San Francisco Travel Guide
6/27/2008 at 12:05 PM
Tags: Wine Travel, Wine, Alcohol, Summer Travel (all tags)
The fickle little fruit that became so popular thanks to a horizontal movie about failed expectations, insecurity, wine tasing and adultery has been having a major moment in the media sun. No doubt that means big crowds at Fort Mason in San Francisco this weekend for the Pinot Days festival.
The list of producers 180 strong, so if you like pinot noir, chances are you'll be a kid in a candy store. Besides lots of knobs walking around with their complimentary wine glass strung around their neck like drab-suburban bling, serious oenophiles can hear talks form some of the top Pinot producers in the world as well as meet wine makers from all over.
The one thing that caught our eye was the "Focus Tastings." You're poured 16 different wines to taste and try to determine how each differs. They call it education, we call it paying $65 to have purple teeth!
Related Stories:
· Pinot Days [Official Site]
· Wine Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: greenmelinda]
by DanielR
6/27/2008 at 9:34 AM
Tags: Celeb Travel, David Beckham, Posh Spice (all tags)
David Beckham's first trip to San Francisco didn't involve a ride on a cable car or a leisurely swim from Alcatraz Island. Rather, he was present to unveil a giant billboard of... himself, hanging on the downtown Macy's.
Becks is flabbergasted that people would go out of their way to visit an ad and take goofy pictures like the one above. Perhaps we should take him to a little place we like to call, "Times Square?"
It is true, however, that catching the Beckham billboard is easier than camping out with the paparazzi outside his Los Angeles home and cheaper than an LA Galaxy ticket. Let's chalk this one up to the hot weather.
Related Stories:
· Another Season, Another Chance To See David Beckham Live [Jaunted]
· 2008 NBA Playoffs Travel: Celebs Flock to the Staples Center [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: jjandames]
by egw
6/26/2008 at 2:00 PM
Tags: Green Travel, Museums, Buildings, Architecture (all tags)
There's a new green-gunslinger in San Francisco, and it's traveled from its former Howard Street location to lush Golden Gate Park. The new California Academy of Sciences center--which opens in late September 2008--is aiming not only to stand out as an architectural icon in the city but also to operate as a Platinum LEED certified green space.
What's keeping this building greener than Kermit wrapped in a banana leaf? The main component is the "living roof" which consists of an undulating hill-like design that's lined with seven inches of soil and planted with grasses and local flora to prevent millions of gallons of rainwater from becoming storm drain water.
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by DanielR
6/24/2008 at 12:02 PM
Tags: Food Travel, Restaurants (all tags)
A great way to get a feel for a city is to shut up, turn off your iPod walking tour and stuff your face at every local haunt and not-to-be-missed market. San Francisco is no doubt a culinary destination for people from around the world, and Foodie Adventures is around to make sure you experience every delicious nook and savory cranny this great town has to offer.
Tours can be arranged any day of the week and are neighborhood specific. If you want to experience a day of Latin food bliss, take the Mission tour. Want some Italian? The North Beach tour is your gig. The tours are hosted by knowledgeable locals and food maniacs so not only will you learn great places to nosh, but you'll get insider info on the history of the neighborhoods and what makes these institutions and holes-in-the-wall stand out from the pretenders.
We think this is a great idea. Combine it with a pub crawl at the end of the day and see who in your group can fend off the gout the longest.
Related Stories:
· Foodie Adventures [Official Site]
· Food Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo of SF restaurant El Toreador: rick]
by DanielR
6/23/2008 at 12:45 PM
Tags: San-Francisco-Music-Venues, Clubs, Music Travel, Nightlife (all tags)
Finding an intimate place to drink a hearty selection of draft microbrews under a wash of dim red light while making out, listening to a live band of gypsy horns sound like a tall order? That's why we love Amnesia in the Mission for a neighborhood bar with a huge range of live music.
Depending on what night you go, the crowd may be a bunch of hayseed wannabes getting their banjo fix at the no-cover Monday bluegrass nights, or on a Saturday it could be packed to the gills with young people that want to hook up and dance to music from the local DJs.
There's no liquor served here, which sometimes can be a good thing. Amnesia boasts a great selection of local and international brews, particularly Belgian beers. Given the name of the bar and the mega-boozy European libations, maybe no liquor is necessary.
Related Stories:
· Amnesia [Official Site]
· San Francisco Music Venues Map [Jaunted]
[Photo: Kripptic]
by DanielR
6/20/2008 at 4:45 PM
Tags: Virgin Atlantic, WiFi, Free WiFi, Virgin America, Richard Branson, Airport Lounges, SFO (all tags)
Before our recent Superfly flight, we had the opportunity to spend some time in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at SFO. We were greeted by a woman who looked like a missing character from an "Austin Powers" movie. She was older, just a hair over five feet tall with big red hair, even bigger glasses and a vague English accent. She said things like "Welcome love, great to have you here!" Good start...
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by DanielR
6/17/2008 at 1:30 PM
Tags: Airport Security, Security Theater, SFO, San Francisco, California, TSA (all tags)
The green light was on, but a sad and lonely GE EntryScan machine waited for no passengers at San Francisco International on Monday night. We peeked ahead trying to see if we would be shunted through the machine, but to no avail!
While SFO wasn't on the list of airports getting body scanners, apparently the hulking machine that could destroy our privacy but allow us to keep on our clothes arrived early for its date with the TSA. Its presence suggests that despite security concerns raised by the ACLU, among others, body scans or required pat downs are in the future for air travelers.
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by egw
6/12/2008 at 3:31 PM
Tags: San-Francisco-Music-Venues, Clubs, Music Travel, Nightlife (all tags)
Double Dutch stands out in the mostly divey Mission with a stylish, polished old skool hip hop vibe. We love the rows upon stacked rows of ghetto blasters from the 80s hanging on the wall and an illuminated clear acrylic case of rare and unique sneakers.
The full bar offers everything from top shelf to bottom of the barrel which is appropriate given every Tuesday night is "Hoodies and Heels" night. That's what we call hauntingly awesome.
Nightly djs keep the intimate back room moving with a steady roll of hip hop and electronic beats. One thing that we've always appreciated about this place is the laid back atmosphere. It's hip hop without being thug in any way, more big thick glasses and brightly colored sneakers than big chains and Kevlar vests.
Related Stories:
· Double Dutch [Official Site]
· San Francisco Music Venues coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: baltus15]
by DanielR
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