Rayko Photo Center

Rayko Photo Center mostly offers classes (I've taken a couple of excellent ones) but I thought I'd mention them here because they always have interesting (free!) little photo exhibits going on. There are lots of cool analog cameras too as well as an awesome photobooth. Their exhibits change fairly often and it's easy to check if there's something interesting going on on their website.
The front door is usually locked but just ring the bell and you'll be buzzed in.

Rayko Photo Center
423 Third Street,
San Francisco

General Store

General Store in Outer Sunset, San Francisco.

I thought it'd be appropriate to share just a couple more of my favorite shops in San Francisco this week since I'm in California at the moment. So here we go...

General Store is, yet another, one of the stores that carry a little bit of everything. And a whole lot of stuff-that-it-would-like-for-myself-please. I mean, just look at those hats!
It's located at the very last stop of the N-Judah muni train and with Ocean Beach as it's next door neighbor.

General Store
4035 Judah St,
San Francisco

I left my heart in San Francisco //03

Molte Cose - many things for men.
Probably my most favorite men's store in San Francisco.

Sutro Baths II

My head is spinning from studying for my first exam on Friday. I could use a brisk and windy walk by Sutro Baths right about now.

More here.

Aroma Tea Shop

I'm a tea drinker. Occasionally I'll have a latte but only if it's made at a cafe, preferably here or here.
Now tea on the other hand; I drink at least one pot a day. Often more. I prefer the herbal kind but I also love a good spicy chai latte now and then.
The teas on the pictures above are my favourites from a lovely store in San Francisco called Aroma Tea Shop. They have a huge selection of teas and knowledgeable staff who'll give you plenty of information on how to properly steep and store tea as well as samples to try.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my current tea collection will last until my next San Francisco visit.

Random fact: I used to drink tea with milk and sugar as a kid. I then 'graduated' to just tea with milk and now I prefer it plain.
When did you start drinking coffee and/or tea?


Aroma Tea Shop
302 6th Ave
San Francisco

Cinderella Bakery

 
This is our little neighborhood cafe. Just around the corner. Sometimes I'll sit here and write letters while the laundry is twirling away at the nearby laundromat. Other times I'll stop by for a chai and a latte to go. I like this little spot.

Grand View Park

San Francisco is the city of views. It seems that no matter where you go there's always some kind of view. I like them all but if I had to choose just one view; my favourite view and the one that shows the most of the city, I'd choose Grand View Park. The name says it all really; it's grand with a 360° almost unobstructed view of Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge. Go alone if you'd like a beautiful place to just be, or bring some friends and a picnic while you enjoy the sunset.

The only catch is that it's not the easiest place to get to and if you're only in San Francisco for a few days it might be too far out of your way. On the other hand it is only a good 15 minute walk from Golden Gate Park.

Grand View Park

Nearest cross streets are Funston and Moraga. Just walk up Funston Ave until you hit Moraga St, then turn right.

Mitchell's Icecream

Good friends introduced me to this place and consequently made me addicted to the grasshopper pie flavour. Mint, caramel and chocolate chunks! What's not to like? But really, all of their flavours are yummy. Pictured above are the Macapuno coconut, the Mexican chocolate and the Halo-Halo, all crazy good.


Mitchell's icecream
688 San Jose Avenue
San Francisco

Musee Mecanique

I’m generally not a big fan of Fisherman's Wharf; too crowded for my taste but I’ll venture there for Musée Mécanique. We brought my parents here when they were visiting a couple of weeks ago and they loved it (see pictures! ). Located at Pier 45 it holds a large collection of antique arcade games and mechanically operated musical instruments. Best of all, for a quarter or two you get to play! 
General admission is free.


Musée Mécanique
Pier 45 Fisherman's Wharf at the foot of Taylor Street
San Francisco

Ocean Beach

If you catch the N-Judah train downtown and take it all the way to the last stop you'll end up at Ocean Beach. It's big and beautiful and always less windy than what I'm expecting. Keep your fingers crossed that it isn't foggy and then go dip your feet in the cold, cold water.

Ritual Roasters

When your dad's in town...





...you'll bring him to Ritual Roasters, where he'll order a strong macchiato for himself and an iced coffee for your mom.




As for me; I’m not a coffee drinker but every once in a while I’ll drink a latte from Ritual; it’s mild, thick and foamy, and it always comes with either a heart or a leave ’on top’. There’s usually a bunch of hipsters here (which isn’t really a bad thing in my opinion), lots of computers and a great atmosphere.
All in all, a great place to bring your coffee hungry dad on a sunny afternoon.


Ritual Roasters
1026 Valencia Street
San Francisco