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Wines you should buy for your friends
Those of you who are visiting San Francisco might have some very jealous friends and relatives back home. You might want to bring them back a coffee mug with the Giants logo or a snow globe of the Golden Gate Bridge but how about this: a bottle of wine that was made within the city’s borders. We’re still a few years off from having usable vineyards in San Francisco – though word is that is not too into the future – but there are a number of winemaking facilities in San Francisco.Local winemaking is not new. Italian immigrants led the way in the late 19th century with rudimentary presses in their homes that were used to crush grapes sourced from Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and other nearby counties. Even during Prohibition, winemaking continued in North Beach quite literally, underground.
As California’s wine industry has soared over the last few decades, the scenic regions to our north have pulled aspiring winemakers from the city but a handful of people have refused to relocate. Instead of having a long commute they’ve either joined facilities such as Dog Patch WineWorks, set up shop in old warehouses or make wine in their garage. You can read about Dogpatch WineWorks and Bluxome Street Winery, San Francisco’s two largest wineries, in previous posts, and since both have facilities that are open to the public it is possible to visit them and taste wines on site. But there are a few others San Francisco based wineries that are making wines every bit as good as those located in wine country. Here are a few to check out.

Best independent book stores
San Francisco is a city that likes to read. All you have to do is look around Muni, BART or even at a bar and you'll see heads buried in the pages of the next great novel. Next time you're in town and thinking of expanding your personal library, head to these great book stores in the city. Come October every year, many of these stores will be packed with Litquake events.
Alexander book company (50 Second St.)
Locally owned, Alexander Book Store is an independent general bookstore with 50,000 new books spread over three floors located near Union Square and Moscone Center.

What's coming to San Francisco this 2016
The end of the holiday season doesn’t mean an end to excitement in San Francisco. The year 2016 is shaping up to be a historic year for the city, with once-in-a-lifetime events and returning annual favorites.
The Bay lights (Jan. 30, 2016)
One of San Francisco’s most beloved art installations becomes a permanent fixture in the new year. The Bay Lights, Leo Villareal’s monumental light sculpture comprised of 25,000 LED lights, will add shine and sparkle to the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge from dusk to dawn, all year round.
Super Bowl 50 (Feb. 7, 2016)
It’s the end of the NFL season and the most-watched sporting event in the nation. On Feb. 7, 2016, Levi’s Stadium will host Super Bowl 50. The game itself will be in Santa Clara, but all the action and celebration will be in San Francisco. From the Fan Village at Justin Herman Plaza to the NFL Experience at Moscone Center, San Francisco will be the center of Super Bowl activity.
The new SFMOMA (May 14, 2016)
One of the most acclaimed museums in the city will welcome visitors back this spring. The expanded, 235,000 square foot building includes seven levels of diverse art experiences, indoor and outdoor galleries, and nearly 15,000 square feet of free, art-filled public space.
San Francisco Giantis (Apr. 7, 2016)
It’s an even-numbered year; could another World Series title be in store for San Francisco’s beloved Giants? Find out when the season gets started with the home opener at AT&T Park against the dreaded Dodgers.