San Francisco Profiles – Sean Timberlake of Punk Domestics
I met Sean Timberlake, Founder, Punk Domestics at Blogher14 in San Jose. I was waiting to have a blog critique from the talented Annaliese Zijderveld (I recently shared her fabulous new book, Steeped in J’adore #60), when in walked Irvin Lin of Eat The Love, a food blogger that I am a huge fan of, and Sean. I had not met Sean but he had been mentioned multiple times in 2 breakout sessions I had attended so I was thrilled to meet him as he was well-respected.
I was invited to a brunch event at Cavalier in San Francisco and a food tour event in the Mission with Rick Bayless both of which unable to make, but Sean was there, as I witnessed on his Instagram feed, I realized the Sean was living the life I wanted to lead. Just kidding, I wrote all that to say that I have had a lot more opportunities to see Sean again in person, but the Universe has conspired to keep us apart.
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Which is why I reached out to him to contribute to San Francisco profiles. He is all over San Francisco, so who better to share some of his favorite spots. He has got the street cred, is a talented writer and is super generous.
So let’s peek into the life of this very sought after digital influencer and see what he recommends in San Francisco.
Let's meet Sean.
[1] Favorite thing about SF.
Believe it or not, the weather. I love the fog! I love that the city looks completely different every day, depending on the atmospheric conditions. Some days it's as brilliant and hard-edged as a diamond; others it's as soft and enigmatic as a fading memory. Every day it's beautiful.
[2] Least favorite thing about SF.
I'm not one to whine about gentrification; I've lived through a few waves of it in my time here. That said, this time around it feels more sterilizing. I no longer feel we have the same vibe of counterculture that used to define us. True freaks can't afford to live here anymore, and it's frankly sad.
[3] What is your favorite neighborhood in the city?
Increasingly, the Bayview. It reminds me of the Mission 25 years ago: Still real, largely misunderstood. There's a thriving independent food scene happening there that couldn't happen anywhere else in the city. It's one of the few places that still feels like a real urban neighborhood.
[4] Favorite coffee spot.
I don't go out for coffee much, but Spin City Coffee around the corner from me at 26th and Sanchez is a regular stop. I grab a Blue Bottle NOLA and chat with Maricar, the proprietor. She also gets beans from an independent roaster in the neighborhood.
[5] Favorite spot for drinks.
The drinking scene in Union Square is amazing right now. I just did a piece for the Bay Area Reporter on it. One of my favorite things is the Snap Peas at BDK. They muddle fresh sugar snap peas into the cocktail. It's so unexpected and refreshing. I also love the insanely complicated drinks at Benjamin Cooper. The fact that they have oysters doesn't suck either.
[6] Favorite local hangout.
Probably my favorite bar is Virgil's Sea Room. The cocktails are creative, the crowd is diverse, and they've got a nice outdoor patio out back, right next to El Rio (another worthy hangout spot, especially for oyster Fridays.)
[7] Favorite breakfast spot.
I rarely go out for breakfast. Once in a while we'll make the schlep to All Good Pizza on Jerrold at 3rd on Sunday for brunch to have Earl's Bagels. For my money, they're the best bagels in town.
[8] Favorite lunch spot.
We are big lunchers, actually, but usually on the late side, doubling as late lunch and early dinner, so we hit up places that stay open through the afternoon. Delfina Pizzeria is a fave, as are Tacolicious, Papalote, La Urbana, 4505 Burgers & BBQ, and Mama Ji's.
[9] Favorite dinner spot.
There are a few spots you'll see us at with some frequency. Contigo is right around the corner from our house, and over the years we've eaten there hundreds of times. We call it the Dining Room. We're also regulars at ICHI Sushi/NI Bar, and make the occasional jaunt to Ragazza.
[10] One thing you always do/spot you always take friends from out of town to do/see.
My husband and I are actual factual tour guides with San Francisco City Guides, and I lead culinary walking tours with Edible Excursions, so we really pour it on when people come to town. We take them around the Castro and Mission for some historical sightseeing and eating. The view from the top of Dolores Park is probably the sine qua non. It is both historically significant and stunningly beautiful.
Thanks Sean!
You can find Sean at Punk Domestics and on the following social channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on Pinterest.
Since Sean focused on San Francisco favorites, rather than one specific neighborhood, I don't have the usual “Address Book” for this post. You can find specific information about individual neighborhoods in other San Francisco Profile posts I have done for:
Financial District
Lower Haight
Miraloma
Mission District
Nob Hill
North Beach
Richmond District
Pacific Heights
Portola
Portrero Hill
Sunset District
How about you? What are some of your San Francisco favorites?
This is really neat to read about. Since I’m not from the area, it’s interested to hear what it’s like there. Cool photos too.
San Francisco is so beautiful in pictures. I can’t wait to visit for the first time. I hear the food scene is wonderful so I am really excited about that. I also want to experience climbing some of the hills and maybe even run the half marathon. I’m planning to go really soon since I have a few friends there.
LOVE LOVE LOVE San Francisco. Although so freaking cold in the summer that I didn’t expect them. My favorite thing about San Francisco is the ambiance. Everyone is so happy and friendly.
@Ruth, yes it is FREEZING in the summer! Most people don’t think about that! Best to come in Sept/Oct.
San Francisco looks like it would be such an awesome city to visit! I have wanted to go there ever since the Full House days but I haven’t made it yet! Thanks for reminding me that this should be on my bucket list of place to visit!
It’s great to know his favorite dinner, lunch, and dinner spots because we know that they will not disappoint. Joining one of the culinary walking tours they organize with Edible Excusions would be a day of food-feasting while looking at historical sites. His favorite views in SF also looked wonderful.
What a great post that brightened my day! I have always wanted to experience San Francisco and its foods! It was something I wanted to do when I was little! I used to dream about staying on the trams 24/7! 🙂
@Joanne, I hope you get out here to visit, not sure you want to be on Muni in the late evening though 😉
I love being able to meet up with other bloggers! This looks like such a fun day everyone had. I know I have always loved the fog no matter where I go but that looks amazing in your photo!
@Tammilee, I do love blogger meet-ups as well.
I see so many pictures of the beautiful San Francisco. I’ve never been there, but I can’t wait to see and explore it for myself. My cousin who was there last month says the food is fabulous.
@OurFamilyWorld, you will have to come check out for yourself!
Everytime I think of San Fransico….dont laugh but i always always think of Full House! I wanna visit and cross the bridge! I pinned this list for later because I really want to visit and try a few of these places out!
@Kiwi, the Full House houses are pretty amazing to look at!
I have family in San Francisco and I haven’t been to visit in almost 10 years! All of these cool places make me want to hop on the next plane out and explore the city. And I LOVE a good cocktail so I’ll def have to check out Virgil’s Sea Room on my next visit!
@Alisha, get on that plane!
You mention a lot of my favorite foodies in here as well. How much do you want to go on a food and historical walking tour with Sean? He must have a wealth of information. Between the two of you, you have your finger on the pulse of the city and all the great neighborhoods. I need to come up again soon to take advantage of all of the recommendations.
@Kelly, Sean is amazing and the perfect host for a food tour!
Ooh I def would love to check out a food tour with edible excursions. Let me know if you need someone to do a profile on soma. I have a foodie friend that lives there. 🙂
@Esther, Edible Excursions is really great, I highly recommend it. As for SoMa, yes, I need someone! Email me!
I’m not from San Fran nor have I ever visited in my many times to Cali, howevere it has been on my list of places to visit one day. Thank you to both you and Sean for hitting the best places to visit for both meals and hangout spots, I will now feel like a local 🙂
@Geanine, I hope you get here one day!