Archive for February, 2008
February 28th, 2008 by amy c
AT & T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants Photo uploaded by Bitterman
South of Market, or SoMa as it is mostly referred to, is an up and coming neighborhood that got its start in the dot com era. Now it is a booming center for contemporary art and pop culture. The neighborhood boasts of fashionable nightclubs, a beautiful baseball stadium–home to the San Francisco Giants–and unusual museums that high light emerging artists from around the Bay Area and the eclectic feel of the city.
Though SoMa has much to offer locals and visitors alike, it is important to have a plan before you approach this sprawling and ever-developing neighborhood. To the unfamiliar explorer, the area may appear to be little more than busy streets and nameless buildings. But don’t let the sometimes-industrial exterior fool you, SoMa is quickly gaining recognition as one of the best places to become culturally enriched by day and entertained by night.
Perhaps start your SoMa experience after a stroll through the Embarcadero, which will put you close to the famed and recently renovated AT&T Park. During the summer you can spot droves of baseball fans, sporting their orange and black walking along the water toward this architectural landmark. Sneak a behind-the-scenes peek at the AT & T Park Tour and catch the breathtaking views of the bay and city that rival the action on the field. (more…)
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February 26th, 2008 by jamie a
The Band “Golem” Performing at Noise Pop Photo uploaded by Mai Le
From February 26 through March 2nd, the best indie artists descend upon the city of San Francisco for the 2008 Noise Pop Festival.
Since 1993, this festival has featured the best in alternative and independent music, film, education, art, and culture. Distinguished guests of the past with incredible musical talent include Wilco, The Flaming Lips, The Shins, and The White Stripes. The festival has been named one of the country’s top independent music festivals, showcasing what San Francisco and the rest of the independent world has to offer.
Rolling Stone writes that the festival is “…One of the best ways to see punk legends, indie darlings and the best local upstarts in one extended weekend. It’s meant to be a nonstop party… You can taste each and every intelligently booked showcase.”
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February 22nd, 2008 by jamie a
The Golden Gate Bridge Photo uploaded by Think Floyd
If you’re a film buff and would love to see where some amazing movies have been filmed, check out San Francisco Movie Tours!
Along with a friendly guide and a seat on a bus, you also get to see clips from the movies as you drive by the locations of filming. From the Golden Gate Bridge scene in Hitchcock’s Vertigo to spots in the family-favorite Mrs. Doubtfire, here’s a list of all the things you’ll see on the tour.
If you’re interested, here’s a link to the tour info page so you can make reservations today!
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February 20th, 2008 by jamie a
Exploratorium Photo uploaded by divinemisscopa
San Francisco’s will be hosting a lecture entitled “21st Century Brain: How Neuroscience is Changing the Way We Shop, Vote, and Pay Taxes” on February 23 at 2 pm.
The lecture will be held in the McBean Theater and will be hosted by Pireeni Sundaralingam, who was educated at Oxford, studied both poetry and cognitive science, and now works as a neuroscientist. Dr. Joshua Freedman of FKF Applied Research and Hans Lee of EmSense will join her for the discussion.
There is a limited capacity, so purchasing tickets early is encouraged.
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February 15th, 2008 by susan j
Travel toiletries Photo uploaded by dlisbona
Since I’m eagerly anticipating a vacation later this week, this article over at Less than a Shoestring caught my eye. In it, a veteran traveler and blogger discusses ways to get around the TSA’s limit on liquids by using bar soap, solid shampoos, and other goodies in place of liquids. It sounds like a good idea, but I’m a little skeptical of washing my hair with something that’s shaped like a bar of soap. Anyone tried it? Leave a comment and let us know!
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February 13th, 2008 by amy c
Haight-Ashbury photo uploaded by wili_hybrid
In the mid-1960’s, the corner of Haight and Ashbury was one of the most famous intersections in perhaps the world, as young people flocked to the area in a search love and peace. The Summer of Love is still swinging in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, also known as the “global village.”
Only now, brightly colored Victorians, funky t-shirt shops, hookah bars, and psychedelic music and art meet hip-hop trends and the height of modern fashions. Trendy hipsters, accessorized urbanites, young professionals, and even those still living in the long-gone flower power era stroll down these few blocks of liberal quirkiness.
Whether you are looking for hot pink fishnets, a pair of fresh kicks, or a t-shirt souvenir of a neighborhood overwhelmingly “Californian,” Haight-Ashbury offers both a look into San Francisco’s hippie and Beat generation past as well as its trendy present. Located on the edge of Golden Gate Park, the Haight is the perfect place to glimpse San Francisco from a local perspective as San Franciscans from all backgrounds flock to these streets for a dose of urban diversity. (more…)
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February 11th, 2008 by amy c
Two worlds collide in the neighborhood of North Beach, depending on what side of the street you walk on, depicting San Francisco’s unique ability to combine the old with the new and quiet tradition with booming cabaret-style nightlife. Charming Italian restaurants complete with checkered tablecloths and a warm atmosphere that only first-generation Italian grandmothers can create meets blinking lights of dance clubs, live music in funky dives, and even strip joints on the corner of Columbus and Broadway.Whether you are looking for the perfect place for a romantic date, girl’s night out, or would like to discover the home of the Beatnik Generation and diverse cultures that make up the area, North Beach is a must-see neighborhood in San Francisco.
The streets alone in this neighborhood have a rich history. Grant Avenue, for instance, is the oldest road in San Francisco, which is also home to Chinatown. Italian and Chinese cultures combine in this neighborhood, but North Beach is mostly known as one of the best places to discover Italy and San Francisco’s literary history.
For book worms, or anyone looking to understand the allure of San Francisco to literary greats, such as Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg, should check out The Beat Museum. The museum blends the history, literature, and Beatnik perspectives that ultimately changed America and the world—a perfect stop for history buffs and literary wizards alike. (more…)
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February 8th, 2008 by susan j
San Francisco Bay Photo courtesy of Red and White Fleet (used with permission)
What better way to see San Francisco than aboard a cruise ship in San Francisco Bay? Founded in 1892, the historic Red and White Fleet continues serving the Bay Area with cruises that offer picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Marin County, and more. The Golden Gate Bay Cruise departs daily from Fisherman’s Wharf, and there are special holiday cruises throughout the year, too.
Here are some of Red and White Fleet’s February cruises:
Wednesday, February 14, 5 pm
Sweet Valentine’s Cruise
Saturday, February 23, 2 pm
Chinese New Year Cruise
About.com’s Ingrid Taylor has also blogged about the Red and White Fleet here.
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February 7th, 2008 by amy c
Chinatown photo uploaded by legge e mare
In honor of the Chinese New Year, we’re kicking off our series highlighting San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods with a look at its world-famous Chinatown…
San Francisco’s Chinatown has come to be known as “a city within a city” for its ability to transport you to another world. Not only is it the oldest Chinatown in America, but it is still one of the largest and most culturally authentic in North America. The best way to enjoy Chinatown is to just walk. By wandering aimlessly, you’ll be sure to pick up on the aspects of Chinatown that are uniquely San Francisco and those that attract billions of tourists each year.
The best time to explore Chinatown is Saturday afternoons when the live markets take over Stockton Street. Fresh produce, Chinese delicacies, and live animals turn this San Francisco Street into an Asian Mecca. Tourists should definitely stroll Grant Avenue if looking for souvenirs and the classic Chinatown experience.
However, a look into Chinese heritage is best found off the main drag, where you can try the best Dim Sum outside of Asia, learn how they make fortune cookies, and glimpse the inner workings of this amazing community.
For those of you looking for more advice than “walking aimlessly,” here are a few tips and must-see spots to experience both the classic and off-the-beaten-path Chinatown. (more…)
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February 5th, 2008 by jamie a
City Lights Books Photo uploaded by voxtheory
Cnn.com recently published a list of “Nine Bookstores Worth a Tourist Stop,” which includes the famed City Lights Books in San Francisco.
Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, it’s known as the center of the counterculture literary movement. City Lights Publishers were the first to publish Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl,” which landed Ferlinghetti in jail.
A hangout for beat poets and tourists alike, it’s a must-see for any bibliophile visiting San Francisco.
If you’d like to read more about the Beatnik influence on San Francisco, be sure and check out our “Beatnik’s Guide to North Beach” for even more places to visit.
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