When asked if I have ever been to Rhode Island it took me a while to ponder, and then I finally decided that I probably had spent about an hour in that state in my lifetime. When I said that I probably had been there for an hour or so to visit, the person who had asked me the question laughed a little bit and said, “So, you probably just have driven through here.” He is probably right; after some more thinking I realized that I do not think I have ever been to Rhode Island except for the times when I drove right through it.

In any case, this weekend I took a train down from the Ruggles train station to South Attleborough for $7.50. My friend’s grandparents picked us both up, fed us a delicious meal at the nearby Olive Garden, and then brought us to Riverside, RI.

Driving to Riverside, I realized that the places we were going through looked a lot like the cities in New Hampshire or Massachusetts that I have become accustomed to. My friend, who is from Connecticut, also commented “Hey! This could be my neighborhood!” as we drove down a narrow road lined by trees on our way to Foster Country Club. When I realized that I had been thinking the same thing, I was almost a little bit saddened by the fact that my city is not unique.

There really is not too big of a difference between the New England States. Some of my friends who are not from around here get all excited to knock off another state on their lists when they come visit me in New Hampshire or go up to Vermont, but now I am realizing that once they visit one state, they essentially could say that they have seen them all. Of course, every state has their own thing to be proud of like New Hampshire’s White Mountains, but it’s interesting to see how alike the states really are.

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The Richmond District of San Francisco runs from Presidio Park and Lincoln Avenue to Fulton Street to Ocean Beach and to Arguello Boulevard. Named by Australian immigrant and Japanese art dealer James Marsh, the Richmond District sometimes is referred to as “New Chinatown” because of the numerous Chinese restaurants and shops located here.

What should you look forward to when you visit the Richmond District?

1. Golden Gate Park

So many places to visit at Golden Gate Park. Be sure to drop by the deYoung Museum, California Academy of Sciences and the Japanese Tea Garden. Visit the Conservatory of Flowers and the Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers. There are also other numerous things you can do here with family and friends. Go biking, skating, horseback riding, play frisbee or tennis. Take advantage of the picnic grounds and the children’s playground, and be sure to catch the free opera concerts at the Park.

2. Presidio

The Presidio is a former military post that has been turned into a national park. Joggers and dog walkers use the trails along the Bay Area Ridge or through the cypress and eucalyptus trees. Walt Disney Museum and Letterman Digital Arts Center (the headquarters of George Lucas’ Industrial Light And Magic and LucasArts) have made the Presidio their home in San Francisco.

3. Bistro Clement

Bistro Clement is a down-to-earth French restaurant and is meant as a less expensive and more casual version of the other French restaurant, Clementine, in the Richmond, which is also owned by Bistro Clement’s chef-owner.

127 Clement St. San Francisco, CA; Tel. (415)387-6966

4. Green Apple Books

Green Apple books is one of the best independent bookstores in San Francisco. This store has almost two parts. One side of the store houses all their fiction books, magazine and music items, and the other store houses everything else. Their used book selection is also one of the best in the city.

506 Clement St. San Francisco, CA; Tel. (415)387-2272

5. The Bitter End

The Bitter End can also be called a friendly neighborhood establishment. It has a full bar, stocked with Irish whiskey, single-malt scotches and a lot of beer selections, and a full kitchen, where you can enjoy anything from buffalo wings to shepherd’s pie. They even have a fireplace to keep you warm during those extra-chilly nights. Happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4pm to 8pm.

441 Clement St, San Francisco, CA; Tel. (415)221-9538

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