Two women, two musicians, two cities

It never fails to amaze me how a city and its scene can inform, nurture, or undermine talent. As it turns out, both of my West Coast hometowns have provided inspiration and support... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Everything new is old again

By Michael Snyder

As this is being written, New Year’s Eve — with its champagne revelry, midnight kisses, and the promise of bright beginnings — and New Year’s Day — with its Alka-... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Politics as unusual

By Michael Snyder

As the calendar goes, this is a time of peace on Earth and goodwill to all men. Then, there’s the recent, hotly contested, downright coarse presidential election and its aftermat... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Dinner after midnight

By Michael Snyder

If you keep the sort of hours I do, you know that dining can be a very haphazard thing. Generally, I’m up at the crack of noon. Don’t judge. The validity of my lifestyl... Read More

Coastal Commuter

The grass is always greener — and probably costlier

By Michael Snyder

As much as i love the change of pace and professional opportunities that my frequent time in Los Angeles provides me, I can’t imagine packing up all of my belongings, pulling up ... Read More

Coastal Commuter

The fruits of my labor (or all figged up)

By Michael Snyder

I’m worried about the figs. Never thought I’d say that, let alone write that, but there you have it. At an inopportune time, I find myself in San Francisco and not at m... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Working from post to post on the coast

By Michael Snyder

Just to be clear, I may be the coastal commuter, but I am hardly the only coastal commuter — at least when it comes to the San Francisco-Los Angeles circuit. I have at least thre... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Truckin’: The food truck revolution is over … and the food trucks have triumphed

By Michael Snyder

Remember when a food truck was a giant van transporting groceries to your local supermarket? Or a Meals-on-Wheels delivery service for the ill or disadvantaged? Or a Good Humor tra... Read More

Coastal Commuter

The game is afoot … or on a bus

By Michael Snyder

It’s no big surprise that car culture dominates daily life in Los Angeles, while San Francisco, where a cable car serves as one of the city’s most familiar symbols, is ... Read More

Coastal Commuter

In enemy territory with a charm and a prayer

By Michael Snyder

During the summer of 2012, I was doing one of my increasingly frequent stints in Los Angeles for work, and I received a call from a friend asking if I would like to see the San Fra... Read More

Coastal Commuter

The parties never stop

By Michael Snyder

One of the true charms of the San Francisco nightlife scene has been the proliferation of long-running fun-filled club nights that are more like special events than mere dates on a... Read More

Coastal Commuter

On spirituality and gettin’ higher in Cali

By Michael Snyder

Oh California! How could anyone deride you as the land of fruits and nuts? And no, it isn’t a reference to our beloved state’s impressive agricultural bounty. That unfl... Read More

Coastal Commuter

The haps with dating apps

By Michael Snyder

Shortly after February makes its entrance, thoughts of love are inevitable — like they’re hard-wired into us. Or maybe it’s simply pop-aganda. The 14th of the month a... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Cities with character … and characters

By Michael Snyder

If a city can be considered the sum total of its citizens, I prefer to give the eccentrics a higher number value than the more ordinary residents. And both San Francisco and Los An... Read More

Coastal Commuter, Travel/Sports

Fame on the menu

By Michael Snyder

Quite a few restaurants — from glitzy to shabby and anywhere in between — have rich histories, usually involving famous patrons, a memorable event, or a unique vibe. And, as yo... Read More

Coastal Commuter