Rating: All-Star

Before I even landed in Austin, I had a small crisis to solve at SFO. On my way out, I realized I had forgotten to get something for a dear friend. He’s Turkish, and like so many in that culture, he’s incredibly generous with kids — always bringing gifts for mine, never letting me pay when I visit. I needed to find something thoughtful for his children, but time was short.

Rating: All-Star

We stopped into North Beach Cantina recently, and it quickly became one of those meals you want to tell your friends about.

Rating: All-Star

Getting a smog check in San Francisco isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. Too often you run into long waits, confusing upsells, or shops that “find” problems you didn’t come in for.

That’s why Clean Air Smog stands out.

Rating: All-Star

If you’re looking for a night out with the family that won’t drain your wallet, a USF women’s volleyball game might just be the hidden gem you’ve been missing.

Rating: Role Player

On our trip to Berkeley to watch the Cal Women’s volleyball team, we stopped at Mixt for lunch. The salads hit the spot — healthy and fresh, just what my wife and I needed.

Rating: Role Player

I took my son one afternoon and we ended up going “reverse mode” — snuck in to see the otters first to dodge the crowds.