Archive for 2008
March 19th, 2008 by jamie a
San Francisco Photo uploaded by http2007
Maps can cost a lot of money, but are beyond useful when trying to navigate a new city. After you’ve picked up your Go San Francisco Card, check out these great maps for bargain travelers!
Budget Travel just alerted us to the concept of Schmaps, which are free travel guides to places all over the world with local, zoom-able maps, and marked attractions.These guides are great for planning out itineraries based on your personal interests as well, providing all sorts of suggestions based on your preferences.
We’d love to hear what you think should be included for those traveling to San Francisco! What are your favorite attractions? Let us know in a comment!
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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March 14th, 2008 by amy c
San Francisco Marina photo uploaded by Luca & Vita
Where can you find the posh residents of Pacific Heights on a weekend afternoon? On the Marina green, of course! This long, flat strip along the northern edge of the bay not only attracts joggers and sunbathers, but also offers views of Alcatraz and scenic Marin County. The sight of San Franciscans flying kites and picnicking on the green may inspire you too put down your full itinerary and enjoy a laid-back, Californian day along the water.
Or the sight of the oh-so-fit and active locals may inspire you to add an exercise element to your vacation by picking up your own set of wheels at Bay City Bike Rentals, where you can cycle along the majestic coast and historic Presidio.
The green is not the only playground for locals and visitors in this culturally rich and perfectly manicured neighborhood– cute and trendy boutiques speckle Chestnut and Union Street and the interactive science museum, Exploratorium, and the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts grace the area.
Where to eat:
Marina Submarine on Union Street has been attracting hoards of city kids for generations for its delicious sandwiches and cheap prices. Though a favorite among cash-poor high school and college students, the good food and great deal can bridge any age gap. Marina Subs is the perfect place to pick up picnic food to eat out on the green after a long day of shopping Chestnut and Union Street.
For a more sophisticated way to round off a day in the Marina, head to A16, where the food of Campania, Italy and the wood-fired pizzas of Naples await in this friendly neighborhood favorite.
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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March 10th, 2008 by jamie a
Pink Hibiscus Flower Photo uploaded by Anushruti R
From March 12-16th, check out the San Francisco Garden Show at the Cow Palace!
With thousands of blossoms and gardens to go ga-ga over, both amateur gardeners and seasoned pros alike will have a fantastic time at this year’s show. Spanning three acres, the highlights of the show include a garden container display, Sproutopia (for the kids!), the newest plants, presentations from the Bonsai Club, wine bars, and a health pavilion.
You can also use this opportunity to not only tour some beautiful gardens, but you can learn about the craft from the best of the best. The garden show offers seminars covering tons of topics, ranging from adding art and accessories to your garden to hands-on interactive activities for the kids.
After the show, you can always pick up a and tour the , ,or the .
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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March 6th, 2008 by amy c
Embarcadero photo uploaded by Taylar
There may be no other city that embraces its waterfront quite like San Francisco does, as parts of it are reminiscent of its seaside and fisherman roots. The Embarcadero, with its deep-water piers, ships from around the world, and expansive views of the bay, is a prime example of San Francisco’s love of the water. The area attracts joggers, strollers, street performers, and visitors captivated by the views and gorgeous architecture of city landmarks, such as the Ferry Buiding.
Here you can also get an impressive under-belly view of the beautiful, but less publicized, Bay Bridge, which connects San Francisco to the city of Oakland. The Embarcadero, with its wide, seven-mile promenade of sidewalks right along the water (within walking distance to the financial district), easy access to public transportation, and weekly farmer’s markets make it the perfect jumping off place for your San Francisco day. (more…)
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March 4th, 2008 by amy c
San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood Photo uploaded by pbo31
This wealthy and historical neighborhood embodies the San Francisco you glimpse in movies, filled with ornate Victorian architecture and the characteristic hills that cinematographers love. The Hollywood vision and breathtaking views the heights allow of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge make this neighborhood a favorite among visitors. You can find high-end shopping as well lavish mansions, offering a glimpse into the legacy of luxury of Pacific Heights.
To get an insight into the history of the area—everything from how the nouveau rich first inhabited the neighborhood in the 1800s to the devastation of last century’s fire and earthquake—don your best walking shoes for the Pacific Heights Guided Walking Tour. (more…)
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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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…)
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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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.”
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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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!
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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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.
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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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!
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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