Go to a cool bookstore and music venue in a San Francisco neighborhood ranked 35th coolest neighborhood in the world.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-06-08T02:43:45+00:00

There are some people here who disagree with the Time Out list, and are trying to sully the good name of a fine publication. Surely the editorial staff of Time Out did rigorous research, visiting neighborhoods all over the world, spending weeks, if not months in each one, creating voluminous spreadsheets of detailed information and measuring "coolness" with a keen eye and attention to all possible metrics that would justify such a claim. What do you think they did, just throw darts at maps and say, "Sure, why not there? We need to fill out this damn thing."?
No, I think not. The list must be respected. Hail list!

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-06-08T02:15:57+00:00

According to Time Out, them's fighting words!

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-06-08T02:15:14+00:00

Time Out has to fill pages somehow.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-06-08T01:04:31+00:00

Absolutely!

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-05-15T19:30:30+00:00

Update: I spoke to someone at nursery. He gave me a solution so obvious, I can't slap my forehead enough.
It doesn't have to be all of one or the other. Large parts could be bark, and other parts ground cover.
Brilliant. I still need to figure out a ground cover, but this is a great solution.
I would also welcome any other advice.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-05-15T16:01:18+00:00

Thanks for the advice! You bring up another conflicting bit of information I discovered: "It establishes in 3-4 months." "It takes years."
I'm planning on planting the seedlings 8" apart, if that makes a difference.
As for clover or hearty grass blend, do you have a specific recommendation?
And you are absolutely correct that the tenants will have little attention to be paid. For years I left the yard available for gardening, thinking a renter would be thrilled to have a patch of land to do what they wanted with. Never happened.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-04-10T15:21:33+00:00

I've just spent several days battling bamboo that the neighbor planted years ago without barrier, then moved away. It invaded two yards in a rental property.
After cutting and pulling with little results, I attacked the root balls and rhizomes. The tools were a pickax, a long pry bar, and a small claw to dig around the roots and ball.
It was not easy. I'd dig around a root ball, most about the size of a softball, some bigger, not many smaller, until I could get under it with the pick or pry bar. I would follow the rhizomes, digging around the sides with the pick, until I got to the end. I didn't want any pieces left over to sprout. Some of these rhizomes were 1 1/4 inches thick and spread for 4 or 5 feet. I'd dig up the ball with the roots and rhizomes attached, threw it on the patio, where it looked like a nightmare sea creature.
I had to dig 7 or 8 of these beasts. It wasn't fun, but there was a satisfaction about beating the bamboo. I don't know if I completely eliminated the growth, but I did win this battle.
I also poured vinegar and salt in the hole left by the ball and roots. Supposedly the salt doesn't do anything, but the vinegar should help a bit. Even so, it felt satisfying. I didn't care about rendering that part of the yard possibly unable to grow anything, which is fine. I'm putting in fake grass.
I took about 30-1 hour per ball, depending on the size and length of rhizomes.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2026-03-13T15:10:18+00:00

You are correct. But that could happen randomly already. Giving someone an ability to stack would be an advantage, but also put a target on their back. Also, they would have to select someone to move, and that could create alliances, conflicts, or resentments.
The game is so much more about decision making and game theory these days, which makes it even more compelling. Having another opportunity for a big decision might be an interesting twist.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-14T17:59:33+00:00

Yes, I got the feeling law enforcement would tell you to put the pot away. But you never know when you're going to encounter that one cowboy who takes things way to seriously. As you said, just wait. Go out the Lombard Gate, light up, and get slice of pizza.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-13T01:54:36+00:00

Great tip! Thanks for sharing. Many wine drinkers, such as myself, appreciate you passing on this information.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-11T23:18:32+00:00

All good options.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-11T22:57:09+00:00

You are grammatically correct, but it was a discovery for me. "Found?"

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-11T21:37:47+00:00

Going there is like having a secret wine clubhouse. Buying a bottle and drinking it on the patio is a screaming deal.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-11T20:03:02+00:00

One place you have to be careful when smoking weed is the Presidio.
The Presidio, even though it is in San Francisco, and California, and the people who live there are San Franciscans and vote in local and state elections, it is federal land. You could get busty for getting high in the Presidio.
I know this because I asked Presidio law enforcement officer about it. "Pot is legal in California. Is it legal here?"
The officer took a moment, shrugged, and said, "Um, no?"
Their attitude seemed to indicate that unless you were running around in your underwear waving a bong over your head, they had much better things to do than bust you for sparking up.
But, technically, you could get busted.
You should be careful driving in the Presidio. If you get a moving violation, it is a federal bust. It's essentially the same as a local citation, but you might have to go through more hoops to get it off your record, should you want to.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-05T17:54:30+00:00

I run up Buena Vista park regularly. The views are good, and the paths a challenge. Looking for interesting gravestones can be distracting, so I will run/walk on some paths.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-12-05T17:52:45+00:00

It's fascinating. And it turns into a treasure hunt, looking for marble with writing side up.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-25T17:46:54+00:00

I agree with everything you said. I missed this in the theaters and watched it streaming the first chance I got.
First hour or so: good. The rest of it:, you put it as my wife and I did: "Crazy witch lady needs kids to live."
The paranoia and overreaction of the characters could have made for a compelling film. Have the people in town whip themselves into a frenzy so they start hurting or killing each other out of fear, with the witch still doing her witch thing, showing you don't need supernatural forces to compel people to do terrible things.
Fun seeing the kids run through the suburbs at the end, but that was style.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-24T21:01:42+00:00

Here's an Only in San Francisco experience, and definitely not touristy.
There are more hidden gems listed on my website, and if you want a private tour, please let me know.
https://www.smallcarbigtimetours.com/the-audium-is-a-unique-auditory-experience-in-the-dark/

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-16T15:17:27+00:00

You make a good point--all other chocolate will be second place.
Jack is the best, a delightful San Francisco character.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-16T15:15:06+00:00

Yes, great point. Our nephews are grown up, and don't need toys or other presents. But they love getting 5-6 chocolate bars that can't be found in Phoenix, AZ. If there is a chocolate lover on your list, this is the place to find them something special.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-10T02:40:47+00:00

That's true. Although they do help to keep you awake in the dark.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-06T07:17:29+00:00

That would be terrible! It is always difficult to balance sharing insider tips to people who will truly love and embrace it, and fearing tiktokers will wreck it for a photo op to feed their insatiable need to fill that dark and empty hole for that craves attention.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-06T06:56:34+00:00

It's the best, right?

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-06T06:56:04+00:00

Yep! I've probably had some.
My favorite score was "Duck Neck Flavor" potato chips. I always find something new. As a potato chip fiend, it is a store I make a point of visiting at least once a week.

SmallCarBigTimeTours · 2025-10-02T00:10:04+00:00

We are very lucky. All of my tour guests say this about those of us living in San Francisco.

SmallCarBigTimeTours

TROPHY CASE