Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
128
Sandwich Bars & Picnic Spots
An urban picnic could be an adventure, or at least a no velty. To start, hunt for
sandwiches at
Specialty's Café and Bakery
(
&
877/502-2837;
505 Sansome
St. at Clay St., and many other Financial District locations). Specialty's bakes its
own bread and offers deli-style sandwiches with some in ventive options such
as Thai chicken and turkey curry. Want organic? Head to
Soup Freaks
(
&
415/
433-7687;
200 Pine St., at Battery St., and 90 New M ontgomery St. at M ission
St.), where the soups, salads and sandwiches are made with all-natural, sustain-
able ingredients. Once you've packed y our bag, you're ready to head t o the
half-acre redwood grove by the
Transamerica Building
(600 Montgomery St.
at Clay St.). The cool shade of the majestic redwood trees and playful sculptures
will make your picnic in this tr easured oasis even more enjoyable. If you're in
SoMa, stop by
A G Ferrari Foods
on 688 Mission St. (
&
415/344-0644
) to pick
up delectable Italian sandwiches on fresh focaccia bread. Then head to
Yerba
Buena Gardens
(p. 163) for an urban retreat.
Picnicking by the water may be an even better idea. Go to the
Ferry Build-
ing
(p. 161) on the Embar cadero and pur chase sandwiches fr om
Mastrelli's
Delicatessen
(
&
415/397-3354
). Then go out behind the building , g rab a
bench, and enjoy your picnic as you watch the ferries head out across the bay.
Another good picnic spot is the Justin Herman Plaza across the street from the
Ferry Building, where the massive concrete arms of Vaillancourt Fountain fold
over each other. At Fort Mason, pick up delicious v egetarian sandwiches like
egg salad at
Greens to Go
(Building A, Fort Mason Center,
&
415/771-6330
)
and then sit y ourselves under a palm tr ee on the expansiv e lawn. If you're at
Crissy Field
(p. 160), grab a soup or sandwich at the Warming Hut. You'll find
plenty of picnic spots outside.
North Beach pr ovides more sources for filling y our hamper.
Molinari,
373
Columbus Ave. at Vallejo Street (tel]
415/421-2337
), is an I talian delicatessen
with a fantastic assor tment of impor ted foodstuffs and friendly staff who will
create delicious, everything-on-'em sandwiches t o go. Also c onsider takeout
from
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store
(reviewed below). You can't pass on des-
sert if y ou're anywhere near
Victoria Pastry Co.,
1362 St ockton St. at Vallejo
(
&
415/781-2015
). The chewy almond cookies are divine, as are the cakes, all
sold by the slic e or whole . You may be able t o find a bench in Washington
Square Park if you can't wait to dig into your lunch. Otherwise, head to
North
Beach Playground
at L ombard and M ason str eets, wher e y ou'll find picnic
facilities and a playground.
If you're headed out t o Lincoln Park in the R ichmond District, a convenient
stop is
Angelina's Bakery
at 6000 California St., at 22nd Avenue (
&
415/221-
7801
). Pick up sandwiches, salads, or quiches and hop back on the no . 1-Cali-
fornia bus to 32nd Street. Then walk north 2 blocks to Eagle's Point at the end
of the Land 's End trail . Enjo y y our picnic with a pric eless view of the M arin
Headlands and western side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
5
