A couple weeks ago, as it was just being announced that San Francisco and the Bay Area region were on their way to “full reopening,” we asked 48hills readers what things they missed most, and what they couldn’t wait to get back to. We got some lovely answers, and paired them below with photos from Lucas Thornton of people returning to those city activities we love so much. (Don’t forget to check out Best of the Bay for more inspiration on how to reconnect with some of your favorite things.) All photos by Lucas Thornton
The pandemic forced me to severely curtail my travel. So it’s hard to decide on just one activity. I want to do one of the following: Go to Berkeley just to hang out at Moe’s Books for an hour. Catch a movie at either the Roxie Theater or the Castro Theater. Visit the Oakland Cat Cafe to hang out for an hour with their furballs. —Peter
Though mostly I want to be able to safely fly somewhere away from here, going to a live (indoor) concert with friends would be awesome, as would seeing a movie in a theater. —Sue
It’s tough to choose but I’d have to say that visiting Coit Tower with out of town visitors is one of my favorite things to do. That and commuting by the California Street cable car. —Bruce
I love going to SF City FC games at Kezar (but at this point, I’d take Beach Chalet). I miss it so much. Going to a game with my friends, standing and singing, and that feeling of pure, ecstatic joy when we score, when for a brief moment nothing is wrong in the world because we got a goal. And knowing that it’s ours. The team is ours, the game is ours, and no one can take it away from us. When I can do that again, stand with a cold beer in my hand and my scarf on, but no shirt on because just got a goal, singing the same songs with my friends that we’ve been singing together for years, I’ll know we’re back again as a City. —Michael
Oh, how I have missed live theater! This really makes you appreciate the wealth of playhouses here, from the mighty little Marsh to the grand ACT. We have to support them. —Janna
I am fortunate that I have been able to hike and work out online during the shutdown, but I will really enjoy exercising with other people in a class at the gym or climbing at Mission Cliffs. I miss the encouragement of a large group of people and seeing the (sweaty) faces of friends. —Terry
I will be heading directly to Imperial Soup in Oakland Chinatown for the most incredible healing Cantonese soups like chicken with chrysanthemum flowers. —Angela
I love the Bay Area and its community surrounding Pinball. There are so many places to visit (check out Pinball Maps), but my favorites would have to be Gestalt in the Mission and Free Gold Watch in the Haight. For pinball wizards and newbies alike, these two locations are great for getting practice in. —Jessi
In summer: take BART to the eastern suburbs and hanging by a public pool over where it’s hottt (renting a boat with friends at Lake Del Valle is also excellent). In winter: go to the Russian River and get a cabin with a wood-burning stove. Redwood trees wet with rain are so so beautiful. —Karoline
Going back to the Oakland Museum of California when it re-opens —Beth
The best “close to home” excursion is wine-tasting and walking around Treasure Island, it will feel like an instant vacation that I can afford! —Matt
I miss Bay Area Cabaret at the Fairmont Hotel’s venerable Venetian Room, home to the ghosts of Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole and many other world-famous entertainers. BAC welcomes world-class cabaret and jazz vocalists, many of them from New York, into this historical setting. I love being exposed to the variety of well-produced acts and miss the intimate experience of sitting in the dark being sung to. —Jim
I have lots of favorite things that I’d love to do today that I have not been able to do in a year, but at the top of my list is: Taking in the view from the top of Twin Peaks. —John
I cannot wait to score fresh, warm focaccia very early in the morning from Liguria Bakery in North Beach and pair it with fresh espresso in Washington Square Park —Kahlil
I have lived in the Bay Area since 1975. Alameda, San Leandro, Oakland, and San Francisco since 1985. My children went to school in SF, and I have worked as a nurse, bus tour guide, and nightclub security guard. I truly enjoy when visitors from out of town come to visit and as we roll around, I always share some historical fact about the buildings, neighborhoods, and historical details that occurred in these places. Restaurants like Sam Wo’s, House of Prime Rib, some that have long gone like Sparky’s on Church. Adventures on Muni, good or bad. Some of my ER stories as a nurse. Working the Door at The Warfield and Fillmore. Some afterhours door work in old Soma warehouses. —Charles
I *love, love, love* walking around Stow Lake, especially when fuzzy yellow goslings are rustling along with their moms and dads. Makes me feel like a grandma! —Lisa
—– BONUS ANSWER —-
My favorite thing is to discover, on foot, new pockets of pleasure and information. Every below photo was taken within walking distance of my Inner Richmond home after lockdown. — Barbara Berman
Photos by Barbara:
