Woodward’s Garden is a romantic restaurant in the Mission District, San Francisco. The atmosphere somehow encompasses both the softness of a romantic European hideaway and the savvy of an under-the-radar urban hot spot. The seasonal menu is a treasure chest of hearty, straightforward food. Salads sparkle with vibrant, well-balanced ingredients from heirloom tomatoes and artisanal cheeses to crisp asparagus and explosive bits of lemon. With a menu that changes weekly, you can’t always go back for that fork-tender lamb shank reclining on a bed of polenta and a pillow of crème fraîche, but some fashion of tender roast meat will be ready to test your taste buds. Or try the salmon that may be paired with plump white beans and fragrant herbs or an earthy mushroom risotto. Comfy no-frills desserts are definitely worth leaving room for.

1700 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 621-7122

Hours: Tue-Sat 6pm-10pm

Red Bull Streets of San Francisco

Watch street luge champions compete for the title of Red Bull and a $10,000. prize as they plunge down the steepest and fastest streets of San Francisco, at Deharo Street, between Southern Heights and Mariposa, the last week of July. Call (310) 393-4647 for more information.

Fourth of July Celebrations

You will want to leave your car and take public transportation to these events along the Bay, which begin with a music festival at 2 PM, and end with fireworks beginning at 9:30 PM. The main event is sponsored by the San Francisco Chronicle. Call (415) 227-2603 for more information.
Fourth of July at the Cannery, on Leavenworth Street at the foot of Columbus Street, has music all day leading up to fireworks. Call (415) 771-3112 for more information.

Fourth of July at Ghirardelli Square features live music and free children’s festivities. Call ( 415) 775-5500 for more information

Fillmore Street Jazz Festival

Between Jackson and Eddy streets, three stages have continuous jazz performances, along with more than 300 artist booths and international food courts. Call (510) 232-5030 for more information.

AIDS Walk San Francisco

With more than 25,000 hitting the streets on the 6.2-mile route through Golden Gate Park, AIDS Walk San Francisco has raised more than $50 million to fight AIDS through the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and other Bay Area service organizations. The event enjoys strong support from the entertainment community and elected officials, with past participants including Robin Williams, Eartha Kitt, Stockard Channing, Sharon Stone, Leeza Gibbons, and Mayor Gavin Newsom. Call (415) 615-9255 for more information.

Mime Troupe in the Park

Every weekend, especially in mid-July, Washington Square Park at Columbus and Union Sts. hosts various members of the San Francisco Mime Troupe in satirical political sketches. This is a San Francisco tradition that should not be missed. Call (415) 227-2603 for more information.

Montclair Village Fine Arts Festival

In Oakland, Montclair Village Shopping District’s Mountain Boulevard becomes a Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival showcase for distinctive works of more than 90 artists. Call (209) 296-1195 for more information.