San Francisco Date Guide
*Alexa play “California Dreamin'“ because I’m back in San Francisco! I love exploring California’s many beautiful landscapes so sit back and let me be your guide to California’s famous redwoods, tide pools, beaches, and more.
Nobody:
Josie Qu, Chinese American wannabe cowgirl: “Nihaody”
1. Explore the Tides Pools
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Barbara’s Fish Trap, 30-45 minute drive from SF, suggested 4-6 hour date. Price range: $-$$
I grew up catching abalone, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and mussels from tide pools. While I do that less now, I still feel incredibly grateful for the ocean’s bounty. Let’s take a short 30 minute drive from San Francisco to explore the treasures of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and head down for sinfully good fish and chips at Barbara’s Fish Trap afterwards.
P.S. I promise not to dress up like a sea urchin (was almost my Halloween costume this year).
Picture credit: Moss Beach Distillery
Hog Island Oyster Co. at Point Reyes Beach, 1.5 hours from SF, suggested 4-6 hour date. Price range: $-$$
I love eating oysters at the Ferry Building, but they are so much brinier and sweeter when they’re fresh from the sea. Let’s shuck, grill, and slurp fresh oysters from Hog Island Oyster Co. on the beach. Plus we’ll be joined by VIP dinner guest, the male northern elephant seals, as they return home for mating season.
Fun and terrifying fact: Elephant seals can weigh up to 5100 pounds, the weight of a small car.
Picture credit: Hog Island Oyster Co.
3. Forage for mushrooms and edible greens
Forage SF Wild Mushroom Adventure Walk and Forage SF Wild Food Walks. Distance from SF ranges from a 30 minute to 4 hour drive depending on the tour, suggested 6 hour date. Price Range: $$
Let’s be the fungi of the party this season! Let’s hike foggy green hills and redwood forests with fellow nature enthusiasts to learn about edible plants and mushrooms. I grew up hearing stories of my family farming in China so it’s important for me to share that connection to the land especially in the age of over-development.
As M. Kat Anderson, Indigenous historian, mourns, “Nature really misses us. We no longer have a relationship with plants and animals, and that’s the reason why they’re going away.”
Picture credit: Save the Redwoods League
4. Wine Blending and Hot Air Balloon Ride
Conn Creek Winery and Napa Valley Aloft Balloon Rides, 1.5 hour drive from SF, suggested 8-24 hour date. Price range: $$$
It’s time to cut the WINE-ing and whinging about winter! Let’s head down to Napa Valley to blend our own wine and enjoy Napa’s blue skies from a private hot balloon ride. We’ll be tasting and mixing grapes from different vineyards to create our own red blend to bring home. As the years pass, I’ve become more appreciative of the nuances and craft of wine making, and have been adding this growing knowledge to my culinary repertoire. I’m ready to give Franzia the big send-off she deserves- a bird’s eye view of Napa Valley and us discreetly necking under a Napa sunset.
Photo credit: Afar Napa Valley Balloons Inc
5. Movie and dinner date
Suggested 6 hour date, price range $-$$$.
Ever since I started watching Brooklyn 99, I’ve been waiting for someone to take my Die Hard cherry. Lucky for us, the Roxie Theater is playing Die Hard. I grew up on a diet of Hong Kong action movies so my body is ready for the party, pal! Let’s get yakitori at Hina SF or Izakaya Sozai afterwards to celebrate the season.
Not feeling Die Hard? Let’s watch the classic Christmas sexscapade, Eyes Wide Shut, at Alamo Drafthouse Theater instead. Masks and angst optional.
For the Hong Kong action movie buffs, Aces Go Places, Mr. Vampire, and New Dragon Gate Inn are my favorites.
6. Double dates, but more fun
Yes, all my hang outs end up like this especially when I invite culinary comrade: Adahlia Cole, the original Gibson girl: Rose Gibson, artiste in arms- Adrienne Leilani, kitchen muse: Mara Jones and comedienne dell’arte: Juicy Jolene. I would be delighted to have any of my friends join us, or invite everyone for a true bacchanal.