http://sftravel.com/blog If you're planning a visit to San Francisco - we've got the scoop. Sat, 10 May 2008 13:57:20 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The InterContinental San Francisco is an amazing tower of translucent cool-blue glass windows. The Intercontinental tower's 32 stories are above the vibrant South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, and is fast becoming a stunning San Francisco landmark. As the first new hotel in over two decades, it isn't surprising that InterContinental San ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2008/05/10/san-franciscos-hottest-new-hotel-the-intercontinental-is-open.html San Francisco's world of tourism is constantly changing.  Hotels change owners; restaurants change names or close.  When we were notified earlier this week to update our Alcatraz tour pricing, we dutifully went to work making our updates for the new operator of the tours.  But wait - the prices went ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2008/03/16/alcatraz-tour-prices-increase-by-50-is-it-cheaper-to-just-go-to-prison.html There are two things we especially love in San Francisco: 1.)  The Presidio Park 2.)  Great restaurants. The folks who started up the Presidio Social Club restaurant (they just call it a club) - combined both of our favorite things into one.  The restoration of the Presidio's former military buildings now has added ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2008/03/10/presidio-social-club-incredibly-cool-new-san-francisco-restaurant.html If you're planning a trip to the Bay Area, or live in the Bay Area an just love wine - plan for these upcoming food & wine festivals in 2008.  You can enjoy food and wine in a beautiful outdoor setting at some of the world's finest wineries.  Throughout Napa, ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2008/01/26/wine-festivals-near-napa-valley-2008.html    If you're headed to San Francisco for a vacation or "business trip" - one "don't-miss" way to spend a few hours is to enjoy one of the bay cruises that go past Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge.  We highly recommend any opportunity to enjoy San Francisco from the water. There ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2007/12/31/quickest-way-to-see-alcatraz-and-the-golden-gate-bridge.html Recent articles on travel trends indicate that travelers are looking for more personal customization in their room stays.   One company - Pure Rooms - is featuring rooms in specific major hotel chains - in specific cities - that are certified with the maximum cleanliness and allergy free state.   Pure ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2007/12/23/traveling-with-allergies-avoid-california.html San Francisco's Crowne Plaza Hotel at Union Square is still there, but it is no longer a Crowne Plaza.  An investment firm  ("Felcor") has purchased the property and renamed it to Hotel 480.  There are future plans to improve the property - which at over 400 rooms is one of ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2007/12/21/bye-bye-crowne-plaza-san-francisco-hello-felcor.html Google is now offering a page that allows you to search all Microsoft websites using the Google search engine.  Not surprisingly - Google monetizes the page with Adwords advertising.   http://www.google.com/microsoft.html Search Microsoft with Google What does this mean?  1.)  There is demand to find information on Microsoft that people prefer the Google search ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2007/12/19/search-microsoft-with-google-is-it-live.html Recent incidents involving both San Francisco and Seattle ferries have raised some thought provoking questions on how safe ferry travel really may be.  Although the issues in the two West Coast cities were very different - your safety hung in the balance for both situations.  We're going to take a ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2007/12/17/alcatraz-ferries-how-safe-is-your-san-francisco-trip.html I'm in Las Vegas for a conference of web publishers.   Las Vegas has to be one of the driest; most barren; and sometimes smoggy places you can imagine.  With all the focus on money and greed - I thought I'd try to see just how little environmental impact my vacation ... http://sftravel.com/blog/2007/12/05/green-vegas-5-best-ways-to-minimize-your-vacations-carbon-footprint.html