I’ve lived in San Francisco for 35 years. The one thing that has been a constant pleasure is the weather.

Where else can you enjoy the outdoors year-round in the U.S. without freezing in the winter or sweating to death in the summer?  I covet my temperate climate where many sunny days, in the 60s, is the most perfect weather on the planet. And no pesky bugs.

How healthy to be able to walk through Golden Gate Park or along Ocean Beach, to commune with nature and get a good dose of Vitamin D. I don’t own a car, but it’s so easy to get around. I take the bus most places, or a taxi.

Admittedly, the last year has been rough, but that’s not the Lady’s fault. 

Before the pandemic, I was a single woman in my 70s, enjoying a nice life: sampling the city’s restaurants, going to the movies, the museums and the ballet. I had a standing Friday night date with a woman friend. We’d go to the movies then out to dinner.

We had our favorite restaurants near the theaters we frequented – and our favorite meals. Near the Opera Plaza theater for instance, we went to Ike’s Japanese Kitchen on Van Ness Avenue. If it was coldish out, we’d split the seafood Udon soup; otherwise, we’d share the Gyoza – I’m still stumbling over the pronunciation – meat dumplings, and two different Unagi rolls.

No, we never tired of the same food, perfect with a glass of pinot grigio (which we did not share.)

A welcome outcome of the pandemic has been expanded outdoor eating – so European. Recently, my cousin and I went to Noosh on Fillmore. The flatbread with garlic and seeds is so good I’m salivating right now thinking of it, and their scrumptious falafels are to live for!

When you’re single, you learn to do a lot of things on your own and in San Francisco there are a lot of options.

One of my favorite activities, pre-pandemic, was going to Sightglass Café on Divisadero at Page, ordering a flat white coffee, and sitting for an hour reading my book; I also met people there.  Having the café to go to assuaged occasional Sunday single-life blues. I’m hoping Sightglass will someday resume indoor service; I miss the convivial atmosphere.

What do you love about San Francisco?