Arriving in San Francisco in 1973 was surreal, to be sure. Being from a small town in Washington State, seeing street cars, gay couples, real diversity, and basically the big city for the first time, was mind-blowing.
I’d never been away from home, a sheltered military brat, I was oooh-ing and ah-ing seemingly every two seconds. I was hungry and my then boyfriend wanted me to experience his favorite place to eat in the city. That place was Tommy’s Joynt on Van Ness.
Fast forward to the present day. I walked into Tommy’s Joynt once again for a bit of nostalgia and the best Tequila Sunrise I’ve ever had after a long day of doing portraits at the Palace of Fine Arts. I was not disappointed. I filled my plate with a pastrami sandwich like no other, grabbed a pickle because who wouldn’t, and then added a slice of carrot cake to top it off. And let’s not forget the Tequila Sunrise. The carrot cake had to accompany me on the ride home, but the next day it was just as heavenly with a nice cup of coffee.
Now, I’m not saying Tommy’s Joynt is the nicest place in town, but it sure is one of the least expensive, the most fun, and it is definitely the place to go if you want to fill your belly and have your mind blown. Go. It’s so worth it.
Find your way with 157 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
My neighborhood park is San Francisco is "Mountain Lake Park." It's one of our last remaining natural lakes,
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You'll sail completely around Alcatraz and then out to sea, pass other boats, and experience the fog rolling into the Bay—a very cool experience.
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Custom-built in Italy, it features more than 30 colorful animals and is the only bay area carousel with artistic renderings of all the SF landmarks!
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"Trouble Coffee" in San Francisco is a category of its own. Let's say it belongs to the 'badass coffee' category. Makes me feel like a rough surfer girl!
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It's an easy hike with trees, ferns, and other bits of nature surrounding the trail. If you stop and listen, you will hear… nothing.
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"Hook Fish Co" in San Francisco is deep in the Sunset Avenues and is perfect for when you have a hankering for some scrumptious fish tacos!
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The building of the City Hall itself is an architectural wonder. Stand below the dome and wander through the main floor, which is open to the public!
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I love coming to Alamo Square in San Francisco and getting a yummy park coffee from Lady Falcon Coffee Club and their converted 1940s bread truck!
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"The Spire" in The Presidio in San Francisco is one of the many reasons to come visit. A natural skyscraper, it reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are...
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"Saint Frank Coffee" in San Francisco feels like an airy museum on the inside. I always leave with a few bags of coffee and an iced latte in hand...
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I've never been to a cafe that made me feel as if I had been teleported to another place than "Stable Cafe" in San Francisco... Felt like I was in Italy!
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"The Mill SF" with its red brick exterior gets one curious straight away! I come here for their awesome toast, especially the cinnamon sugar toast!
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157 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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