Coastal Commuter

San Francisco’s skyline greets first-time visitors to the city and longtime residents alike. Photo: tealyea/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

First looks

By Michael Snyder

The first time I saw San Francisco was when I emerged from the Waldo Tunnel (now known as the Robin Williams Tunnel) going south on Route 101. It was a late afternoon in mid-Septe... Read More
Coastal Commuter

Loving animals in their unnatural habitat

By Michael Snyder

By now, the story of P-22 — the mountain lion also known as the Hollywood Cat — has spread far and wide, especially since his demise in mid-December. This cool cougar’s fame... Read More
It was a year of ups and downs. Photo: geralt/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Looking back and looking out

By Michael Snyder

“Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” I generally abide by that quote, which is attributed to the savvy Negro League and Major League Baseball pi... Read More
It’s a winter wonderland somewhere, even if not in L.A. or S.F. Credit: Pixaline-Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Snow kidding

By Michael Snyder

On the road from San Francisco to Los Angeles a few weeks back, I spotted something that still seems almost alien to me after my decades as an urban Californian: Snow. There it wa... Read More
Coastal Commuter

Written from the heart

By Michael Snyder

Tales of rock gods, running, and even a murderworld known as San Francisco are all told in these books. Despite years and years of cranking out countless column inches and pont... Read More
Halloween brings treats and tricksters. PHOTO: GraphicMama-team
Coastal Commuter

Thanks, but no pranks

By Michael Snyder

The phrase, “a cruel joke,” always comes to mind when I think of pranks. And I generally think of pranks every October—specifically on the evening of October 30. That’s th... Read More
If you love apples as much as Michael Snyder does, you sample a variety of the fruit. Phptp: suju-foto/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Knowing your apples

By Michael Snyder

Like many of my fellow humanoids, I enact my share of rituals. They don’t particularly reflect anything of a sacred nature. Frankly, they’re usually of the tedious str... Read More
Crank up the tunes, turn up the podcasts, and hit the road, Clker-Free-Vector-Images-Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Soundly navigating the commute

By Michael Snyder

Those who know me — or even perfect strangers who are Marina Times readers — probably understand why this column is called “The Coastal Commuter.” And if I don’t... Read More
Avocado toast — the gourmet hipster’s favorite snack. Photo: FLICKR/ avlxyz
Coastal Commuter

An avocado advocate

By Michael Snyder

Despite the current price of gasoline making my frequent commute from San Francisco to Los Angeles a bank-breaking proposition, living part-time in Southern California has its adv... Read More
One of these people is a banker, three are students, one is an art critic — but what brings them together is sports fandom. Photo: chelseaouellet/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

To bond is human — and don’t forget the animals

By Michael Snyder

Bonding can be joyful. It can be gratifying. It can also be a source of relief. And I’m not talking about the satisfaction one feels when the superglue dries and that which ... Read More
What’s the secret sauce to this diet-busting joint? Photo: trent_garverick/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

The lingering guilt of the fast food fix

By Michael Snyder

Desperation can make ordinary people do extraordinary things. And if you’re desperate for something to eat, you might sate your hunger any way you can. Even if you’re supe... Read More
Flowers in bloom have given our columnist a heady case of spring fever. Photo: Image by Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Springing forward

By Michael Snyder

I have spring fever. I’m almost certain of it. Sure, it could be a variant. There’s some sneezing involved. But that means it could also be allergies. In fact, it̵... Read More
The historic Castro Theatre will soon be more music palace than film paradise. Photo: Arnaudh-French Wikipedia.
Coastal Commuter

The cinema vanishes

By Michael Snyder

From all indications, discerning San Francisco movie lovers were less than pleased by the recent news that the venerable and elegant Castro Theatre was being sold to the Bay Area ... Read More
Sometimes one plus one equals love, but sometimes it’s the sum of misery, Photo: pixel2013/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Obsess at your own risk

By Michael Snyder

Every time I see or hear the word “obsession,” I think about one of three things: the Calvin Klein fragrance for discerning women and men; the gritty, lurid early-care... Read More
Stormy weather, keeps rainin' all the time . . . Image: cromaconceptovisual/Pixabay
Coastal Commuter

Whither the Weather

By Michael Snyder

Everybody talks about the weather, but it feels like the only people who do anything about it are James Bond villains who want to control all meteorological phenomena and blackmai... Read More

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