With a major craft fair every couple of weeks or so, San Francisco’s creative types appear to constitute a majority of the population, selling designer handmade bits and baubles that bring joy to bedroom walls and living room shelves everywhere. Some people are born with the innate ability to open an Etsy store, while others must learn. Fortunately, there are several exceptional spots to get your craft on throughout the city.
The Museum of Craft and Design actually does partner with Etsy, the online home for DIY craft-sellers worldwide. Whether it’s needle felting, embossing, fashioning wire-wrapped mini mobiles or building robots with the kids on the weekends, the Dogpatch-neighborhood institution can have participants go from clueless bumbler to running a booth at the Renegade Craft Fair in no time.
Anyone who’s taken a class at Workshop knows that this Western Addition DIY powerhouse is the real deal. If it’s the hands-on team sharing their knowledge of cheese-making or leading a master class in the art of letterpress, the guidance at Workshop is judgment-free, the music is loud and there’s always cold beer in the fridge. For a casual atmosphere that promotes community, creativity and fun, Workshop’s simple classes offer expert advice that can be applied at home immediately.
As the community space that’s more or less the philanthropic wing of the burgeoning Bi-Rite food empire, 18 Reasons hosts its fair share of wine tastings and cookbook signings. Here, members and non-members alike can learn the ins-and-outs of making chocolate, gingerbread houses and even pasta. Those with an eagerness to get their hands dirty can even sign up for a twelve-session urban gardening school.
Finally, online magazine-slash-startup incubator The Bold Italic throws a lot of themed parties across the city, but its crafty calendar emphasis extends to workshops on the cerebral world of 3-D printing. There’s no end to the cutting-edge technological possibilities being offered by The Bold Italic, which stands in stark contrast to some of the more crafty, old-school classes available across town. No matter where your interests lie, there’s sure to be a seminar or breakout session in San Francisco that helps explain it all.
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Things To Do In Pacifica
Nor Cal Surf Shop
$25 for a One-Day Surfboard and Wetsuit Rental at Nor Cal Surf Shop ($36 Value)
Seasoned surf experts match patrons with soft-top or NSP epoxy boards and custom branded Xcel wetsuits for full day of fun on waves
Pedro Point
$36 $25
10 Yoga Classes or One Month of Unlimited Classes at Pacifica Beach Yoga (Up to 85% Off)
Pacifica Beach Yoga
Sharp Park
$170
$26
View Deal
10 or 20 Hot Yoga Classes or One Month of Unlimited Classes at Ocean Yoga (Up to 77% Off)
Ocean Yoga
Pacifica
$150
$49
View Deal
$59 for a Two-Hour Introductory Surfing Lesson at University of Surfing ($100 Value)
University of Surfing
Pacifica
$100
$59
View Deal
Select Local Merchants
A Grape in the Fog (AGITF) is a wine bar in Pacifica, California, and celebrates the best of coastal living. With a fun and customer-friendly atmosphere, AGITF, is the perfect place to relax with wine either by the glass, flight or by the bottle. We offer craft-style beers and cider. AGITF offers a sharing menu, too.
400 Old County Rd
Pacifica,
CA
US
The friendly staff at Longboard Margarita Bar serves up savory eats and refreshing margaritas in a laid-back, beach-themed setting. Fingers can unearth jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, olives, and more from a heaping mound of nachos ($6) and complement the feast with fresh-squeezed fruit swirls with tequila in Longboard's singular cocktails, which include the Burrito mojito ($7.50) and Misdemeanor margarita ($9), electrified with green chartreuse and zesty jalapeño. Enjoy postfeast euphoria atop a plush couch in the bar's warmly lit interior, or prepare for a posteuphoria sock hop by shimmying to weekly live music while half smiling.
180 Eureka Sq
Pacifica,
CA
US
The sky is overcast, and an instructor stands off to the side of the riding area with a camera in hand. Chance, a leather-brown horse, stands poised, ready to jump over an x-rail. Moments later, Chance gallops toward the hurdle, throwing its front legs into the air and gracefully arcing over the lofty obstacle.
This is just another day at Aspire Equestrian, where passionate trainers lead private and group riding lessons for students of all ages and levels of expertise. With a community-like feel, the instructors at Aspire hope students riders gain a comfortable atmosphere to learn and enjoy their new skills. The equine enthusiasts also board horses and lease select animals to people who want to hit the trails on their own or secure better lawn seats at the next outdoor music festival.
One Picardo Ranch
Pacifica,
California
US
When Cliff Hodges, the founder and CEO of Adventure Out, graduated from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering, he knew a traditional desk job wasn't for him. According to Technology Review, he quickly gave up his engineering career for the wireless world of the great outdoors, where he began to hike, climb, and surf his way around the world, always staying true to his philosophy of environmental respect and protection.
His travels and business accomplishments have gained some measure of notoriety; he's coached on MTV's Made, consulted for ABC News, and was selected as one of four winners of the 2011 Santa Cruz County Civic Service Award: The Nextie. Adventure Out was also identified for meeting survival skills training standards by The New York Times best-selling author Tim Ferriss in The 4-Hour Chef.
Today, he and his program consultant Tom McElroy lead excursions into the California wilderness to teach backpacking and survival skills, including the tracking of animals and wild ice-cream trucks, and they also guide novices through surfing, rock-climbing, and mountain-biking sojourns. Through fundraising, Adventure Out has helped save Castle Rock State Park from closure and a portion of their proceeds is put directly back into the park.
5100 Pacific Coast Highway
Pacifica,
CA
US
At Pacifica Athletic Center, clients can sculpt chiseled physiques on BodyMasters Abductor machines and bench presses or receive guidance from personal trainers or instructors in the 2,000-square-foot martial arts gym. Renowned Muay Thai kickboxer Kenya Prach teaches fighting techniques alongside taekwondo experts Master Mangonon and Kyo Sa Nim in the martial arts gym, which houses a 20-foot elevated ring. The fitness center's Kid Zone keeps children distracted from their plans to annex sections of the neighbors' yard. Free amenities such as chilled mint-scented towels, modern showers, and coffee are available.
540 Crespi Dr
Pacifica,
CA
US
