Archive for the travel tips category
January 25th, 2008 by jamie a
Comparing Digital Cameras Photo Uploaded by Hamed Saber
If you love taking photos on your vacation and then showing them off to your friends and family, you should read a quick guide for making the most out of your photography efforts recently posted by GoGirlfriend.
Since I’m taking a photography class right now, this article is a great read. It’s also easy to understand, pinpointing ways that everyone can make their vacation photos more interesting, not just photographers who know all that camera lingo.
My favorite tips from the article are “Get Clicking,” because, like everything else, practice makes perfect! When you own a digital camera, there’s no reason to edit until you get home and look at them on the big screen.I’m sure that out of every 20 photos lies a truly wonderful one and you won’t know unless you keep your finger clicking.
I also enjoy “Get Funky,” which encourages all of us to be unique. Everyone’s got pictures of the beach, but how can you make yours special? Use light, crazy angles, and focus to make it your very own creation.
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January 15th, 2008 by jamie a
Opus One, Napa Valley
Photo uploaded by yajico
Budget Travel magazine recently published, “Napa: Top Tips from 38 Readers,” all about wine tasting in the gorgeous Napa Valley. With the Wine Country Explorer Pass, you can put these tips to use with an all-access pass to Napa’s best offerings.
Napa is a world-famous wine producing region, ranking among Italy and France for their amazing wines. There are more than two hundred wineries currently in the region, making it a very popular vacation destination in California, second only to Disneyland.
Here’s a toast to you, winos, and have fun in Napa Valley!
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January 10th, 2008 by susan j
Sunday, January 13 (various times)
The city of San Francisco presents family appreciation day with special activities and prizes for kids at 35 of the Bay Area’s best museums and attractions. Get in free to places like de Young Museum, ZEUM at Yerba Buena Garden, and others!
Through Sunday, January 27
Catch an exhibition by Canadian artist Jeff Wall at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The exhibit features more than 40 images by this prolific photographer.
Ongoing
The Chabot Space & Science Center presents Dinosaurs Alive!, a “global adventure of science and discovery.”
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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January 4th, 2008 by susan j
Tropical Fish at San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium
Photo uploaded by Orin Optiglot
This weekend, San Francisco’s Steinhart Aquarium is having a blow-out celebration before they close. But don’t worry… they’ll be back and better than ever when they open next fall in a new eco-friendly building in Golden Gate Park. Click here to read about the festivities and exhibits on Sunday, January 6 to commemorate the last day to visit the aquarium in their current location.
Of course, if you plan to visit the Bay Area after January 6, there are plenty of other things to do in the meantime. Why not check out Exploratorium, the Bay Area Discovery Museum, or the Cartoon Art Museum on your next trip to 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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January 4th, 2008 by susan j
Golden Gate Park photo uploaded by Orin Optiglot
According to our friends at TripAdvisor, environmentally conscious travel (or ecotourism, as it’s sometimes called) is one of the top trends predicted by travelers for 2008. With a high percentage of parks and many residents walking using public transportation (BART), San Francisco ranks among the US’s most environmentally friendly cities.
Here’s our guide to going green on your next trip to San Francisco.
- Make like a local and walk, bike, or use public transportation. BART or the Bay Area Rapid Transit District can take you to many of the Bay Area’s tourist attractions, plus it’s often cheaper than renting a car. For a bit of exercise, you could take a walking tour or rent a bike.
- Fly green. Online retailers like Planktos offer flight eco offsets that will balance out the carbon emissions of your plane based on the length of your journey.
- Book an eco-friendly hotel. Hotel Triton in Union Square offers eco-friendly rooms that have water saving devices, energy efficient AC units, among other amenities. Five Star Alliance recommends Hotel Vitale, Hotel Palomar, and .
- Get an eco-education. San Francisco is home to dozens of beautiful parks and nature preserves. For a taste of the local landscape, check out the Conservatory of Flowers, the University of California Botanical Garden, and San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum.
- Support green businesses. There are tons of globally conscious shops in the Bay Area, so those are a great place to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Check out Azalea Boutique for eco-friendly clothes or Global Exchange for fair trade items like coffee and crafts.
Is there something we’re missing? Leave a comment and let us know!
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December 25th, 2007 by susan j
Christmas photo uploaded by krisdecurtis
Here’s wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!
We’ll be taking a little blogging break this week, so here are a few posts to tide you over:
Travel-friendly Gifts
Open for the Holidays in San Francisco
San Francisco’s Sweet Tooth: Best Desserts in SF
Happy travels!
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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December 20th, 2007 by susan j
Friday, December 21-Saturday, December 22 (10 am-6 pm)
Fisherman’s Wharf hosts a free Gingerbread Decorating Contest in the Postal Annex at the North Point Shopping Center.
Friday, December 21-Saturday, December 22 (various times)
The Quintessence Snow, a Russian-style winter celebration, performs at the Palace of Fine Arts.
Wednesday, December 26-Saturday, December 29 (noon and 2 pm)
As a special post-holilday treat, the Holiday Animation Film Festival is included in admission to Exploratorium.
Through January 1 (various times)
Get in the holiday mood with the Reindeer Romp and Ice Skating at the San Francisco Zoo.
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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December 12th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by Matt McGee
If you’re buying gifts this time of year, then don’t make the mistake I made and purchase a fancy set of lotions and gels for friends across the country! Though I remembered not to wrap the the gifts in my carry-on, the TSA security personnel were not as impressed with the festive holiday scents as I was. Ah, well, live and learn…
Condé Nast Traveler recently published their holiday gift guide, which features ideas like patent leather passport covers (perfect for the fashionista with a taste for world travel) and noise-canceling headphones (great for long flights with squirming children). You can even suggest your own gift ideas here.
The Washington Post also has some great gifts ideas for all the travelers on your list, including paper shampoo or soap from Flight 001. These cute little packages include 30 single-use sheets and are approved for carrying on domestic flights, so all you have to do is add water (a much smarter travel gift than holiday scented lotions - I certainly won’t make that mistake twice!).
The Go San Francisco Card also makes a great gift, because it’s portable, flexible, and convenient so your gift recipient can choose when and where to use the card. Plus, selected cards are 20% off from now until December 20 - just in time for the holidays!
What’s on your wish list this holiday season? 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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December 6th, 2007 by amy c
Thursday, December 6- Sunday, December 9
Killing My Lobster: The First Time: San Francisco’s premiere sketch comedy troupe presents its full-length comedy experience with an all-female cast.
Thursday, December 6-Sunday, December 9
Holiday Ice Skating at the ball park: This holiday season you can ice skate on the SF Giants’ in-field in the beautiful AT&T stadium.
Friday, December 7
Holiday Lights Ceremony: Join the Presidio community for a decades-old tradion in this beloved holiday lighting ceremony, caroling and refreshments to follow at the Presidio Fire Station.
Friday, December 7- December 30
Cinderella: This enchanting tale comes alive in a fresh and hilarious interpretation at the ZEUM.
Planning a trip to San Francisco? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Francisco Card.
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December 4th, 2007 by amy c
Before I lapse into a delicious food coma, I need to write about the sumptuous meal I just devoured at North Beach’s The House. Usually, Asian fusion cuisine doesn’t thrill me, but the Unagi appetizer, the soy glazed salmon resting in a bath of spicy miso soup, and the inventive island twist on creme brulee provided non-stop sensory bliss and put The House at the top of my favorite eats in the Bay Area.
My dad and I were looking for an inexpensive place we hadn’t tried yet, so we headed to North Beach. The corner of Columbus and Broadway alone offers a wide variety of unique restaurants in a charming SF neighborhood. Each restaurant oozes warmth, charm, and a unique take on the flavors of the area: Italian and Asian.
Neighboring North Beach classics, such as The Stinking Rose and The Steps of Rome is this hidden gem. Zagat rated The House extremely high for its food and service. And it’s no wonder why: when I asked if I could sort of combine two dishes I couldn’t choose between by getting the soy glazed salmon in the miso soup instead of the bonito sake broth, the waiter responded with not only yes, but “that sounds even better than the original.” The salmon was cooked to perfection and blended deliciously with the spicy miso soup broth that was both comforting and surprising in its kick of spicy flavor. (more…)
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