Oregon has it all: mountains, forests, rivers, valleys and, best of all, no Bay Area traffic! In close to six hours, my husband and I drove from San Francisco and reached southern ... Read More
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
As you make plans for a holiday getaway, remember: Monterey is just over a two-hour drive south. For those with an appetite for wine tasting and gastronomic treasures, it’s t... Read More
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
Early on a Sunday morning, my husband and I cruised south down Route 1 past San Pedro Point in Pacifica where surfers were hitting their mark, through Eucalyptus trees into the mas... Read More
It’s always a beautiful ride from San Francisco to the Monterey Bay along the coast and then inland through Hecker Pass across the Santa Cruz Mountains. Recently, my husband ... Read More
Having the benefit of two home bases where I’m happy to live and work, I’m always surprised by my random bouts of homesickness. I should be grateful for the variety. I ... Read More
There is perhaps nothing more beautiful than autumn along the Men-docino coast. Traveling beneath the redwood canopies, you know you’re close when you see the crystal blue wa... Read More
It’s easy to be complacent in your surroundings, unaware of the excitement lingering nearby. San Francisco is one of those places, especially in and around the Theater Distri... Read More
I had a dream the other night, and in it, I was at the original Oritalia on Fillmore Street in the mid-1990s when chef Bruce Hill was in charge of the restaurant’s innovative... Read More
It seems like the sun always shines in San Diego along with the ever-present blue skies, sparkling waters and the lure to be outside. San Diego is a great playground and it’s... Read More
There’s something about August that evokes lazy days by the sea — even for those of us who are land-locked. Maybe it’s because this month, above all others, is when w... Read More
The little league team that I coach won 8, lost 0, and tied 1. The kids had a ton of fun. The parents chipped in money and surprised me with a gift card and some thank-you cards si... Read More
As locals, it’s easy to take San Francisco’s natural beauty for granted. Its prime location means the waterfront offers one knockout view after another. From the pristi... Read More
There’s a 1979 song by the English art-punk band Gang of Four entitled, “At Home He’s a Tourist.” I frequently feel that way, regardless of what city might ... Read More