Posts by mystery

San Francisco is a diverse city. It has many influences culturally and economically. Working class and business professionals, gay and straight all can find their niche.

The Soma district (South Of Market) was once known as the wrong side of the tracks and has now turned into a bustling night life hot spot! There are many places to go that will fit about anyone's preferences.

A great night life spot is Slim’s which was opened in the late 1980's by Boz Scaggs. It has a very relaxed atmosphere, and many famous people have crossed the threshold to play a game of pool and perform on stage.

If you are looking for something that will fit a more alternative lifestyle, The Stud Bar is the place to go. There is Trannyshack Tuesdays and $1 Bud Light nights on Wednesday.

Annie's Cocktail Lounge boasts free pool on Mondays and karaoke on Tuesdays at nine PM. Their famous slogan is “Stiff cocktails for your drinking pleasure.” If you are working in the service industry, you can bring in your pay stub on Monday nights to get a free drink.

If you are looking for something a bit more low key, why not visit the VinoVenue, a wine tasting bar. They have more than 100 wines from all around the globe. VinoVenue has a unique system where you simply purchase a VinoVenue tasting card, which works just like a debit card. There are “serve yourself” wine stations where you swipe your card for whatever wine you would like to try. Each station has something that will fit everyone’s budget, with drinks starting at a dollar. This is a great way to learn about wine without having to spend money on an entire bottle of wine that you won’t enjoy.

The SoMa area is a great place to start when you are looking for San Francisco nightlife.

Many people assume that living in a metropolis such as San Francisco would make dating easier, but that is not always so. People in large cities often keep to themselves. The key is to put yourself in the position to meet people and to make a connection.

San Francisco is home to a large population of both heterosexuals and homosexuals so there is a good chance you can find exactly who you are looking for.

Depending on you and your lifestyle, there are many approaches to meeting that special someone. If you follow a particular religion, churches in San Francisco offer mixers and other dating events. There is the Catholic Singles Network who matches people based on values, personalities and goals in life. On the first Friday of the month, the Young Jewish Alliance holds Shabbat potluck dinners. Simply call your local church and ask them what single events they have.

Another popular date idea in San Francisco is speed dating. Why waste your time on a date that may not be your perfect fit? Within 8 minutes, you should be able to tell if there is a possibility of things progressing to a first real first date. Speed dating events are held throughout the city.

Another great place in San Francisco to meet someone special is at a sporting event! Dress up in your 49ers or Giants fan gear and head to 3Com Park. You may end up being seated next to your Mr. or Mrs. Right!

San Francisco is full of beautiful views, fantastic seafood, and historical landmarks. If you're looking for things to do in San Francisco, whether it's in the daytime or the evening, you'll have no trouble finding something.

The Golden Gate Bridge is perhaps the most often photographed spot in San Francisco. The Marin headlands provide some of the place to take photographs of the bridge.

Alcatraz

One of the most famous San Francisco landmarks is Alcatraz. Alcatraz was home to notorious prisoners such as Al Capone. No longer used as a prison, Alcatraz is open to visitors. You can take a walk through jail cells which were once filled with the most infamous criminals in recent history.

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf has an aquatic park on one end and Pier 39 on the other. The Wharf has restaurants and shopping that will tantalize and challenge the most seasoned shopper. Pier 39 is home to world famous sea lions.

China Town

San Francisco’s Chinatown is home to the city's oldest street, Grant Street. It runs through 8 blocks of this cultural experience. With open markets, quaint stores and restaurants there is so much to take in. Immerse yourself in this city within a city.

Japanese Tea Gardens

The Japanese Tea Garden is a must see. It is a good idea to go on a Sunday when the park is closed to cars. It will make your experience much more enjoyable. You can have traditional tea and Japanese crackers in a serene garden for about $3.

Coit Towers

Coit Tower on Telegraph hill is a wonder to behold. Built in 1933, Coit Tower provides spectacular city views.

Going out for a meal in San Francisco can be an experience all its own. If you want to take in another culture, grab a bite to eat, or take in a complete formal dining experience, San Francisco has it all.

Yet Wah in Chinatown provides the best of both worlds. They boast an upscale dining experience with affordable prices, large portions and spectacular flavor.

On your visit to Pier 39 make sure you stop by the family owned and operated Capurro's. They have been providing San Francisco with amazing seafood dishes since 1946. An Italian influence mixed in with fresh caught seafood makes for a delicious meal. They have everything from Pizza to fresh cracked crab as well as nightly live entertainment.

Fleur de Lys, located in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco, is the ultimate in upscale dining. Chef Keller is noted to never repeat a menu so each visit would be a unique adventure in cuisine. You can choose from a three or five course meal or if you are really hungry, request a 7 course meal! He is known for his creativity in meat free meals as well.

Hawthorne Lane near the MOMA is a must visit for California cuisine. With such savory menu items as grilled Hawaiian swordfish, your visit is sure to be a delight to the palate.

San Francisco offers as much culinary variety as there is variety in the people you will meet and the places you will see.

Known as the "City by the Bay", San Francisco is home to dramatic cityscapes, beautiful coastal views, cultural diversity and charming older homes and neighborhoods.

The Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars are what most people envision when you mention San Francisco. However, the city has been around for nearly 250 years. It attracted people with gleams of gold in their eyes and hopes of fortune in their hearts during the gold rush. It is now a Mecca for artists, poets, immigrants, and people who march to the beat of their own drummer.

San Francisco is the fourth largest city in the state of California. It also claims the title of the fourteenth largest state in the United States with a population of approximately 740,000 people. It is one of the most recognizable cities in the world.

During the Gold Rush in 1848, there was a growth surge that helped form the city as we know it. The city was devastated by an earthquake in 1906 but was quickly rebuilt bigger and better.

The fog rolling in, the steep hills, view of the Pacific Ocean and the diversity of many cultures melded together make San Francisco a beautiful city full of history and a wonderful place to visit.

Free and fun to do, Lombard Street in San Francisco has become one of the most popular tourist attractions around the city. But what about for the people who live here? Well, let's not lie…it's fun for them too.

The street is steep, hilly and curvy…but it also allows for some of the best views of San Francisco's beautiful Victorian mansions. Paved with bricks, it makes you feel as though you've been transported into some forgone era, rather than the modern city that it is. People often think that the street is too busy and that they can't experience the trill of riding down or climbing up. But that's just a misconception. Although it is busy because of the speed in which people have to descend, there are plenty of times throughout the day when the street is empty and ready for you to take your trip.

Although it's just a normal street to the people who live around the city, it still makes your heart skip a beat when you know you get to drive down it. The residents don't mind at all that they live on one of America's most crooked streets, but they do ask that you keep your squealing to a minimum while they're sleeping. Located only a few blocks from Ghirardelli Square, you can make a quick trip over to Lombard Street and get in a little exercise. In fact, many of the locals use this street to get in their cardio for the day. Think of it like a man made StairMaster…just with beautiful scenery. It can be quite the workout on your legs.

On a normal day, it'll take you less than 15 minutes to drive down the street. If possible, try to park around it and just admire the beautiful flowers that blossom during the spring and summer. The residents are incredibly proud of their landscaping and love to show it off. The locals like to come out not only to see the landscaping, but also to watch the slew of tourists struggling at each of eight switchbacks that are set on Lombard's 40 degree slope. But really, it's just pure fun.

Getting There

Lombard Street is very easy to find. It begins at The Presidio and runs east through the Cow Hollow Neighborhood. It goes for about 12 blocks but isn't as crooked throughout the entire street as it is when it hits the one block on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. This is where the fun really begins.

When you think of Ghirardelli you automatically think of chocolate. At least most women do! But Ghirardelli Square isn’t just about chocolate – although there is plenty of that to go around as well. Ghirardelli Square is about tradition and history and enjoyment. Whether you’ve lived in San Francisco your entire life or just recently moved to the city by the bay, Ghirardelli Square offers culture, cuisines, and incredible shopping all in one place.

Located on North Point Street between Larkin and Polk Streets, Ghirardelli Square is a stopping spot for many of the businesses in the area for a quick bite to eat, as well as a place to gather with friends and family on the weekend. With over 50 restaurants, galleries, and boutiques there is no shortage of enjoyment, especially when it comes to visiting the Ghirardelli Chocolate manufactory. If you haven’t had the thrill of taste testing and learning about one of the best chocolates in the world, you simply don’t know what you’re missing. The manufactory is open for different hours during the seasons so you need to call ahead to make sure they are taking tours the day you plan on arriving.

In September you can enjoy the Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival which brings in people to celebrate a very special cause, Project Open Hand. The money that is raised goes to this very special charity, and Ghirardelli is proud to be part of this annual tradition by bringing in some of the best chocolate delicacies from the Bay area to share with locals and tourists alike. In October you can enjoy the popular Fleet Week where you can watch the Blue Angels fly overhead in the most amazing aerial stunts you’ll ever see. It doesn’t matter which time of the year you visit this very diverse area of San Francisco, you’ll have a great time.

For the most fun you can just jump on the cable car that lets you off at Beach and Hyde Street and walk the quick block to Ghirardelli Square. From there you can shop at some of the "one of a kind" stores such as Fun Time, Glass Creations, and Lola of North Beach. For lunch or dinner you can partake in sumptuous meals at Cellar 360, Lori’s Diner, or Marche on the Square. Whether you’re looking for a dessert with the famous Ghirardelli hot fudge sauce or a more romantic dinner for two…you’ll certainly find what you are looking for in the square.

Ghirardelli Square is a very unique area of San Francisco that calls to both residents and tourists. The art galleries are some of the best in the city, and the boutiques are eclectic and fun to shop in. Ghirardelli Square has been around for more than 30 years and continues to be a landmark in the city – offering patrons everything from culinary delights to mouth watering chocolate treats.

When was the last time you took your own child’s advice and visited the zoo? Even if you don’t have children, it is about time you get back to the roots of childhood and go see some of the most amazing creatures that have ever graced this earth. Not just to learn, but to explore and take in their beauty. Visiting the San Francisco Zoo is just one way to spend a day enjoying what you can only see in magazines and on documentaries. Now it’s time to experience the real deal.

With over 250 animal species in their natural habitat, Northern California is proud to boasts this zoological park and conservation center. Located right near the Pacific Ocean, this is a zoo you can visit year round to enjoy the comfortable climate and dedication to preservation. Even if you are a San Francisco local you can take the day and appreciate the respect for animals that the San Francisco zoo shows all of its visitors and guests alike. Currently the zoo is being transformed into the New Zoo, which does more than house exotic animals. It is a conservation oasis for many of the wild life that lives there. If you haven’t been to the zoo since your grade school class trip, it might be time to come into contact with these creatures all over again.

There are a slew of animals to be seen and heard. From the anaconda to the polar bears, you can easily learn to appreciate all of these wonderful creatures. Even the anteaters that live there will make your heart melt. Not to mention the furry and cute Koala bear and the Eastern Grey Kangaroo. For the more fearless there are plenty of amphibians to admire, as well as the tigers and African lions. A trip to the zoo is just what you need to unwind from the pressures of work and school. It is a place you can just let loose with your friends or family and be who you want to be. The animals don’t mind at all!

Getting There

Follow Sloat Blvd until you reach 47th Avenue where the new entrance is located. You’ll notice it because of the infamous Doggie Dinner and Sloat Garden Center that sit across the street.

Admission

If you’re a resident of San Francisco, the Zoo will give you a $2.00 discount off the regularly priced tickets which are $11.00 for adults. Youth from 12 to 17 get $3.50 off of the regularly priced tickets of $8.00. Even the little ones get a discount of $2.50 off of a $5.00 price from ages 3 to 11.

Note: The first Wednesday of every month is free for everyone!

Pier 39, located in the popular Fisherman’s Wharf area, is an attraction all on its own. There is something for everyone at Pier 39 and that’s why so many people flock to it year round. Tourists abound, but locals have to admit they like it as well. In fact, many of the people that shop in the 110 stores and dine at the 14 restaurants are people that just walked in from the surrounding neighborhoods – North Beach and Telegraph Hill.

Pier 39 is an excellent way to show family and friends the sights or just to take in the many street performers and music that seems to be pumped in from everywhere. Summer is a great time to experience Pier 39, but there are seasonal events year round. Fleet week is always a popular event, just as Pumpkin Pandemonium is for the kids. It isn’t just about the shopping and dining, although that is just as wonderful. Pier 39 is more about the overall experience and the stunning views of San Francisco.

Within Pier 39 there are plenty of attractions to broaden the mind and entertain you. First and foremost you have the most popular residents of Pier 39. The sea lions of course! Their barking can be heard throughout the pier and all over Fisherman’s Wharf. Every weekend from 11am to 5pm they do sea lion tours where you can learn about the precious animals that make Pier 39 their home. There are hundreds of them that can be seen at any given time, and the visit alone is worth the trip to Pier 39.

Visiting the Aquarium of the Bay is another stop for animal lovers on Pier 39. San Francisco has amazing marine life that people just aren’t aware of. You can see them all in a very natural setting while you walk through 300 feet of crystal clear tunnels. You can see and sometimes touch many of the creatures that live in the shores of this beautiful city.

If you’re considering going to Pier 39 on a date, you can try a little adventure with the city kayaks that are available for rental. If you are an experienced kayaker, take your kayak and head out to the famed Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz Island to paddle around in more advanced waters. If you are a beginner, you can certainly take in the beautiful waterfront views while enjoying a day in the San Francisco waters.

San Francisco is a beautiful place, but Pier 39 is truly special to the neighborhood locals and the people living in San Francisco. It is easy to get to and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining, recreation, or simply sitting around and passing the day away.

If you have a love for contemporary art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is an absolute must. Just the building in which the museum is housed is a sight to behold. Built by famed Swiss architect Mario Botta, this is one of the most remarkable of the attractions in San Francisco. Whether you meander down the corridors by yourself or take your family, there is going to be a piece that catches your eye and your heart.

The museum is comprised of more than 25,000 works of art ranging from paintings to sculptures, architecture and design, as well as media arts. There are standard exhibits as well as moving exhibits that come through the museum for a few months and then move on to other popular art museums in the world. They want everyone to experience the works of artists such as Matisse, photographers such as Munkacsi, and architects such as Felix Schramm. Whatever medium makes your heart soar you can find at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The artistic program at the museum remains true to the founder’s original vision and is devoted to the exhibition of works that truly showcase the range of modern art. There are oils, canvas, and acrylics just to name a few. The names of the artists may sometimes be unknown but the paintings and art that you see are unmistakable.

Since the conception of the museum in 1935, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has been exhibiting photographs as a true art form. They embrace a wide range of subjects and give you a view of the world in a much different way then what you would read in history books. The photographs are collected from all over the world and embrace it as we have never seen before.

The architecture and design collections show the modernism of how buildings, appliances, and even furniture have developed over time. They not only include designs themselves but drawings, models, photographs, sculpture, and video to give a factual account how the world has evolved. They are one of the only modern art museums that emphasize experimental work in range of design mediums.

Admission:

Adults: $12.50
Seniors: $8
Students: $7
Children (12 and under): Free