Thursday, November 26, 2015

Randy's Guide 4-6-1

Music 
Did you see that shooting star tonight?
Were you dazzled by the same constellation?
Did you and Jupiter conspire to get me?
I think you and the Moon and Neptune got it right
'Cause now I'm shining bright
 -- "Bright" by Echosmith (12.5 million views; Feb '15 upload)

The four siblings, who call Southern California home, have performed with Neon Trees, twenty-one pilots, and Owl City. Their top hit, "Cool Kids," hit #13 on the Billboard charts. Catch them at the Nob Hill Masonic, with Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, and Jamie Lawson. 

Previous songs: Down to the River to Pray (Alison Krauss); Three Rounds and a Sound (Blind Pilot); Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band); The Story (Brandi Carlile); Lucky One (Pure Bathing Culture); Easy Way Out (Gotye); Hell or High Water (William Elliott Whitmore); Hymn #101 (Joe Pug); Midnight City (M83); So American (Portugal. The Man); Carry On (Fun.); Remembrance (Balmorhea); Miss Atomic Bomb (The Killers); Take a Walk (Passion Pit); Closer (Tegan and Sara); It's Time (Imagine Dragons); Higher (Matt Nathanson); Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second (STRFKR); So Many Details (Toro Y Moi); Ho Hey (Lumineers); Winter Winds (Mumford & Sons); Wanted (Hunter Hayes); Levels (Avicii); The A Team (Ed Sheeran); Hold On (Alabama Shakes); Don't You Worry Child (Swedish House Mafia); Lonely Boy (The Black Keys); It's a War (Blackbird, Blackbird); Man on Fire (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros); Big Girl (Mika); Step (Vampire Weekend); All of Me (Tanlines); King and Lionheart (Of Monsters and Men); Celestica (Crystal Castles); Angels (The xx); Out of My League (Fitz & the Tantrums); If I Know You (The Presets); Dumb Disco Ideas (Holy Ghost!); Even If I Could (Rachael Yamagata); Tired Eyes (The Trophy Fire); Knock Knock (Band of Horses); Around the Block (Pretty Lights); Brave (Sara Bareilles); Same Love (Macklemore + Ryan Lewis, feat. Mary Lambert); Safe and Sound (Capital Cities); All-American Boy (Steve Grand); Entertainment (Phoenix); Your Drums, Your Love (AlunaGeorge); Garden (Lost in the Trees); Royals (Lorde); The Mother We Share (Chvrches); High School Lover (Cayuca); She Keeps Me Warm (Mary Lambert); Dyin' Bedmaker (Andrew Bird); Zombies (Radiation City); Bitter Rivals (Sleigh Bells); Tall Tall Shadow (Basia Bulat); Sunday (Crocodiles); Pompeii (Bastille); Breezeblocks (Alt-J); Sweater Weather (The Neighbourhood); Hurricane (MS MR); Trojans (Atlas Genius); Animals (Martin Garrix); Promising Actress (John Vanderslice and Magik*Magik Orchestra); Lightning Bolt (Jake Bugg); San Francisco (The Mowgli's); The High Road (Broken Bells); Call Me in a Day (La Luz); I Can't Go for That (Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers); Black Night (The Dodos); I Learned the Hard Way (Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings); The Robots (Kraftwerk); We Can Make the World Stop (The Glitch Mob); The Truth Don't Stop (Dr. Dog); & It Was U (How to Dress Well); Heartbeats (The Knife); Alive (Empire of the Sun); Holding on to You (twenty-one pilots); Tessellate (Tokyo Police Club); After Hours (We Are Scientists); It's Not True (William Fitzsimmons); Dance with Me (Ra Ra Riot); Inhaler (Foals); Will Do (TV on the Radio); A Few Honest Words (Ben Sollee); Higher Than the Clouds (Anuhea); Taking Chances (Sharon Van Etten); Sad Song (Au Revoir Simone); Keep Your Head Up (Andy Grammer); Zapata Se Queda (Lila Downs); Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk (Rufus Wainwright); Alexandra (Hamilton Leithauser); Latch (Disclosure, feat. Sam Smith); Clarity (Zedd feat. Foxes); Wonder Why (Vetiver); Jubel (Klingande); World Without Tears (Lucinda Williams); Talk Is Cheap (Chet Faker); You Cheated Me (Martha Wainwright); Beggin' for Thread (Banks); Elevate (St. Lucia); Speed of Sound (Alzara & Brother Spellbinder); You're Not the One (Sky Ferreira); My Silver Lining (First Aid Kit); Never Catch Me (Flying Lotus); Devils (Say Hi); Seasons - Waiting on You (Future Islands); Riptide (Vance Joy); Get Low (Dillon Francis feat DJ Snake); Collide (Laidback Luke feat Project 46 and Collin McLoughlin); Christmas Miracle (WestJet); Budapest (George Ezra); Rich Kids (Judah and the Lion); Now We Can See (The Thermals); Kites (Geographer); Demon Dance (Surfer Blood); Odessa (Caribou); Home - Leave the Lights On (Field Report); Unbound (Cathedrals); Bridges (Broods); Wraith Pinned to the Mist (of Montreal); Papaoutai (Stromae); Who Needs You (The Orwells); Blank Space (Taylor Swift); High Road (Mastodon); Worlds Apart (Seven Lions, feat. Kerli); O Valencia! (The Decemberists); The Letter That Johnny Walker Read (Asleep at the Wheel); Paradise (Wild Nothing); September Fields (Frazey Ford); I Wanna Get Better (Bleachers); I'm Gonna Show You Crazy (Bebe Rexha); She Looks So Perfect (5 Seconds of Summer); Take Me to Church (Hozier); Bohemian Rhapsody (Jake Shimabukuro); Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson); Aloha `Oe (Amy Hānaiali`i Gilliom); Feel It All (Tokio Hotel); In This Diary (The Ataris); Back to Me (The Frail); Gooey (Glass Animals); Red Eyes (The War on Drugs); I Will Never Let You Down (Rita Ora); Boys Latin (Panda Bear); This Tornado Loves You (Neko Case); Nancy From Now On (Father John Misty); Thrash Unreal (Against Me!); Chelsea Dagger (The Fratellis); I Believe in a Thing Called Love (The Darkness); Love Don't Go (The Family Crest); Jungle (X Ambassadors); Sedona (Houndsmouth); Hypnotic (Zella Day); Inhaler (Foals).


Food 
Pete's Barbeque 
2399 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 826-1009 
Yelp - 4 stars (219 reviews) 

It's a solid, straight-ahead BBQ cafe right in the heart of the Mission. Great rotisserie chicken and ribs. There are a few tables, but you may be wise to get take out for a holiday party or picnic in Dolores Park. 

Previous San Francisco picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Katana-Ya; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Rosamunde Sausage Grill; Curry Up Now; Yasukochi's Sweet Stop; Lime Tree Southeast Asian Kitchen; Firefly; Red Door Cafe; L'Ardoise Bistro; Pluto's; My Tofu House; Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous; Walzwerk; Good Luck Dim Sum; Amber India; Sotto Mare; Sweet Maple; Shanghai Dumpling King; Super Duper; Kokkari Estiatorio; Olea; Bodega Bistro; The Chairman Truck; Molinari Delicatessen; Wayfare Tavern; Wexler's; Thorough Bread & Pastry; Lers Ros Thai; Helmand Palace; HRD Coffee Shop; Fat Angel; Aperto; Pho Huynh Hiep 2; Ted's Deli; Zero Zero; Zazie; Shalimar; Swan Oyster Depot; Dottie's True Blue Cafe; La Taqueria; Chez Maman; Radio Habana Social Club; Tony's Pizza Napoletana; Hard Knox Cafe; Shabusen; Ragazza; Morty's Delicatessen; Hawaiian Drive Inn #28; Just For You Cafe; Woodhouse Fish Co; Mission Pie; El Metate; V-105; Kitchen Story; Frisco FriedRange; Suzu Noodle House; The Codmother Fish & Chips; The Front PorchBlue Plate; Chomp N' Swig; PiccinoLa MediterraneeKen Ken Ramen; Tommaso's Ristorante Italiano1760The Richmond; Nick's Crispy Tacos; Cinderella BakeryThe Little ChihuahuaZuni Cafe; Bistro Central Parc; Old Skool CafeStarbelly; The Sandwich Place; Primo Patio Cafe; Pearl's Deluxe Burgers; BoulevardThe Sausage FactoryTommy's JoyntTruly MediterraneanTadich GrillLittle Nepal; Roxie Food Center; New Eritrea Restaurant & BarVegaMitchell's Ice Cream; Marcello's Pizza; Olive Garden; Burmese KitchenCitizen's BandVelvet Cantina; Brenda's Meat and Three; Guddu de Karahi; Shin Toe Bul Yi; Miyabi Sushi; Señor SisigMarcella's Lasagneria; Taqueria Guadalajara; Mission Beach Cafe; Ike's Place, Alta CA; Volcano; Goat Hill Pizza; Taqueria Cancun.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Curry Up Now (San Mateo); Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli (Burlingame/South SF); Falafel's Drive In (San Jose); Sunny Bowl (Mountain View); Back A Yard Caribbean Grill (Menlo Park/San Jose); Pluto's (Palo Alto/San Jose); Ramen Parlor (San Mateo); Amber India (Mountain View/San Jose/Palo Alto); Nini's Coffee Shop (San Mateo); Kabab and Curry's (Santa Clara); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae); Alana's Cafe (Burlingame); Sushi Sam's Edomata (San Mateo); Shanghai Dumpling Shop (Millbrae); Romolo's Cannoli (San Mateo); Koi Palace (Daly City); Old Port Lobster Shack (Redwood City); Souvlaki's Greek Skewers (San Jose); Gorilla Barbeque (Pacifica); Ramen Dojo (San Mateo); Phil's Kitchen (Menlo Park); Gombei Japanese Restaurant (San Jose); Cowabunga Creamery (San Carlos).

Previous East Bay picks: Little Star Pizza (Albany); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley); Asmara (Oakland); Keanu's Island Kine Food (Vacaville); Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Berkeley/Oakland); Pluto's (Chico/Davis/Sacramento/Roseville); Bakesale Betty (Oakland); Zachary's Pizza (Oakland/Berkeley/San Ramon); Gregoire (Berkeley/Oakland); Val's Burgers (Hayward); Homeroom (Oakland); Jong Ga House (Oakland); Cheese Board Pizza (Berkeley); Vik's Chaat (Berkeley); Wat Mongkoratanaram (Berkeley); Luka's Taproom & Lounge (Oakland); First Street Ale House (Livermore); Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe (Oakland/Emeryville); Mua Lounge (Oakland); Grand Lake Kitchen (Oakland); Shan Dong Restaurant (Oakland); Taste of the Himalayas (Berkeley); Korea House (Concord); Miss Ollie's (Oakland); Gather (Berkeley); Phnom Penh House (Oakland); Sue's Kitchen (El Sobrante); John's Ice Cream (Brentwood/Berkeley); TrueBurger (Oakland); Kensington Circus PubKabana Restaurant (Berkeley); Ole Ole Burrito Express (Oakland); Johnathan's Sandwich House (Alameda); Fentons Creamery (Oakland); Battambang (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Bouchon Bakery (Yountville); Della Fattoria Bakery (Petaluma); Sol Food (San Rafael/Mill Valley); Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville); Moustache Baked Goods (Healdsburg); Super Duper (Mill Valley); The Pelican Inn (Muir Beach); Garden Grill (Guerneville); Buckeye Roadhouse (Mill Valley); Andie's Cafe (Napa); West Brooklyn Pizza Co (San Rafael); Lighthouse Cafe (Sausalito); Bovine Bakery (Petaluma/Point Reyes Station); Fairfax Scoop.


Previous Other picks: Shoki Ramen House (Sacramento); Built to Grill (Portland); Freshies (South Lake Tahoe); Mon Ami Gabi (Las Vegas); Fox & Goose Public House (Sacramento); La Bonne Soup Cafe (Sacramento); Snow City Cafe (Anchorage); Starling Diner (Long Beach); Masa of Echo Park (Los Angeles); Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs (Denver); Philippe the Original (Los Angeles); Han Bat Sul Lung Tang (Los Angeles); Jayne's Gastropub (San Diego); Quinn's (Seattle); George's Greek Cafe (Long Beach); Ike's Quarter Cafe (Nevada City); Root Down (Denver); Champa Garden (Redding); The Hangout (Seal Beach); Pantry Restaurant (Santa Fe); Hey That's Amore (Pasadena); Rioja (Denver); Sprouts Cafe (South Lake Tahoe); Solano Baking Company (Dixon); Ballast Point Brewery (San Diego); The Donuttery (Huntington Beach); Phil's BBQ (San Diego); Yak and Yeti Restaurant + Brewpub (Arvada, CO); Ben's Chili Bowl (D.C.); Biscuit Head (Asheville, NC); Frontier Restaurant (Albuquerque).


Nightlife 
Gestalt Haus 
3159 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 655-9935 
Yelp - 4 stars (510 reviews) 

The beer hall also functions as a German deli, with lots of meat and mustard and cheese for their sandwiches. Oh, and there's pinball. 

Previous San Francisco picks: Blackbird; El Rio; Rickhouse; Southern Pacific Brewing; The Hidden Vine; Vesuvio; The Pig & Whistle; Biergarten; Martuni's; Tosca Cafe; Toronado; The Alembic; Trad'r Sam; Sugar Lounge; Speakeasy Ales & Lagers; Lucky 13; Hotel Biron; Bottom of the Hill; Blackthorn; Local Edition; Magnolia Pub & Brewery; Whiskey Thieves; Bourbon & Branch; The Monk's Kettle; Amsterdam Cafe; Aunt Charlie's Lounge; Latin American Club; Two Sisters Bar and Books; Doc's Clock; 15 Romolo; Thee Parkside; The Social Study; The Page; Rye; Bloodhound; Azucar Lounge; The Residence; Tommy's Mexican; The Revolution Cafe; Trick Dog; The Hot Spot; Hi Tops; The HomesteadThe Phoenix Bar & Irish Gathering House; Fillmore Karaoke; Musee Mechanique; Royal Cuckoo; The Phone Booth; The Bitter End; Dear MomEureka LoungeElbo Room; Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe; Amelie; Buckshot; Greens Sports Bar; The Hearth; The Armory ClubVinyl Coffee & Wine BarThe WillowsBarrel Head BrewhouseThird Rail440 CastroShotwell's83 ProofThe Dark Horse InnHopwater DistributionNovelaTwin Peaks TavernGreat American Music HallElixirTopsy's Fun HouseWild Side WestSocial Kitchen & BreweryTriple Voodoo Brewery & Tap RoomValley Tavern; 500 Club; The MixRedwood RoomThe Plough and the Stars21st AmendmentUrban Putt; Bar 821; NightLife at the California Academy of SciencesThe RiptidePilsner InnTonga Room & Hurricane BarThird Rail; Spitfire Rose; Mission Bar; Dogpatch Saloon; Cellarmaker Brewing Company; Showdown; Knockout. 

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Antonio's Nut House (Palo Alto); The Oasis Beer Garden (Menlo Park); Rose and Crown (Palo Alto); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae); Grape & Grain (San Mateo); Freewheel Brewing Company (Redwood City); Cinebar (San Jose); Devil's Slide Taproom (Pacifica); The Dutch Goose (Menlo Park); The Branham Lounge (San Jose); Devil's Canyon Brewing Company (San Carlos); 7 Mile House (Brisbane).

Previous East Bay picks: The Trappist (Oakland); Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (Oakland); The Turf Club (Hayward); Jupiter (Berkeley); St. George Spirits (Alameda); Drake's Barrel House (San Leandro); JC Cellars (Oakland); Dashe Cellars (Oakland); Room 389 (Oakland); Beer Revolution (Oakland); Make Westing (Oakland); Altamont Beer Works (Livermore); Prizefighter (Emeryville); Heart and Dagger Saloon (Oakland); Dogwood (Oakland); Bar Three Fifty-Five (Oakland); Triple Rock Brewery and Ale House (Berkeley); Fauna (Oakland); Ben & Nick's Bar & Grill (Oakland); District OaklandAlbany TaproomThe Pig & the Pickle (Concord); The New Parkway (Oakland); Torpedo Room (Berkeley); Moxy Beer Garden (Berkeley); Ale Industries (Oakland); Faction Brewing (Alameda); Woods Bar & Brewery (Oakland); Diving Dog Brewhouse (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma); Bear Republic Brewing Co. (Healdsburg); Tourist Club (Mill Valley); Mill Valley BeerworksBillco's Billiards & Darts (Napa); Cline Cellars (Sonoma); No Name Bar (Sausalito); William Hill Estate Winery (Napa); Petaluma Hills Brewing Company (Petaluma). 

Previous Other picks: New Deal Distillery (Portland); Stateline Brewery (South Lake Tahoe); The Garage (Las Vegas); The Shady Lady Saloon (Sacramento); Mercantile Saloon (Sacramento); 49th State Brewing Co (Healy, AK); Goat Hill Tavern (Costa Mesa); El Prado (Los Angeles); Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey (Denver); Angel City Brewery (Los Angeles); The Hermosillo (Los Angeles); Polite Provisions (San Diego); Sun Liquor Distillery (Seattle); Alex's Bar (Long Beach); Avanguardia Wines (Grass Valley); The 1up (Denver); Fall River Taphouse (Redding)The Abbey (Seal Beach); Marble Brewery (Albuquerque); The Far Bar (Los Angeles); Epic Brewing Company (Denver); The Firkin & Fox (Carson City, NV); Berryessa Brewing Company (Winters); Brewski's Bar (San Diego); 49ers Tavern & Grill (Long Beach); San Diego Beerworks; Epic Brewing (Denver); Nellie's Sports Bar (D.C.); Fullsteam Brewery (Durham, NC); Twisted Chile Brewing Company (Socorro, NM).


Nooks & Crannies 
826 Valencia 
San Francisco, CA

Wait, it's a pirate store? Wait, it's a writing center? 

Previous Nooks: The Secret Garden (SF); Cal Park Hill Tunnel (San Rafael); Mount Olympus (SF); Watts Towers (Los Angeles); Seward Street Slides (SF); Bison Paddock (SF); St. Ignatius Church (SF); Albany Bulb (Albany); Feather Falls  (Oroville); Wolfe Ranch (Brentwood); South Park (SF); Castle Rock State Park (Los Gatos); Sutro Baths (SF); The Dish (Stanford); Bernal Hill (SF); Little Giant Gold Hydrant (SF); Redwood Valley Railway (Berkeley); Howard Langton Garden (SF); Philosopher's Way Trail (SF); Point Reyes LighthouseSundial Bridge (Redding); Bay Bridge Trail (Oakland); Berkeley Rose GardenMoraga Steps (SF); Angels Flight (Los Angeles); Grandview Park (SF); Corona Heights Park (SF); Lake Chabot (Oakland/Castro Valley); Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (San Antonio, NM); Heron's Head Park (SF); History Park (San Jose); Runyon Canyon Park (Los Angeles); Cataract Falls (Fairfax); Coyote Point Recreation Area (San Mateo); San Pedro Valley Park (Pacifica); Ano Nuevo State Park (Pescadero); Redwood Regional Park (Oakland); Laguna Honda Reservoir (SF); Joaquin Miller Park (Oakland); Holly Park (SF); Belden Place (SF); Swetsville Zoo (Fort Collins, CO); Treasure Island (SF); Temescal Alleys (Oakland); Kite Hill (SF); Cascade Falls (South Lake Tahoe); Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (Stanford); Pier 39 (SF); Mountain Lake (SF); Ring Mountain (Corte Madera); Vermont Street (SF); The Armory (SF); Vacaville Premium OutletsKezar Stadium (SF); Botanical Building (San Diego); Musee Mechanique (SF); Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve (Guerneville); Murphy Windmill (SF); Pinnacles National Park (Paicines); Mission San Francisco de Asis (SF); Grace Cathedral (SF); Flora Grubb Gardens (SF); Lake Merritt (Oakland); Diego Rivera Mural Project (SF); Baker Beach (SF); Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach); Botanical Building (San Diego); Pier 70 (SF); Dipsea Trail (Marin County); Mount Evans (Colorado); Transamerica Redwood Park (SF); Waterdog Lake Park (Belmont); Stow Lake (SF); Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (D.C.); International Civil Rights Center (Greensboro, NC); Cow Palace (Daly City); White Sands National Monument (New Mexico); Garfield Square (SF).


Charity  
Westside Community Services 
San Francisco, CA

This mental health agency has been based in San Francisco's Western Addition for over four decades. Their services range from black infant health to substance abuse to HIV/AIDS. The program also has a satellite office in SoMa. 

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, Little Angel Fund, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Urban Solutions, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, Shanti, Curry Without Worry, SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation, La Cocina, Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, The Bike Kitchen, First Graduate, Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Amy C), KQED (88.5 FM), FabMo Creativity Center, Duboce/Valencia Fire Relief, The Coming Home Project, Urban Tilth, Queer Lifespace (Wes S), Re-volv, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Prevent BlindnessHamilton Family CenterRocky Mountain WildPlant SFDelivering Innovation in Supportive Housing (DISH)City Slicker Farms, SCRAP, Good Karma BikesMilo FoundationRising Sun Energy CenterVida Verde Nature Education, J-Sei.


Free Activities 
1. Macy's Annual Tree Lighting 
Friday, 6-11pm
The gigantic tree in Union Square gets unveiled, and American Idol winner Jordin Sparks leads the musical entertainment. 

2. Andy Grammer + Ronnie Lott 
Tuesday, 5-7pm
The tree at 555 California gets its lighting, with entertainment by Andy Grammer, whose hits include "Honey I'm Good" and "Keep Your Head Up." Ronnie Lott makes an appearance too. 

3. Third Eye Blind concert 
Saturday, 2pm
Yep, they're doing a free show at Amoeba Records on Haight Street. You may want to arrive early though.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Randy's Guide 4-6-0

Music 
I'm pale and coy, a mama's boy, I make believe
I shimmy shake, I wake and bake, I'm over me
My lungs are beat, I cannot breathe, don't follow me
You push and shove, I've had enough, don't mess with me
 -- "Inhaler" by Foals (11.6 million views; Nov '12 upload)

The British rock band has a penchant for thrilling live shows apparently, and now they stand four studio albums into their careers. Catch them as part of LIVE 105's Not So Silent Night on December 11. 

Previous songs: Down to the River to Pray (Alison Krauss); Three Rounds and a Sound (Blind Pilot); Chicken Fried (Zac Brown Band); The Story (Brandi Carlile); Lucky One (Pure Bathing Culture); Easy Way Out (Gotye); Hell or High Water (William Elliott Whitmore); Hymn #101 (Joe Pug); Midnight City (M83); So American (Portugal. The Man); Carry On (Fun.); Remembrance (Balmorhea); Miss Atomic Bomb (The Killers); Take a Walk (Passion Pit); Closer (Tegan and Sara); It's Time (Imagine Dragons); Higher (Matt Nathanson); Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second (STRFKR); So Many Details (Toro Y Moi); Ho Hey (Lumineers); Winter Winds (Mumford & Sons); Wanted (Hunter Hayes); Levels (Avicii); The A Team (Ed Sheeran); Hold On (Alabama Shakes); Don't You Worry Child (Swedish House Mafia); Lonely Boy (The Black Keys); It's a War (Blackbird, Blackbird); Man on Fire (Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros); Big Girl (Mika); Step (Vampire Weekend); All of Me (Tanlines); King and Lionheart (Of Monsters and Men); Celestica (Crystal Castles); Angels (The xx); Out of My League (Fitz & the Tantrums); If I Know You (The Presets); Dumb Disco Ideas (Holy Ghost!); Even If I Could (Rachael Yamagata); Tired Eyes (The Trophy Fire); Knock Knock (Band of Horses); Around the Block (Pretty Lights); Brave (Sara Bareilles); Same Love (Macklemore + Ryan Lewis, feat. Mary Lambert); Safe and Sound (Capital Cities); All-American Boy (Steve Grand); Entertainment (Phoenix); Your Drums, Your Love (AlunaGeorge); Garden (Lost in the Trees); Royals (Lorde); The Mother We Share (Chvrches); High School Lover (Cayuca); She Keeps Me Warm (Mary Lambert); Dyin' Bedmaker (Andrew Bird); Zombies (Radiation City); Bitter Rivals (Sleigh Bells); Tall Tall Shadow (Basia Bulat); Sunday (Crocodiles); Pompeii (Bastille); Breezeblocks (Alt-J); Sweater Weather (The Neighbourhood); Hurricane (MS MR); Trojans (Atlas Genius); Animals (Martin Garrix); Promising Actress (John Vanderslice and Magik*Magik Orchestra); Lightning Bolt (Jake Bugg); San Francisco (The Mowgli's); The High Road (Broken Bells); Call Me in a Day (La Luz); I Can't Go for That (Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers); Black Night (The Dodos); I Learned the Hard Way (Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings); The Robots (Kraftwerk); We Can Make the World Stop (The Glitch Mob); The Truth Don't Stop (Dr. Dog); & It Was U (How to Dress Well); Heartbeats (The Knife); Alive (Empire of the Sun); Holding on to You (twenty-one pilots); Tessellate (Tokyo Police Club); After Hours (We Are Scientists); It's Not True (William Fitzsimmons); Dance with Me (Ra Ra Riot); Inhaler (Foals); Will Do (TV on the Radio); A Few Honest Words (Ben Sollee); Higher Than the Clouds (Anuhea); Taking Chances (Sharon Van Etten); Sad Song (Au Revoir Simone); Keep Your Head Up (Andy Grammer); Zapata Se Queda (Lila Downs); Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk (Rufus Wainwright); Alexandra (Hamilton Leithauser); Latch (Disclosure, feat. Sam Smith); Clarity (Zedd feat. Foxes); Wonder Why (Vetiver); Jubel (Klingande); World Without Tears (Lucinda Williams); Talk Is Cheap (Chet Faker); You Cheated Me (Martha Wainwright); Beggin' for Thread (Banks); Elevate (St. Lucia); Speed of Sound (Alzara & Brother Spellbinder); You're Not the One (Sky Ferreira); My Silver Lining (First Aid Kit); Never Catch Me (Flying Lotus); Devils (Say Hi); Seasons - Waiting on You (Future Islands); Riptide (Vance Joy); Get Low (Dillon Francis feat DJ Snake); Collide (Laidback Luke feat Project 46 and Collin McLoughlin); Christmas Miracle (WestJet); Budapest (George Ezra); Rich Kids (Judah and the Lion); Now We Can See (The Thermals); Kites (Geographer); Demon Dance (Surfer Blood); Odessa (Caribou); Home - Leave the Lights On (Field Report); Unbound (Cathedrals); Bridges (Broods); Wraith Pinned to the Mist (of Montreal); Papaoutai (Stromae); Who Needs You (The Orwells); Blank Space (Taylor Swift); High Road (Mastodon); Worlds Apart (Seven Lions, feat. Kerli); O Valencia! (The Decemberists); The Letter That Johnny Walker Read (Asleep at the Wheel); Paradise (Wild Nothing); September Fields (Frazey Ford); I Wanna Get Better (Bleachers); I'm Gonna Show You Crazy (Bebe Rexha); She Looks So Perfect (5 Seconds of Summer); Take Me to Church (Hozier); Bohemian Rhapsody (Jake Shimabukuro); Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson); Aloha `Oe (Amy Hānaiali`i Gilliom); Feel It All (Tokio Hotel); In This Diary (The Ataris); Back to Me (The Frail); Gooey (Glass Animals); Red Eyes (The War on Drugs); I Will Never Let You Down (Rita Ora); Boys Latin (Panda Bear); This Tornado Loves You (Neko Case); Nancy From Now On (Father John Misty); Thrash Unreal (Against Me!); Chelsea Dagger (The Fratellis); I Believe in a Thing Called Love (The Darkness); Love Don't Go (The Family Crest); Jungle (X Ambassadors); Sedona (Houndsmouth); Hypnotic (Zella Day).


Food 
Taqueria Cancun 
3211 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 550-1414
3-1/2 stars (304 reviews)
or
2288 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 252-9560
4 stars (1778 reviews)
or
1003 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 864-6773

3-1/2 stars (335 reviews) 

Three locations around SF must mean something is going right for this local taqueria chain. No flavored tortillas, no strange additions, just straight-ahead tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and tortas. Probably the only difference over the last several years is the slight increase in price. 

Previous San Francisco picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Katana-Ya; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Park Tavern; Broken Record; Rosamunde Sausage Grill; Curry Up Now; Yasukochi's Sweet Stop; Lime Tree Southeast Asian Kitchen; Firefly; Red Door Cafe; L'Ardoise Bistro; Pluto's; My Tofu House; Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous; Walzwerk; Good Luck Dim Sum; Amber India; Sotto Mare; Sweet Maple; Shanghai Dumpling King; Super Duper; Kokkari Estiatorio; Olea; Bodega Bistro; The Chairman Truck; Molinari Delicatessen; Wayfare Tavern; Wexler's; Thorough Bread & Pastry; Lers Ros Thai; Helmand Palace; HRD Coffee Shop; Fat Angel; Aperto; Pho Huynh Hiep 2; Ted's Deli; Zero Zero; Zazie; Shalimar; Swan Oyster Depot; Dottie's True Blue Cafe; La Taqueria; Chez Maman; Radio Habana Social Club; Tony's Pizza Napoletana; Hard Knox Cafe; Shabusen; Ragazza; Morty's Delicatessen; Hawaiian Drive Inn #28; Just For You Cafe; Woodhouse Fish Co; Mission Pie; El Metate; V-105; Kitchen Story; Frisco FriedRange; Suzu Noodle House; The Codmother Fish & Chips; The Front PorchBlue Plate; Chomp N' Swig; PiccinoLa MediterraneeKen Ken Ramen; Tommaso's Ristorante Italiano1760The Richmond; Nick's Crispy Tacos; Cinderella BakeryThe Little ChihuahuaZuni Cafe; Bistro Central Parc; Old Skool CafeStarbelly; The Sandwich Place; Primo Patio Cafe; Pearl's Deluxe Burgers; BoulevardThe Sausage FactoryTommy's JoyntTruly MediterraneanTadich GrillLittle Nepal; Roxie Food Center; New Eritrea Restaurant & BarVegaMitchell's Ice Cream; Marcello's Pizza; Olive Garden; Burmese KitchenCitizen's BandVelvet Cantina; Brenda's Meat and Three; Guddu de Karahi; Shin Toe Bul Yi; Miyabi Sushi; Señor SisigMarcella's Lasagneria; Taqueria Guadalajara; Mission Beach Cafe; Ike's Place, Alta CA; Volcano; Goat Hill Pizza.

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Curry Up Now (San Mateo); Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli (Burlingame/South SF); Falafel's Drive In (San Jose); Sunny Bowl (Mountain View); Back A Yard Caribbean Grill (Menlo Park/San Jose); Pluto's (Palo Alto/San Jose); Ramen Parlor (San Mateo); Amber India (Mountain View/San Jose/Palo Alto); Nini's Coffee Shop (San Mateo); Kabab and Curry's (Santa Clara); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae); Alana's Cafe (Burlingame); Sushi Sam's Edomata (San Mateo); Shanghai Dumpling Shop (Millbrae); Romolo's Cannoli (San Mateo); Koi Palace (Daly City); Old Port Lobster Shack (Redwood City); Souvlaki's Greek Skewers (San Jose); Gorilla Barbeque (Pacifica); Ramen Dojo (San Mateo); Phil's Kitchen (Menlo Park); Gombei Japanese Restaurant (San Jose); Cowabunga Creamery (San Carlos).

Previous East Bay picks: Little Star Pizza (Albany); Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley); Asmara (Oakland); Keanu's Island Kine Food (Vacaville); Tara's Organic Ice Cream (Berkeley/Oakland); Pluto's (Chico/Davis/Sacramento/Roseville); Bakesale Betty (Oakland); Zachary's Pizza (Oakland/Berkeley/San Ramon); Gregoire (Berkeley/Oakland); Val's Burgers (Hayward); Homeroom (Oakland); Jong Ga House (Oakland); Cheese Board Pizza (Berkeley); Vik's Chaat (Berkeley); Wat Mongkoratanaram (Berkeley); Luka's Taproom & Lounge (Oakland); First Street Ale House (Livermore); Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe (Oakland/Emeryville); Mua Lounge (Oakland); Grand Lake Kitchen (Oakland); Shan Dong Restaurant (Oakland); Taste of the Himalayas (Berkeley); Korea House (Concord); Miss Ollie's (Oakland); Gather (Berkeley); Phnom Penh House (Oakland); Sue's Kitchen (El Sobrante); John's Ice Cream (Brentwood/Berkeley); TrueBurger (Oakland); Kensington Circus PubKabana Restaurant (Berkeley); Ole Ole Burrito Express (Oakland); Johnathan's Sandwich House (Alameda); Fentons Creamery (Oakland); Battambang (Oakland).

Previous North Bay picks: Bouchon Bakery (Yountville); Della Fattoria Bakery (Petaluma); Sol Food (San Rafael/Mill Valley); Stumptown Brewery (Guerneville); Moustache Baked Goods (Healdsburg); Super Duper (Mill Valley); The Pelican Inn (Muir Beach); Garden Grill (Guerneville); Buckeye Roadhouse (Mill Valley); Andie's Cafe (Napa); West Brooklyn Pizza Co (San Rafael); Lighthouse Cafe (Sausalito); Bovine Bakery (Petaluma/Point Reyes Station); Fairfax Scoop.

Previous Other picks: Shoki Ramen House (Sacramento); Built to Grill (Portland); Freshies (South Lake Tahoe); Mon Ami Gabi (Las Vegas); Fox & Goose Public House (Sacramento); La Bonne Soup Cafe (Sacramento); Snow City Cafe (Anchorage); Starling Diner (Long Beach); Masa of Echo Park (Los Angeles); Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs (Denver); Philippe the Original (Los Angeles); Han Bat Sul Lung Tang (Los Angeles); Jayne's Gastropub (San Diego); Quinn's (Seattle); George's Greek Cafe (Long Beach); Ike's Quarter Cafe (Nevada City); Root Down (Denver); Champa Garden (Redding); The Hangout (Seal Beach); Pantry Restaurant (Santa Fe); Hey That's Amore (Pasadena); Rioja (Denver); Sprouts Cafe (South Lake Tahoe); Solano Baking Company (Dixon); Ballast Point Brewery (San Diego); The Donuttery (Huntington Beach); Phil's BBQ (San Diego); Yak and Yeti Restaurant + Brewpub (Arvada, CO); Ben's Chili Bowl (D.C.); Biscuit Head (Asheville, NC); Frontier Restaurant (Albuquerque).


Nightlife 
Knockout 
3223 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 550-6994 
Yelp - 4 stars (305 reviews) 

Undoubtedly, being the Mission, I'm sure that hipsters come to this 10-year-old dive bar in droves for Oldies Night. I can only speak for the Thursday bingo night, which lasts from 7-9pm. You'll earn free drinks and kitschy prizes. I also appreciate being able to bring in food (ahem, Taqueria Cancun) for a proper night out. Decent tap menu, and a full liquor license to boot. 

Previous San Francisco picks: Blackbird; El Rio; Rickhouse; Southern Pacific Brewing; The Hidden Vine; Vesuvio; The Pig & Whistle; Biergarten; Martuni's; Tosca Cafe; Toronado; The Alembic; Trad'r Sam; Sugar Lounge; Speakeasy Ales & Lagers; Lucky 13; Hotel Biron; Bottom of the Hill; Blackthorn; Local Edition; Magnolia Pub & Brewery; Whiskey Thieves; Bourbon & Branch; The Monk's Kettle; Amsterdam Cafe; Aunt Charlie's Lounge; Latin American Club; Two Sisters Bar and Books; Doc's Clock; 15 Romolo; Thee Parkside; The Social Study; The Page; Rye; Bloodhound; Azucar Lounge; The Residence; Tommy's Mexican; The Revolution Cafe; Trick Dog; The Hot Spot; Hi Tops; The HomesteadThe Phoenix Bar & Irish Gathering House; Fillmore Karaoke; Musee Mechanique; Royal Cuckoo; The Phone Booth; The Bitter End; Dear MomEureka LoungeElbo Room; Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe; Amelie; Buckshot; Greens Sports Bar; The Hearth; The Armory ClubVinyl Coffee & Wine BarThe WillowsBarrel Head BrewhouseThird Rail440 CastroShotwell's83 ProofThe Dark Horse InnHopwater DistributionNovelaTwin Peaks TavernGreat American Music HallElixirTopsy's Fun HouseWild Side WestSocial Kitchen & BreweryTriple Voodoo Brewery & Tap RoomValley Tavern; 500 Club; The MixRedwood RoomThe Plough and the Stars21st AmendmentUrban Putt; Bar 821; NightLife at the California Academy of SciencesThe RiptidePilsner InnTonga Room & Hurricane BarThird Rail; Spitfire Rose; Mission Bar; Dogpatch Saloon; Cellarmaker Brewing Company; Showdown. 

Previous Peninsula/South Bay picks: Antonio's Nut House (Palo Alto); The Oasis Beer Garden (Menlo Park); Rose and Crown (Palo Alto); Fiddler's Green (Millbrae); Grape & Grain (San Mateo); Freewheel Brewing Company (Redwood City); Cinebar (San Jose); Devil's Slide Taproom (Pacifica); The Dutch Goose (Menlo Park); The Branham Lounge (San Jose); Devil's Canyon Brewing Company (San Carlos); 7 Mile House (Brisbane).

Previous East Bay picks: The Trappist (Oakland); Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (Oakland); The Turf Club (Hayward); Jupiter (Berkeley); St. George Spirits (Alameda); Drake's Barrel House (San Leandro); JC Cellars (Oakland); Dashe Cellars (Oakland); Room 389 (Oakland); Beer Revolution (Oakland); Make Westing (Oakland); Altamont Beer Works (Livermore); Prizefighter (Emeryville); Heart and Dagger Saloon (Oakland); Dogwood (Oakland); Bar Three Fifty-Five (Oakland); Triple Rock Brewery and Ale House (Berkeley); Fauna (Oakland); Ben & Nick's Bar & Grill (Oakland); District OaklandAlbany TaproomThe Pig & the Pickle (Concord); The New Parkway (Oakland); Torpedo Room (Berkeley); Moxy Beer Garden (Berkeley); Ale Industries (Oakland); Faction Brewing (Alameda); Woods Bar & Brewery (Oakland); Diving Dog Brewhouse (Oakland).

 Previous North Bay picks: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma); Bear Republic Brewing Co. (Healdsburg); Tourist Club (Mill Valley); Mill Valley BeerworksBillco's Billiards & Darts (Napa); Cline Cellars (Sonoma); No Name Bar (Sausalito); William Hill Estate Winery (Napa); Petaluma Hills Brewing Company (Petaluma). 

Previous Other picks: New Deal Distillery (Portland); Stateline Brewery (South Lake Tahoe); The Garage (Las Vegas); The Shady Lady Saloon (Sacramento); Mercantile Saloon (Sacramento); 49th State Brewing Co (Healy, AK); Goat Hill Tavern (Costa Mesa); El Prado (Los Angeles); Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey (Denver); Angel City Brewery (Los Angeles); The Hermosillo (Los Angeles); Polite Provisions (San Diego); Sun Liquor Distillery (Seattle); Alex's Bar (Long Beach); Avanguardia Wines (Grass Valley); The 1up (Denver); Fall River Taphouse (Redding)The Abbey (Seal Beach); Marble Brewery (Albuquerque); The Far Bar (Los Angeles); Epic Brewing Company (Denver); The Firkin & Fox (Carson City, NV); Berryessa Brewing Company (Winters); Brewski's Bar (San Diego); 49ers Tavern & Grill (Long Beach); San Diego Beerworks; Epic Brewing (Denver); Nellie's Sports Bar (D.C.); Fullsteam Brewery (Durham, NC); Twisted Chile Brewing Company (Socorro, NM).


Nooks & Crannies 
Garfield Square 
San Francisco, CA

In a previous life, the 3-1/2 acre park in the heart of the Mission was host to the state's first ballpark. Garfield Square opened in 1884, and now boasts a renovated soccer field, playground, and clubhouse thanks in part to the Fisher family of Gap fame. It plays host to the annual Day of the Dead celebrations, and wisely speaks to the heritage of murals in the immediate vicinity. 

Previous Nooks: The Secret Garden (SF); Cal Park Hill Tunnel (San Rafael); Mount Olympus (SF); Watts Towers (Los Angeles); Seward Street Slides (SF); Bison Paddock (SF); St. Ignatius Church (SF); Albany Bulb (Albany); Feather Falls  (Oroville); Wolfe Ranch (Brentwood); South Park (SF); Castle Rock State Park (Los Gatos); Sutro Baths (SF); The Dish (Stanford); Bernal Hill (SF); Little Giant Gold Hydrant (SF); Redwood Valley Railway (Berkeley); Howard Langton Garden (SF); Philosopher's Way Trail (SF); Point Reyes LighthouseSundial Bridge (Redding); Bay Bridge Trail (Oakland); Berkeley Rose GardenMoraga Steps (SF); Angels Flight (Los Angeles); Grandview Park (SF); Corona Heights Park (SF); Lake Chabot (Oakland/Castro Valley); Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (San Antonio, NM); Heron's Head Park (SF); History Park (San Jose); Runyon Canyon Park (Los Angeles); Cataract Falls (Fairfax); Coyote Point Recreation Area (San Mateo); San Pedro Valley Park (Pacifica); Ano Nuevo State Park (Pescadero); Redwood Regional Park (Oakland); Laguna Honda Reservoir (SF); Joaquin Miller Park (Oakland); Holly Park (SF); Belden Place (SF); Swetsville Zoo (Fort Collins, CO); Treasure Island (SF); Temescal Alleys (Oakland); Kite Hill (SF); Cascade Falls (South Lake Tahoe); Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (Stanford); Pier 39 (SF); Mountain Lake (SF); Ring Mountain (Corte Madera); Vermont Street (SF); The Armory (SF); Vacaville Premium OutletsKezar Stadium (SF); Botanical Building (San Diego); Musee Mechanique (SF); Armstrong Redwoods State National Reserve (Guerneville); Murphy Windmill (SF); Pinnacles National Park (Paicines); Mission San Francisco de Asis (SF); Grace Cathedral (SF); Flora Grubb Gardens (SF); Lake Merritt (Oakland); Diego Rivera Mural Project (SF); Baker Beach (SF); Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve (Huntington Beach); Botanical Building (San Diego); Pier 70 (SF); Dipsea Trail (Marin County); Mount Evans (Colorado); Transamerica Redwood Park (SF); Waterdog Lake Park (Belmont); Stow Lake (SF); Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (D.C.); International Civil Rights Center (Greensboro, NC); Cow Palace (Daly City); White Sands National Monument (New Mexico).


Charity  
Westside Community Services 
San Francisco, CA

This mental health agency has been based in San Francisco's Western Addition for over four decades. Their services range from black infant health to substance abuse to HIV/AIDS. The program also has a satellite office in SoMa. 

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, Little Angel Fund, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Urban Solutions, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, Shanti, Curry Without Worry, SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation, La Cocina, Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, The Bike Kitchen, First Graduate, Lazarex Cancer Foundation (Amy C), KQED (88.5 FM), FabMo Creativity Center, Duboce/Valencia Fire Relief, The Coming Home Project, Urban Tilth, Queer Lifespace (Wes S), Re-volv, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Prevent BlindnessHamilton Family CenterRocky Mountain WildPlant SFDelivering Innovation in Supportive Housing (DISH)City Slicker FarmsSCRAPGood Karma BikesMilo FoundationRising Sun Energy CenterVida Verde Nature Education, J-Sei.


Free Activities 
Embarcadero Lighting Ceremony 
Friday, 4-7pm 
Hurry over to the Embarcadero Center for the annual lighting ceremony, fireworks, and Disney on Ice performance. It's about Frozen, after all. 

Renegade Craft Fair 
Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6pm
Over 300 national artists will be showing off their wares as part of this holiday fair that stops in eight major cities. Food and alcohol are available for purchase.