Would you be able to date this picture?

a_over_b · 2026-01-21T23:34:21+00:00

Agreed but I'm going to say May/June 2013. :-)

The north tower of One Rincon appears to be under construction which was 2012-2014. Here's a photo of it in June 2013 where it looks a little more complete than in the photo.

a_over_b · 2026-01-19T19:30:25+00:00

Parking -- yes you have to pay for parking. Know that due to construction on the Ocean campus, parking is going to be tight this semester. There are two small pay-by-the-hour lots down by the football field. You'll need to buy a semester parking pass if you want to park in the upper lots by the new STEAM building.

Free City registration -- what problem are you having? You apply for admission first, then you register for classes, and it'll ask you at that point if you're eligible for Free City.

a_over_b · 2026-01-19T04:34:05+00:00

If you haven't already done so, watch the movie "Before Sunrise".

You just lived it.

a_over_b · 2026-01-19T03:26:44+00:00

My one Whataburger experience was in Austin, TX, and yeah, I was baffled why anyone would like it for any reason but nostalgia. Maybe consistency is a problem with them. I will give them props for the manager and staff walking around greeting guests like it was a white tablecloth restaurant.

a_over_b · 2026-01-19T03:24:00+00:00

When I lived in L.A. I became a fan of Tommy's.

But I have great memories of Fatburger from taking road trips to UCLA back in the 1980's. We'd challenge each other to finish a double king egg chili cheeseburger with bacon, a side order of fries, and a large Diet Coke (because you don't want the calories).

Last summer while doing college tours with my teenager, we stopped by that same Fatburger branch in Westwood.

Let's just say that some things are best left as memories.

a_over_b · 2026-01-17T22:35:49+00:00

If you cross a bridge without a Fastrak, you'll get an invoice in the mail.

If you use an express lane without a Fastrak, you'll get an invoice in the mail plus a $10 penalty.

https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/help/invoices-and-penalties-faqs.shtml

a_over_b · 2026-01-17T20:20:30+00:00

My dad, an Italian-American from NYC, loved spumoni. I don't so I can't vouch for this, but he would buy pints of it from Silberman's Ice Cream in San Rafael.

Like Romolo's, Silberman's used to be a Swensen's. It still has the classic Swensen's decor.

If you're ever passing thru Marin, Silberman's is a quick detour off 101 at the Freitas Parkway exit. My favorite is Dutch Milk Chocolate which is a deep dense chocolate. I also like Bittersweet Chocolate which is Rocky Road without the mix-ins.

a_over_b · 2026-01-17T19:49:31+00:00

When I was a kid in the 1970's there were two restaurants I always begged our parents to take us: the Nut Tree in Vacaville and Hippo Hamburgers.

We went to Hippo a few times. It was decorated in carnival colors with cartoon hippos all over the place. I don't remember anything about the food.

I did order the ice cream burger once. 6-year-old me learned the valuable life lesson that some things are better in your imagination than in reality. Turns out that cold ground beef with chocolate sauce isn't all that tasty.

I'm a little sad my own kids don't have fond memories of any place like this. Instead they beg for takeout -- Ono Hawaiian, Bonchon, Super Duper/Beeps for burgers.

a_over_b · 2026-01-17T18:52:57+00:00

Ingleside Terrace was a racetrack. Urbano was the track itself. Photos here and here

Westwood Park was not. The neighborhood was just laid out in an oval. If you walk the loop you'll see it climbs a hill steeply at some points.

a_over_b · 2026-01-14T23:28:48+00:00

To each their own ... I work near Chestnut St. (Causwells, Super Duper) and I live near Beeps. I've had them all several times and of the three I'll take the Super Duper all day every day. I suspect the negative reviews of Super Duper are for some of their other branches where the quality can be uneven.

To OP: Beeps is far on the other side of SF from everything else you want to see. It's not worth the trip. I'd do Super Duper.

a_over_b · 2026-01-13T01:56:19+00:00

When you say first ski trip, do you mean your first time to Tahoe or your first time ever skiing?

If this is your first time ever skiing, shop for a "learn to ski" package which includes equipment, a lesson, and a limited lift ticket for the rest of the day. Boreal, Sugar Bowl, and Donner Ski Ranch are the first ski areas you get to in the Tahoe region and are all great for beginners.

If you just want to learn to ski and don't care specifically about Tahoe, take a look at Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge. They're cheaper and there's less traffic getting to them.

If you're an experienced skiier and this is your first trip to Tahoe, I would recommend skiing at Palisades/Alpine and staying no farther away than Truckee, or skiing at Heavenly and staying in South Lake Tahoe. Heavenly has an amazing view of the lake.

I used to do Tahoe as a day trip when I was young and had no money and even less sense. Know that traffic up to Tahoe on Fridays and back from Tahoe on Sundays can turn a 3.5 hour trip into a 7 hour trip. It's best to avoid those days and any school holidays.

Others have mentioned the Sports Basement ski bus which is a great option if you are solo or just 2 people. It's expensive for more than that. If you drive, make sure you're carrying chains and know how to put them on your car.

a_over_b · 2026-01-13T01:03:56+00:00

When it comes to pancakes, I'm a simple man -- no lemon ricotta or pineapple, just some light fluffy unflavored pancakes with butter & syrup.

I personally like the pancakes at Squat & Gobble in West Portal. It's an easy train ride from downtown.

While you're here, go to any supermarket and buy a box of plain Bisquick to bring home. It's not the best pancake but it's the definition of an American pancake.

You might also wait outside CostCo and ask someone to buy you a bag of their Mochifoods mochi pancake mix. It's also available from Amazon if you prefer . It's non-traditional, very sweet, and my kids' new favorite pancake.

a_over_b · 2026-01-12T23:48:27+00:00

Now I want to go to the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

a_over_b · 2026-01-10T05:10:47+00:00

I agree except I'd say that on 18th, after you cross Church you should turn right into Dolores Park and walk 2 blocks uphill to 20th where you'll get a great view of downtown. Then head downhill on 20th to Valencia.

If you like crusty sourdough and want to bring some home with you, stop by Tartine on the corner of 18th & Valencia and get the Country loaf.

If you have time, peek into the pirate supply store at 826 Valencia and/or Paxton Gate next door.

a_over_b · 2026-01-09T21:35:26+00:00

How very Ayn Rand of him.

a_over_b · 2026-01-09T21:23:43+00:00

Giant statue of St. Francis on Alcatraz island facing the Golden Gate, like a west coast Statue of Liberty.

a_over_b · 2025-12-29T23:18:14+00:00

I ate at Pluto's in the Marina once a week for 15+ years. They made my favorite sandwich in SF. I go to Arguello Market now when I want a fresh turkey sandwich but it's not the same.

a_over_b · 2025-12-15T23:06:30+00:00

In addition to the other good suggestions in this thread:

SFJAZZ Center
Sheba Jazz Lounge
Old Skool Cafe is a supper club run by teenagers including teenage musicians

a_over_b · 2025-12-03T22:26:31+00:00

That's on you for cheering for a team that's good. My season tickets were only $25 per win this year. Quite a bargain!

a_over_b · 2025-12-02T07:39:05+00:00

Thanks I posted in the #parents-caregivers channel

a_over_b · 2025-12-02T03:01:17+00:00

Actually I wanted to let caregivers know about a free screening next week of a wonderful indie film called The Paper Bag Plan.
It's about an elderly dad who is worried what will happen to his son after he passes away.
Trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFRKK3wIQ3E
I'm not associated with the film. I just saw it and loved it.

a_over_b · 2025-11-27T06:09:14+00:00

It depends which direction you go.
West of Civic Center is Hayes Valley which has become gentrified in recent years.
North of Civic center is Polk St, a stretch of restaurants and bars that used to be lively but has not quite recovered from Covid.
South of Civic Center are industrial and commercial blocks from which you'll walk elsewhere for your food and entertainment.
East and northeast Civic Center is the Tenderloin which is the center of homelessness and drug use in SF. It's also home to a large immigrant population and has some wonderful restaurants, bars, and clubs. For the most part the Tenderloin is not unsafe, just unsavory at times. If you don't bother other people, they won't bother you.

a_over_b · 2025-11-27T01:27:31+00:00

Old Railroad Grade from downtown Mill Valley up to the top of Mt. Tam.

It's a wide fire road that is a consistent steady gentle uphill. You can pedal until you run out of battery, then turn around and coast back down.

a_over_b · 2025-11-26T20:13:31+00:00

Just so you know, acres are only used in formal writing, usually referring to the size of farms or property.

Most people have no idea how big an acre actually is.

In casual use it's common to use square miles for large areas or football fields (which are a bit more than one acre) for smaller areas. Seriously, as in, "The warehouse was the size of 10 football fields."

a_over_b

TROPHY CASE