Faves and raves by Jessica Murray (Click the picture for a slideshow of Jessica's faves)
Personal stats
AGE: 60
YEARS IN THE CITY: 36
NEIGHBORHOOD: Castro
OCCUPATION: Astrologer, writer
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Trained as a fine artist; worked in political theatre; studied astrology and other spiritual traditions for 30 years; writes about the world situation from a metaphysical point of view
FAVORITE QUIET SPACE
Eureka Valley Harvey Milk Memorial Public Library
WHERE: 1 José Sarria Court, at Market Street
WHAT: Sweet temple of sanity in a cacophonous world
INFO: (415) 355-5616
The resources offered are absolutely free, the ambience is clean and respectful, and you can be together with people in a quiet space. My humble neighborhood branch even has a fireplace.
FAVORITE THEATER
The Roxie Theatre
WHERE: 3117 16th St., at Valencia Street
WHAT: San Francisco’s oldest continually operated theater
INFO: (415) 863-1087 or www.roxie.com
My feelings about the Roxie are as potent as some people’s are about their old Italian grandmothers or saving the whales. To me, this wonderful movie palace stands as a beacon of independent art, intelligent culture, the true-grit Mission, even the glories of this city’s hippie past.
FAVORITE BAKERY
Thoroughbread Bakery
WHERE: 248 Church St., at 15th Street
WHAT: Bright, airy and delicious
INFO: (415) 558-0690
You can hear and taste the French-ness. None of this low-fat nonsense — all butter, all the time.
FAVORITE VIEWS OF THE CITY
Mission Dolores Park
WHERE: Dolores Street, between 18th and 20th streets
WHAT: Lovely urban lawn
INFO: www.missiondolorespark.com
Sitting on that emerald-green grass on a beautiful day overlooking the skyline blew my mind when I first came to this city decades ago, and it still does.
FAVORITE ICE CREAM PARLOR
Xanath Ice Cream
WHERE: 949 Valencia St., between 20th and 21st streets
WHAT: Ice creams to savor like fine wines
INFO: (415) 648-8996
Cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, fig, huckleberry and all sorts of unlikely flavors. Oh my stars, it’s good.
FAVORITE THRIFT SHOP
Seconds to Go
WHERE: 2252 Fillmore St., between Clay and Sacramento streets
WHAT: Chi-chi shopping for everyone
INFO: (415) 563-7806 or www.secondstogo.org
I like the concept of high-end secondhand stores, where persons of means can share what they get tired of and the rest of us can have a shot.
FAVORITE BEACH
Baker Beach
WHERE: Bowley Street at Lincoln Boulevard, Presidio
WHAT: Rugged cliffs and fluffy sand
INFO: www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/baker-beach.html
A winsome, low-key place to be on a warm day, with that great red bridge hovering over to the right. You remember why you’re not living in Los Angeles.
FAVORITE BOOKSTORE
Aardvark Books
WHERE: 227 Church St., at Market Street
WHAT: Used bookstore with a great selection
INFO: (415) 552-6733
May the used bookstores among us thrive; yea and verily, may they prosper and multiply. This one has a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and an award-winning cat.
FAVORITE FARMERS MARKET
Fillmore Street Farmers Market
WHERE: Fillmore Street, at O’Farrell Street
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
WHAT: A nice assortment of fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses and more
INFO: www.pcfma.com/market_home.php?market_id=13
Roses a gal can afford. People always seem in a good mood; this should tell us something.
