Zack Ruskin

San Francisco

Journalist and Writer at Freelance

Bylines: @SFChronicle @WashingtonPost @RollingStone @VanityFair @mcsweeneys.

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Articles

‘Parade’ revival strikes chilling parallels between past injustice and present-day headlines

2 weeks ago | sfchronicle.com | Zack Ruskin

Max Chernin (center) and company in the national tour of “Parade.”Joan MarcusThere’s something terribly haunting about watching a work set in the past and being only able to think of the present. When the musical “Parade” first premiered on Broadway in 1998, visuals like newspaper boys proudly waving confederate flags were a means of bringing audiences back to a dark political atmosphere from long ago.
Top 10 Chef's Tables in San Francisco

2 weeks ago | localgetaways.com | Zack Ruskin

Memorable meals require more than a delicious recipe. While the Bay Area is blessed to be home to a smorgasbord of exceptional eateries, only a select few offer the intimate privilege of being able to watch from a front-row seat as chefs work to prepare your meal. Dining at a chef’s table allows guests the rare chance to witness the process by which raw ingredients become unforgettable feasts, and occasionally, even allows diners to pay their respects to these amazing cooks face to face.
10 Activities to Enjoy at the Presidio

3 weeks ago | localgetaways.com | Zack Ruskin

When it comes to natural attractions, the Bay Area is admittedly spoiled for choice. But there’s only one place where you’ll find breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Michelin-caliber dining experiences, an active archeological dig and a fountain in honor of Yoda from Star Wars: the Presidio of San Francisco.
Crissy Field East Beach, San Francisco

3 weeks ago | localgetaways.com | Zack Ruskin

Beloved as the best beach for swimming in San Francisco, Crissy Field East Beach in the Presidio is where families flock to on sunny days. Popular pastimes for making the most of pleasant weather out at Crissy Field’s beach include picnics, taking selfies backdropped by the Golden Gate Bridge, and reveling in the spectacle of the high-flying kite surfers who revere the area as one of the top spots for the sport.
Baker Beach, San Francisco

3 weeks ago | localgetaways.com | Zack Ruskin

By far the busiest stretch of sand in all of San Francisco, Baker Beach is a bustling weekend destination thanks to its convenient location, bountiful amenities, and jaw-dropping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands. A popular spot for birthday parties, picnics, and canine get-togethers, it’s always a sight to see the entire expanse of Baker Beach full and buzzing with beachgoers.
An Insider’s Guide to San Francisco’s Crosstown Trail

4 weeks ago | localgetaways.com | Zack Ruskin

Starting at the Sunrise Point fishing pier in the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, the dirt paths that define the majority of the Crosstown Trail collectively cover an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet and temperature fluctuations of up to 30 degrees, but it’s unquestionably worth the effort.
Ocean Beach, San Francisco

1 month ago | localgetaways.com | Zack Ruskin

You know it’s a hot day in San Francisco when the crowds convene at Ocean Beach. Normally, however, this perpetually chilly expanse of sand is the ideal place for those looking to skip the tourists and head straight for the surf. Located on the westernmost border of San Francisco, Ocean Beach is a true local’s paradise. Occupying a 3.5-mile stretch of pristine California coastline, the white sands of Ocean Beach provide an ideal backdrop for flying kites and leisurely strolls.
How Sausalito’s bohemian community of boaters defined the ‘wild west of the water’

1 month ago | datebook.sfchronicle.com | Joe Kloc |Zack Ruskin

Journalist Joe Kloc is the author of “Lost at Sea: Poverty and Paradise Collide at the Edge of America.” Photo: Author portrait by Kathryn HumphriesJoe Kloc’s book on Sausalito’s “anchor-out” community initially began as an expansion of his award-winning Harper’s feature on the alternative society of boaters.
Bob the Drag Queen Isn’t Just a ‘Traitor’—Now He’s a Novelist, Too

2 months ago | vanityfair.com | Zack Ruskin

When you've already conquered the world of drag, toured with Madonna, and made a memorable (if far too brief) run on the third season of The Traitors, all that’s left is to write a novel about Harriet Tubman coming back to life and recording a hip-hop album in Harlem. At least that’s what’s next for Caldwell Tidicue — a.k.a. Bob the Drag Queen — whose literary debut, Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, is set for release from Simon & Schuster on March 25.
Children's author Mac Barnett wants the U.S. to appreciate picture books

Feb 21, 2025 | sfchronicle.com | Zack Ruskin

For Mac Barnett, being silly is a serious craft. Last month, the two-time Caldecott Honor winner was appointed as the ninth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. During a ceremony earlier this month at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., Barnett detailed his plans to spend his two-year term elevating the nation's cultural reverence for the picture book. Convincing people that picture books are a seminal art form is a challenge Barnett is uniquely qualified to take on.