Exploring the Golden Mile of Golden Gate Park

Good morning readers! Welcome to The Fogline, a newsletter created to share our love for the city we live in and to promote community connection. We aim to give you the scoop on neighborhood events, tasty new pop-ups and restaurants, and spots to gather, play, shop, and enjoy this beautiful city we share.

In today’s news:

We went for an afternoon jog along the Golden Mile in Golden Gate Park this week and noticed some fun painting on the crosswalks and on the roadway. The Golden Mile is the section of JFK Drive that has been converted into a car-free public space for recreation. It is a 1.5 mile stretch that is perfect for all types of exercise. We are often surrounded by joggers, walkers, roller skaters, cyclists, and skateboarders on the Mile. For an animal lover, the dog watching is top-tier. We love sitting in the yellow Adirondack chairs when the weather is nice.

There are so many fun and interesting art installations, sculptures, and paintings to discover, and we truly feel that the Golden Mile Project has enriched this part of the park. It might be our very favorite thing about living in the Inner Richmond!

You can find the comprehensive collection and some really great overhead photos of the art at goldenmileproject.org and paintthevoid.org. Check them out!

On Tuesday 11/18, The Sycamore will be hosting Astronomy on Tap, a casual public lecture series presented by astronomers. This week’s talks will be delivered by:

These talks are popular and often sell out. See https://astronomyontap.org/ for a full listing of upcoming events in the area.

I have loved every meal I’ve ever eaten that contained chili oil. Give me chili oil and the tingling, buzzing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns, and I am in heaven. Dan dan noodles are a favorite of mine for this reason, and we discovered an excellent version a few months ago at Yuanbao Jiaozi on 2110 Irving Street. They are also well-known for their steamed dumplings.

Now I won’t have to travel to visit Chinatown to Chong Qing Xiao Mian (another top choice) to satisfy my dan dan noodle cravings.

This week I stopped by a couple of clothing boutiques to check out some local spots I have yet to visit. Typically I end up browsing much more than buying as I am fussy about clothes shopping. I’ll only buy something if it has a clear place in my small wardrobe and the fit is perfect or close to perfect. I think this comes from past mistakes of buying pieces that excited me at first, only to watch them hang lonely in my closet for years. Now I only want clothes I truly love and wear regularly.

Onyx Boutique is one of those shops where you can find a special item to round out your wardrobe. I found many tops and jackets that were modern, stylish, and wearable, and from brands you won’t find in every store. I noticed some particularly attractive tops and sweaters from the Portland-based label Bridge & Burn. There were also uniquely stylish leather belts and handbags from local creators, along with a selection of vintage clothing and jewelry. I highly recommend a visit if you like checking out independent clothing lines, and walking Divisadero is always a fun time.

The next shop I visited was Wild Feather, a local designer and accessory store for women and men. What immediately caught my eye here was the selection of stylish sunglasses and jewelry. This shop also highlights local designers, and the owner is incredibly helpful. It is a good place to find festival wear or something adventurous for a special occasion.