Zephyr SOMA/SoBe Blog

Tennis Anyone?

Whenever I pass the San Francisco Tennis Club on 5th St. on my way to the office, I wonder what is happening with the club.

The last time I heard about it was back in 2005 as reported in San Francisco Business Times.

The saga of the club's future started in 2004 when the club received an unsolicited offer to buy the 2.5 acres the building occupies at 645 5th St., in the heart of SOMA/SoBe area -- just two blocks from AT&T Park.

With club membership boasting celebrities like Andre Agassi and Tony Bennett, members couldn't just stand by and watch their beloved club go up for sale to become yet another new luxury condo complex. Where would they go to hit the balls, right? So they banded together, swung their rackets, and raised $15 million to matched the rumored bid.

But sometimes, love is not enough. According to the San Francisco Business Time, Pulte Homes paid over $30 million and entered contract with club owners ClubCorp of Dallas in August 2005.

So two and half years later, while the developer is wrestling City Hall for rezoning, the 180,000-square-foot, four-story building with 12 indoor courts, 12 outdoor courts, restaurant, pro shop and other facilities are still enjoyed by the 3000 club members. According to the membership office, they will be operating at this site at least until the end of 2007. And the club is currently accepting new members without charging an initiation fee.

For under $200 a month and no commitment, you can join this exclusive club. So, tennis anyone?

Baseball Season is Here, And So are the Traffic Problems

"Take me out to the ball park, take me out to the game......"

It is Spring in SOMA, when Opening Day for the Giants happens.  It also means that parking and traffic problems are back again from now until September, or October depending how the SF Giants play this season.

For the complete schedule and instructions how to download the schedule to Outlook or whatever personal management scheduler you have go to http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/schedule/downloadable.jsp.

This way you will know whether to leave SOMA early for appointments or errands, or to stay away for a few more hours, so you won't get stuck in the traffic.  I made the mistake of trying to run into my office during Opening Day and it took me an hour and a half to find parking.  It is crazy that so many Giants fans were parking at meters with little regard for the two hour limit and the $40.00 ticket for parking longer than two hours, which is cheaper than the $50-75 dollars some of the garages are getting to park during games.

Cigar Store Indian

Standing sentinel on Second Street across from South Park stands a cigar store Indian.  Inside the ordinary looking storefront is an unlikely emporium for SoBe dwellers. 

Hennessy’s is deli (they bake their own sandwich-size baguettes daily), wine store and tasting room, cigar store and gourmet corner market.

Hungry?  Grab a luscious handmade sandwich, salad, or soup - made fresh daily.  Sit outside in the patio and enjoy your lunch accompanied by a glass of wine or cold imported beer.  Stay for the frequent wine tastings.

Having a few friends drop in?  The gourmet cheese selections along with toasts, crackers and antipasti are variety enough to save the day.  Try the homemade hummus or guacamole.

The wine selection is considerable and there is always an expert to guide you in your purchase, whether it be a hostess gift, something to serve at your own table, or rare and collectors bottles, at excellent prices.  You can even get help designing your home wine cellar.

Want to say thanks in a meaningful way?  Pick up or have delivered a custom gift basket.  Choose from wines, cheeses, chocolates, and so much more.

It’s around the corner or down the street.  Hennessy’s is your neighborhood gourmet resource.

545 2^nd Street.  (415) 348-1452 Store hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 to 8:00, Saturday 10:00 to 7:00.

Calling all birders!

Driving north on 280 while passing the new Mission Bay development, I looked over at a utility wire suspended where the golf driving range used to be, and observed several birds perched there. Pigeon (well, technically, rock dove…), gull, and whoa! What’s that? I nearly slammed on the brakes and whipped out my binoculars right then, but realized that the car behind me was also going 60 mph and maybe that wasn’t such a hot idea. But I resolved to go back and look for the mystery bird. It had a raptor-like shape, a buff colored belly and chestnut colored wings, from what I could tell at that speed and distance.

Today, I drove into the UCSF Mission Bay campus to get a closer look, and there she was, again perched on a high wire. It seemed for my benefit only that she lifted off her perch, winged out over the empty field and hovered, beating her wings and extending her legs. Prey was in view. Gradually, she lowered herself, dropping silently, but did not make the final dive. She landed back on the wire and stared right into my binoculars: an American Kestrel.

To see her, turn onto Owens from 16^th Street. You may find her hunting in the empty lot beyond the Gladstone Foundations building.

Red's Java House

Red's Java House is named after a former owner, an Irish Boxing coach, known simply as Red.  Some consider it a throwback to a time when only dockworkers lunched along the Embarcadero and "fancy" was a fightin' word.  This pier shack under the Bay Bridge has held fast to its roots since 1956, serving hearty lunches and heartier coffee.  Yes, you can still buy coffee there and have it freshly ground.  A few years ago the place added breakfast and dinner, it hasn't gone upscale and lost its original roots.  Prices rose with the revamp, but the portions are still the Good Ole’ Red’s size portions.  You always leave well satisfied even if it is not by today’s standards of the South Beach Diet.

Sandwiches are packed onto French rolls smeared with mayo, mustard and onions, though they are happy to remove or add extras of their condiments to make you happy.  The fare is simply to some, but in a world of “infusioned this or that” it reminds me of the breakfasts and lunches I would have with my dad when I was lucky enough to hang out with him on the weekends as a kid when he would take me to work with him as a plumber.  The food is always great and it is hearty and savory.  Breakfast pancakes are sweet, light, fluffy and worth twice the price anywhere else in the neighborhood.  The owner and all the servers are warm and friendly, whether it is your first visit or you come in often.  If you come here regularly, they'll remember your name and how you take your coffee or how you like your burger. The java itself comes from a variety of house-processed beans, which you can buy in plastic bags for under $10 – well worth it.

Another great deal, unless you're a wine snob, is the cup (not glass) of wine, which will run you just a few dollars. Or better yet order a bucket (yes a real bucket) of beers and sit with a few close friends enjoying the views of the pier, the Bay or the bridge.  On sunny days, take your lunch outside and sit amongst the dockworkers, construction workers, tourists and suits, all gazing either at the water lapping under “the dock on the Bay” or gazing skyward at the architectural beauty of the Bay Bridge.

Red’s Java House
Pier 30-32 at Bryant
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-777-5626

Located at the Embarcadero at Bryant.

SOMA-Chinatown Subway Expected to Ease Traffic Issues

Now that the Muni's ambitious, if not over budget T Line, the Third Street Line is soon to start full service on April 7, there is renewed talk about the four stop subway that would connect Chinatown with the Cal Train's Station at Fourth and Townsend, as well as the new Third Street Line at the same address.  The project, which is sometime called the Central Subway or more recently the SOMA-Chinatown Subway, is estimated to cost 1.4 billion dollars and is estimated to be completed in 2016. 

The new line would cross underneath Market Street, Geary and Stockton Streets and end in Chinatown at Stockton and Clay.  The proposed four new underground stations are Clay Street, Union Square, Market Street and Moscone Center and then connecting with the third Street Line above ground at the Cal Train Station at Fourth and Townsend.

I have heard of the project since I arrived in San Francisco in July of 1994.  And with the expected 29,000 new units or housing being completed by 2010 in the SOMA/Eastern Neighborhoods district I am happy to hear that something is being done to increase public transportation in this area. 

Saturday Brunch at the Flower Mart

Have you ever thought about grabbing brunch at the Flower Mart Cafe on a Saturday and then shopping the Flower Mart afterwards for a few bunches of roses, daffoidils, or whatever flowers you or your significant other loves. 

The Flower Mart Cafe is a great unknown place to have eggs benedict, mimosas, or just a glass of champange on a relaxing and quiet Saturday morning and then do some flower shopping.  The Flower Mart is open to the public on Saturdays after nine in the morning.  And the great thing is that many vendors mark down flowers that did not sell by then because they need to sell them before they go bad.

After you have gotten your morning fix of beautifully prepared foods that are reasonably priced you can surrounded yourself with beautiful flowers, plants and crafts.  I like to grab several different types of flowers for three rooms in my house that usually last almost until the next Saturday.  It is also a great place to eat then grab flowers to bring as a gift to a dinner party that night or to some Sunday Brunch at a friend's home.

I hear that they are now serving dinner and cocktails during the week at the Flower Mart Cafe and that it wonderful.

Cheers, and hears to having a great weekend!!!!!!

Family Friendly SOMA/South Beach

Looking for places to spend time with your kids or pets in SOMA/South Beach? Here are some ideas:

Victoria Manalo Draves Park recently opened on Folsom Street between 6th and 7th. The park, which covers most of the block, has two play areas, one for younger kids and one for older plus lots of grass and sitting areas. Victoria Manalo Draves for whom the park was named was a trail blazing Philippina San Francisco athlete who won two gold medals for diving in the Olympics in 1948. The park sits behind the newly remodeled Bessie Carmichael school where Manalo happened to go as a little girl!

At the park near the South Beach Yacht Club, just north of AT&T Park, there’s a nice playground for little kids as well as a nice lawn for your dogs.

On Tuesday or Saturday mornings a walk down the Embarcadero is really fun with a stop at the Ferry Building to taste the free samples at the Farmers market and have lunch. Of course Taylors Refresher (yes the same fabulous family friendly menu as the one in St Helena) has a great spot in the Ferry Building with lots of outdoor tables. I love the Ahi Burger and the kids love the grilled cheese, mini corn dogs and fries.

Last but not least don’t forget the Aquarium at Pier 39 it sounds hokey but its not. Take a moving sidewalk underwater through the bay and you’ll be amazed at the sea life.

Claudia Siegel SOMA specialist

Car-free / Care-free lifestyle

Maybe you have a car but don’t want to drive it everywhere. Why look for parking when you have a perfectly fabulous spot where you live? Or, maybe you don’t have a car and don’t want one. SOMA/SoBe is the ideal neighborhood for you to live. Transit abounds – trains, ferries, bart and buses can all get you where you need to go. City CarShare and Zipcar have 19 locations in SOMA/SoBe to retrieve a car. Walk to the myriad of transit options at Market Street, take the street car to Teatro ZinZanni.

Depending on your location, a 15 minute walk will get you to Whole Foods, Harvest Urban Market or Safeway for your grocery needs. K&L Wines or City Beer provide quaffables for entertaining or just relaxing. Trader Joe’s and  Costco are a quick cab-ride home if you get a little crazy in the wine section or accidentally buy a 42” plasma TV while you’re shopping. Don’t forget the bountiful Ferry Building farmers market and the wonderful shops and restaurants when craving that pho with a view (or is it Vouvray?).

If you’re the athletic type (or want to be), you can avail yourself of the plentiful bike lanes provided through the hard work of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. A map of their routes can be purchased at Rainbow Grocery. The map even shows the steepness of hills, so you know which blocks to avoid. You might even run into me commuting to work a few days a week.

SOMA: A place for kids?

Who says that SOMA/SoBe isn’t kid friendly? These days you can’t throw a stick without hitting a bugaboo (http://www.bugaboo.com)! SOMA has an interesting history, from underground sexual playgrounds to hip art scene destinations to... a playground for mini urbanites?  In 2007 there is something for everyone- each week these SOMA/SoBe specialists and new parents will report on kid-friendly fun in the area.   

This week stroll on over to South Beach Harbor Children’s Playground, a beautifully designed park for the wee ones (best for sitters, wobblers and toddlers) located on the Embarcadero at Townsend.   It is not affiliated with Parks & Rec and there is virtually no information about it on the web, it’s a little gem and it’s in your neighborhood!

Bleary-eyed parents can get a little pick-me up at Java House (www.javahousesf.com) on Pier 40 or South Beach Café across the street.  Your wee ones will love pointing at the boats in the yacht harbor and the seagulls flying overhead.  They will delight in jumping off the benches dotted along the dock and scampering over the mini-grass area with the enormous red and silver sculpture on the way to the playground.  Once there, the sand box and adjacent toddling area are completely enclosed and equipped with tables and benches.  Bathrooms are nearby at the South Beach Harbor Offices.   Go upstairs and request a key to the immaculately kept facilities. 

Also, if you are looking for a party facility and don’t want to host it at home…look no further.  The South Beach Harbor (www.southbeachharbor.com) rents out the community room for children’s daytime parties and evening cocktail parties, weddings and non-profit events too.  Fees for children’s parties range from $50 (when you have the facility listed as an additional insured on your home owner’s policy) to $135 (if you don’t want to go to the trouble).  The room has floor to ceiling windows that look to the Bay and the Embarcadero.  There is also a pull-down movie screen if there is a film you want to screen for 68 of your closest friends (the floor to ceiling windows have black-out screens).  Visit the website for contact information and ask for Linda Green.

Expecting a little one? Need that extra bedroom?  88 King/The Towers is right up the street and currently has four 2-bedroom listings.  Contact us for more information.

Noelle Colome & Jeremy Burnett, Soma/SoBe Specialists