How to take advantage of a Burner-free San Francisco

San Francisco is truly wonderful when folks make their journey to the playa for Burning Man .

State of play: Burning Man, the annual event in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, runs from this Sunday through Monday, Sept. 2.

Why it matters: There's always a large local contingent that makes the trip, so the next week or so will be a great time for everyone else to explore the best of the Bay Area without as many crowds.

• Though, the exodus might not be as big this year as in previous ones, as tickets are still available amid a seeming decline in popularity .

Dig in: Good brunch is always chaos in San Francisco, so now might be the time to check out those trendy spots that don't take weekend reservations, like Plow , Four Chairs , Mymy and Hilda and Jesse .

• It could also be the right time to hit up bakeries like Tartine and Arsicault .

Lounge out: Maybe you like the crowds at Dolores Park on a sunny day, but if the weather permits, this weekend might be the time to stretch out and take in the beautiful views of the city in peace.

Ball out: I don't know about the overlap between the Burner and the pickleball community, but it's worth seeing if you can get some court time more easily, especially at the ones where the parks department doesn't allow reservations.

The bottom line: Do your thing and bask in the glory that is San Francisco.

• And if you're heading to Burning Man, check out El Pulpo Magnifico , the unofficial mascot.