Day 22 - Outside Lands

Now there is a music festival by the same name, but Outside Lands, was actually the name used in the 19th century for the present-day Sunset District, i.e. my neighborhood. With few roads and no public transportation, the area was covered by sand dunes and was considered inaccessible and uninhabitable. It is an interesting area, considered "SO far" by many city folk but really, the city is only 7x7 miles so c'mon people! It is very well known for the fog, and although I had heard this a gagillion times, I had not lived it until the summer. The fog rolls in from the Pacific Ocean, about 25 blocks away and as it rolls out, it keeps rolling in. But on most days I live here very cozily, cuddled by the fog. Not to mention the cost/sq ft ratio of an apartment out here is unbeatable. Here are my favorite things to do in my neighborhood:

1) The American Bison in Golden Gate Park. They are gorgeous and so serene, I always have to park my car when I drive by and gawk at them. I am not a big fan of zoos or animals in captivity but from what I hear these bison have been here for over 100 years and were brought to their paddock to avoid extinction. There is not much information available about this herd but I'll let you know if I find anything.

2) The Pizza Place. All the way by the ocean, by far the best east-coast style pizza in the city. They also make this amazing roasted cauliflower with mandarins, olives, and parsley. Anyone who calls themselves a foodie should be making the drive for this pizza!

3) Beach Chalet. First and foremost, a brewery, but I love that they have BBQ's and live music on the weekends. Oysters are available. I also invested in a growler so I often fill it up for just $8 and bring home beer from the tap. These days I do it for Joe since I have yet to find a wheat-free beer :(

4) The Ocean. Cold or not, an ocean is an ocean and a great place to clear your mind.

5) Other Avenues. The second of only two co-ops in the city (the other being Rainbow), short for cooperative and it is a worker owned business. This one is MUCH smaller than Rainbow, but no waiting in line for parking, has everything I need, and it's small enough to just grab what you need and go. It also has a great bulk section.

6) The Golden Gate Heights stairs. Found on Moraga and 16th, there are 163 mosaic panels starting with ocean/fish/shellfish tiles at the bottom and graduating to plants, sky and the sun at the top of the stairs. These stairs were a community project spearheaded by a Brazilian (yes!) and she wanted to re-create the steps from outside her home in Rio de Janeiro (double yes!) Enjoy the view from the top, while you catch your breath.

7) Last but not least, the newly established Outside Lands Music Festival. The line-up has the good (Band of Horses, Silversun Pickups, Thievery Corp), the bad (Jason Mraz) and the ugly (Black Eyed Peas), but I can walk there! I also love the wine tasting tent, Hog Island Oysters and the "food lineup," including Dosa this year!