One of the Voices of the City: Herb Caen and other San Francisco, CA Local Custom Tips

As an outsider, I can't think of anyone whose writing about SF was to me any more entertaining and influential than Herb Caen.

All his books (there are many) are available from the library, and I enjoy 'em all the time and recommend them to anyone who has any interest at all in San Francisco.

He spent 50 years writing columns and books about what may be the most interesting city in the country.

Caen joked that he was an unlikely Pulitzer winner, because the prize is usually awarded to journalism that is "serious, heavy, deep - all the things I'm not."

Thanks to Hank D:
MisterSF tribute to Herb Caen

and SFGate:
SF Chronicle tribute to Herb Caen

for their excellent tributes to one of my favorite columnists.

Here is a worthy eulogy to Herb from Robin Williams:
Robin Williams eulogy to Herb Caen

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Celebrities: MISTERSF - A Great San Francisco Website

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Updated by davequ

on Sep 8, 2006

Mister SF - Hank Donat

Referenced MORE than a bit on these pages:

no gushing or raving, just check out some of my fave pages on the City that reside at imo one of the best SF sites on the web.

MisterSF is the one and only Hank Donat.

Mister SF

If you love San Francisco, you will love Mister SF.

Here is Hank's take on a perfect San Francisco day - (per SFGate):

"I would go to Russian Hill and watch the sun rise over Oakland," he began, dreamily.

"I'd walk through Chinatown before it wakes up.
I'd have coffee at Cafe Trieste and then I would go and have lunch at the wharf - take the Hyde Street cable car up the hill, tramp around Nob Hill and Union Square,
drive out to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, come back via Ocean Beach and take in the view at Twin Peaks.
Dinner at Tadich, drinks at Top of the Mark, nightcap at the Gold Dust Lounge (rip)."

Works for me

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Website: http://www.mistersf.com

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S.F. Sights: My Favorite San Francisco Photographer

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Updated by davequ

on Dec 3, 2008

� Morton Beebe, all rights

reserved

Nothing is more inspirational to me, deepens my love of San Francisco, or is more enjoyable than the outstanding and excellent photography of Morton Beebe.

Just like when I follow Patricia Wells footsteps through Paris for amazing food,
I am also addicted to chasing Morton Beebe around San Francisco with my eyes and digital camera.

Merely aspiring to approach the level of quality and artistry in his work would be sacrilegious,
but is it ever great fun pursuing his beautiful & signature scenes around the City.

I currently own 2 books of his San Francisco photographs:
"San Francisco: City by the Bay - 3rd Revised Edition"
and I am most proud to also have a signed first-edition copy of "San Francisco."

The new and currently available editions are excellent and contain additional pages & photos along with updated examples of his work.

Accompanying the incredible photographs in his books are essays and commentary by Herb Caen, Tom Cole, Barnaby Conrad, Kevin Starr, and Herbert Gold, along with many archived black&white photographs from San Francisco's early days.

Morton Beebe is a kind, patient & gracious gentleman as well as a world-class artist and photographer.

Just my opinion, but no home or business of any San Francisco-lover could possibly be complete without at least one book of his beautiful photographs sitting within easy reach for everyone to enjoy.

You can check out some of his work here:

Morton Beebe as well as purchase it online.

Highly recommended.

Mr. Beebe: Thanks much for your kindness and attention, not to mention your wonderful work that you share with everyone.

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Website: http://www.mortonbeebe.com/

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S.F. Sights: Buskers Everywhere

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Updated by davequ

on Apr 28, 2005

Playin' real good 4 free

All the great cities have talented buskers, street performers & artists, and San Francisco is no exception.

This particular group (DeCadence) from Berkeley was performing on a Saturday morning near the Embarcadero.

My foto and even their website do them no justice as their a cappella vocals, choreography, arrangements etc. were tight, outstanding, all delivered with tons of spirit.

And it was free (but you have to drop some $ in the hat when someone is that good).

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Phone: (949) 677-3873
Website: http://decadence.berkeley.edu

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S.F. Diversity: It actually seems to work here sometimes

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Updated by davequ

on Feb 27, 2007

Since I don't live here, & my apologies to locals who see SF warts and all:

"diversity" etc.

generally gets a lot of lip service, especially in the corporate world I am forced to deal with every day.

I hate to be a cynic, but most of the time in my opinion its a load of hypocritical crap: Lip service, political correctness, and nothing more.

SF is one of the few cities I've ever been to where it feels like it actually seems to work, at least some of the time.

LIBERTY

Photo credit: cool pic from the Dartmouth College Electronic Rainbow Coalition...

Like I said: sometimes, ... sadly not always.

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S.F. Sights: Kiki from Montparnasse lives in the City

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Updated by davequ

on Aug 10, 2005

Paris is San Francisco is Paris

I love Paris / Montparnasse, and San Francisco as well, and feel a similar vibe in both cities.

I was exiting North Beach, walking into the Jackson Sq. Historic District
by the old Fugazi Bank Building
when I spotted my old friend Kiki from Montparnasse on the wall across the street from the Alioto building.
For anyone who loves San Francisco and Paris, and knows who Kiki & Man Ray were, you will understand the reason I took this picture.

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Health Issues: World class healthcare when you're in a pinch

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Updated by davequ

on Sep 17, 2005

Ne pas manger l'acide brun svp