I left my heart in San Francisco

Some days I just step back and think how lucky I am to be here. This weekend was definitely one of those times. The perfect San Francisco weekend as one friend put it- filled with yoga, brunch, picturesque hikes, neighborhood festivals, housewarming parties, picnics in the park, good food, good drinks, and the random oddball incident like accidentally wandering onto a nude beach. Good times!

HERE COMES THE SUN

The weather finally broke this weekend and we got several gorgeous days of sunshine. How perfect that it fell on a 3 day weekend! Every one's been cooped up indoors for so long, that every park, beach, and outdoor cafe in San Francisco was packed at the first sign of warmth.

I spent a great Valentine's Day touring the city by scooter (definitely one of my favorite pastimes), lounging in the gardens of Queen Wilhimina below the windmill in Golden Gate park, and picnicking on Ocean Beach.

I followed that up with a nice sunny day of wine tasting in the Russian River Valley for the 4th annual celebration of President's Day.

I can feel the winter madness finally breaking and I'm ready for some weekend trips! Tahoe in 3 days!

THE MAGIC HOUR

Sometimes it's good to be a tourist in your own city... but I say that with care. There are some places I highly recommend you steer clear of (like Fisherman's Wharf), but there are others that I love to go back to again and again.

The Sutro Baths is on that list and while I'd been before, my most recent visit was definitely the best so far. The key is to go at sunset. The ruins are perched on the rocky cliffs off the West Coast of the Peninsula. The landscape is raw & intense there. You certainly don't want to be caught without a jacket, but the view is unparalleled. It's impossible to see something like that and not feel lucky to live here. Add in a scooter ride along the coast at the magic hour to get there, some excellent company, and a glass of wine at the Cliffhouse and you've got yourself a perfect evening.

Oh and one other little known secret for success... get your glass of wine at the bar and then leave the crowd behind. You can quietly sneak down the elevator to the bottom floor and exit through some back of house doors out onto ocean lookout below. While not technically allowed... they don't seem to mind too much as long as you bring the glasses back.

HAPPY PRIDE!!!

THE PICNIC

I credit the French with teaching me the art of the picnic. It is the absolute best, low-budget way to enjoy good food, good wine, & great company with friends.

I vividly remember my first picnic experience in France. It was the first warm day of the year and there was a literally mass exodus to the park. It wasn't just us skipping class, but our professors too. It's as if everyone was given a free pass for the day, no matter your profession. I had arrived in the dead of winter and never seen this many people in one place before. It's as if they had all awoken from hibernation. All summer, every park was covered with picnic blankets, impromptu soccer games, and copious public displays of affection by couples of all ages. It was not unheard of to spend the entire day picnicking. We'd pick up a baguette from the local boulangerie, some Camembert and ripe tomatoes from the market, and a nice bottle of rosé from the Loire Valley, and head to the parc de la pepiniere. Everyone gathered together in a way I'd never been exposed to growing up in the United States and I loved it!

It's not so different here in San Francisco. The tradition definitely continues on. On warm days, we pick up some cheese and bread from the farmer's market and a bottle of wine from the Russian River Valley and head to Washington Square or one of the many other parks there are to choose from. It's one of the best afternoons I can imagine for well under $10/person.

_Inspired by Matt Gross's recent article for the NY Times, "Frugal Paris" and this weekend's beautiful, warm weather in San Francisco.