MY DAY OFF

Rapper and Cannapreneur Berner’s 420 Day Off in San Francisco Is All About Food

SF native and cannabis connoisseur Berner crafts a perfect day off for 4/20, centered around the city’s best food spots.

By Daisy Barringer and Berner

Published on 4/20/2022 at 4:20 PM

Rapper and Cannapreneur Berner | Photo by Farid, Cookies


Berner, aka Gilbert Milam Jr., is a San Francisco native and a man of many, many, many talents. Maybe you’re a fan of his music—he’s signed to Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Entertainment and has released 16 albums, several of which landed on Billboard’s "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart. Or perhaps you’ve picked up some of his Cookies cannabis strains at one of their 45+ lounges and dispensaries that you’ll find everywhere from Toronto to Tel Aviv, as well as plenty of places across the Bay Area.

At the very least, you’ve seen someone in SF rocking Cookies merch or waiting in line outside of his store on Haight Street after a limited-edition drop. For a lot of San Franciscans, it’s definitely all of the above. But however you’ve heard of Berner, there’s no denying that he’s a legend in the cannabis world (with a half-billion dollar empire, to boot).


So how does a mogul with all of that going on celebrate 420? We talked to Berner about crafting his perfect SF day off on 4/20 and it turns out, Berner’s a super chill dude who just wants what anyone who celebrates 420 wants: To smoke some really good weed, eat some really good food, and vibe out at Hippie Hill. Keep reading to find out Berner’s favorite SF food spots and how he’s celebrating the stoner holiday.

The First Meal: The Yellow Submarine

The first thing you need to understand is that you want to spread out multiple meals across the day ‘cause there’s too much good food in San Francisco. The first place I’d go early in the day would be Yellow Submarine—it’s one of the best sandwiches in the city. My go-to order is the Chicken Sandwich with homemade hot sauce, but usually a friend will order the Pepper Steak or Hot Pastrami so we can go half and half.


As for what I’m smoking before I eat? A nice, low-temp dab of some Fly or Snowman rosin and a tasty, freshly rolled Bernie Hana J to start my day off right.

420 on Hippie Hill | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

"The first thing you need to understand is that you want to spread out multiple meals across the day ‘cause there’s too much good food in San Francisco."

Next Up: Chillin’ at Ocean Beach

Before the day gets too crazy, I’ll head to Ocean Beach to clear my mind. There’s nothing better than being in a cold, foggy, chill environment looking at the beach while you’re stoned. It’s just a vibe. Us Bay Area cats, we like a cool breeze. Ocean Beach is great, especially on a day like 420, when the city is going to be pretty hectic everywhere else you go.

A Vibe Check at Berner’s on Haight and Wings at San Tung

All of that mind-clearing and wave-watching can work up an appetite, so after the beach, I’m already thinking about my next food stop. But first, I’ll head to Berner’s on Haight Street to blaze one up in front of my dispensary and take in the vibe before heading to Hippie Hill.


After my Haight Street toke, I’m hitting up San Tung in the Inner Sunset for their crazy ass chicken wings. Here I get the famous dry-fried chicken wings, white rice, the dry sauteed string beans, and some potstickers. It’s a taste of SF that everyone should experience. If you’re in San Francisco and you don’t go to San Tung and get the chicken wings, you’re kind of missing out on life.

Ocean Beach, San Francisco | worldphotosbypaola / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus

"Us Bay Area cats, we like a cool breeze. Ocean Beach is great, especially on a day like 420, when the city is going to be pretty hectic everywhere else you go."

After two meals, smoking some herb, clearing my head at the beach, and drinking plenty of water, I’ll be ready to head to Golden Gate Park to begin the official 420 celebration with 30,000+ other people. After a two-year hiatus, I’m looking forward to seeing people’s smiling faces again. Hippie Hill represents a place of being liberal, free, and happy, and just enjoying people. That’s what I missed most about what we just went through.


But I won’t be able to chill with the crowd for too long because at 4:20 pm on the dot, when everyone blazes up and the park is blanketed with smoke, I’ll be taking the stage for a four-song set. If you’re planning on attending the festivities, I suggest you dress your best. It’s an iconic moment for me so I plan on taking a picture, framing it, and putting it on my wall in my house, so if you’re there, you’re about to make it to the wall of fame in my crib.


I’ll be smoking whatever I can get my hands on, but if you can get that Bernie Hana Butter—that’s the best thing to smoke right now. If you can get that, you’re blessed.

Time for Dinner at Marnee Thai

Marnee Thai is probably the best Thai food in SF. I prefer the 9th Avenue location (I’m honestly considering finding an apartment on 9th and Irving since that’s where so many of my favorite food spots are) where the owners are familiar with my order of Spicy Angel Wings, Thai Samosas, Pad Thai (hold the sprouts), Barbecue Pork Fried Rice, and Basil Chicken. It’s spicy, but not too spicy. Add a Thai iced tea for the full effect.

La Taqueria | Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

"After a two-year hiatus, I’m looking forward to seeing people’s smiling faces again. Hippie Hill represents a place of being liberal, free, and happy, and just enjoying people. That’s what I missed most about what we just went through."

Last Stop: The Midway for One More Show

I’m all about the good energy on 420. It’s one day where people come together and they’re so high and everyone’s getting blazed and there’s just a good sense of unity. That’s why I always do a home show. Outside of my set at the Hippie Hill 420 party, I’ll also be doing a closing show at The Midway with Too $hort, Babyface Ray, and Andre Nickatina.

Shout Out to La Taqueria

And I don’t know when I’ll fit it in on 4/20, but I’m definitely going to try to grab a Mission Burrito at La Taqueria. We probably have some of the best burritos in the world at La Taqueria at 25th and Mission.


As told to Daisy Barringer.

Places to Eat & Drink

Yellow Submarine

503 Irving St, San Francisco, CA


San Tung

1031 Irving St, San Francisco, CA


Marnee Thai

1243 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA


La Taqueria

2889 Mission St San Francisco, CA

Things to See & Do

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA


Berner's On Haight

1685 Haight St, San Francisco, CA


420 on Hippie Hill

Robin Williams Meadow, 320 Bowling Green Dr, San Francisco, CA


The Midway

900 Marin St, San Francisco, CA