Sausalito Sunrises, Shakedown Nights: A Weekend for the Books

Some weekends feel like they were tailor-made to feed the soul. This one started with the golden light of a Saturday morning in Sausalito, the bay shimmering. We lingered over breakfast at a little café, walked down one of the long piers to check out the sailboats, chatted with a local artist who lives on his boat, and then caught the ferry across the bay, the skyline of San Francisco rising ahead.

We walked from the Ferry Building to our first stop, which was the legendary City Lights Bookstore. From there, we ducked into The Underground for a chat with the owner—one of those conversations that feels unplanned but meant to be. Hunger eventually called, leading us to Il Casaro Italian Bistro, where we lost ourselves in fresh pesto pasta, Insalata Romana with pine nuts, and a tiramisu so light it could have floated right off the plate. The Affogato sealed the deal.

And because no day in North Beach is complete without a little poetry in motion, we stepped into Cafe Trieste, the historic home of espresso-sipping Beat poets. Just as we walked in, a small group of local musicians launched into “Mambo Italiano.” It was one of those you can’t make this up moments, the kind you’ll tell years from now with the same sparkle in your eyes.

A Muni bus carried us out to Golden Gate Park, where Shakedown Street was alive with color—rows of tie-dye, vintage concert shirts, and that unmistakable mix of incense and patchouli. We stopped on the path where a couple was selling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of their pull-cart, and stashed one for later. By the time we found our way around the path to the entry gate, we’d discovered what might be the most magical corner of the Polo Field: a tucked-away forest space at the very back, complete with a giant screen, grass-covered couches, and shimmering iridescent orbs swaying overhead. The music poured in from the mini stage, wrapping itself around us as we danced in the grass.

The Saturday show picked up some speed—tight, joyful, and brimming with those moments where the band locks in and the whole crowd moves as one. We got a Dew (with Sturgill Simpson), Dear Mr. Fantasy rocked, Franklin's Tower and St Stephen were amazing! Michelle wandered to Participation Row between sets, chatting with folks working on community causes, and she brought back some veggie rolls in a bowl of rice for a quick bite. As the night closed in, the trees above seemed to hold the sound in the air a little longer before letting it drift into the San Francisco night.

Sturgill Simpson Sings Morning Dew

The Forest Behind the Polo Field

View from Behind Polo Field

Setlist:

Midnight Hour

Bertha

Jack Straw

Dear Mr. Fantasy

Hey Jude

Passenger

Brown-Eyed Women

Morning Dew (with Sturgill Simpson)

Uncle John's Band

Help On The Way

Slipknot

Franklin's Tower

St. Stephen

Drums

Space

Spanish Jam

The Days Between

Truckin'

Cold Rain & Snow

Brokedown Palace

Sunday began slow, as all good final-show days should. A late brunch with Elizabeth, Alice, and friends turned into a quick nap before we took an Uber across the bridge from Sausalito which dropped us at the Polo Fields, where we slipped right back into our forest hideaway—our own little VIP lounge, courtesy of the universe.

The final show had that bittersweet magic you only get on closing night—each song feeling both like a celebration and a goodbye. Bobby teared up. Stand-out tracks were China Cat-Rider, They Love Each Other, and Fire on the Mountain (with Mickey rapping). We swayed and sang, letting the music sink in on Standing on the Moon. The night ended back in Sausalito, tired but buzzing, grateful for every step and note.

Setlist:

Let The Good Times Roll

China-Cat Sunflower

I Know You Rider

They Love Each Other

Shakedown Street

Deal

Scarlet Begonias

Fire on The Mountain

Broken Arrow

Hell In A Bucket

Cumberland Blues

Drums

Space

Jam

Standing On The Moon

Sugaree

Sugar Magnolia

Touch Of Grey

Monday was a travel day, but it offered several last gifts. We drove to Chinatown and had lunch at the first Dim Sum house in the U.S. - Hang Ah Tea Room. Then, on the way to the airport, we made a little detour to South San Francisco to see my great aunt’s home, the place she lived for so many years. Just a block away from the house sits the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. We drove through the winding road of the park, and it felt fitting to end our trip in a place with Jerry’s name etched into it. And now...back to reality! Until the next show... Michelle & Todd