The Lincoln Log

You’re at the bus stop after school, waiting with that hopeless ‘this is the only way home’ feeling; even though you are tired from school, the I-want-to-go-home urges in you until it reaches the point where you don’t care about the rest of your day – you just want to get home. This has probably happened to you at least a few times in your life, and you might have even gotten used to it. As this eventually becomes your daily schedule (school, go home, eat, sleep, repeat), you might want to start considering some other options before your lazy body becomes acustomed to this kind of life style.

After school, you might hang out with friends, go to work, do a club activity, go to practice for a sports team, study, or maybe even just relax on your own. The main question, however, is this: where would you – where could you – do all of this in San Francisco? Most Lincoln students have been in San Francisco their whole lives, and probably know the city pretty well, but have you truly seen and done everything that there is to do here? There’s a lot to learn in San Francisco, not exactly ‘history wise’, but more of what’s where and what’s new.

Most of the time, the words “hang out” mean coffee at Starbucks, eating out at some random restaurant, or lounging around at some corner. Honestly, come on! There’s more to life than overly advertised companies to show you where to go. It’s understandable if you’re a little broke, but there are plenty of advantages to a flat wallet. Fast food restaurants are supposed to be alternatives, not your first choice for food, and this goes for KFC, and Taco Bell for sure. Try something different, even if it is at your local neighborhood restaurant. Local restaurants tend to have a more easy-going atmosphere than a high-paced chain like Burger King. There’s always something unique about entering a store that is actually owned by people who really work there.

Most of the nature in San Francisco comes free – the Botanical Gardens is an extremely relaxing spot, with beautiful gardens, green grass, and a variety of flowers that bloom with grace. Enjoy a nap under a tree, read by the fountain, or relax with friends – this place is just amazing.

Haight Ashbury is the place to go where you don’t always need a full wallet to have a good time. Why not browse around the hippie-shops with some friends? The workers are friendly, and you’ll always run across something – or someone – really interesting. There’s also a nice skateboard shop called Skates on Haight where the workers are kind and allow you to window-shop freely.

West Portal (No, not the station) has a nice homely feel to the place. My interest there revolves around the ice cream, pizza, and toy stores. West Portal is a very fun place to hang around with a couple of friends, and I can almost guarantee you that they will be a store to peak everyone’s interests.

Fisherman’s Wharf probably requires a lot more time to explore, but it is always worth it to see the other side of the city. This area is a very busy and beautiful landmark in which you can go to any of the Piers and find a different purpose for each one. Pier 39 is especilly cool – there are more than three-hundred stores of all kinds, ranging from sock shops to areas of chocolate and candy worship.

There are so many things that you can do in San Francisco, but you just have to do some searching.