Specialties of the house

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

Weekend Traveler

Fun and sun in San Diego

By Patty Burness

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

Coastal Commuter

By the sea: A lifetime of longing and fulfillment on the beach

By Michael Snyder

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

Sports Corner

Little League coach: What would Bruce Bochy do?

By Steve Hermanos

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

Weekend Traveler

The wonders of the historic San Francisco waterfront

By Patty Burness

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

Coastal Commuter

Tourism begins at home

By Michael Snyder

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

Weekend Traveler

New York! New York!

By Patty Burness

Even the Weekend Traveler likes to grab additional days for a vacation, so recently my husband and I flew to New York. What’s not to love about the Big Apple? It’s high... Read More

Coastal Commuter

Service with a smile or a sneer

By Michael Snyder

I don’t know about you, but I find it incredibly comforting whenever I walk into my favorite cafe, and the barista only has to see me to begin brewing up my “usual.R... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Nick’s Cove isn’t dog friendly — it’s dog exuberant

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

With its eclectic waterfront cottages overlooking serene Tomales Bay, Nick’s Cove is a unique weekend getaway north of San Francisco. Nestled in the tiny town of Marshall, Ca... Read More

Weekend Traveler

It’s happening in Healdsburg

By Patty Burness

Healdsburg is hot. This verdant area has award-winning wines, acclaimed restaurants, a zeal for local products, and friendly residents. And it’s an easy drive from San Franci... Read More

Coastal Commuter

When roaches are your dining companions

By Michael Snyder

The destruction of Candlestick Park to make way for new development — shopping, corporate, residential, whatever — brought back many great memories of Giants and Niners games I... Read More

Sports Corner

Crowning the champs

By Steve Hermanos

Three World Series trophies glittered in the sun. Canons fired metallic streamers from the second deck. Stunt jets ripped the sky. Madison Bumgarner mounted a police horse while, o... Read More

Weekend Traveler

The wonders of the historic San Francisco waterfront

By Patty Burness

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

Coastal Commuter

Not-so-grand theft

By Michael Snyder

When you take the leap and decide to commute great distances for business or personal reasons, and one of the twin poles in your sphere is a freeway-laced, car-obsessed place like ... Read More

Travel/Sports

Bring it back: The sprezzatura factor

By Owen Edwards

I had the rare pleasure recently, while reading an essay in the “personal history” section of The New Yorker, to discover that I once knew something that the great, eru... Read More

Travel/Sports