10 spring activities to fall in love with your city again
a bay area appreciation post.
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A fun fact about me is that I have never lived outside of California.
I was born and raised in the Bay Area, went to school in LA followed by a little postgrad stint out there, then moved back here in 2018 with my partner—we’ve been here ever since. Aside from the random college summer internship in Seattle, which I don’t really count, California has always been home. I have loved visiting other cities and countries, but nothing beats the feeling of touching down at SFO, walking out to blue skies and that crisp sweet Pacific air. Ahhhh.
But sometimes I take living here for granted.
We all get bored of our surroundings and everyday routines. I’ve been there. It’s easy to think “I need to get as far away as possible! I need to book an international trip and just escape!!!!” You have a magical time on your trip, but then you come home to a drained PTO balance and mild bowel issues and jet lag and…well, it sends you into a post-vacation depression spiral that you need 2 weeks to recover from.
Enjoy that big magical trip. But remember to savor the unique things your city has to offer. Like, that “touristy” thing you would never do until your friends are in town, but then you do it and realize it’s actually super fun. Pick a different park than the one you normally go to. Take the scenic route. Order an ice cream in a waffle cone.
Here are 10 things I’ve done this spring that made me fall in love with the Bay Area again.
1). Fill a basket’s worth of pastries from Acme Bakery.
The Bay Area is the sourdough capital of America. It’s a long-rooted cultural obsession. While my everyday loaf of choice is Josey Baker Seed Feast from Berkeley Bowl, I go to Acme when I’m craving the *collective experience* of a bakery line.
There is always a line, rain or shine, and it’s the best place for clogspotting (researching what clogs people are wearing).
My favorites: I like the Hella Wet Levain (the name is very Bay Area lol) as an extra moist sourdough loaf to eat with scrambled eggs. The cheese twist is my go-to savory pastry. The citrus olive oil cake was a dessert fixation that got me through the pandemic. I’ll also consider the pizza of the day, if the flavor looks good.
I wore a long silk dress but it was too cold for bare arms. So, this breezy cropped cardigan was the ideal layer to keep me warm without weighing down the look with heavy fabrics.
Pastries secured in my raffia basket bag. An older woman in the Acme line grinned at me and said, you look like you’re ready for a picnic! I was indeed.
2). Make a flower bouquet at home.
Can we agree that the best thing about spring is the flowers?
I usually just check the selection at Trader Joe’s and pick stems to mix and match myself. I don’t like the pre-made bouquets. Off to flower shopping!
I went with lilies and irises. The colors are so gorgeous.
Popped them into an old speckle vase. This arrangement took me longer than I would like to admit, but I want to get a shape that feels just right.
3). Have a book + picnic afternoon at Strawberry Creek.
This is my favorite third space in Berkeley. I packed a roman pizza slice from Acme (the daily flavor was lemon zest ricotta + arugula), a baguette and some fruit.
I blew through Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte. Scathing.
I never get sick of Strawberry Creek. It has a very enclosed feel, with a tiny cafe in a mossy brick building that looks like it was made by fairies.
4). Go for an easy nature walk at Redwood Regional Park.
I am intentionally calling it a nature walk and not a hike. I actually hate intense hiking…during freshman year of college we all had to participate in this thing called Outdoor Adventure, and the options ranged from hardcore backpacking to what was essentially summer camp. I chose summer camp.
To me, a nature walk means you are wandering around redwood trees and meadows and wildflowers. You do not need a Camelbak or real hiking boots or a backpack. In fact, I wore a FW1999 Miu Miu suede bag!
We brought the poodle on the hike and made her a flower crown <3
5). For more magnificent views, walk Lover’s Lane in the Presidio.
And you get to experience the prime example of an SF microclimate, where it looks sunny but you’re actually freezing your ass off! Pack a puffer. Beware of coyotes. And get breakfast sandwiches at Breadbelly after.
Granted, I should have worn sturdier shoes, but these held up just fine.
6). Make something with seasonal heirloom tomatoes.
The produce nerds here take tomatoes seriously. Just this weekend, there was a sale in the Chez Panisse lot where over 50 varieties of rare tomatoes were being sold.
But anything from Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market will do just fine (Ina Garten voice).
Oh and this is the best salad I’ve made this month. You need butter lettuce, frisee, tomatoes, chives, parmesan and store bought rotisserie chicken.
The dressing is basically just Brightland evoo + champagne vinegar, mixed with minced garlic, whole grain mustard, and salt/pepper. Looking pretty in a giant East Fork bowl.
7). Pretend to be a medieval lass at Normandy Village.
Tucked along the edge of the UC Berkeley campus is a cluster of houses called Normandy Village that look like a medieval storybook set. It’s really strange and whimsical, in the best way.
People do actually live here. I have found it is fine to stroll around and take photos, just be considerate/aware of the residents.
This cropped cotton blouse is actually worn backwards (!) with the tag snipped off. I think it totally works—if not better than worn the “right” way. Perfect for my high-waisted skirts.
8). Shop vintage designer gems at Magda Violet Showroom.
You have to make an appointment, but it’s worth it. The showroom is packed with vintage designer gems sourced from Italy, where the founder splits her time. Moschino, Pucci, Miu Miu, Prada, Kenzo, Vivienne Westwood…and more niche Y2K brands.
I tried on a Pucci top with Patrizia Pepe pants and platform boots.
9) Ride the cable car in San Francisco.
The only reason I rode a cable car down the slopes of California Street was because of a video project (coming soon!). I wrote it off as a tourist thing, and it kind of is, but it’s actually very thrilling and tickles my inner child. In an era of self-driving cars, it’s a treasure that these cable cars still operate.
10). Stroll through North Beach with an ice cream cone.
It is very important your ice cream is in a cone, not a cup. This maximizes romance and charm, which is the whole point. I like the vanilla bean from Mara’s.
It’s easy to take for granted how picturesque this city is. Like this row of Victorians standing proud against a clear blue sky.
This must be the place.
xoxo viv
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Perfect spring roundup! ReLove on Polk in SF has some amazing designer vintage finds if you need a hit in the city!
I live in NYC now, but I’m from the Bay Area. I cannot tell you how much I miss easily accessible nature and neighborhoods filled with diverse and dense vegetation. Long walks through beautiful neighborhoods with quirky houses… just the best!