I Vant to Be Alone, jaha, in San Francisco
August 16, 2016 9:03 AM Subscribe
I find myself in SF for an extended period of time, and am at a loss for places I can be alone each day for an hour or two.
Ideally, I would spend this time reading, listening to music, and meditating. My work is too noisy, with glass-enclosed conference rooms, and an open office plan, while my roommates are gregarious and my room has a lot of traffic noise, making home less than optimal. Ideally, the magic location would be in Financial District or GG park. Doing this in a public place like a park bench would not work due to safety and harassment concerns, so indoor places are best.
Ideally, I would spend this time reading, listening to music, and meditating. My work is too noisy, with glass-enclosed conference rooms, and an open office plan, while my roommates are gregarious and my room has a lot of traffic noise, making home less than optimal. Ideally, the magic location would be in Financial District or GG park. Doing this in a public place like a park bench would not work due to safety and harassment concerns, so indoor places are best.
I no longer remember which of these I ventured into, but in the Financial District there are public parks on top of various buildings. I vaguely remember one on the 17th floor that was across Market but still relatively close to my office on New Montgomery.
Here's a guide to some of them, and they're generally under-used, so are a good place to get a bit of a recharge.
posted by straw at 9:10 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Here's a guide to some of them, and they're generally under-used, so are a good place to get a bit of a recharge.
posted by straw at 9:10 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Despite being outdoors, there are places in the Botanical Gardens that would be perfect for this. It's pretty serene, quiet, and there are a lot of corners that would be great for meditation.
I would also scope out some of the libraries. The Main can be tricky (though there are some corners that are pretty low traffic), but some of the branch libraries not too far from downtown could be useful. Sunset branch or West Portal come to mind (easy Muni ride).
posted by feckless at 9:12 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I would also scope out some of the libraries. The Main can be tricky (though there are some corners that are pretty low traffic), but some of the branch libraries not too far from downtown could be useful. Sunset branch or West Portal come to mind (easy Muni ride).
posted by feckless at 9:12 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Mechanics Institute Library is very nice, and seems to be open to the public for just sitting and reading. They have comfy chairs.
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 9:23 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 9:23 AM on August 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
How about a church? I'm willing to bet that Grace (Episcopal) Cathedral is open all day.
posted by golwengaud at 9:48 AM on August 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by golwengaud at 9:48 AM on August 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
sandettie light vessel automatic: "The Mechanics Institute Library is very nice, and seems to be open to the public for just sitting and reading. "
Unless their policy has changed, I think the "short visit" referenced on that page really is just to see the place and hear their pitch for memberships.
That said, it is a lovely place. I had a membership there when I used to work remotely, and liked it a lot.
posted by roll truck roll at 9:54 AM on August 16, 2016
Unless their policy has changed, I think the "short visit" referenced on that page really is just to see the place and hear their pitch for memberships.
That said, it is a lovely place. I had a membership there when I used to work remotely, and liked it a lot.
posted by roll truck roll at 9:54 AM on August 16, 2016
Depending on how alone you want to be, the Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park can be good for this.
posted by Aizkolari at 10:01 AM on August 16, 2016
posted by Aizkolari at 10:01 AM on August 16, 2016
Churches. I used to go into one somewhere around Market and O'Farrell when I lived there years ago and meditate during lunch. I don't think it was Grace Cathedral (which I feel like is in the Mission but could be wrong) but I do think it was Catholic--stations of the cross, the whole thing.
You could call a few and ask--I bet they'd be just about the most helpful and receptive to this sort of thing as you could hope for.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:08 AM on August 16, 2016
You could call a few and ask--I bet they'd be just about the most helpful and receptive to this sort of thing as you could hope for.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 11:08 AM on August 16, 2016
In the Financial District, the "Promenade" level of the Embarcadero Center has a lot of seating that is underused. If you wander around you will almost certainly find a spot that is tucked away, isolated, and private-ish. Many people use that level to read at lunchtime. Take advantage of the nice weather and give it a whirl. Using the upper level you can walk from Sansome to Justin Herman Plaza without ever setting foot on the street.
posted by janey47 at 12:37 PM on August 16, 2016
posted by janey47 at 12:37 PM on August 16, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks for your answers, everyone. I would love to find a room, even a meditation or prayer room, such as one sometimes finds in hospitals. I need a place to unwind, and have too much anxiety to do so in a public space.
posted by Atrahasis at 1:13 PM on August 16, 2016
posted by Atrahasis at 1:13 PM on August 16, 2016
Maybe the Japanese Tea Garden? I haven't been there in soooo many years, but as I recall there were a few nice places to sit. There is also a tea house for light snacks. I suspect a weekday would be quietest.
posted by k8oglyph at 4:20 PM on August 16, 2016
posted by k8oglyph at 4:20 PM on August 16, 2016
The main public library has private study rooms that are first come, first serve. Might one of those work?
posted by Bella Donna at 11:08 PM on August 16, 2016
posted by Bella Donna at 11:08 PM on August 16, 2016
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posted by jeffamaphone at 9:10 AM on August 16, 2016 [13 favorites]