Star Tracks

Daniel Handler, Novelist

“Everyone knows that the best evening one can have in San Francisco is to have two rounds of cocktails at Café Tosca on Columbus Avenue and then jaywalk over to City Lights Books for tipsy book shopping. (You’ll never read Rob Silliman’s glorious book-length poem “The Age of Huts” unless you buy it, and you’ll never buy it unless you’re tipsy.) But that’s not my neck of the woods, so more often I make do with Casanova on Valencia Street, followed by Dog Eared Books, or Zam Zam on Haight Street, followed by   Booksmith. Also on Haight is the Alembic, a new cocktail place starring some very, very glamorous bourbons and ryes, but I find it dangerously close to Amoeba Records. If you see me in Amoeba after cocktail hour, please remind me very, very firmly that I already own far too many Sun Ra CDs.”


Robin Williams, Comedian/Actor
 
“Philly Cheesesteak on Divisadero.”


Nancy Oakes, Chef/Owner of Boulevard

“Bates & Schmitt Apple Farm Products, at the Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The apple syrup is out of this world—it’s our answer to balsamic vinegar. Delicious drizzled on pork chops.”


Michael Mina, Chef/Restaurateur

“Swan oyster depot, midday, for a dozen oysters and an Anchor Steam, or A16 for the setting, the tripe and the wood-fire-roasted fava beans.”


Danny Meyer, NYC restaurateur

“Any time I’m in San Francisco, I stop in for a caffe macchiato at Blue Bottle—which tastes just like Rome to me.”


Simon Doonan, Creative Director of Barneys New York

“I love Boulettes Larder in the Ferry Building. The food is fab, and that dog is insane!” 


DJ AM

 “Self Edge and Dylan both have clothes I won’t see elsewhere, and the staff is always cool and knows what’s up.”


Emily Morse, Radio Host

“Going to Martha’s Coffee is one of my favorite pastimes in San Francisco. Especially if you’re not a morning person—the coffee and the happiest baristas citywide (if not worldwide) will change all that.”



Michael Fink, Fashion Director of Saks Fifth Avenue

“One of my favorite places to shop is Swallowtail, on Polk Street—I feel as if I am walking into a really cool curio cabinet.”


Ann Getty, Interior Designer

 “I love wandering in and out of the shops on Union Street with my 13-year old granddaughter, Ivy.”


Rex Ray, Artist

“The honey-lavender ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery is worth standing in line for on a hot summer’s day. Actually, I’m more of a chocolate man myself, but the honey-lavender’s good too.”


Stephen Elliott, Novelist

“I love so many things about San Francisco. Most of all, I love the Mission District, my home, with all its bookstores and burrito joints and 20-somethings still trying to keep the dream of Generation X alive with their healthy skepticism, disavowal of marketing and eager, life-affirming search for something real.”


Vendela Vida, Novelist

“I love the Bermuda Triangle of bookstores on Valencia: Dog Eared Books, Modern Times and Borderlands.”


Jonny Moseley, Olympic gold-medal skier

“Cronkite Beach: It’s just north of San Francisco and offers some of the most intense surfing in the Bay Area—the swell is always changing from day to day, so you never know what the next wave will entail.”


Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco

“Favorite jogging route? Crissy Field—incredible views!”


Paul Hawken, founder of Smith & Hawken

“My favorite place in the Bay Area is Mount Tamalpais, at the very top, at sunrise, before the bumblebees and hummingbirds swoop in, when the air and chaparral are utterly still.” 


Peter Coyote, actor

“The vibe is not European—basically it’s small-town, with big-time attributes shot through it, three numbers in the cultural IQ. And we have North Beach, and City Lights, the Mission District—what more does anyone need to be happy?”


Joan Chen, actress

“For special occasions, Gary Danko. After a hike with friends, Pres a Vi. The Slanted Door for out-of-town friends.” —Joan Chen, actress



Graham Leggat, Executive Director of SF International Film Festival

“The difference between a bar or restaurant where you are a civilian and one where you are known is night and day. I’m lucky enough to know the owners or managers of Florio, Tosca and Temple Bar, and so I always feel that little something extra—like being part of the family.”


Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group

 “What I love about San Francisco is the people. San Franciscans are cut from a different cloth: They think differently about the world we live in, and we’re all the better for it.”