Byron Beach

San Francisco

Spotter since 2022

About me

About me
The quote “It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious” by Oscar Wilde works for me. I grew up on the central coast and have always valued the California virtues of connecting with people and their stories - there is a reason Hollywood and Silicon Valley started here. Everyone has a story, but so few tell it well.

For the last 30 years, I have lived in SF with my charming husband and a series of cats who all have a story to tell.

For better or worse, my story is that history is never boring, if you ask enough questions.

Why San Francisco?
Every time I land at SFO, I love the smell of the fog and the feel of the air. I love where I travel, and I love getting home.

Over the last 30+ years living in the city, either through accident or Intent, I seem to have taken on lots of its changes and personalities – do we all come to resemble the cities we love? Its layers have become my layers:

Individual gold hunter, gay oasis, tech evangelist, urban advocate, Herb Caen (yes he ascended to being an SF type) and demanding consumer of new thoughtful food and wine.

Pretentious? Well a bit, but it's true that believing that charm and belief and thought and care can lead to a wonderful life and that a bit of disorder is what makes for great cities and dinner conversations.

I live on the fog line, right where the cool meets the sun in the Inner Sunsets. Places that interest me have a bit of history and a lot of local love.

Online presence
Ironically, having made my living in digital and social media, I personally avoid it. Go figure!

My spots (15)

William Stout Books

Architecture & design

"William Stout Books" in SF is a bookstore that specializes in architecture and design books - a true candy store for the serious building porn fan...

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Shopping

By

Byron

Beach

Feb 4, 2025

Maison Nico

Pâté en croûte en SF

Right in the shadow of the TransAmerica Pyramid, Maison Nico is a must stop for me when I am downtown and need either a perfect pastry or want to bring something home that is special.

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Snacks

By

Byron

Beach

Jan 14, 2025

Damnfine Pizza

Best Pizza West of Divis

The name of the business, for once, is no lie, it is pretty dang fine. A personal favorite is the Pig in the Woods: pancetta, enoki, garlic, fresh mozzarella, and truffle.

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Restaurants

By

Byron

Beach

Jan 14, 2025

6th Ave Skate Park

Daily free roller skate party

When I am in Golden Gate Park in SF, I almost always stop for a few minutes at the 6th avenue skate park to watch the skaters dance to the music...

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

By

Byron

Beach

Dec 30, 2024

Free Gold Watch

Honest old school pinball palace

When I can hear the sound of spare coins jingling, I get an itch for a real pinball fix and head to the Haight and Free Gold Watch in San Francisco...

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

By

Byron

Beach

Dec 30, 2024

View Deck at UCSF

Best view in Western SF

When I want to know if the fog is coming in under the GG bridge in SF, I walk over to the public deck at UCSF's Helen Diller Medical Center...

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Art & culture
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Relaxing

By

Byron

Beach

Dec 30, 2024

Columbarium

History, heritage and dioramas

The SF Columbarium is one of the only cemeteries within San Francisco city limits. Pair a diorama with a dash of biography & you have me hooked...

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Art & culture

By

Byron

Beach

Dec 30, 2024

GG Park Golf Course

A 9-hole gem

I love coming to the Golden Gate Parks Golf Course in SF in the morning, where it's almost 100% guaranteed to be foggy...

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Relaxing

By

Byron

Beach

Dec 30, 2024

Where to find me

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