San Francisco Reader

Best Hotels In Golden Gate City

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many visitors come into the Bay Area to on business as well as to see the sites, attend a sporting or performance arts event, or to eat at one of the many fabulous restaurants in the metropolis. Whatever brings guests into the Golden Gate City of San Francisco can stay at one of the excellent hotels in the area.

When people think of Ghirardelli, they often think of the famous chocolates. Well, the original factory building in San Francisco’s downtown area has become Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square. This beautiful facility offers comfortable rooms, spacious and decorated superbly. Customer service is extraordinary and the location is perfect, in the heart of the city facing the Bay.

Other top hotels that are centrally located, comfortable, accommodating and popular would be as follows:

- Hotel Drisco, a Joie de Vivre boutique hotel in Pacific Heights near the San Francisco University High School
- Omni San Francisco Hotel, a romantic luxury hotel in Nob Hill
- The Donatello Hotel near Union Square and the downtown theatre district
- The Inn at Union Square, a Greystone Hotels accommodation

With a little planning, people can book rooms at the finest hotels in the Bay Area.

Activities For Teens In Golden Gate City

admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

San Francisco offers a variety of outdoor activities that teens would enjoy. The city also has museums and indoor entertainment to make those “rainy days” worthwhile.

Kiteboarding

San Francisco’s bay, which is quite windy, makes a sport called kiteboarding extremely popular. Lessons in kiteboarding are offered by one of the local businesses. The lessons teach the basics in kiteboarding, as well as offering many tips to keep you safe. After all, you will be sharing the bay with others, including boaters. The majority of the schools offer one-on-one lessons for beginners and for experienced kiteboarders who want to perfect the sport. Several places that are preferred take off destinations for kiteboarders are Crissy Field and Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

Disc Golf

Disc golf is a relative to traditional golf, but is much easier to learn. There is an 18-hole disc golf course at Golden Gate Park that is free to use. The course offers tournaments every Sunday, but is open for regular play the remainder of the week.

Despite the fact that there is no charge for use of the golf course, golfers must purchase discs to play. Several sports equipment stores in the area carry these discs. The discs only cost a few dollars. This sport is very inexpensive, and would be a fun event for the entire family.

Urban Hikes

For individuals that like site seeing on foot, San Francisco offers a variety of choices to meet every desire.If you are looking for a peaceful, relatively flat walk, you might consider the Golden Gate Bridge. It is one and a half miles long and is sure to invigorate the soul. Urban Hikes are offered and take visitors up and down the city streets, up hills, and through neighborhoods. If you are looking for a more challenging hike, the hike from Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower is sure to please. Challenge yourself and see if, despite the hundreds of stairs,
you can reach the top of Coit Tower. Once at the top of Coit Tower, you will witness breathtaking views of the city.

As you can see, there are many opportunities for teens to have fun in Golden Gate City. Take some time and have some “fun in the sun”.

Things To Do In Golden Gate City

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

San Francisco, California is a fantastic place to visit. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. It offers an amazing view of the bay, and of the island of Alcatraz. Great for a long stroll or bike ride.

Take a boat ride to Alcatraz and learn the interesting history of the prison. Self tours are available, with audio you can pause at your own pace. The breathtaking view of San Francisco from Alcatraz is worth the trip.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is the place to go to learn the life of Walt Disney. Learn how he became the legend he is today, and what he went through to get there. Great for visitors of all ages.

Lombard Street is a must see if you are into “oddities.” Known as the crookedest street in the world, Lombard is a sight to see whether you drive it or just walk along the sidewalk. It is a very scenic area, so be sure to bring your camera.

A trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a cable car ride. With three different routes still running, you can hop on one and enjoy the nostalgia.

Eat Your Way Through San Fran

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

No trip to San Francisco is complete without enjoying some of the city’s best food offerings, so here’s a handy dandy guide to what to eat in Golden Gate. So set your adt wireless alarm system and get on the cable car – there’s great food to be eaten!
Dynamo Donut: Revelers here wait in line for bacon maple apple donuts and other breakfast pastries for good reason. Don’t miss Dynamo’s coffee while you’re at it!< br />Fisherman’s Wharf: Looking for a uniquely San Francisco treat? No, it’s not Rice a Roni it’s fresh crab, sold at various street carts lining the wharf. Grab a claw cracker and some drawn butter and get to work!
Boudin: Boudin’s Bakery, also on Fisherman’s Wharf, makes some of the best sourdough bread in town. Grab a bread bowl and some clam chowder and enjoy the view while you slurp your soup!
Bottega: Technically in Napa, Bottega is consistently ranked one of the best restaurants in the country. For Michael Chiarello’s take on classic Tuscan cuisine, you can’t get any better than here.
Grab a fork and get to work – the City on the Bay has endless opportunities for chowing down!

Trust in the Presidio for an all-natural experience

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:25:23 +0000

The Presidio was originally an American military post. In 1972, Congress established the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and decreed that if the area ever became unnecessary to the military, it would become a national park. The end of the Cold War brought with it the end of the Presidio’s Army days, and today it stands as a majestic example of mankind and nature in harmony.Today, people live and work in the Presidio every day. There are twenty-one residential neighborhoods, and more than 250 non-residential buildings. Two-thirds of those were built between the Spanish era and World War II. Even for those just passing through, though, the Presidio has plenty to offer.Several picnic grounds exist around the park, offering distinct views at San Francisco landmarks. The West Bluff Picnic Area at Crissy Field looks out at the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and Angel Island, while the Immigrant Point Overlook is the perfect place to observe the Pacific Ocean. The Immigrant Point Overlook is also one of the perfect starting places for one of the Presidio’s dozen major trails. Others lead through the beautiful Lobos Creek Valley or across the Tennessee Hollow. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you move from the friendly neighborhood surroundings to an unencumbered natural vista.There are also plenty of man-made attractions, including the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Arion Press fine-printing company, artist Andy Goldsworthy’s Spire, and golf, golf, golf. After a long day, settle in for a delicious meal at one of the park’s signature restaurants. La Terasse blends French cuisine with California taste, while the Acre Caf offers organic and locally grown breakfast and lunch options.The Presidio remains one of San Francisco’s defining sites. You’ll find yourself wanting to return again and again.

SF Weekly’s “All Shook Down” music festival highlights local talent, local clubs

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:59:51 +0000

On Sunday, July 25, SF Weekly hosted the first-ever All Shook Down music festival, and judging by the success, it should be safe to expect it back next year. Even with rapper Forrest Day passing out mid-song, the vibes were good all around. Besides introducing various Bay Area artists like Day, Birds & Batteries, and Ghosts on Tape, the event also spotlighted ten of the best SF bars and clubs.

Amante: A hidden North Beach gem with cheap but delicious small-plate options and cocktails. Watch live music from their plush bar stools.
Grant & Green Saloon: Offers free 21 shows almost every night in a variety of genres.
Maggie McGarry’s: Karaoke every Wednesday night and a historic roster of performing artists, including Janis Joplin and Robert Plant.
Mojito: A funk- and electronica-based club that also features a big screen for the best sporting events (like the World Cup).
Royale: One of the most upscale of the venues, with velvet benches and a mahogany bar. Dancing is the name of the game here.
Savoy Tivoli: Founded as a local restaurant in 1906, Savoy-Tivoli is now a popular local club with no cover but enough popularity to keep the waiting lines long.
Columbus Caf: Features a traditional parlor caf upstairs (with26 microbrews on tap) and a full-service bar below for private parties and events.
The Church Key: Renowned for its extensive beer list and informative bartenders.
Bocce Caf: A classic Italian restaurant that caters to individual diners, group parties, and bands alike. Fridays and Saturdays feature selections from jazz, Bossa Nova, and other classic standards.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: Get the picture?

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:40:02 +0000

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a must-see for anybody on their first trip to the Bay City, but a visit to the venue isn’t just a one-time deal. Backed by more than 350 passionate and creative individuals, the museum is constantly growing in its mission to encourage new ways of seeing and interacting with the world.The Rooftop Garden is one attraction that will be new to anyone that hasn’t been by in the last year. Opening on May 10, 2009, the Garden is the result of more than three years of development, starting when renowned Jensen Architects was selected as the designer in 2006. There are two open air spaces enclosing a glass pavilion, which houses several sculptural works. The dramatic and vertiginous Gardens are reached by a stately glass bridge.Live performances, films, and talks are also always on the schedule. On August 5, senior curator Gary Garrels will be discussing Andy Warhol’s Triple Elvis, an austere and iconic 1963 painting showcasing the singer’s macho persona. The week after, Mark Ryden will be on hand to sign his book The Snow Yak Show. Live art fans will want to be on hand for the Right Wing of the Dove, which portrays San Francisco at the heart of an expanding military center.SFMOMA believes that art is meant to be made by its visitors rather than just seen, and offers several interactive programs for artists of all ages. On the first and third Sundays of every month, families can bring their children in for free, where they are exposed to family-friendly tours and interactive art projects. Teens also get a chance to shine at events like the annual Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam semifinals. Be sure to check SFMOMA’s official site for the latest exhibits, events, and programs.

San Francisco Fringe Festival: acting out of the mainstream

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:23:18 +0000

The San Francisco Fringe Festival celebrates the latest and greatest in alternative and non-mainstream theater. SF’s version is modeled after the Edinburgh, Scotland original, which began in 1947. SF Fringe is also the second-longest-running in the United States, and this year marks its 19^th anniversary. Running from September 8-19, visitors can choose from over 250 performances of 43 different pieces.One of the frontrunners to check out is Paper Angels, which focuses on Chinese immigration to San Francisco in the early 1900s. The performance will mark the 100^th anniversary of the immigration station on Angel Island. Another show by sketch troupe OPM (Opening People’s Minds), called Green Tea Party, takes a more humorous look at modern multicultural politics, but still with a good deal of bite.At the SF Fringe festival, audience members can expect to see experimental works with a few things in common. Since several shows take place in a limited amount of time, technical and set features are generally minimal. Casts are usually smaller, since many are travelling from around the world. Fringe theater performances also generally last about an hour, as compared to mainstream two-to-three hour shows, and usually showcase new scripts focusing on edgy material.A complete list of this year’s performances can be found here. There’s not room to highlight every show of the festival here, but there are several that you might find interesting. The Burnings focuses on three women in a mental asylum who band together against the head doctor. The Dark Season is a multidisciplinary piece inspired by Macbeth. In Joe’s Caf, music is used to examine the stories of guests at an all-night caf, and in The Weight Game, the lives of three women are examined as they attempt to find self-esteem and happiness in their own lives.

Many faces, many names: the neighborhoods of San Francisco

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:14:08 +0000

There are a multitude of areas with San Francisco, all of them with their own unique flavor and feel. Some are more family-friendly while some are just out of this world. Here’s a guide to some of the sites you may encounter.

The Richmond: Located north of Golden Gate Park, this neighborhood has a Victorian (or faux-Victorian) style and one of the lowest crime-rates. Lake Street is especially pleasant for a walk at almost any time of day.
The Sunset: This is the mirror-version of the Richmond, and is located south of Golden Gate Park. Although it’s actually in the city, it’s also low-crime, and includes San Francisco’s only natural lake, Lake Merced.
Bernal Heights: A hidden village at the edge of Mission Valley, Bernal Heights features a variety of tiny markets and cafes, along with some residential areas. It is popular with both young artists and young families looking for a safe area.
The Castro: Widely known as America’s first and now largest LBGT neighborhood, this area is full of stylish shops and restaurants. Up until 2006, the Halloween in the Castro was one of the area’s biggest celebrations.
Chinatown: San Francisco also contains the oldest Chinatown in North America, housing the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. It’s a large tourist attraction for its many traditional restaurants and shops. Heading through the streets without a plan can be just as rewarding as mapping out an itinerary (and much easier).
Deco Ghetto: One of the younger areas of the city, the Deco Ghetto exists in between more well-known areas. It’s known as the Deco Ghetto due to the large amount of Art Deco furniture stores in the area.
The Haight: A holdover from the swinging sixties, the Haight attracts all sorts of alternative communities, but currently is known for its accomplished dance-music and live DJing scene.