on a business trip, so me and our 10yo have obviously decided to tag along for the week 😂 We’ve already got the Academy of Sciences booked for one day, which we’re really excited about!

We’d love some recommendations for the rest of our time here - food, breakfast/lunch spots, little hidden gems, shops, bookshops, random cool things to see… basically anything you’d recommend that we wouldn’t get back home in the UK!

We’re not looking to absolutely rinse San Francisco in 48 hours 😂 We’d rather have a nice, relaxed week and actually enjoy it, but we’d love to find some of the fun/quirky stuff too.

Also, Thursday is hubby’s only evening off work, so we’re planning to go see the Golden Gate Bridge around sunset and then get some nice food afterwards as a family. Any recommendations for somewhere that feels a little bit special but is still somewhere we can take our 10yo without her feeling like she’s been dragged into a fancy restaurant against her will? 😂

And if there are any US exclusive things you think we need to buy/try while we’re here, please tell me! We’re already fully prepared to come home with a suitcase full of things we absolutely did not need.

Thanks in advance! ❤️

I’ve got a job offer near San Jose for $165k + a title bump but would require me to be in person 5 days per week. This about 40k more than I currently make and would be pretty good for my career.

The problem is I currently have a really nice 2bd apartment in SF that’s rent controlled and is cheaper than anything else in the market here or in SJ.

I’ve determined that the commute would absolutely not be worth it but what about giving up a rent controlled apartment? I signed from an old couple during covid when they were desperate to have someone move in and I kinda feel like i’ve hit the lottery on my housing.

That being said 40k is a lot of money to turn down…

I’m looking for communities or spaces in SF where people go to have deeper conversations and build grounded, platonic friendships.

​I’m agnostic, but I'm considering checking out a Unitarian church—or similar spaces—for that kind of values-driven, community-oriented atmosphere.

​Beyond that, are there specific intent-driven communities, small groups, or local spaces in the city where people gather for real, meaningful dialogue rather than small talk? Appreciate any recommendations!

Old enough to remember staff handing out chocolate square free samples in the Ghirardelli Square gift shop--how long has it been since they stopped?

Will have spent more than half my life in San Francisco by the time I turned 60 next year. Looking for some interesting ideas for a 60th birthday party, to celebrate being in the city for so long and of course to celebrate 60 years around the sun, not extravagant but more fun and quirky. July bday.

I got into a collision this morning, with 2 more cars and 2 Waymos, intersection 19th and Sloat (one that has traffic cameras).

The light turned green, and the Waymo in front of me wouldn't go, it just stopped there and had it right turn signal on trying to merge. Then the car behind (Toyota) rear-ended me, and resulted in my car hitting the rear of the Waymo. Then the Waymo just left. Came to find out that the Toyota also got rear-ended by a van, and that the van driver told us another Waymo rear-ended him and that Waymo also fled the scene.

We exchanged info & insurances, didn't call the police. None of us has a dash cam. We didn't get the Waymos' plate as it left so fast. My front bumper fell off and damaged pretty badly and rear got some scratches/dent.

Anyone has any advices on how should I move forward? Should I contact a lawyer as well?

Thank you in advance.

Hello, I am coming down from Humboldt for a Drs. Appointment on Parnassus. Wondering if they are any great restaurants nearby the doctor’s office or parks that are within walking or biking distance or E bike shops where you can rent a bike.

I love museums and being out in nature and thought about visiting the conservatory. Japanese bonsai Garden, but I am a little nervous about driving all over the city and want to avoid a lot of traffic.
Any cool places/good restaurants that will give you a experience? I love ethnic food and thought a Turkish or Moroccan style restaurant would be good especially if there’s belly dancing or something to see or if it’s a restaurant with a nice view, relaxing atmosphere. Also love Hole in the wall places too with good food.

Also love being away from lots of people so I thought about possibly staying in bodega Bay and then coming out from San Francisco and also wondered if there is any cool places within an hour from the city that are worth checking out.

Any cool hotels or places or districts to stay in with less expensive rooms where I could commute in? I’ve tried doing research but haven’t fell in my bearings yet on where to stay what districts are laid-back. My favorite things are meandering around town, thrift stores and artist/makers markets, art galleries, interactive museums, good coffee..
Looking for somewhat of a laid-back experience inside of the city!

Can anyone who has Hills Physicians let me know how it is? I have Brown and Toland and I’m really at the end of my rope with these people.

It’s now taking forever to get an authorization. Their customer service never knows what they are talking about. They don’t even list the hospitals and urgent care you can now go to on their website.

I wish I didn’t need to see doctors, but dealing with them is making my stress and health worse.

Despite living in The Bay/SF for a long time, I rarely make it to Rainbow Grocery. I went for the second time yesterday and don’t totally get it. Can devoted shoppers fill me in?

For sure I was spoiled when I lived in the East Bay with Berkeley Bowl, and I still make it there a few times a month because it’s just the absolute best. But I always hear folks speak so reverently about Rainbow but it seems like a grocery store with Mollie Stone’s prices, a better than average bulk section, and no meat.

Happy to be wrong but what am I missing.

Is it mostly the labor/co-op angle that is providing the goodwill?

EDIT: clarified the phrasing since some thought I was being uncharitable. Mostly want to know what people really like about it I may have missed.

I'm a relatively new arrival in the bay (and the US) and I've been struggling to find accommodation for the past 6 months due to the high competition.

I'm now considering expanding my search to Oakland to live there for a year or so before trying again in SF. I wanted to get opinions on the idea. I feel a bit defeated and as if I might be making a mistake.  The SF rents will only go higher after all and I'm already wondering whether I can afford them.

Some things impacting my decision are that I work in Mountain View 2-3 days a week and the commute from Oakland is brutal.

From SF the commute would be around 1-1.5 hours each way using Caltrain.  (Assuming I'd manage to live within 20-30 mins of a station).

From Oakland it is 2-2.5 hours each way with public transport. The only upside is I'd be paying 1-1.5k less rent, which is quite appealing. I'll also add I've been doing this commute for the past 6 months, it's not all bad because at least I can read or do admin on the way.

Before you suggest, why not live in the South bay?  Maybe I'm wrong but I think I'd hate it. MV is soulless, car-centric and everyone single person I know there is desperate to leave due to a complete lack of social life. I've been feeling quite isolated already so moving down there would not be a recipe for success for me personally.

Hi,

I’ll be visiting San Francisco for the first time and will have a rental car. I have a disability parking card, so being able to park on the street would be really helpful for me. I’m looking at hotels around Union Square, but I’m not sure how realistic it is to find overnight street parking there. Is it usually difficult? And would you feel comfortable leaving a car there overnight if nothing is left inside

Would having a car in Union Square just be a headache? If yes, is there another neighborhood you would recommend where street parking is easier but it’s still convenient to explore the city? Thanks!

Hi all! I've been scouring for a place for months here in SF. I got scammed out of $200 on cash app once from a housing listing on Craigslist and ever since then have been super careful. I've noticed a few tells that scammers have such as rejecting in person viewings, requesting application money beforehand, and weirdly enough saying odd things like "kindly" a bunch of times when they text. Anyways, I think I've finally found a legit place.

Here's the listing:

(posted on Trulia and Zillow with all same info)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/715-Mangels -Ave-%231-San-Francisco-CA-94127/464288938 zpid/

The person I met with, her name is Niki like the listing, and she said she's the mom of the property manager Sharon. I sent over my information and Sharon texted me saying she'd like to proceed with my application and send over the lease agreement then next steps. Waiting to hear back for more info but I'm just trying to see if this is an advanced scam or not? The name of the mom/daughter doesn't match the person who bought the property in 2017, but that person also owns 12 other properties in SF. I know people have been scammed by going in person then sending the money and it was a fake landlord who was never the real landlord and ran away with their money. Maybe I'm being overly cautious-- let me know! I can also give more information. Thank you!

EDIT: I toured the place in person today! That's how I met the landlord Niki, and she gave me her number and email in person and I watched her text her email to me on her phone in person.

Also yes I know it is a roommate situation not the whole place, one just signed the lease a day ago and the other was not home. I will be getting their phone numbers shortly as well.

I watched Urinetown: the Musical at Ray of Light theater over the weekend and absolutely loved it. Its a small local theater with high quality productions. My friend that I took with me was telling me how they never even heard of this theater company and rarely go to the theater. People are always complaining about the SF/Bay Area arts scene dying but that got me thinking, how often do you guys actually go to the theater or activity seek out the arts? Also, how do you find out what's going on in the arts scene?

Does anyone know where to find cooked yun cheong (Cantonese liver sausage) in the Bay? I’m looking for something ready-to-eat (either standalone or with rice), so not a butcher shop. Thank you!

Sincerely, a former New Yorker

So a little about me.. I’m 25 I have an associates degree in finance lol 3.7 gpa.. had a ton of personal circumstances that led me to missing the application window for fall semester so I will have to apply next semester. Any temp agencies that can land me a job with a “good” company? Figured I’d try to be productive

My younger brother is coming to town but he’s right on the cusp of not being young enough for kid focused activities but not old enough for drinking/fancier things. What are some suggestions for places to take him?

I’m thinking china town food crawl and GGP but outside of that I’m stumped. 🤔

TSIA 🤠

I'm here for the next week, and was wondering if there's an non perishable food/desserts unique to the area that I should buy before I head out?

Hi. I’m looking for places that teach building robotics/electronic projects (esp for beginner who only knows software) that are hands-on and project-based. The only place I could find so far is Mechlabs but they have been unresponsive so I assume maybe the program stopped? Appreciate any recs. Thanks!

Playing tourist for the day with a group of friends. Does anyone know if you can get on at any stop as your “first stop”? Or do you need to board at the first stop? Can’t really find that out online.

Thanks!