About Amy C
When not studying for an English and Journalism degree at Boston University or pursuing a career as a writer, Amy soaks up the city, literally dancing her way through Boston with her Hip-hop troupe and exploring the hidden gems of Boston. She moved from Northern California, just outside of San Francisco, for college, and loves every bit of Boston's charm and character, except perhaps the frigid winters. She loves the beach, fall foliage, learning about food and wine, and funny friends. Amy hopes to continue to expand her traveling horizons, savoring the culinary creations and cultures from around the world. Still, she suspects her favorite cities will always be colorful Boston and San Francisco.
Blog posts written by Amy C
April 1st, 2008 by amy c
Clarion Alley, The Mission, San Francisco Photo uploaded by marcella&antonio
If during your travels to San Francisco, you get an overwhelming craving for a burrito, taco, empanada, enchilada, or other Latin American inspired treat, head to the Mission district, where Central American families have been making their home since the 1950s. Strolling through this neighborhood, you’ll not only satisfy a craving for authentic Latin cuisine, but you’ll be able to glimpse the rich Latin American culture as it interacts with the ever evolving area.
Mission Dolores, on the corner of 16th and Mission, is an original adobe church in California’s mission history and the oldest standing building in the city. Its unique architecture and historical value attracts visitors from all religious affiliations. (more…)
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March 24th, 2008 by amy c
Union Square photo uploaded by Peter Kaminski
Union Square is San Francisco’s shopping and art center. Fine art galleries create beautiful storefronts on Geary, Post, and Sutter streets, perfect for an afternoon of window shopping, while crowds of shoppers take over stores such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Forever 21, Anthropologie, and Tiffany’s. Both bargain shopping and high-end locations are crammed into this square for a lively, one-stop shopping excursion.
Though the square underwent a renovation in 2002, creating a modernist platform where you can take in the sights of the cable cars and high rises, the area dates back to pre-Civil War. It got its name because it was the site of demonstrations in support of the union troops. Today, it still makes for a great meeting place as frequent outdoor performances take to the platform in the midst of the bustle. During the holiday season, San Francisco’s holiday tree graces area. (more…)
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March 21st, 2008 by amy c
San Francisco’s Castro Theater Photo uploaded by bobster1985
San Francisco’s pride and commitment to community oozes out of every bar, restaurant, hangout, and street fair in the Castro, most well known for its accepting and liberal politics and environment. The Castro community represents the epitome of San Francisco flair from the steep streets and brightly colored Victorians to the large gay community and liberal feel.
In fact, the San Franciscan liberalness is a main tourist attraction in of itself. The streets are also sprinkled with funky boutiques and lively bars. Home to the most beloved street fairs in the Bay Area and perhaps beyond, the area attracts 500,000 participants and spectators at the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Parade every June and at the Castro Street Fair every October.
As seen through its popular annual parades, the Castro has a rich history of activism and a sense of community that dates back to the 1960’s and 70’s. Home to one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., Harvey Milk, the area is well known for its revolutionary strides and commitment to AIDS research. To learn more about how the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community has influenced San Francisco, check out the GLBT Museum. (more…)
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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.
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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…)
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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…)
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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 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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