- Part 2

Holiday Decorations Round Up: The Best San Francisco Has to Offer

December 11th, 2012 · Christmas Season, san francisco, Shopping

With temperatures plunging into the 50′s this week, San Francisco is starting to feel downright festive. If you’re looking to get your holiday fix, here are San Francisco’s must-see twinkle light and decoration displays

1. Hyatt Regency Lobby, Embarcadero

Thousands of strands of twinkle lights rain down over the Hyatt Regency’s lounge, along with an impressive Victorian village complete with zoo, amusement park, and, of course, a trolley car to usher the plastic figurines between attractions. If you’re in need of a tranquil oasis to stop and have a hot chocolate or a hot toddy away from the holiday shopping hordes, look no further.

To get there: From Union Square, either walk a mile along Market Street to the Hyatt Regency at Drumm Street and Market Street. Or, hop on a BART or MUNI line from the Powell Street station, two stops to Embarcadero station. The Hyatt will be just ahead on Drumm Street and Market Street.

2. 21^st street between Church and Sanchez Streets, Noe Valley

Propped up on a steep hillside in Noe Valley, this house give you the double whammy of some serious creative decorative effort in addition to stunning views of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, and San Francisco Bay. The main attraction is a 4-story tree, decorated to the nines like a Christmas tree with over sized glittery ornaments and what I can only imagine is thousands upon thousands of lights. And the crane parked outside hints that the owners still aren’t finished with this one.

To get there: From downtown, take the J-Church MUNI streetcar from the Powell Street or Montgomery Street stations to 21^st Avenue. Hop off and walk up the hill for a 1 ½ blocks.

3. Union Street, Cow Hollow

For 23 years running, Union Street has hosted its Fantasy of Lights on or around December 1^st. The festivities might last for only one night, but the lights stay up for the rest of the holiday season. This is where you want to go for festive holiday shopping.

To get there: From downtown, take the 45 Union-Stockton bus from the corner of Kearny and Stockton Streets to (Van Ness Street). Hop off and walk west along Union Street.

4. Castro Street between 14^th Street and Duboce Avenue, Castro

The north pole itself exploded all over this massive Edwardian in the Castro. Not an inch of siding, bay window, or railing is spared from the onslaught of lush garland, stalagmites of gold and red Christmas tree ornaments, and a full size Santa Claus making a run for the chimney.

To get there: From downtown, take any of the underground MUNI streetcar lines from the Powell Street or Montgomery Street stations to Castro station. Exit the station and walk north on Castro Street for 3 ½ blocks.

5. Quintara Street and 34^th Avenue, Outer Sunset

After a day at the zoo or taking in an early December sunset at Ocean Beach, this house is a fun stop on your way back home. Featuring dozens of glowing candy canes, a squadron of drummer boys, glowing nativity, and every decorative light-up lawn ornament you’ve ever seen. And that’s before we get to the impressive number of lights.

To get there: From downtown, take the L-Taraval MUNI streetcar line from Powell Street or Montgomery Street stations. Hop off at 35^th Avenue and Taraval Street. Walk a block to 34^th Street, then walk north along 34^th Street for 3 blocks to Quintara Street.

6. Westin St. Francies Lobby, Union Square

There are two gingerbread houses on this list. And each is special in it’s own right. The Westin St. Francis, just across the street from the Union Square skating rink, is the most artistic gingerbread house I’ve ever seen. Reaching nearly to the lobby’s chandeliers, this year’s “house” is actually a 1,300 pound gilded chateau, complete with dozens of rooms, 20 turrets, and a small village at its base.

7. The Fairmont, Nob Hill

What The Fairmont’s gingerbread house lacks in glitter dust and turrets it makes up for in sheer size. This is a gingerbread house you can walk through. It took the hotel’s pasty and engineering shops 895 hours to build, with 7,750 individual tiles of gingerbread, 1,250 pounds of royal icing, and 675 pounds of candy. The lobby also features a holiday kids corner, where children can write letters to Santa and drop them off in the mailbox.

To get there: From downtown, walk north on Powell Street for four blocks (it’s a vertical hike) and turn left on California Street. The Fairmont will be to your right.

8. Hayes Street, Hayes Valley

Like Union Street, Hayes Valley hosts an annual Holiday Block Party with decorations lasting the rest of the month. Hayes Valley’s tree-lined streets turn into a technicolor twinkle light display, with most stores opting out of the traditional white-bulbs. It’s an ideal spot to shop for the design enthusiasts in your life under a canopy of holiday cheer.

To get there: From downtown, take any of the underground MUNI streetcar lines from Powell Street or Montgomery Street stations to Van Ness Station. Walk two blocks north on Van Ness Avenue, then take a left onto Hayes Street.

Did we miss any of your favorite San Francisco holiday displays? Let us know in the comments!

→ 2 CommentsTags: christmas·holidays·san francisco

San Francisco on the Blogs

November 12th, 2012 · Reviews, san francisco, Travel News

This week, we dived into a few excellent blogs that have some wonderfully useful and interesting posts from halfway across the world to right in our San Francisco backyard. Knowing where to look is key to getting the best travel tips, trick and stories out there.

Jetting Around

It’s always great to get the perspective of both locals and outsiders when making plans for traveling. This Jetting Around post is by a Polish expat Pola who now lives in the U.S. and tells us why it’s one of her favorite countries in the world. Between the road trips, delicious diners and places to watch thrilling sporting events, she offers a few quips about everything. In the section about fun U.S. cities, she even mentions how San Francisco was notable for it’s waterfront and Victorian homes.

Travel Dudes

The Travel Dudes blog brings us over to Little Italy in San Francisco and takes away some of the intimidating mystery that comes with understanding this beautiful neighborhood. For those planning a trip to this destination, the Travel Dudes break down the best ways to try various culinary delights and what restaurants and points of interest are ideal to try. Travelers journeying to Little Italy may not know where to turn first, but this post breaks it down into a jovial and memorable option for San Francisco travel.

NoOnionsExtraPickles

This blog is all about the visual stimulation and creativity found in global destinations. Based in San Fransisco, Ashley takes her art history knowledge and applies to to her home city and her worldwide travels. Recently this blogger doled out some great advice on how to experience San Francisco at wallet-friendly costs by taking advantage of ethnic food, free museum days and pedestrian walkabouts.

Urban Hiking

With all the natural wonders in and around San Francisco to explore, its important to keep energized and ready to tackle the day. Louisa’s Urban Hiking blog offers some delectable recipes and bright photos to show how to create tasty snack and meals for the road. Her post described a unique, vegan-friendly breakfast made with apricots, walnuts and a interesting grain called amaranth.

The Nervous Traveler

Seeing new things and doing extraordinary activities can often be the highlight of a trip, but may still made even the seasoned traveler a little anxious. The point of the Nervous Traveler is to push people out of their comfort zones and getting past what makes them scared about visiting new places by informing people ahead of time a few things they can expect. For instance, in one of their recent posts, the Nervous Traveler simply list their top 20 hotspots in San Francisco, paired with small quips and tips about each destination, including North Beach, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhoods and Pacific Bell Park.

→ 2 CommentsTags: Activities·san francisco·san francisco restaurants·sf travel·things to do·travel

Your San Francisco Neighborhood Shopping Guide

October 29th, 2012 · Shopping

There’s much more to shopping in San Francisco than Union Square. Here’s a quick guide to our top shopping neighborhood destinations, along with direction on how to get there..

Union Square

San Francisco’s downtown shopping district, Union Square is usually the first stop on any out-of-towners itinerary. It has your 7-story Macy’s, Saks 5^th Avenue, Nordstrom, Barney’s, and Bloomingdales, in addition to any store you’ve ever seen in a mall anywhere. Head to the side streets for designer showrooms from Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Paul Smith, and others.

Pacific Heights

One of the most upscale neighborhoods in San Francisco, Pacific Heights’ Fillmore Street is where women go who are on the hunt for architectural, cashmere wraps to wear with that old St. John dress hanging in their closets. To wear to their friend’s gallery exhibit or a ballet matinee this weekend. The window shopping is terrific, and the prices are steep.

If you are into Japanese culture and art, also be sure to check out the Japan Center at Geary and Webster Streets. You’ll find everything from antique watercolor prints and handcrafted tea services to anime books and children’s stationary.

How to Get There: [All directions start from Union Square.] From the corner of Market Street and Stockton Street or Market Street and Powell Street, hop on the 38 Geary or 38L Geary Limited (express bus). Exit at Fillmore Street and Geary Street and walk north, up Fillmore Street.

Marina

Sunny blocks where familiar names (Gap, Lucky Brand, Pottery Barn) share space with tiny preppy boutiques, haute baby stores, and cupcake shops. This is where you want to go for cute, comfortable dresses you’d want to wear to a late, Saturday brunch or out for drinks with the girls.

How to Get There: From the corner of Market Street and Kearny Street, or the corner of Stockton Street and Sutter Street, hop on the 30 Stockton. Exit on Chestnut Street, near Fillmore Street, and walk along Chestnut Street.

Cow Hollow

The vibe is similar to Marina’s Chestnut Street, but you may be more likely to actually buy something along Cow Hollow’s Union Street. You know that friend of yours, who works at a nonprofit and always shows up to brunch in flattering dresses, funky booties, and maybe tops it off with a silk-ribboned fedora? Chances are she shops here. The blocks of boutiques offer a wide variety of clothes at affordable prices.

How to Get There: From the corner of Market Street and Kearny Street, or the corner of Stockton Street and Sutter Street, hop on the 45 Union-Stockton. Exit on Union Street, near Gough Street, and walk along Union Street.

Polk Street

Polk Street might be a bit too off the beaten path for this shopping guide, but I’m leaving it in here for those of you who maybe have already been to Fillmore Street or Chestnut Street and still want to explore. Polk Street is a study in contrasts, where dive-y Vietnamese restaurants share blocks with liquor stores and chic-prairie clothing boutiques offering handmade leather wallets and bags. The stores become increasingly high end towards Lombard Street to the north, finishing with a series of home goods stores selling one-of-a-kind metalwork and art.

How to Get There: On 5^th Street near Market Street, hop on the 27 Bryant. Exit on Jackson Street near Polk Street.

Laurel Heights

Leafy and residential Sacramento Street is your go-to spot for embroidered French county fine linens, exquisite hand-tooled cutting boards made from Philadelphia Sycamore, and ostrich skin lined decorative boxes. The clothing boutiques are surprisingly minimalist and modern – art galleries unto themselves. For those of us on a budget, be sure to check out some of the best consignment stores in the city. You’ll find Marni, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada at unbelievable prices. Head to California Street for some additional lunch time cafes and coffee shops.

How to Get There: You have two bus options. From the corner of Sutter Street and Powell Street, or the corner of Sutter Street and Sansome Street, hop on the 2 Clement. Exit on California Street near Divisadero Street and walk a block north to Sacramento Street. You could also take the 3 Jackson from Sutter Street and Powell Street, and hop off on Presidio Avenue and Sacramento Street.

The Inner and Outer Richmond

For the serious foodies out there, that also like kitschy, modern design stores and homemade jewelry, Clement Street and Geary Boulevard are for you. The sheer number of Russian bakeries, Chinese groceries, dim sum restaurants, Korean BBQ restaurants, and hipster sports bars can be overwhelming – the Richmond is chockablock full of stores for nearly two miles, all the way down to the Pacific. It’s the perfect place to nibble on a peroshki while popping in and out of a random collection of boutiques.

How to Get There: From Market Street and Stockton Street, or Market Street and Powell Street, hop on the 38 L Geary Limited – an express bus to the Richmond. Exit on Geary Boulevard and Arguello Street or 6^th Avenue. Walk one block north to Clement Street.

The Castro

Are you a guy? Have you been feeling left out of the conversation so far? Boutiques around this city tend to focus on the ladies. Thankfully, the Castro is ready to fill the void with a plethora of mens’ clothing boutiques. Whether it’s rustic Americana, club wear, or tailored Italian suits, you’ll find it here. Also make sure to check out the fantastic series of thrift stores along Market Street (catering to men and women).

How to Get There: The Castro is conveniently located on several MUNI Metro streetcar lines. On Market Street, descend into one of the MUNI stations at Powell Street or Montgomery Street. Hop on an Outbound L, M, K, or T line. Exit 4 or 5 stops later at Castro Station.

Hayes Valley

In the past 20 years, Hayes Street has gone from a down-and-out inner city neighborhood to an explosion of puppies, neon, and Chevron. Yep, this is where you go for home décor trends. The clothing boutiques are equally stylish, with plenty of cupcake, candy, macaron, ice cream, and bread pudding shops to keep your energy stores up. The neighborhood is precious realized.

How to Get There: Any of the MUNI Metro streetcar lines will take you to Hayes Valley. It’s very easy to get to. On Market Street, enter one of the MUNI Metro underground stations at Powell Street or Montgomery Street. Hop on any Outbound train – N, L, M, K, T, or J. Exit 2 or 3 stops later at Van Ness Station. From Van Ness Station, walk 2 blocks east on Oak Street, then 2 blocks north on Gough Street to Hayes Street. You could otherwise hop on the 21 Hayes on Market Street near Powell Street, and exit on Hayes Street near Octavia Street.

The Mission District

After the Richmond and Union Square, the Mission District is the third most extensive shopping neighborhood in addition to being San Francisco’s resident hipster neighborhood. On Valencia Street and side streets, you’ll find handcrafted jewelry stores, clothing boutiques, and over a dozen vintage stores selling mid-century furniture and clothes. Valencia is also home to many of San Francisco’s third wave coffee shops, if you’re into that. Make sure to stop by Mission Street for its Mexican restaurants and donut shops.

How to Get There: From either the Powell Street BART Station or Montgomery Street BART Station on Market Street (both stations are underground, and shared with the MUNI Metro), hop on the Daly City, Millbrae, or San Francisco Airport lines. Exit 2 or 3 stops later at 16^th Street Station or 24^th Street Station. Walk one or two blocks west on 16^th Street or 24^th Street to Valencia Street. Most shops are on Valencia Street between 23^rd and 15^th Streets.

Divisadero Street/ NOPA

The latest of San Francisco’s neighborhoods to go through a boom, bustling Divisadero Street is now home to a series of semi-hidden boutiques catering mostly to young women. Think Etsy come to life. The old die-hard thrift stores are still here, particularly one fantastic kitchen goods store with Le Cruesets piled in a corner.

How to Get There: Jump on the 71L Haight-Noriega Limited on Market Street near Stockton Street. Exit on Haight Street near Divisadero Street. Walk north along Divisadero Street.

The Haight Ashbury

If there’s one neighborhood you’ve heard of outside of Union Square, it’s likely the Haight Ashbury. Summer of Love, Grateful Dead, The Human Be-In, communal living in old Victorians, and Free Stores. Forty years later, the Haight is prime shopping for teens and young adults whose tastes veer Goth, Bohemian, Rockabilly, or Punk. Make sure to check out Amoeba Records for its mind-boggling collection of new and used music.

How to Get There: Just like for Divisadero Street, hop on the 71L Haight-Noriega Limited on Market Street near Stockton Street. Exit on Haight Street near Buena Vista Park or Central Avenue. I personally prefer to take the N-Judah MUNI Metro line to Cole Valley and walk the few blocks to Haight Street, though. From either the Powell Street MUNI Metro station or Montgomery Street MUNI Metro station on Market Street (both stations are underground), hop on an Outbound N-Judah. Exit 5 or 6 stops later at Cole and Carl Streets. Walk 4 blocks north along Cole Street to Haight Street.

by Maria/Far Out City. Maria writes about San Francisco and urban travel over at Far Out City. All photos copyright by 2012 Far Out City.

→ 1 CommentTags: neighborhoods·san francisco·Shopping

Can Parking Panda get you parked in San Francisco?

October 9th, 2012 · Transportation, Traveling with Kids

From football fans to corporate executives, the city by the bay offers quite a bit in the way of entertainment and modern commodities. But whether you’re a local out for a night on the town or a traveler just passing through, chances are you’ll need to park. Most of us shudder at the thought of having to compete for a space in an unfamiliar parking garage. And in many cases, we don’t even know where they’re located. Here’s a novel idea- how about booking a parking space before you arrive, directly from your phone? Sound easy? It is. And that’s exactly what the folks over at Parking Panda are counting on.

You have options when it comes to parking in San Francisco and a quick search online produces more than a few services that cater to the area. But few offer the same wide selection throughout the city as Parking Panda. In fact, most are limited to select locations or hotels that may not be convenient or close enough to your final destination. And after fees, limitations and other details, you may still need to rely on public transportation to get where you need to be. Who wants to be limited by a bus schedule?

Parking Panda lets you map out your destination and shows you the available parking options with distance- both by car and walking- to where you’re going. And with venues, restaurants even neighborhoods to choose from, it’s easy, cost effective and takes the hassle out of wondering where to put the car.

The slogan, “park happy” may just say it all as Parking Panda brings weary travelers, business executives and locals alike guaranteed, discounted parking spots in lots, garages even private spaces around San Francisco- and that’s happiness for sure.

→ No CommentsTags: cars·park·parking·san francisco·transit·vehicles

Spotlight Review: Best Kids Apps for iPhone / iPad

October 4th, 2012 · Travel Apps, Travel News

As any parent with small children knows, traveling can be a real headache. With flight delays, long hours in the car and not much to do, kids grow bored quickly, leaving many of us scratching our heads looking for answers. Luckily, with the arrival of smart phones, parents have a few more tools at their disposal, but spending hours searching online for the perfect apps is tedious and time consuming. Say hello to BestKidsApps.com, a site dedicated to reviewing all the children’s iPhone, iPad and Android apps available. For traveling moms and dads, there simply isn’t an easier way to pack the bag, the kids and line up hours of educational and fun entertainment for the road.

This site catches our eye for a few reasons. First, all the reviews are written by moms. That means no hype or overly glowing reviews, just straight talk and honest opinions. And after all, as hard working parents, don’t we all deserve a little credible advice now and then? Second, the links on the site lead directly to the iTunes app store and there’s no fee or registration involved- which always wins points with busy moms.

The site is easy to use and navigate, making it perfect for lining up a few games for a busy airport, a rest stop or anywhere traveling has you waiting around. Find what you’re looking for by phone type, age, specific activity, even quick freebies. Plus, with great articles and blog posts on hot topics like Face book and how to introduce technology to your baby, the site keeps giving long after the games are played.
And when your luggage is lost and you’re looking for a few great puzzles to keep your toddler quiet while you explain your plight to security- this is one site worth its weight in gold.

→ 1 CommentTags: android·applications·apps·ipad·iphone

Spotlight Review: AmateurTraveler.com

September 25th, 2012 · Golden Gate Bridge, Reviews

Sometimes it’s fun to stumble across a travel site that actually “gets it”. Amateur Traveler is one of those finds. Hosted by Californian Chris Christensen, the site is more like an online travel show, featuring weekly audio podcasts or “episodes”, video and a blog. The right mix of “personal adventures, travel news and helpful tips” appeals to everyone from the weekend warrior to the expert traveler. With witty posts, engaging interviews and extraordinary images, it really does deliver on its promise to “motivate and help you decide where to go next”.

Since 2005, Chris has been sharing his love of storytelling and passion for photography with the world by bringing insider information to folks looking to explore unique destinations. Currently residing in San Jose, he is a startup engineer by day and hosts AmateurTraveler.com by night.

The audio podcast portion of the site features an interview with a destination expert who shares the “inside scoop” by exposing the unconventional side of destinations at home and abroad. And with an archive of over 300 podcast interviews and 60 videos, there’s enough information to keep you entertained for quite some time.

With the same relaxed, comfortable feeling as the podcasts, the editorials are worth a read. How about biking in Northern Spain, volunteer traveling or exploring Walt Disney World on a budget? Whether you’re interested in learning more about what makes Northern Iraq tick or you simply want to enjoy the city by the bay by perusing 75 facts about the Golden Gate Bridge, AmateurTraveler.com delivers.

So the next time you’re waffling between Japan, France or Indonesia for your next vacation, grab your iPhone and start exploring- you may just be inspired to visit all three.

→ 2 CommentsTags: golden gate bridge·travel blog·travel blog review

Tales Told from the Road: Spotlight Review

September 11th, 2012 · Reviews, san francisco

As a travel enthusiast, have you ever wished there was one place to go to get unbiased reviews and useful advice on everything travel- that’s not in the brochure? Before setting off on the big adventure, you may want to check out Tales Told From the Road where you can find the latest scoop on travel tech gadgets, consumer travel alerts and more to help you along. If you’re in the market for a new travel app for your smart phone or you want to know how to navigate those pesky-and often fraudulent- airline deals, Tales Told From the Road may be your answer. Straightforward and unbiased, this is one travel site that just may have an answer for everything.

Dick Jordan, former U.S. Air Force and attorney, keeps the site fresh and relevant as a happily retired freelance travel writer. With a quick, witty style, Dick brings us the information we really need when making travel choices. What app should we install on our iPhone to get the most out of our trip? How do we make sense of Southwest Airline’s travel deals? It’s the meat and potatoes of journeying that extend beyond the final destination- and Dick’s not shy about dropping names.

Currently a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Journalists, Left Coast Writers and the Travel Blog Exchange, Dick’s reputation for highly credible, detail has earned him respect and a loyal following. From the bees atop San Francisco’s Nob Hill to credit card basics, this is truly a “one stop shop” for travelers. So what else can we expect from a great travel site? Book and movie reviews? Absolutely. And when you need to find the perfect vacation rental in Maui, rail tickets for traveling Europe or the best travel app for your smart phone, Dick delivers.

→ 1 CommentTags:

Choosing between LA and SF: 9 Reasons to Head to San Francisco

September 4th, 2012 · Travel News, West Coast Cities

So, I hear some of you are wondering whether to head to LA or San Francisco for your next family vacation. I’m not gonna say it’s a no brainer — I don’t know your life. Maybe you want to see Disneyland, in which case why not just go full throttle and head to Disney World? Maybe you have friends and family in LA. We do, and I’m not sure that’s called a “vacation.”

But, if you’re still on the fence, here are 9 reasons that San Francisco might be your best choice.

1. No Rental Cars Necessary

Know what my favorite part of being on vacation is? Weaving through five lanes of traffic and sitting in traffic for hours just to drive 15 miles to get to the beach, followed by a parking situation to rival basically the road to Woodstock itself.

Oh, wait.

San Francisco is actually a tiny city — only 7 by 7 miles — and between walking, cable cars, street cars, and a subway, there’s no need to drive anywhere. If you do want a quick ride, cab fare is rarely over $15. You’re on vacation to relax and hang out, not battle road rage and a spaghetti bowl of highway interchanges.

On a related note…

2. The Chill Factor

People in SF are chilled out, for what ever reason. Don’t you worry about why.

Sure, Los Angeles is full of pretty people and glittery nightclubs and hip live theater. But…that’s a lot of pretty and hip to keep up with. We’re on vacation here.

In San Francisco, you go ahead and wear your beat up Keds to dinner. You won’t be the only one. If it seems like too much trouble to put some mascara on before heading out for the night, rest assured that this is actually encouraged in SF. I mean, you wouldn’t want to look like you’re trying too hard.

3. The Natural Splendor

Every San Francisco street promises an extraordinary vista of pastel Victorians and deep blue San Francisco bay. If you want real nature, well, it’s really not too fair a comparison between LA’s Griffith Park and our Muir Woods. Don’t get me wrong, Griffith Park has unbelievable views (when smog isn’t in the way, see below), but it has nothing on a national landmark of old growth seaside Redwood trees, a mere 16 miles from downtown San Francisco.

4. Smog vs. Fog

Fog beats smog. Every single time. Having a vista marred by sweeping fog, drifting and churning past city landmarks will always be more welcome than the sweet, musty, brown combination of nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and carbon monoxide.

Plus, once you really fall in love with San Francisco, you’ll also start referring to the cool evening fog as Mother Nature’s Air Conditioner.

5. Our Hipster Neighborhood is Better than Their Hipster Neighborhood

If you’re on the hunt for cute boutiques, laid back coffeehouses, and house cured meats, what you want is a hipster neighborhood. In San Francisco, we have The Mission. In Los Angeles, you have Silver Lake (or Silverlake, they can’t agree on how to spell it).

A comparison:

Silverlake	Hipster Neighborhood	The Mission
2.7 square miles	Size	1.85 square miles
31,000	Population	47,000 give or take
17	Boutiques	50
207	Restaurants	480
12	Vintage Stores	17
1	Fixed Gear Bike Shops	11
3	Coffee Roasters	4

And I didn’t even mention SF’s house cured meats shops, cheese shops, the chocolate factories (yep), and bespoke millineries.

6. The Food

I wanted to do a side by side comparison of Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco (20), the Bay Area (26), and Los Angeles. But…it turns out Michelin doesn’t even review Los Angeles? Oh, that burns.

Well, moving on, it’s not like we can all afford to eat at Michelin starred restaurants anyway. Unless you’re a serious foodie, chances are you just want a reasonably good meal, at a good price, that’s not too much of a hassle to find or get to.

In San Francisco, you can walk a block or two to any neighborhood bistro and get exactly that. Spontaneous, relaxing good times. No time wasted searching for a good restaurant, noYelping, no mapping out directions to this one particular place, no missing your exit off the freeway, no doubling back because your husband forgot to mention that the restaurant is on the other side of the road, no slowing down miles of traffic behind you to make sure you don’t miss a driveway. And most importantly of all, no valeting.

7. The Happy Anarchy

A healthy dose of anarchy permeates San Francisco. You are more likely to see a naked guy than a cop here. Actually, if a cop was around, even he wouldn’t care about a random naked guy.

Everything and anything goes in this city. Want to walk down the street wearing a robot costume in July? Do it. Want to recreate Michael Jackson’s Thriller in the middle of 24th Street after a night of bar crawling? More people will probably join in than bat an eye.

8. The Hour Drive Test

Drive an hour or two outside San Francisco and you’ll be sipping world class Sonoma and Napa wines on a sunny Mediterranean veranda overlooking rolling hills of bright green grapes in neat, perfect rows. Drive an hour or two in Los Angeles…and you’ll likely still be in Los Angeles. Or maybe Camarillo? Palm Springs if there’s no traffic, I suppose. In case you wanted to do some desert mountain hiking?

9. The Romantic Cable Car

You pile out of Tadich Grill’s brass doors into a cool summer night. Both of you are still giggling from that weird story some guy at the bar just told you about running into Al Gore at California and Broderick at 4am. Above you, fog is whipping between Victorian skyscrapers, the moon’s white glow undulating and diffusing down into the streets below. You smell the sweet cable car chains underneath, with their solemn clang clang clang clang reverberating through the empty street. You only notice it for a second before entwining your fingers in his and running to catch a cab across the street.

This this doesn’t happen in Los Angeles.

by Maria/Far Out City. Maria writes about San Francisco and urban travel over at Far Out City. All photos copyright by 2012 Far Out City.

→ 9 CommentsTags: la·los angeles·san francisco·sf

SF Travel Best: 21st Amendment near AT&T Park

August 31st, 2012 · Restaurants, Reviews, san francisco

Discovering your new favorite pub in a massive city can be a challenge, but 21st Amendment has you covered in the Bay area. Boasting rustic decor and a fun-filled, fast-paced atmosphere, this can be the ideal spot for a pint with friends or a great catch-up date with the girls over some juicy burgers. Not to mention, it’s in a key locale by the SF Giants stadium so you can get your fill before a game to avoid pricey eats inside.

Not only is the grub superb, but everyone is talking about the unique and refreshing watermelon beer. Served with a fresh slice of fruit, this beverage can’t be beat on a hot summer day. “Hell or High Water” watermelon brew from 21st Amendment is enough to warrant a visit to this staple establishment.

This is the perfect refreshment to order when a Giants game is on TV, as it will wet your whistle and keep you yelling alongside other fans. While enjoying the game from the bar or pre-gaming before heading over to the nearby stadium, don’t forget to check the on-site brewery out back where their pale ales, dark ales or wheat beers are born. Wash all down with menu items such as fish and chips, homemade pizzas, and fresh salads.

You can visit the pub at various times of the day, depending on your mood. Around game time, this rowdy hotspot is full of people sporting their best player jerseys. At other times you may still hear baseball chatter as well while locals tend to lend their expertise on the team to visiting travelers. 21st Amendment is ideal for all types of crowd look for memorable food and the best beers around.

→ No CommentsTags: Good Eats·pubs·san francisco·san francisco restaurants

Recent Posts

Categories

Meta

Holiday Decorations Round Up: The Best San Francisco Has to Offer

December 11th, 2012 · Christmas Season, san francisco, Shopping

San Francisco on the Blogs

November 12th, 2012 · Reviews, san francisco, Travel News

Your San Francisco Neighborhood Shopping Guide

October 29th, 2012 · Shopping

Can Parking Panda get you parked in San Francisco?

October 9th, 2012 · Transportation, Traveling with Kids

Spotlight Review: Best Kids Apps for iPhone / iPad

October 4th, 2012 · Travel Apps, Travel News

Spotlight Review: AmateurTraveler.com

September 25th, 2012 · Golden Gate Bridge, Reviews

Tales Told from the Road: Spotlight Review

September 11th, 2012 · Reviews, san francisco

Choosing between LA and SF: 9 Reasons to Head to San Francisco

September 4th, 2012 · Travel News, West Coast Cities

SF Travel Best: 21st Amendment near AT&T Park

August 31st, 2012 · Restaurants, Reviews, san francisco

Search It!

Recent Entries

Popular Posts

Recent Posts

Tags

Categories

Meta

December 11th, 2012 · Christmas Season, san francisco, Shopping

November 12th, 2012 · Reviews, san francisco, Travel News

October 29th, 2012 · Shopping

October 9th, 2012 · Transportation, Traveling with Kids

October 4th, 2012 · Travel Apps, Travel News

September 25th, 2012 · Golden Gate Bridge, Reviews

September 12th, 2012 · Blogroll, Reviews

September 11th, 2012 · Reviews, san francisco

September 4th, 2012 · Travel News, West Coast Cities

August 31st, 2012 · Restaurants, Reviews, san francisco

Search It!

Recent Entries