The Best of the Day 2008

Some cities only look good at night and their inhabitants don’t surf, sail and hike their way to happiness. Luckily, you don’t live in a city like that.

Best Way to Hang Ten
We’ve wanted to paddle out with the best of them ever since Bodhi pleaded to Johnny in Point Break, “Let me get one wave before you take me—one wave!” Nalu Fit founders Derek Johnson and Leifrey Caudro have finally given us the chance with the city’s first, totally awesome surf-specific workout, on Crissy Field. The skilled duo helps everyone from barneys to pros up their game with a series of conditioning and technique exercises—using maritime ropes, giant rubber bands, sandbags and water-filled PVC pipe, among other things—that mimic surfing movements. No board required, but if the waves are killer, feel free to cut loose. Nalu Fit  415-793-5054
Best Beach for Basking
Sunbathing … on the beach … in San Francisco? Wet, foggy and freezing is more like it—except, that is, for Ayala Cove, a protected little strip of beach on the northwestern side of Angel Island. Take the ferry over from Pier 41, or if you have an FWB (friend with a boat, which we highly recommend finding), you can tie up there for the day. Protected from the wind, the cove is downright balmy compared to any place in the city. Throw in a grassy picnic area, a bike-rental kiosk and a café with a barbecued-oyster bar, and you’ve got a perfect not-quite-SF summer day. The beach is even sandy enough to sit on without a blanket—but don’t take this as encouragement to plunge into the Bay. That water is still a hypothermic 50 degrees.
Best Excuse to Buy a Cowboy Hat
You know where to go in SF for sailing, surfing, softball, volleyball and every other conceivable sport. But did you know you could go horseback riding on Ocean Beach? We didn’t think so. When city life has driven you to wit’s end, slow things down at Mar Vista Stables in Daly City, where you can saddle up for a guided one- to two-hour ride along the crashing waves. Take the reins solo or with your date; join the pack or arrange for a private gallop. The earthy scent of horses and the feel of worn leather are guaranteed to restore your sanity. 2152 Skyline Blvd., Daly City, 650-991-4224
Grandest Views
Even to those who call the incessantly overcast and misty Sunset District home, the sights from Grand View Park often go unnoticed. On Moraga between 14th and 15th avenues, this hidden hilltop park boasts surprisingly amazing vistas. Climb the beautiful mosaic staircase on 16th, or rough it up the dirt trail, snatch a bench seat and let your heart rate drop out of the red zone while you’re awash in panoramas. From the Pacific, beyond Golden Gate Park to the Marin Headlands and sweeping past downtown—it may be windier and foggier than other views, but this one is unique. Moraga Street and 14th Avenue
Best Way to Get Around
Muni is fine for the everyday, and Zipcar is lean, mean and green, but for the moto-head inside us all, the place to go is SF Motoretta, where you can rent a scooter and tour the city from a different angle. On two wheels with nothing between you and the bustling world, even running mundane errands seems like an adventure. You can ride off on scooters from such makers as Vento, Tank and Lance with rates by the hour, day or week. And if your weekend adventure entices you to buy, then 100 percent of your rental fees will apply to your purchase. Nice. 1336 Van Ness Ave., 415-346-8088
Easiest Way to Help
Of course you want to volunteer—whose karma couldn’t use a little beefing up?—but where do you start? Allow us to suggest One Brick, which organizes fun and flexible volunteer events that just may have a chance of fitting into your hectic lifestyle. Each activity One Brick organizes, such as assisting many of the city’s nonprofits in preparing for their fundraisers, lasts only three to four hours. And after you have your fill of good deeds, join your fellow volunteers for some social networking at a nearby restaurant or bar. In case the whole karma thing didn’t hook you, that food and drink.
Best Home Away From Home
Less than a mile north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Fort Baker lies the 45-acre oasis now known as Cavallo Point: The Lodge at Golden Gate. With its easy access to points both north and south, Cavallo is the newest, quickest way to escape the city. Starting on June 1, you can hole up in one of the 142 rooms—some were carved out of former officers’ residences (now historic landmarks), while others are brand spanking new (and environmentally correct) construction, with gas fireplaces, private decks and patios, radiant-heat floors and sweeping views of the Bay. Between the healing-arts center and spa, expansive event space, a restaurant run by award-winning chef Joseph Humphrey (lured down from Meadowood) and a slew of activities ranging from active to spiritual, you may never come home. Oh, wait, you are home—almost. 601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, 888-651-2003
Best Place to Fly Saucers
We don’t know what brilliant person was the first to link golf to throwing Frisbees and drinking beer, but we’re sure glad he (or she) did. The Golden Gate Disc Golf Course in GG Park is the largest and most scenic spot in the city to play this venerable sport. Having undergone a recent expansion, the course reopened last spring as a world-class 18-hole permanent disc-golf course. So much better than those hokey traffic-cone- and-homemade-sign numbers. Should you become addicted, join one of the SF Disc Golf Club’s work parties to help keep the course—which was built and is maintained completely by volunteers—spick-and-span. 900 John F. Kennedy Dr. Photo Credits: Jeffrey Bowling
Best Urban Walk
Photo Credits: Stefanie Michejda	Not-in-the-know hikers might think they’ve got to leave the city for a challenging nature trek with views. Not so. Our recently renovated stretch of the California Coastal Trail, which actually runs throughout the entire state, offers rugged coastline climbs, picnic spots and several sets of steps. Around each corner is another killer view. We like to start at Baker Beach and follow the trail up to the Golden Gate Bridge, then down into Marina Green for a well-deserved lunch at either the Warming Hut (Presidio Bldg. 983 at the west end of Crissy Field, 415-561-3040) or the adjacent Let’s Be Frank hot-dog cart.
Greenest Tree Pose
Those of you already on the Bikram bandwagon obviously aren’t daunted by the thought of 90 minutes of intense yoga in a sauna-like room. But the stale smell and funky carpet of some studios can repel even the most die-hard adherent. With its antimicrobial rubber flooring, eco-friendly heating system and bright modern decor, Bikram Yoga Inner Sunset is, literally, a breath of fresh air. And if you’re not sure you can take the heat, you can try as many classes as you want for 30 days, for only $30. 455 Judah St., 415-753-8694 Photo Credits: Elizabeth Palmer
Best Secret Garden
The majority of the patrons at this Bernal Heights watering hole may very well be the same ladies you’d find at Mecca on a Thursday night. But though it’s generally considered to be a lesbian bar, Wild Side West also just happens to have the most important components of the perfect dive bar—strong drinks, a great jukebox and the chance to make a new best friend on the bar stool next to you. Yet it’s the garden and patio in the back that really stole our hearts. Sipping a beer on a sunny weekend afternoon among the lush greenery and statues defines the word idyllic. 424 Cortland Ave., 415-647-3099
Best Place to Say “I Do”
Strange that SF brides would drive all the way to Napa for a garden wedding when the picture-perfect outdoor spot is right here in our backyard: the spiffy Casa de la Vista Officer’s Club on Treasure Island, with its to-die-for swath of skyline. Exchange your vows on the shoreline of the great lawn while looking upon your beloved city, or at the adjacent (and charming) wooden chapel. Then head inside the club for the reception; with room for 180 seated guests, floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor patio and a view that just doesn’t quit, you’ll feel like a five-star general’s daughter (or son). 415-274-2013; go to sfgov.org and search for “Casa de la Vista”
Best Needlework
Don't let the raging metal and punk background music or the abundance of long shaggy beards scare you away. Black Heart Tattoo has been one of the best and cleanest tattoo shops in the city since it opened in 2004. Tattoo artists Tim Lehi, Jeff Rassier, Scott Sylvia and Nick Rodin possess the skills that come with a combined 60 years’ worth of experience. No matter which genre of tattoo you’re looking for, or whether you want color or black-and-white, you’ll be sure to get a great piece of ink. To top it off, it’s located next door to Zeitgeist for that pre-appointment shot of liquid courage. 177 Valencia St., 415-431-2100
Best Party on Two Wheels
Costumes, decorated bicycles and beer—there is simply no better way to celebrate cycling culture, and the health of our planet, than with the Tour de Fat, held annually in Golden Gate Park (this year, it’ll take place July 19). With a parade of bikes ranging from the ordinary to the outrageous—think a circus on pedals—and such performances as fire-jumping bikes and a bicycle rodeo, Tour de Fat is an entire day’s worth of two-wheeled hoopla. Proceeds from the day’s beer sales (supplied by New Belgium Brewing) go to local nonprofits, so it’s also the easiest way to contribute your share without lifting a finger.
Best Urban Playground
We are a city of gyms—large, clean, well-equipped gyms full of sexy, fit people. But what sets Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club apart from the rest is simply how many of its facilities are located outdoors: Nine outdoor tennis courts, two outdoor heated pools (hallelujah!), a hot tub and an outdoor exercise pavilion amid palm trees and stunning downtown views. All this in the middle of the Financial District (but don’t worry—members can park for free for two and a half hours). The urban-country-club ambiance comes complete with towel, laundry and massage services. Beware: Friends might start calling you Buffy. 370 Drumm St., 415-616-8800
Best Daytime Coffee shop
SF is awash in little coffee shops where you can hang out all day with your laptop or New York Times. So what sets Coffee to the People apart from the rest? Start with its excellent organic, free-trade coffee or tea; mix in tasty baked goods and dishes—many of them vegan, of course; shake it up with some books and board games; and top it all off with free WiFi. Plus, it’s just off Haight Street, where people watching is elevated to an art form. Sit in the well-lit front area and let the many socially conscious posters and bumper stickers adorning the cheery orange walls inspire you. 1206 Masonic St., 415-626-2435
Best Taskmaster
Photo Credits:Dragon Door Publications	Don’t be fooled by fitness instructor Cecilia Tom’s petite frame: Based on her various fitness discipline (Pilates, tai chi, pole dancing and kung fu among them), let’s just say Tom is not someone you’d want to meet in a dark alley—especially now that she’s been certified to teach RKC Hardstyle Kettlebells, the trendy new workout imported from Russia that’s got everyone from Penélope Cruz to Jessica Biel maneuvering around cast-iron cannonballs in the name of athletic conditioning. A taskmaster through and through, the Hong Kong native expertly tailors personalized, multifaceted workouts to help her clients safely exceed their perceived fitness boundaries. So whether it’s a half-Pilates/ half-Kettlebells session or an hour of mostly Kettlebells with a pinch of yoga for good measure, rest assured—you’ll feel it in the morning. And don’t even think about bribing her with a pint of chocolate almond-milk ice cream (she’s a vegan) in exchange for some leniency while you’re in the throes of a vigorous workout. We’ve tried. It doesn’t work.
Best Greasy Spoke
Thanks, perhaps, to the large and sociopolitically diverse bike community here in San Francisco, our bicycle shops are famously helpful. Even so, the Bike Kitchen elevates helpfulness to a stratospheric level. For less than the cost of dinner in many restaurants, do-it-yourself bike enthusiasts can join this cooperative workshop and have access to all the tools and parts needed to make the most of their own bike repairs. More importantly, a staff of volunteer mechanics is on site to give advice, answer questions and walk members through the most common repair or tune-up procedures. You can also sign up for a class, or even volunteer to earn your membership. 1256 Mission St.
Best Waterworld
With its two side-by-side indoor pools—one heated to 86 degrees and the other to a cooler 77—North Beach Pool is our favorite year-round pick for a public dip. For a $4 entrance fee for adults ($1 for children), the spacious facility offers extensive swim sessions and instruction throughout the week. Family Swim is available for the whole gang, while Lap Swim is best for adults who want some exercise (jump in the sauna beforehand for a refreshing pick-me-up). Being here will take you back to a summer spent running around the pool and dodging lifeguards—except that this pool has views of the Trans­america Pyramid through its glass walls, and Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store is only three blocks away. Lombard and Mason streets, 415-391-0407; go to parks.sfgov.org and search for “North Beach Pool”
Best Reason to Get out of Bed
Photo Credits: courtesy of Bootcampsf	When your head is still pounding from all the La Crema you consumed the night before, it’s hard to find the motivation to drag yourself out of bed to sweat inside a busy gym on a boring treadmill. But BootCampSF helps you get your butt in gear by tempting you with brisk air and awe-inspiring views. The six-week-long outdoor training workshops, organized in small groups of different skill levels, will have you dropping to give ’em 20 in such scenic spots as Golden Gate Park, the Marina, South Beach, the Embarcadero, Dolores Park and Ocean Beach. 145 Fell St., 415-921-8537
Best Book-Lined Retreat
Photo Credits: Pirkle Jones	Not to snub the many wonderful branches of the city’s public library system, but there is something so enticing (and Harriet the Spy–like) about belonging to a members-only library. For an annual fee of $95—no secret handshake required—you can gain access to the private holdings at the Mechanics Institute in Union Square: an extensive general-interest collection of books and media, a chess room (where regular tournaments are also held), film series, art exhibits and such thought-provoking speakers as author and political activist Susan Griffin. Daily and weekly passes for research are available to nonmembers, but where’s the fun in that? 57 Post St., 415-393-0101
Luckiest Lindys
There was a time when everyone know how to Lindy Hop. Nowadays, it takes finding a dance studio, scheduling time for a class, figuring out what to wear and pulling out your credit card. Or, on Sunday at noon, you can simply head to John F. Kennedy Drive behind the de Young in Golden Gate Park (which is mercifully closed to cars that day) and join the dozens of others who show up to Lindy in the Park. Weather permitting, for the next half hour, dance maven Hep Jen will teach you to twirl away to the sounds of jazz, blues and swing, absolutely free. And no need to worry about intimidating, musical-like breakout dance moves, as the class is most popular among beginners, and brings in all ages. It’s so casual, in fact, you can simply drop in on your way through the park on a bike ride or before a picnic. John F. Kennedy Drive and Eighth Avenue
Best Day Pass
There are pools for swimming, and there are pools for lounging. For the former, we go to North Beach public pool (see “Best Waterworld”). But for the latter, we head to Nob Hill Spa in the Huntington Hotel. For the cost of any 50-minute facial treatment, you can laze around this fabulous, glass-enclosed rooftop infinity pool for hours on end. Or—and it almost hurts us to tell you this—Mondays through Thursdays, you can pay a $35 day-use fee, skip the spa treatment and simply hang out all day (space permitting). Bask in the hot tub, order drinks on the terrace overlooking the city and count your blessings. 1075 California St., 415-345-2888
Most Civilized Wine Tasting
Confession: The typical day of wine tasting has always puzzled us. Driving from winery to winery only to crowd along a tasting-room bar and sample Cabs while vying for sourdough cubes dipped in olive oil … well, it all seems a bit stressful. Enter the Bubble Room at J Vineyards & Winery, in Healdsburg. Here, you relax on plush couches and gaze out wall-sized windows while servers bring you a flight of rare and older vintages—either red, white or sparkling—paired with four seasonal minicourses ($55/person). You’ll be amazed how the Pinot changes after you’ve just tasted braised short ribs, or how the Cuvée 20’s finish is affected by Tsar Nicoulai caviar. After a luxurious hour or two here, there’s no need to move on to another winery (though Rodney Strong is right next door)— simply drive into downtown Healdsburg for some window-shopping. If you want to upgrade the experience even further, go on Thursdays for the seven-course Essence tasting and vineyard tour ($200/person; reservations required). 11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg, 707-431-5430
Best Memento
There’s something so charming about old-time portraits—although we could definitely pass on those stuffy, moth-filled old-time costumes. RayKo Photo Center comes to the rescue with its new Tintype Salon, which produces a genuine tintype—an early photo technique involving printing on a metal surface—that has all that grainy 1800s appeal without the cheese factor. After each two-hour session, which can accommodate up to two people at a time, you’ll be rewarded with your own piece of history. Besides, who really wants to remember themselves dressed as Annie Oakley? 428 Third St., 415-495-3773

Best Way to Hang Ten
We’ve wanted to paddle out with the best of them ever since Bodhi pleaded to Johnny in Point Break, “Let me get one wave before you take me—one wave!” Nalu Fit founders Derek Johnson and Leifrey Caudro have finally given us the chance with the city’s first, totally awesome surf-specific workout, on Crissy Field. The skilled duo helps everyone from barneys to pros up their game with a series of conditioning and technique exercises—using maritime ropes, giant rubber bands, sandbags and water-filled PVC pipe, among other things—that mimic surfing movements. No board required, but if the waves are killer, feel free to cut loose. Nalu Fit  415-793-5054
Best Beach for Basking
Sunbathing … on the beach … in San Francisco? Wet, foggy and freezing is more like it—except, that is, for Ayala Cove, a protected little strip of beach on the northwestern side of Angel Island. Take the ferry over from Pier 41, or if you have an FWB (friend with a boat, which we highly recommend finding), you can tie up there for the day. Protected from the wind, the cove is downright balmy compared to any place in the city. Throw in a grassy picnic area, a bike-rental kiosk and a café with a barbecued-oyster bar, and you’ve got a perfect not-quite-SF summer day. The beach is even sandy enough to sit on without a blanket—but don’t take this as encouragement to plunge into the Bay. That water is still a hypothermic 50 degrees.
Best Excuse to Buy a Cowboy Hat
You know where to go in SF for sailing, surfing, softball, volleyball and every other conceivable sport. But did you know you could go horseback riding on Ocean Beach? We didn’t think so. When city life has driven you to wit’s end, slow things down at Mar Vista Stables in Daly City, where you can saddle up for a guided one- to two-hour ride along the crashing waves. Take the reins solo or with your date; join the pack or arrange for a private gallop. The earthy scent of horses and the feel of worn leather are guaranteed to restore your sanity. 2152 Skyline Blvd., Daly City, 650-991-4224
Grandest Views
Even to those who call the incessantly overcast and misty Sunset District home, the sights from Grand View Park often go unnoticed. On Moraga between 14th and 15th avenues, this hidden hilltop park boasts surprisingly amazing vistas. Climb the beautiful mosaic staircase on 16th, or rough it up the dirt trail, snatch a bench seat and let your heart rate drop out of the red zone while you’re awash in panoramas. From the Pacific, beyond Golden Gate Park to the Marin Headlands and sweeping past downtown—it may be windier and foggier than other views, but this one is unique. Moraga Street and 14th Avenue
Best Way to Get Around
Muni is fine for the everyday, and Zipcar is lean, mean and green, but for the moto-head inside us all, the place to go is SF Motoretta, where you can rent a scooter and tour the city from a different angle. On two wheels with nothing between you and the bustling world, even running mundane errands seems like an adventure. You can ride off on scooters from such makers as Vento, Tank and Lance with rates by the hour, day or week. And if your weekend adventure entices you to buy, then 100 percent of your rental fees will apply to your purchase. Nice. 1336 Van Ness Ave., 415-346-8088
Easiest Way to Help
Of course you want to volunteer—whose karma couldn’t use a little beefing up?—but where do you start? Allow us to suggest One Brick, which organizes fun and flexible volunteer events that just may have a chance of fitting into your hectic lifestyle. Each activity One Brick organizes, such as assisting many of the city’s nonprofits in preparing for their fundraisers, lasts only three to four hours. And after you have your fill of good deeds, join your fellow volunteers for some social networking at a nearby restaurant or bar. In case the whole karma thing didn’t hook you, that food and drink.
Best Home Away From Home
Less than a mile north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Fort Baker lies the 45-acre oasis now known as Cavallo Point: The Lodge at Golden Gate. With its easy access to points both north and south, Cavallo is the newest, quickest way to escape the city. Starting on June 1, you can hole up in one of the 142 rooms—some were carved out of former officers’ residences (now historic landmarks), while others are brand spanking new (and environmentally correct) construction, with gas fireplaces, private decks and patios, radiant-heat floors and sweeping views of the Bay. Between the healing-arts center and spa, expansive event space, a restaurant run by award-winning chef Joseph Humphrey (lured down from Meadowood) and a slew of activities ranging from active to spiritual, you may never come home. Oh, wait, you are home—almost. 601 Murray Circle, Sausalito, 888-651-2003
Best Place to Fly Saucers
We don’t know what brilliant person was the first to link golf to throwing Frisbees and drinking beer, but we’re sure glad he (or she) did. The Golden Gate Disc Golf Course in GG Park is the largest and most scenic spot in the city to play this venerable sport. Having undergone a recent expansion, the course reopened last spring as a world-class 18-hole permanent disc-golf course. So much better than those hokey traffic-cone- and-homemade-sign numbers. Should you become addicted, join one of the SF Disc Golf Club’s work parties to help keep the course—which was built and is maintained completely by volunteers—spick-and-span. 900 John F. Kennedy Dr. Photo Credits: Jeffrey Bowling
Best Urban Walk
Photo Credits: Stefanie Michejda	Not-in-the-know hikers might think they’ve got to leave the city for a challenging nature trek with views. Not so. Our recently renovated stretch of the California Coastal Trail, which actually runs throughout the entire state, offers rugged coastline climbs, picnic spots and several sets of steps. Around each corner is another killer view. We like to start at Baker Beach and follow the trail up to the Golden Gate Bridge, then down into Marina Green for a well-deserved lunch at either the Warming Hut (Presidio Bldg. 983 at the west end of Crissy Field, 415-561-3040) or the adjacent Let’s Be Frank hot-dog cart.
Greenest Tree Pose
Those of you already on the Bikram bandwagon obviously aren’t daunted by the thought of 90 minutes of intense yoga in a sauna-like room. But the stale smell and funky carpet of some studios can repel even the most die-hard adherent. With its antimicrobial rubber flooring, eco-friendly heating system and bright modern decor, Bikram Yoga Inner Sunset is, literally, a breath of fresh air. And if you’re not sure you can take the heat, you can try as many classes as you want for 30 days, for only $30. 455 Judah St., 415-753-8694 Photo Credits: Elizabeth Palmer
Best Secret Garden
The majority of the patrons at this Bernal Heights watering hole may very well be the same ladies you’d find at Mecca on a Thursday night. But though it’s generally considered to be a lesbian bar, Wild Side West also just happens to have the most important components of the perfect dive bar—strong drinks, a great jukebox and the chance to make a new best friend on the bar stool next to you. Yet it’s the garden and patio in the back that really stole our hearts. Sipping a beer on a sunny weekend afternoon among the lush greenery and statues defines the word idyllic. 424 Cortland Ave., 415-647-3099
Best Place to Say “I Do”
Strange that SF brides would drive all the way to Napa for a garden wedding when the picture-perfect outdoor spot is right here in our backyard: the spiffy Casa de la Vista Officer’s Club on Treasure Island, with its to-die-for swath of skyline. Exchange your vows on the shoreline of the great lawn while looking upon your beloved city, or at the adjacent (and charming) wooden chapel. Then head inside the club for the reception; with room for 180 seated guests, floor-to-ceiling windows, an outdoor patio and a view that just doesn’t quit, you’ll feel like a five-star general’s daughter (or son). 415-274-2013; go to sfgov.org and search for “Casa de la Vista”
Best Needlework
Don't let the raging metal and punk background music or the abundance of long shaggy beards scare you away. Black Heart Tattoo has been one of the best and cleanest tattoo shops in the city since it opened in 2004. Tattoo artists Tim Lehi, Jeff Rassier, Scott Sylvia and Nick Rodin possess the skills that come with a combined 60 years’ worth of experience. No matter which genre of tattoo you’re looking for, or whether you want color or black-and-white, you’ll be sure to get a great piece of ink. To top it off, it’s located next door to Zeitgeist for that pre-appointment shot of liquid courage. 177 Valencia St., 415-431-2100
Best Party on Two Wheels
Costumes, decorated bicycles and beer—there is simply no better way to celebrate cycling culture, and the health of our planet, than with the Tour de Fat, held annually in Golden Gate Park (this year, it’ll take place July 19). With a parade of bikes ranging from the ordinary to the outrageous—think a circus on pedals—and such performances as fire-jumping bikes and a bicycle rodeo, Tour de Fat is an entire day’s worth of two-wheeled hoopla. Proceeds from the day’s beer sales (supplied by New Belgium Brewing) go to local nonprofits, so it’s also the easiest way to contribute your share without lifting a finger.
Best Urban Playground
We are a city of gyms—large, clean, well-equipped gyms full of sexy, fit people. But what sets Golden Gateway Tennis and Swim Club apart from the rest is simply how many of its facilities are located outdoors: Nine outdoor tennis courts, two outdoor heated pools (hallelujah!), a hot tub and an outdoor exercise pavilion amid palm trees and stunning downtown views. All this in the middle of the Financial District (but don’t worry—members can park for free for two and a half hours). The urban-country-club ambiance comes complete with towel, laundry and massage services. Beware: Friends might start calling you Buffy. 370 Drumm St., 415-616-8800
Best Daytime Coffee shop
SF is awash in little coffee shops where you can hang out all day with your laptop or New York Times. So what sets Coffee to the People apart from the rest? Start with its excellent organic, free-trade coffee or tea; mix in tasty baked goods and dishes—many of them vegan, of course; shake it up with some books and board games; and top it all off with free WiFi. Plus, it’s just off Haight Street, where people watching is elevated to an art form. Sit in the well-lit front area and let the many socially conscious posters and bumper stickers adorning the cheery orange walls inspire you. 1206 Masonic St., 415-626-2435
Best Taskmaster
Photo Credits:Dragon Door Publications	Don’t be fooled by fitness instructor Cecilia Tom’s petite frame: Based on her various fitness discipline (Pilates, tai chi, pole dancing and kung fu among them), let’s just say Tom is not someone you’d want to meet in a dark alley—especially now that she’s been certified to teach RKC Hardstyle Kettlebells, the trendy new workout imported from Russia that’s got everyone from Penélope Cruz to Jessica Biel maneuvering around cast-iron cannonballs in the name of athletic conditioning. A taskmaster through and through, the Hong Kong native expertly tailors personalized, multifaceted workouts to help her clients safely exceed their perceived fitness boundaries. So whether it’s a half-Pilates/ half-Kettlebells session or an hour of mostly Kettlebells with a pinch of yoga for good measure, rest assured—you’ll feel it in the morning. And don’t even think about bribing her with a pint of chocolate almond-milk ice cream (she’s a vegan) in exchange for some leniency while you’re in the throes of a vigorous workout. We’ve tried. It doesn’t work.
Best Greasy Spoke
Thanks, perhaps, to the large and sociopolitically diverse bike community here in San Francisco, our bicycle shops are famously helpful. Even so, the Bike Kitchen elevates helpfulness to a stratospheric level. For less than the cost of dinner in many restaurants, do-it-yourself bike enthusiasts can join this cooperative workshop and have access to all the tools and parts needed to make the most of their own bike repairs. More importantly, a staff of volunteer mechanics is on site to give advice, answer questions and walk members through the most common repair or tune-up procedures. You can also sign up for a class, or even volunteer to earn your membership. 1256 Mission St.
Best Waterworld
With its two side-by-side indoor pools—one heated to 86 degrees and the other to a cooler 77—North Beach Pool is our favorite year-round pick for a public dip. For a $4 entrance fee for adults ($1 for children), the spacious facility offers extensive swim sessions and instruction throughout the week. Family Swim is available for the whole gang, while Lap Swim is best for adults who want some exercise (jump in the sauna beforehand for a refreshing pick-me-up). Being here will take you back to a summer spent running around the pool and dodging lifeguards—except that this pool has views of the Trans­america Pyramid through its glass walls, and Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store is only three blocks away. Lombard and Mason streets, 415-391-0407; go to parks.sfgov.org and search for “North Beach Pool”
Best Reason to Get out of Bed
Photo Credits: courtesy of Bootcampsf	When your head is still pounding from all the La Crema you consumed the night before, it’s hard to find the motivation to drag yourself out of bed to sweat inside a busy gym on a boring treadmill. But BootCampSF helps you get your butt in gear by tempting you with brisk air and awe-inspiring views. The six-week-long outdoor training workshops, organized in small groups of different skill levels, will have you dropping to give ’em 20 in such scenic spots as Golden Gate Park, the Marina, South Beach, the Embarcadero, Dolores Park and Ocean Beach. 145 Fell St., 415-921-8537
Best Book-Lined Retreat
Photo Credits: Pirkle Jones	Not to snub the many wonderful branches of the city’s public library system, but there is something so enticing (and Harriet the Spy–like) about belonging to a members-only library. For an annual fee of $95—no secret handshake required—you can gain access to the private holdings at the Mechanics Institute in Union Square: an extensive general-interest collection of books and media, a chess room (where regular tournaments are also held), film series, art exhibits and such thought-provoking speakers as author and political activist Susan Griffin. Daily and weekly passes for research are available to nonmembers, but where’s the fun in that? 57 Post St., 415-393-0101
Luckiest Lindys
There was a time when everyone know how to Lindy Hop. Nowadays, it takes finding a dance studio, scheduling time for a class, figuring out what to wear and pulling out your credit card. Or, on Sunday at noon, you can simply head to John F. Kennedy Drive behind the de Young in Golden Gate Park (which is mercifully closed to cars that day) and join the dozens of others who show up to Lindy in the Park. Weather permitting, for the next half hour, dance maven Hep Jen will teach you to twirl away to the sounds of jazz, blues and swing, absolutely free. And no need to worry about intimidating, musical-like breakout dance moves, as the class is most popular among beginners, and brings in all ages. It’s so casual, in fact, you can simply drop in on your way through the park on a bike ride or before a picnic. John F. Kennedy Drive and Eighth Avenue
Best Day Pass
There are pools for swimming, and there are pools for lounging. For the former, we go to North Beach public pool (see “Best Waterworld”). But for the latter, we head to Nob Hill Spa in the Huntington Hotel. For the cost of any 50-minute facial treatment, you can laze around this fabulous, glass-enclosed rooftop infinity pool for hours on end. Or—and it almost hurts us to tell you this—Mondays through Thursdays, you can pay a $35 day-use fee, skip the spa treatment and simply hang out all day (space permitting). Bask in the hot tub, order drinks on the terrace overlooking the city and count your blessings. 1075 California St., 415-345-2888
Most Civilized Wine Tasting
Confession: The typical day of wine tasting has always puzzled us. Driving from winery to winery only to crowd along a tasting-room bar and sample Cabs while vying for sourdough cubes dipped in olive oil … well, it all seems a bit stressful. Enter the Bubble Room at J Vineyards & Winery, in Healdsburg. Here, you relax on plush couches and gaze out wall-sized windows while servers bring you a flight of rare and older vintages—either red, white or sparkling—paired with four seasonal minicourses ($55/person). You’ll be amazed how the Pinot changes after you’ve just tasted braised short ribs, or how the Cuvée 20’s finish is affected by Tsar Nicoulai caviar. After a luxurious hour or two here, there’s no need to move on to another winery (though Rodney Strong is right next door)— simply drive into downtown Healdsburg for some window-shopping. If you want to upgrade the experience even further, go on Thursdays for the seven-course Essence tasting and vineyard tour ($200/person; reservations required). 11447 Old Redwood Hwy., Healdsburg, 707-431-5430
Best Memento
There’s something so charming about old-time portraits—although we could definitely pass on those stuffy, moth-filled old-time costumes. RayKo Photo Center comes to the rescue with its new Tintype Salon, which produces a genuine tintype—an early photo technique involving printing on a metal surface—that has all that grainy 1800s appeal without the cheese factor. After each two-hour session, which can accommodate up to two people at a time, you’ll be rewarded with your own piece of history. Besides, who really wants to remember themselves dressed as Annie Oakley? 428 Third St., 415-495-3773

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