Goods and Services
A portion of all sales are donated to Larkin Street Youth.
Welcome to San Francisco Kit
Our Welcome to San Francisco Kit has everything you need to explore the city, packed and ready to go. The kit makes it easy to explore SF, just grab one and head out the door. The city is waiting! We've curated the essentials you need to start your city adventure. The kit Includes an illustrated walking map of SF, a reusable, collapsible water bottle, pre-loaded $5 Clipper Card that works on all Bay Area public transit, hand sewn slim wallet with a map of SF to hold your Clipper Card, locally made aromatherapeutic hand sanitizer, locally made natural Lip balm, snack from Northern California farms, locally made TCHO chocolate treats, and breath mints. All of the items are neatly organized in a reusable mesh pouch to carry in your bag or backpack. The kit makes a great gift for house guests or out of town wedding guests too! Shop now.
San Francisco Walking Map
San Francisco is best explored on foot and this Riso printed, hand illustrated map provides great tips and suggestions for fun routes in the city. A collaboration between The Urbanist, local illustrator Carissa Potter of People I've Loved and printed locally by Luca Antonucci at Colpa Press. The reverse side includes a curated list of items to bring with you.
San Francisco Wallet
You'll enjoy opening your bag to find the colorful map on this handmade slim wallet that keeps your Clipper Card within easy reach. Or, slide the slim wallet in your jeans pocket, it doesn't take up much space and you don't even need to take your Clipper Card out of this slim wallet to pay your transit fare. Inside are instructions for how to use Clipper Card and space for another card or cash. Handmade by Elisa Oshiro of Manikgrl, a local crafter. Elisa sews beautiful zipper pouches and these slim wallets to enhance your urban adventures. An $8.00 Clipper card includes $5 of transit value on a $3 reusable card.
Walking Tours
Explore San Francisco like a local on our walking tours. Click here to reserve your spot and if you would like to schedule a specific day or time contact us at (415) 449-1652 or nate@TheUrbanistSF.com.
My Story
Growing up northeast of San Francisco in the state’s capitol, Nate Mahoney, founder of The Urbanist SF, didn’t realize he had spent his youth visiting San Francisco as a tourist until he relocated to “the city” as an adult.
Nate Mahoney atop Twin Peaks
A Bay Area resident since 2002 and living in San Francisco since 2006, when he made his move to the “west bay,” he quickly found that while San Francisco bared similar features of an old friend, she was still a virtual stranger. Illuminating the difference between being familiar and being local, his memories of visits with his family over the years suddenly seemed like they could have been to another planet, and not to a city he thought he knew. Suddenly being local was as nuanced as having a favorite laundry mat and as straightforward as confidently placing your vote for district supervisor. A city that is defined by its history, geography, food, architecture, creativity, penchant for innovation and spirit, San Francisco has all the elements of a true urban dwelling. Realizing that he would not feel grounded until he found his footing, with his anthropological spirit, a sincere desire to settle in and his affinity for discovery in tow, Nate set out on foot to discover his new city.
“In short: San Francisco is a perfect place for a pedestrian. A place to wander through and marvel at - full of cultural synergy from technology to food. One may be daunted by climbing her hills, but rewarded in full by incredible views at her peaks. ”
Inspired by locavores and an advocate for sustainable living and local makers, Nate began researching the needs of urban pedestrians through interviews in order to begin curating kits through partnerships with other small businesses. The first Welcome to San Francisco kits were sold to brides to give to their out of town wedding guests in 2014. Guests attending from coast to coast and all over the world received a kit with locally made goods which included locally crafted goods and a custom illustrated walking map of San Francisco by local illustrator Carissa Potter and printed locally at Colpa Press, a collaborative project designed to make the city feel welcoming and accessible. Combining the ethos of San Francisco and Nate’s own dedication to sustainability, these kits now exist as a resource for all kinds of visitors - whether touring or moving, their contents offer locally made products that help welcome you to a new city that has so much to offer.
Field Notes
On twitter @TheUrbanistSF
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NVC NonViolent Communication 🌻 Thanks for following us ! https://t.co/fNXcsJYUK3 -
Daniel “Josh” Mahoney Thanks for following us ! https://t.co/PM2gmCyee1
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webuiltthiscity: Saints Peter and Paul Church, and Coit Tower @webuiltthiscity https://t.co/jkswGWa87N
On instagram @TheUrbanistSF
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The Book
Illustration by Megan Scott at cookycreek.com
Urban Living Book coming soon!
This Urban Living Planner is designed to provide tips and inspiration for adopting an urban lifestyle.
More Book Details…
The book will help you learn about the joys of living in the city, teach you the attributes of an urban lifestyle, and inspire you so you can incorporate these ideas into your own life.
A portion of all sales are donated to Larkin Street Youth.