San Francisco

When I moved to the Bay Area, I thought I’d be back on the east coast with my family and friends within a few years. Now 25 years later, I am constantly reminded by my kids that California is now “my home.” It’s true that the climate is hard to beat and you can do almost any amazing activity (the beach–check; hike–check; ski–check) within a few hours drive. You also get to experience just enough of a seasonal change to break out the boots and turtlenecks in the winter and the shorts in the summer. There is the fog, but if you are a true San Franciscan, you learn to embrace its moodiness, factor it in to plans and wardrobe choices, and never to count on hot summer nights.

There’s nothing I like better than being a tourist in my city by the bay. In the years since I moved here it has changed dramatically–in mostly good ways but a few bad (traffic and homelessness). My biggest advice to anyone planning a trip to this beautiful city? Come in September or October when the mornings are typically crisp and clear and the summer crowds have dissipated a bit. As an added bonus you can throw in a trip up to wine country for the harvest.

Here are some of my current favorites…