Oh and shopping?! Any cool spots for some unique clothes and shoes?

I think Raven is planning a list of spots to check out, but I can tell you about a few...

1. the Fleuvog store on Haight Street...you've seen the awesome boots that folks like The Indigo like to rock, right? Well, they've got a store right here in SF...totally drool-worthy!
www.fluevog.com/

Haight Street is really fun to poke on, especially if you've never been. Stores like Crossroads, Held Over, Wasteland, and Buffalo Exchange can all hold some good surprises. And Brain Drops is a cool piercing/tattoo joint on Haight as well with some phenomenal antique jewelry...but it is quite pricey.

2. Five & Diamond, purveyors of awesome gear like those hot holster purses, leather belts with pouches, ruffly pants and skirts, and oh so much more! Don't forget about the super hot jewelry, especially if your ears are stretched! And the store alone is a work of art--definitely a must!
www.fiveanddiamond.com/

...and make sure to prowl around that block on Valencia between 16th and 17th--lots of cute stores like bellydance favorite Multi-Culti--great for cheap shinies...plus the owner is a first-rate ME drummer too. Weston Wear has some cute stuff, especially on their sales racks near the back. Lots of little boutiques to check out. And don't forget about Shoe Biz on Valencia at 20th, I think--right near Club Amnesia, where the Sunday night mini-show will be! Aaaand...Bombay Ice Cream is just a few doors down from 5&D--all kinds of funky-flavored ice creams.

Golden Gate Park is very close to Haight Street, and I recommend the Conservatory of Flowers and the various museums in the park. The park is huge; it's our version of Central Park.

As for good and cheap ethnic food...well, the list is sort of endless. Since I'm across the bay in Oakland I don't often eat in SF, but I'm sure others will chime in with their favorites!

Hope that's a good start :)

The other 'must see' stuff i would add to the list are:
1. Golden Gate Park!!!
2. Delores Park (closer to dance studio) great views of the city, and great vibe.
3. Golden Gate Bridge/Baker Beach/the presidio..... if you have a vehicle or cab ride
4. The Marina/fisherman's wharf---- much more touristy, but if you have extra time and have never been to SF before, gorgeous views, on the water, alcatrez. etc...
5. Definitely Haight/Ashbury. great shopping. great funky typical SF scene, great food, and borders on Golden Gate park. (and my old neighborhood for 6 years)
6. The Castro!! Walk around the Castro for great shopping and super funky SF extravagence over the top fashion flair
7. Osento women's bathhouse in the mission
8. the ocean..

xo
deb

And here are some other restaurant recommendations:

In the mission:
1. Dosa, yummy indian: dosasf.com/
2. Herbivore: yummy veg/vegan: www.herbivorerestaurant.com/
3. Truly Mediterranean for cheap middle eastern street food (falafel, shawerma) on 16th just a few doors from Valencia (ie. around the corner from shopping!)

Also in the Haight in Kan Zaman - yummy middle easter food that not too pricey, tasty hookahs, and bellydancin at night!

Keep your eyes on electricvardo.com for any fun events Amar is involved in - he seems to run with a crew of top notch, friend dancers, and I always love his choice of music.

Also, dholrhythms.com/ is an amazing bhangra collective that also teaches classes and throws parties. If you're not too pooped from everything else, I highly recommend checking them out. Vicki is an amazingly talented lady who is always a delight to watch. (She is definitely hard to keep up with, though!)

And on Sundays, there is free music at Stern Grivem which is easily accessible by public transit: www.sterngrove.org/2008season.html

Hafta add a new one for sure...Pandora's Trunk! At 544 Haight Street between Fillmore and Steiner. Super awesome local designers--clothes, hair bits, jewelry...I just found it tonight and am excited about it as their stuff was very, very cute! Especially if you're playa-bound...add it to the list!

Check it: www.pandorastrunk.com/