How I See SF:

Vintage Curator Krystyl Baldwin

I have a real soft spot for the Inner Richmond. Clement Street feels like an international time capsule—Korean bakeries, Russian grocery stores, old-school Irish bars, and some of the best dim sum you’ll find outside Chinatown. It’s the kind of place where you can eat your way across continents in a single afternoon. One of my favorite stops is Foggy Notion. I’m obsessed with their locally made goods, especially the small-batch, good-smelling everything. It’s cozy, creative, and totally under-the-radar in the best way.

I live for the tension between chaos, creativity and curation, and nowhere embodies that better than vintage hunting. But when I’m not curating pop-ups or sifting through old attics, I’m wandering through Minnesota Street Project, SCRAP SF, or attending offbeat gallery shows that mix tech and analog, nostalgia and futurism.

My heart belongs to the San Francisco Fall Show. Held at Fort Mason each year, it’s a dreamy celebration of antique excellence—featuring rare, beautiful pieces sourced from all over the world. The dealers are incredibly knowledgeable and generous with their stories, which makes the experience feel like a living museum where you can actually take the art home. It’s always themed, always inspiring, and carries this elevated sense of intention and elegance that challenges me to curate my own vintage collection more thoughtfully.

On the completely opposite end of the style spectrum—but equally close to my heart—is the How Weird Street Faire. It’s loud, wild, and radically expressive. Glitter, bass, weirdness, and joy collide in the best possible way. 

I love events that mash art, music, and community into one collective heartbeat.

I’ve lived all over—Cyprus, Greece, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Springfield (Missouri), Austin, and of course, New York. But it was New York that cracked me open. It sharpened my hustle, pushed my creativity, and helped me fully step into myself. It gave me the confidence to chase my weirdest ideas and actually make them real.

When I came back to San Francisco, it wasn’t on a whim—it was with purpose. I returned with a fresh vision and the drive to create something meaningful. I came home for the creative freedom, the slower mornings, and the undeniable weirdness that makes this city feel alive. 

San Francisco is evolving, and I wanted to be part of preserving its magic while reimagining what it could be.

This might sound odd to outsiders, but locals know the feeling well: those early, dewy mornings when the city is still quiet, a warm cup of coffee or tea in hand, and the scent of saltwater in the air as you stand by the bay or ocean. That’s when I feel most at peace, most at home.

San Francisco has always made space for the unconventional. It embraces those who carve their own path, who don’t quite fit the mold. I’ve never been one to follow the lead—I tend to break the rules and chase my own curiosities. That’s why this city fits me so well.

Home, to me, is a feeling of connection—especially through nostalgia. It’s the comfort of the past reimagined in the present, and San Francisco lets me live that every day.

My current go-to indulgence is the nachos from North Beach Cantina. They’re absolutely massive, perfectly messy, and hands down one of the best nacho situations in the city. If someone thinks otherwise, I’m open to a friendly nacho-off—winner takes the last chip!

Bonus confession: I’m a crab rangoon aficionado. If I could combine the rangoons from Little Szechwan with the nachos from North Beach Cantina, I’d basically achieve culinary enlightenment.

Also, I can not forget about Spruce, which has my absolute favorite halibut in the city. 

There are a million places on my list—but let’s be real, I have a serious soft spot for donuts, and I’m dying to finally try Dynamo Donut. Their Instagram has been teasing me for far too long, and frankly, I’m starting to take it personally. I don’t know who we need to talk to, but can someone please convince them to open a location in North Beach? For accessibility. For the greater good. For my sanity. 

I heard Ernest has incredible cheesecake, and I’m going to need to figure out how to get that in my life very soon.

EXPLORE SF DINING

The real San Francisco is hiding in plain sight—in the in-between spaces where community and creativity collide. There are so many hidden gems that don’t make the guidebooks but absolutely make the city what it is.

I’m talking about flea markets in parking lots like City Station, where locals sell everything from antiques to zines. Or the live music scene at The Savoy Tivoli and Harlan Records, where vinyl and vintage energy meet gritty San Francisco soul. For unforgettable nightlife, Oasis is a must—it’s a drag cabaret, LGBTQ+ safe space, and community haven all rolled into one.

Head to the Inner Richmond Farmer’s Market on Sundays for neighborhood flavor, or check out Secondhand Saturdays in the Sunset for hyper-local thrifting adventures. There’s always something happening, but these are the moments and places that fly under the radar—and that’s what makes them so magical.

These aren’t just locations; they’re living proof that the real San Francisco is still here, layered in culture, community, and a touch of rebellion.

Pack layers (always), bring some cash, and most importantly, talk to people. San Francisco opens up when you do. Wander without a plan, follow the scent of something delicious, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation. 

You never know who you’ll meet or what hidden gem you’ll stumble upon.

If you really want to see the heart of the city, visit the local visitor hang-outs like Locali in North Beach. It’s run by people who live and breathe San Francisco. They support local artists, small businesses, and independent creators in a way that’s genuine and deeply rooted. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why San Francisco is still one of the most inspiring cities in the world.