Archive for October, 2007
October 31st, 2007 by susan j
Velo Rouge Cafe, San Francisco
Photo uploaded by Miss Rogue
For a taste of the local West Coast flavor, check out Velo Rouge Cafe. Located near the Strybing Arboretum and the Conservatory of Flowers, this corner cafe attracts travelers and locals with its delicious selection of paninis, breakfast items, and espresso drinks. Several menu items like the Merckx panini and the Mt. Ventoux egg sandwich make playful references to places and people around the world.
Owner and globe-trotter Meg Lynch says her own travels on bike showed her “the close connection between café and bicycle culture around the world,” which in turn inspired the cafe. Aside from the warm, welcoming atmosphere, Velo Rouge also offers live music on Friday nights and Sunday afternoon, plus its hosts Radio Africa & Kitchen on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
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October 30th, 2007 by amy c
Muir Woods
photo uploaded by genewolf
Part of what makes San Francisco so unique is the proximity of the city to incredible natural beauty. A bustling metropolis just steps away from hiking trails, state parks, beaches, and sweeping views can satisfy both the urban enthusiast and outdoorsy nature lover. Whether you crave a heart-pumping hike, a leisurely stroll, or a lounge chair, the San Francisco area can quench your thirst for fresh, sea air.
- Marin Headlands: While still in view of the city, you can lose yourself in the natural beauty that combines beaches, rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, and unique animal and plant life. The Wolf Ridge Loop is an excellent hike for the outdoorsy visitor looking for great views, a taste of history, and some exercise. The hike takes you on a vertical climb of 880 feet from sea level at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge into the heart of the headlands where you will discover remnants of Army forts. For a more relaxing adventure, have a picnic on Rodeo Beach and watch the surfers expertly navigate crashing waves against rocky cliffs.
- Muir Woods: Home to one of the few virgin Coastal Redwoods still in existence, Muir Woods has some of the tallest and oldest trees in the country. The trees serve as subjects in several famous Ansel Adams photographs. You can also enjoy a guided tour through Muir Woods.
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Angel Island: Though getting to this state park requires a short ferry ride, Angel Island is far from secluded. Lush greenery meets hiking and bike trails and provides the perfect location to soak up views of the city on a natural plateau above the bay. Rent bikes from Bay City Bike Rentals and take to the hiker and biker friendly trails for an invigorating afternoon. (more…)
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October 29th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by bitacoreta
Recently we shared with you 5 ways to explore San Francisco’s Asian-American heritage. Now we’re uncovering another side of San Fran: North Beach, where intimate bistros and quaint coffee shops evoke the sights and smells of the Old World.
USA Today recently listed North Beach as one of the top American “places to discover Italy,” along with New York’s Little Italy and Boston’s North End. Local tastes of the City Tours offers a special North Beach tour that lets you savor the flavors of North Beach, from cannolis to cappuncinos to crepselle. Mangia Italiano!
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October 26th, 2007 by amy c
Blue Heron on a Marin Headland hiking trail
photo uploaded by dbaron
Not only is the San Francisco area home to extraordinary natural beauty, but business owners have grown more environmentally friendly. Visitors and locals can choose from over 1,000 certified “Green Businesses,” which hold themselves to higher standards of environmental regulations.
By choosing restaurants, shops, and hotels that are considered a green, you can help make sure that the air stays fresh, the ocean clean, and the animal and plant life diverse…And what better way to exude San Francisco style than to match the Green craze sweeping the Bay Area?
Choosing Green Businesses can even enhance your vacation. Here are my picks for the restaurants, hotels, and attractions that don’t compromise taste, fun, comfort, or the environment:
- Elixir may be San Francisco’s oldest running saloon, but this award-winning watering hole’s thinking, innovation, and scene is anything but dated. The Victorian style saloon offers a dog friendly happy hour (your pup should probably stick with water) and transforms into a swanky cocktail lounge as the sun goes down, satiating your thirst for a look into history with saloon memorabilia on the walls and a trendy, but eco-friendly nightlife.
- Aquarium of the Bay will give you an inside look to the bay’s unique life and possibly new enthusiasm for staying Green to help preserve it.
- Bay City Bike Rentals: There is no better way to see all the sights, beat traffic, and assuage any possible guilt about your personal carbon emission than renting bikes to explore the city. Plus, you’ll get some major quad-burning exercise on those San Francisco hills.
- Marin Headlands Hostel: Affordable accommodations in a beautiful, convenient setting and environmentally conscious, you can stay in historical homes in the scenic rolling hills of the Marin Headlands, located just a ferry ride away from the city or a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Nearby attractions also include Muir Woods, numerous hiking trails, and the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
Whether you’re a visitor or local, check the Green Business Listings to choose from a variety of businesses in every service.
It is now easier than ever to be environmentally friendly when you travel with the Terrapass, which is an affordable way to balance your environmental impact of carbon emission when you fly or drive. Check back for hiking trails and more ways to enjoy nature in and around San Francisco!
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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October 25th, 2007 by amy c
Wednesday, October 24- Sunday, October 28
2007 Fall Antiques Show: Seventy dealers from across the U.S. and Europe will feature high-end antiques ranging from home decor to jewelry.
Friday, October 26- Sunday, October 28
nternational Vintage Poster Fair: Browse more than 10,000 original posters on sale from dealers from 20 different countries also at the Fort Mason Center.
Friday, October 26
Second Annual Organic Beer and Wine Tasting: Get a taste of local organic wine and beer from more than 25 vendors. The event also includes a silent auction on the Embarcadero.
Saturday, October 27
Goblins, Ghouls, and Ghosts: Fisherman Wharf’s famous Wax Museum presents its premier Halloween party for the over 21 crowd. Come in your most outrageous costume and dance to the live DJ at this spooky museum hot spot.
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October 24th, 2007 by amy c
Now that you’ve explored the classic art museums that double as San Francisco monuments, get a less traditional glimpse of SF’s unique and fun art scene that blends fine art with the eccentric, the exciting, and the surprising, exemplifying the beauty of San Francisco culture. You can get a dose of chic nightlife, experience the spacious galleries that draw artists and collectors, and get out and about in one of the city’s most exciting neighborhoods by browsing some of these must-see galleries.
HANG Art: Located in the art and shopping-infused Union Square, HANG Art provides a wide variety of contemporary original artwork from exceptional Bay Area artists. If you are looking to purchase art, this trendy and friendly gallery is sure to deliver unique pieces
The Fraenkel Gallery: one of the many galleries to be found on trendy Geary Street, the Fraenkel Gallery is also conveniently located just off Union Square. The gallery focuses on photography and offers museum-quality exhibits in a fresh and spacious setting.
John Pence Gallery: The largest gallery in San Francisco, the John Pence Gallery showcases classic works from the 19th and 20th century. It is also one of the premier academic realist galleries in the U.S., which still permeates the ambiance of the spacious and elegant gallery today.
111 Minna Gallery: Forget experiencing art in a stodgy, stuffy gallery. Captivating art meets intoxicating house music meets trendy happy hour in this unique scene that fuses a downtown nightclub with local and international fine art. The gallery offers a variety of events and performances to fit your partying and artistic style.
What better way to explore some of the finest galleries of San Francisco, primarily located in bustling Union Square or on quirky Geary Street than by the historical cable cars! Trendy art browsing may inspire the need for trendy fashions. Check out the Westfield Shopping Center in Union Square to complete your San Francisco shopping excursion.
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October 23rd, 2007 by amy c
Photo uploaded by Kim Scarborough
Brunch is my favorite meal of the weekend, especially in the city where the location is as much a feast for the eyes as the food is for the mouth. Indulge in classic San Francisco fare, local hot spots, and elegant views before embarking on a day of sightseeing. Here are some of my picks:
Town’s End Restaurant and Bakery starts each meal with a basket of homemade scones and mini-muffins from the in-house bakery. You can enjoy the homemade breads further with the French Toast Sampler, made with a piece of each of the breads. Expansive windows showcase views of the Embarcadero in this family-owned restaurant. After a delicious breakfast to jump start your sightseeing, walk two blocks to the famous SF Giant’s Stadium for a guided tour.
Cliff House: Soaring Pelicans over the Pacific, Sea Lions napping on rocks, and scraggily cliffs that jut dramatically out of tumultuous ocean spray make the views reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The Champagne Brunch and magnificent spread in the Terrace Room of this cliff-side chateau, however, will make you forget that this beautifully dramatic location would be perfect for a murder mystery film. After a sumptuous meal, check out the Legion of Honor for more sweeping views of the coast and marvels in architecture, and fine art.
2223 Restaurant and Bar offers hip Californian cuisine with tastes of Asian and Mediterranean flair. The menu changes seasonally, insuring the freshest produce and unique tastes to match the season. Its famous sourdough spiced apple French toast puts a San Francisco twist on the breakfast classic. And the house-made chorizo and pepper jack scramble is a favorite among brunchers. Located in the trendy Castro, this restaurant attracts nightlife-crazed, hip locals and visitors.
boasts a 360 degree view of the city and a 100 Martini Menu. It’s the perfect place to get a delicious breakfast as well as a taste of history. The restaurant dates back to WWII where soldiers gathered for a last toast to the Golden Gate Bridge before shipping out and families tearfully watched as the soldiers sailed under the bridge out to see. Located at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel in Nob Hill, its central location would be the perfect spot to start your day in San Francisco. Perhaps take a historic cable car ride of the area.
Kate’s Kitchen serves home-cooked comfort food that matches the inviting and funky decor, characteristic of Haight Street. Locals consider the delicious, inexpensive soul food on par with mom’s cooking as the place is routinely packed on the weekends. However, that is possibly part of the appeal. Stroll the Haight’s many quirky shops and trendy urban clothing stores. At the end of the Haight-Ashbury experience is Golden Gate Park where you can visit the idyllic Botanical Gardens or take a ride on the vintage carousel.
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October 22nd, 2007 by susan j
San Francisco’s Chinatown
Photo uploaded by http2007
Chinese immigrants first started arriving in San Francisco around the time of the California Gold Rush in the mid-1800’s. Now over 150 years later, Asian-Americans make up about 30% of the city’s population and its Chinatown is North America’s largest and oldest (reconstructed after the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906). Other Asian enclaves in Japantown and Little Saigon have also developed in the area.
With San Francisco’s past and its present steeped in Asian culture, the city offers many ways to explore the Asian-American experience through food, museums, and more. Here are some of our picks:
- Chinese Historical Society of America: Located right in Chinatown, this museum includes bilingual exhibits examining the contributions of Chinese laborers in the American west, Chinese artists in contemporary art, and more.
- Asian Art Museum: With nearly 15,000 pieces of art spanning 6,000 years of history, the Asian Art Museum is one the largest museums in the west focusing exclusively on Asian art. Current exhibits include an exploration of Japanese fashion from the Kyoto Costume Institute.
- All About Chinatown Walking Tours: This two hour tour explores the cultural, historical, and culinary flavors of Chinatown, taking you inside a Chinese temple, a fortune cookie factory, and more.
- Dim Sum: This Chinese tradition features a series of small light dishes shared around a table and served with tea. Chinatown buzzes with people on Sunday afternoons, when people flock to dim sum restaurants for good food and conversation.
- Evening Chinatown Walking Tour with Dinner: After a multi-course Chinese dinner, enjoy a guided walking tour exploring the fascinating people and places in Chinatown. Then admire the glittering views of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge.
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October 19th, 2007 by amy c
Fairmont Hotel
photo uploaded by luisvilla
Whether you’re traveling with a pet or child, looking for a taste of history or want to stay eco-conscious on your vacation (or all of the above), San Francisco is home to a variety of exciting, comfortable, and convenient hotels to suit your travel needs. Here are a few of our picks to enhance your San Francisco excursion:
The Fairmont Hotel isn’t just a 4-star luxury hotel; it is an experience in San Francisco elegance and old-Hollywood glamour. Tony Bennett first crooned “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in one of the Fairmont’s lavish banquet rooms. The romantic hotel has also been host to countless classic celebrities and political elite for over a century who must have been taken with the grandeur of its gilded ball rooms and panoramic views of the city. The hotel’s prime Nob Hill location brings you to the only place in the city where all cable car lines meet, offering easy access to the famous mode of transportation to take you anywhere you want to go. In addition, the hotel is both pet and environmentally friendly. It is possible (and perhaps tempting) to never leave the hotel as it offers a health club and spa, as well as two unique restaurants. The Tonga Room, for instance, a Polynesian-inspired restaurant-bar, transports you to a rain forest with feigned downpours, dispensing water into a “pond” in the middle of the restaurant, adventurous Asian cuisine, and the city’s best Mai Tai.
A less traditional stay may be fitting for the city with such personality and cultural diversity. Try The Red Victorian Bed and Breakfast for funky and hip, yet comfortable accommodations. The 1960’s décor and colorful art matches that of Haight-Ashbury where notions of peace, love, social justice, and ecology resound in a palpable feeling of goodwill. Choose from 18 themed suites that celebrate the Summer of Love to begin your immersion into San Francisco hippie culture. Besides the quirky, trendy, and historical shops near the hotel, you can enjoy the serenity of nearby Golden Gate Park. Soak up nature with the Botanical Gardens and the Conservatory of Flowers or excite your inner-child with the vintage Golden Gate Park Carousel. (more…)
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October 18th, 2007 by amy c
Thursday, October 18
SF Weekly Music Awards: Support local musicians while you party at San Francisco night club, Ruby Skye. Proceeds from the night will go to Our Conservatory, a non-profit organization that helps young, local aspiring musicians.
Friday, October 19
Suite Jesus: Hip art gallery, 111 Minna, is hosting a night full of dancing, art, fashion, and music with six artists showcasing their pieces, three live painters showcasing their art, and DJs mixing the city’s hottest dancing beats.
Saturday, October 20
Lights Out San Francisco: Not only can you enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner at a variety of top restaurants around the city, but you’ll feel extra good knowing that you helped the environment and supported this city-wide energy conservation event which encourages to turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour. Check out contributing restaurants here!
Saturday, October 20- Sunday, October 21
Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser: Explore the Bay Area Discovery Museum in your costume, as it is transformed into a spooky Halloween wonderland.
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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