Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'd like to have at least one stimulating conversation while you stay with me. We don't even need to agree! lol

Interests

Here is my list of things you should do if you only have a day or two in SF: I like walking along the beach to the bridge. And the sea lions. And the trolley. And Alcatraz. And chinatown. I enjoy the botanical garden in GGPark, Muir woods, Pt Reyes, headlands, and also I enjoy the hikes and parks in East Bay, and the great views from EastBay hills.

Other visitors also like Castro, and Mission, and walking in the hills in SF which can be tiring (because the hills are very steep!) but is very fun and you get to see a lot because it's high but cold. Try to find somewhere to see rows of old victorian houses
Bring a jacket, San Francisco can be very very cold in the summer. It's warmer in spring and autumn.

• dogs
• arts
• festivals
• dining
• walking
• gardening
• traveling
• hiking
• beaches
• parks
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy ciders and bitter alcohol, the kind made with herbs. If you have any specialties of herbal alcohol from your country, I would like to sample :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Besides the words you write, photos help me decide whether I'd like to invite you. You should have large photos (not low resolution ones). Photos that show you and what you are like, not just scenery, multiple people (because I don't know which one is you), or your dog (because as much as you love your dog, it won't matter to me because I won't meet her!), or you as a child, since that doesn't help either. I don't host people when I can't see what they look like.
If you are traveling with someone, you should have a picture of them or a link to them so I can what they look like.

Teach, Learn, Share

I get many more requests from more people than I can host. Sometimes I have to decline people just because I can't hold any more people.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am not in San Francisco but I am located near Berkeley, a 10 minute walk from Ashby BART (subway/metro) which is 30 min train from SF. So it's easy enough to take the train from my house to downtown SF.

I live near Shattuck and Alcatraz, Oakland.

I live in one large living area so there is no door between you and me and other people.

I go to bed at 10pm, and wake at 6 but you can wake at 9. I leave for work at 11am. In the early morning I use the computer in your sleeping area.

Weeknights I get home at 8-9pm from the gym. After that we can make or go for dinner.

If you are arriving to Oakland you could drop off your luggage in the morning, so you don't have to carry luggage around all day. But if you are arriving to SF, it's not convenient for you to take the train to my house and back. At Pier 39 (a tourist place) you can leave your luggage at the welcome center upstairs, for $5/day. Pick up luggage before 7pm, then come to my house.

There are costs of hosting (mattreses, laundry, cleaning, utilities) and I host many people so if you use my shower, mattress, sheets towels etc, please buy or make me dinner, or contribute food or booze or something to share costs thanks.

If you are interested in visiting Alcatraz Prison you should buy tickets in advance, they sell out.

First friday of each month in downtown Oakland there is a an "art crawl" where you can visit art galleries and walk around. Also there is a street festival. Worth checking out.

Uber.com is private taxis that are cheaper than regular ones and work from your phone app. I recommend it if you will need any local transportation such as from train to my house if you are late and night.

From BART, there are two grocery stores Berkeley Bowl which is near the BART near my house, and is overwhelming and impressive, and closes earlier. A little further away is Whole Foods which is open later and also has GEO-free foods.

There is a coin laundromat near my house.

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