Photos With Santa

The holidays haven't arrived until you've plopped the kiddies on Santa's lap and waited to see if they think he's a jolly old chappie or as terrifying as the clowns at a recent birthday party. To test it out, try bringing the squirts to the center court of Stonestown, where Santa will be hanging out until the 24th of December. If you plan ahead, you can print out an online coupon to get a free 5x7 photo with the purchase of a $25.99 or greater package (and also a freebie holiday drawing for your kids to color). If you're a cheapskate extraordinaire, you can walk a bit farther and prop them up in front of the Apple store windows, adorned with a giant elf and Santa. But I'd go for the real Santa. When I last visited, the sign proclaimed he was out feeding the reindeer. And any Santa who does such jobs himself (instead of relegating them to the elves) is one cool Santa indeed.

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Landmarks , Shopping • Parkside (Inner)

Make the Voyage

OK, so let's face it--you will not get many beach days in your life time if you live in San Francisco (even with our fair city's generously expanded definition of a beach day). But on a rare day that you do, if you happen to head to Ocean Beach, a stop at Marco Polo's is a must. But let's say it's not a beach day. It's foggy and cold and the place is too far out. And you don't even like ice cream that much! Guess what—-it's still worth going. Because this, my friends, is one of best gelato shops in town, with that unpretentious, bizarre SF air (that modern foodie places just don’t have) to boot. Particularly if you love food and if your palate is always in search of the next sensation. With flavors like durian, black sesame, taro and chestnut, Marco Polo delivers creamy, smooth, almost erotic goodness that is sure to make you think of a beach day even if it isn't one.

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Shopping • Parkside (Inner)

The Shannon Arms

The sleepy, foggy Thursday night kept me neighborhood bound, but spring fever took me out. With this pathos, I found the Shannon Arms. It’s way out in the Sunset District; even so, it still gets pretty crowded right around midnight. Also, it’s right off the L line–as in: you can practically step out of the Muni and into the bar. The clientele was mixed–big groups and small, young folk and old, frat guys and hipsters, and more–who mingled with mixed results. Over the course of a beer ($4.50 for a pint of Anchor Steam–not too shabby) I almost saw 2 fights. They were diffused before anyone was harmed, but between the fog outside and the smoke in the bar (yes, it’s one of those) and the fiddle (albeit with a punk back beat) on the juke box, and the alternating brogue, Brit, and American accents around me, I almost thought I was in old Dublin town. At the same time, it retained enough of that Bay Area flavor that I felt right at home. The décor was eclectic, the bartender was friendly, and I will definitely be going back.

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Nightlife • Parkside (Inner)

Stern Grove Festival-Sigmund Stern Grove

“While I’ve never actually gone to big festivals like this, I sure can’t wait to play it this year,” says signer/songwriter Aimee Mann about headlining the 69th annual Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco. She adds, “It’s going to be a lot of fun.” While Mann might not be familiar with the history of the event, she’s right on about one thing, Stern Grove is one of the best places to spend warm summer Sunday in the city. The admission-free series of concerts that began in 1932, has become synonymous with laid back summer days, and this year should be no exception. With artists ranging from Mann and Seu Jorge to the conscientious collectives of Ozomatli and the Rebirth Brass Band scheduled to take the stage, it should be yet another memorable year. The all-ages show has designated outdoor beer and wine spots for adults, craft stands for kids, plenty of open space for dogs and just about everything else in between.

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Landmarks • Parkside (Inner)