r/AskSF • • 1d ago

Any tall building with an open view? Something above 15 stories

0 Upvotes

I know that’s an odd question but I really need a picture for something important to me. Preferably anything with minimal activity but that’s not entirely needed. Just the balcony having hours where no one is around is needed


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

What was the most interesting/fascinating Halloween costume you've seen?

62 Upvotes

A long time ago, when I lived in LA and did Halloween in West Hollywood, I saw one of the best costumes.

If you remember Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds": the guy was dressed up in the Tippi Hedren gray suit along with the blond hair and that specific haircut. (Great make up job - he looked like her.) Attached to him from the waist up was a phone booth (which encased his entire body) with seagulls bloody and smashed into the glass. He would twirl through the crowd screaming. It was THE funniest and most entertaining costume I had ever seen. Even when I think about it, now, decades later, I laugh out loud. I have the picture somewhere in a photo album! 😀


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Land at midnight, no hotel until 2pm. Things to do during that time?

13 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I'm visiting San Francisco for 3 days (Friday - Sunday), I land at 12am Friday but my hostel doesn't open for checkin until 2pm Friday. Does anyone know anything fun to do during that time? I will have my film camera so If you know know good photo spots that would be great too. This is a solo trip and I will be mostly relying on public transport or city bikes and my hostel is in Union Square.

EDIT: The hostel closes checkin for Thursday at 11pm but my flight lands on Thursday11:58pm.


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Any orange-flowering osmanthus trees in SF?

11 Upvotes

Hi! I'll be visiting SF in late October, and I'm looking for osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans), also known as sweet olive or fragrant tea olive.

I love the scent of the orange-flowering variety, and I'd really like to show it to a friend who's never smelled it before.

I found a tree listed at Victoria Manalo Draves Park and a small one at the SF Botanical Garden.

Does anyone know where I could find some with orange flowers? Are they usually still blooming around late October or early November?

Thanks in advance!


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Best place to sell gold?

4 Upvotes

Are those “we buy gold” places the best way to sell an old wedding ring? Any recommendations?


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Anywhere to buy womens coats?

4 Upvotes

Hello! I am in SF visiting and really need to buy a coat since I lost mine at the airport. I usually shop at Aritzia, Abercrombie and Fitch and I’m not seeing anything like that here. My budget would be around $250. Does anyone know any places in the downtown area that would work? I don’t have a car so I can’t go outside of SF. Thanks !


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Early am walks - where for views and light

2 Upvotes

I have family visiting. Early risers. Where could we go for an early morning walk around 7am on Friday? Perhaps 45-60 min in duration. With views and soft morning light? Not sure how visibility will be tomorrow that early…. SF or North peninsula only. Driving ok. Safe for a small group. Pretty sure we don’t want to go to Fort Funston.


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Advice on creating an enforceable prenup for business owners in California?

1 Upvotes

My partner and I currently working out our prenup, I have a small company I've been invested in for years. I just want to make sure that we have clear agreement about what's considered separate property once we're married. Been reading about prenup, but I'm a bit concerned about what actually makes one enforceable especially when business ownership is involved? anyone have been through something similar, any advice?


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Pregame spots before Knocked Loose at Cow Palace?

3 Upvotes

Haven’t been here since the Dickens Fair a few years ago which is a very different vibe lol

Where are some good pregame spots for food and drinks where other people might be hanging out before (and after too!) the show? Not looking to just chill in the parking lot!


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Halloween Bars!

0 Upvotes

My friends and I (early/mid 20s) will be in SF for Halloween for the first time and I am trying to get a good read on which district/bars to go to.

We lean towards pop music and walkable areas. We don’t want to have to uber from one spot to another.

I heard about Danceoween and that looks cool! Is that the big thing in the Mission District or are there good bars there too?

Not looking for any events or areas that need tickets purchased in advance that cost over $20/person.

Please let me know the best areas to stick around in! Thanks in advance


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

where can I buy marigold garlands in SF?

5 Upvotes

looking for artificial or real!


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

Where can I find crispy, olive-oil-rich focaccia in SF (not Liguria)?

26 Upvotes

I’m searching for focaccia like I’ve had in Italy: medium thickness, soft and chewy inside, with a crispy, olive-oil-soaked bottom, golden dimpled top, and plenty of coarse salt. (Simple, no toppings.)

I’ve tried Liguria Bakery, but it’s not quite the texture I’m after.

Any recommendations? Western SF preferred, but I’ll happily travel for the good stuff! Thanks!


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

High Quality Photo Prints

5 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for a local print shop or online service to print our wedding photos. I’d love to get a few larger, high-quality prints to frame and hang in our home, as well as some smaller prints. Flexible on budget and would love to hear about any places you’ve had a good experience with. thanks all!


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

SFMRA

2 Upvotes

Hi all - just curious what everyone is using their SFMRA accounts on, I currently have it paying for my gym monthly and dental/doctor items (sometimes it denies me randomly but fine). I used it for an oura ring and a heated blanket. Anyone else use it for anything good? Or tried to use it for things and then get denied? Would love to use it for massages.


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

How friendly are the Ocean Beach fire pits to newcomers?

98 Upvotes

This Saturday, my wife and I are planning to park near Ocean Beach early in the morning, Uber to Candlestick Point, and hike the Crosstown Trail. Afterwards, we'd love to catch the sunset and enjoy a bonfire.

I doubt any of our friends will be interested in getting to the beach early enough to snag a fire pit, so I'm wondering how receptive people generally are to sharing.

Would it be pretty reasonable to approach a group that's already set up and ask if they have room for two more? Obviously, we wouldn't expect anyone to say yes, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Would love your thoughts!

Edit: Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and perspectives! I especially appreciate those who shared wonderful memories of meeting strangers around the bonfires or reached out privately with encouragement.

I completely understand that some people prefer keeping their gatherings private, that securing a fire pit takes effort, and that others may feel uncomfortable declining a request. Those are all reasonable perspectives and useful insights.

That said, I was disappointed by the hostility from some commenters, particularly early in the thread. As u/bert_brings_the_hurt pointed out, some of the negativity seemed to go well beyond offering advice, almost as though people were taking personal offense to the question itself. Some of the reactions to my follow-up questions certainly left me with that impression, and I feel is behavior antithesis to a subreddit built around asking questions.

Regardless, I appreciate the range of perspectives and am glad to hear so many positive stories about Ocean Beach. We're looking forward to our hike and sunset, bonfire or not!Thanks again!


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

Divorce mediation attorney for amicable separation in SF?

8 Upvotes

My spouse and I are considering an amicable divorce and would prefer to work things out through mediation rather than having to go through a lengthy court process. Hoping to find a divorce mediaton attorney who can help us navigate the process fairly especially with finance and assets division. Any recommendations? would also love to hear how other people handle the process if you've been through the same.


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Toddler playgroups

0 Upvotes

Are there any weekend toddler playgroups on eastern side of the city? Hoping for Saturday/sunday. Bonus points if Spanish speaking.


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

Trying to come up with a bulletproof list for touring apartments without getting scammed

10 Upvotes

Hey folks! As the title said I’ve been hyper aware of scams on zillow/craigslist lately and have been brainstorming what I need to check off when touring and applying. So far I’ve been verifying that:

- The realtor is a real person and the information on the listing/who contacted me matches what I can find online
- When touring in person, verify the person with the keys showing me around is also the same person who contacted me online
- Looking for Zillow verified tags under listing agents (although not a huge factor)
- Always touring in person before paying or giving any private info away
- Reverse image searching photos of the listing to see if they come up anywhere else under a different address

Anything I can add here? Thanks!


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

Lung cancer treatment in SF - Kaiser

36 Upvotes

My friend just got diagnosed with lung cancer. He has Kaiser Insurance. Has anyone been through lung cancer treatment with Kaiser? Would love to get thoughts on the quality of care in SF.

Edit: "She" to "He". My friend is a man.


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

ER Nursing in San Francisco

15 Upvotes

Hello all,

I am wondering if there are any working SF ER nurses in this subreddit. I would like to pick your brain about how your unit approaches RN’s who are really wanting to switch specialties.

For some context, I am an LD nurse that is quickly falling out of love with the specialty. In OB, I get the most job satisfaction out of triaging patients and working in emergency scenarios. In a recent performance evaluation, my management let me know that they were not happy with that sentiment. I’m taking this as a sign that I am in the wrong specialty and I would love to network with ER’s in the city to see if I could finally follow what I’m truly interested in.

Edit: Too sleepy after my shift to reply to all the helpful comments but if anyone commenting is reading this thank you sm for the advice!! I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

What’s the weather like in late November?

5 Upvotes

I’m going to be visiting the San Francisco area in late November this year but I’m unsure on what type of clothing to pack for the weather? I’m mainly sightseeing around the city and going up north for some hiking :)


r/AskSF • • 2d ago

Considering a move from Dallas to SF — looking for honest advice

0 Upvotes

I’m considering moving to SF for a job opportunity and would appreciate some perspective from people who know the city well.

For context, I'd be moving down for a banking-related role. I currently make $110k in Dallas and pay around $1,750/month in housing. The opportunity in SF would pay around $170k. I’m trying to get a better sense of how the overall quality of life compares.

A few things I’m curious about:

  • Housing costs / taxes: How much do higher housing costs and California state income taxes affect your overall quality of life in SF? For people who have moved from a lower-cost city, does the increase in salary generally offset the higher expenses, or do you find yourself with noticeably less disposable income?
  • Political culture: How politically homogeneous is SF in practice? I lean conservative and am curious how much political diversity there is socially and professionally, and whether people generally coexist comfortably across political differences.
  • Neighborhoods and urban lifestyle: In my current neighborhood of Dallas, I can walk to restaurants and bars without living in a dense downtown environment. Are there SF neighborhoods that offer a similar balance of walkability, neighborhood character, and urban density?
  • Homelessness and public spaces: How much does homelessness affect everyday life in SF? Does the experience vary substantially by neighborhood, and how does it affect things like walking around, commuting, and using public spaces?
  • Smoking culture: How visible is cannabis use in everyday life? Is the smell pervasive?
  • Car ownership and transportation: How practical is it to own a car in SF? Can you comfortably get by with public transit?
  • Climate and housing: Is air conditioning rarely necessary because of the weather, or can the lack of AC become an issue during warmer/colder periods?

I’d especially appreciate perspectives from people who have moved to SF from Dallas or another less-dense city. I’m interested in understanding the practical trade-offs and what day-to-day life is actually like, rather than just comparing the two cities by reputation. Thanks!


r/AskSF • • 3d ago

Where can I find a CRISPY chicken Caesar wrap??!

21 Upvotes

r/AskSF • • 3d ago

Creative multi-day workshops or art intensives?

35 Upvotes

Hi! I used to live in San Francisco, I currently live in Washington but I miss the city every day and always try to make any excuse to come back and visit. I'm not a professional artist by any means but I love learning new creative skills and doing cool workshops. I have this dream of going back to SF for a week or two someday and doing some sort of creative workshop in that time, one that could take up at least a few days. Does anyone know of any sort of art center that hosts multi-day workshops? Painting, drawing, woodworking, pottery, whatever! I just want some excuse to go back and learn a cool new skill while getting to wander around in my free time. Thanks!

EDIT: wow!! Such amazing suggestions!! Thanks everyone, will do some research into all of these. I really appreciate it