To me, Oakland First Fridays are the embodiment of community care and culture. This lively event stretches all the way down Telegraph to West Grand, and rightfully so, because there's over a dozen vendors selling food, trinkets, and knick knacks! Jam out to live music and dance with friends (or strangers) as you sip on a refreshing lavender lemonade and munch on crab garlic fries.

I live and breathe for 24/7 establishments, and Orphan Andy's just happens to have some of the best root beer floats and fried egg sandwiches around. A match made in heaven! Deep in the heart of the Castro, the vibrant diner is full of memories. It was the first restaurant I ever ate at in San Francisco years ago, and it's still a place that I keep coming back to after all this time.

I don't have the strongest sweet tooth, so it takes a lot for me to actively seek out ice cream. Yet, I find myself at Humphry's Slocombe all the time. They have super creamy, unique flavors that change frequently, ranging from Vietnamese Coffee to "Harvey Milk" flavored ice cream! Best of all, they offer delivery for the nights that you just want a whole carton to yourself in bed.

A LBGTQ+ owned bookstore, Dog Eared Books has a wide arrange of brand new, gently used, and indie books of all different genres. I can never resist a good read, and Dog Eared Books more than satisfies my itch. It's a lovely place to wander around and romanticize life. You can stop by daily anytime from 10am-10pm.

Coffeeshops are one of my love languages, and 1951 Coffee absolutely speaks to me. Not only are they a non-profit dedicated to freely training and supporting refugee communities but they also have damned good coffee. Their honey latte with oat milk is just the right amount of sweetness, and their espresso sparkler is a rare and refreshing revelation. I can’t get enough.

Flora Arte is a small, independent plant store that puts incredible care into every single living flower, herb, and vegetation available. Oftentimes, soft jazz plays throughout the store, and as you bob and weave your way through all of the beautiful plants and pots, there is a profound sense of peace. My partner and I love to start or end a date night at Flora Arte, usually leaving with a new leafy friend!