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Post by welle on Aug 15, 2014 12:22:22 GMT 2
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Post by welle on Oct 15, 2014 10:13:32 GMT 2
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Post by welle on Oct 15, 2014 10:44:08 GMT 2
Woefully incomplete list of amazing stairways in San Francisco. I cruised around on the Filbert steps the other day, very much worth it whether you're a tourist or a local. www.sisterbetty.org/stairways/stairways.htm |
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Post by welle on Oct 15, 2014 10:51:31 GMT 2
Stairs are definitely a 'thing' in San Francisco. Moraga steps going up:  And if you turn around you see this view:  |
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Post by welle on Oct 15, 2014 10:58:05 GMT 2
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Post by welle on Oct 16, 2014 21:48:14 GMT 2
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Post by welle on Oct 22, 2014 22:58:13 GMT 2
Great hiking website for hikes all around the Bay Area. It is especially helpful listing which time of year is best for a particular hike, where you can bring dogs, etc. www.bahiker.com/extras/best.html |
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Post by welle on Feb 6, 2015 10:11:28 GMT 2
For a relaxing spa day Korean style go here: www.imperialdayspa.comClothing optional (meaning no one wears it), separate sections for men and women. |
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Post by welle on Feb 27, 2015 21:14:59 GMT 2
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Post by welle on Mar 17, 2015 23:01:18 GMT 2
Beach glass is broken glass worn down by the ocean. You can find pieces on most beaches at times but there are 'hot spots' for it. Glass Beach in Benicia is rumored to be one of them. The other week I got a chance to check it out. This particular glass beach has lots of beach glass but the pieces are relatively new looking. Meaning the edges are smooth so you don't cut yourself but it still looks like pieces of glass. Go on low tide (check the tide tables). Nice little beach but also a little dirty. My verdict: Worth visiting if you're in the area but I wouldn't organize a whole trip around it. Here are the directions, follow #3. It is indeed Elane Way and not street. The staircase has been rebuilt and is sturdy. Happy beach glass hunting: www.odysseyseaglass.com/glass-beach-benicia-california.htmlEnjoy!
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Post by welle on Jul 3, 2015 8:03:50 GMT 2
If you want to hold on to your money do NOT go to the Bloomingdale's in downtown SF. On the other hand if you want to feel like a million bucks and be exceedingly fashionable do go.
It's right by the Powell St Bart station at 845 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103.
It is quite the shopping experience. Ask for Kathy in the Eileen Fisher department for a superb shopping experience for women's clothing. You know those professional shoppers/personal fashion consultants the rich and famous always seem to have? She could easily be one of them. Don't miss out on the experience.
And ask for Robert in the makeup department. Be prepared to be fawned over in the most charming way.
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Post by welle on Jul 16, 2015 0:40:37 GMT 2
Hadn't brought anything to dry cleaning in a while. Today I checked online, there is now a bedazzling variety of pick up and delivery services available for laundry and dry cleaning. They'll come by as late as 10 pm, you text with them to communicate and they supposedly figure out how best to clean your garments on their own as needed. Of course you can specify online any extra wishes you may have. They'll even bring a lockbox for a key if you want them to come by when you're not home.
Today I'm trying out one called 'Rinse'. All you need to to is text them 'Y' and they stop by your house to pick up laundry anytime between 8-10 pm. I'll report back. My life may have just gotten a lot easier.
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Post by welle on Jul 16, 2015 5:37:46 GMT 2
Folks from cleaner 'Rinse' came by on time and even texted me 45 min before arrival. They did forget the lockbox but will bring it by tomorrow. So far I'm happy.
I had another interesting urban experience today. I picked up a parcel at a UPS access point that I had never head of. Imagine my surprise when the access point turned out to be a liquor store a few blocks away. Apparently it's a pilot project running in New York, SF and one other city. I think it will work well because the stores are open late. Now the guy at my access point just has to sober up a little and it will be perfect.
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Post by welle on Jul 29, 2015 4:20:32 GMT 2
Update on the cleaners "Rinse". B+ They needed some repeat prompting and communication works flawlessly about 80% of the time. The convenience factor trumps the snafus though. I'll continue to use them.
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Post by welle on Jul 29, 2015 4:22:26 GMT 2
For food delivery here's my current favorite Indian delivery place: san-francisco.eat24hours.com/holy-kitchen/29964/?ref=1&refurl=1The place is called 'Holy Kitchen' and delivers consistently good quality at reasonable prices. You do have to be within a couple of miles of them and give them up to an hour for delivery. Worth it. |
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Post by welle on Jul 29, 2015 4:40:23 GMT 2
Some general advice about SF. Take a jacket at all times! Weather here changes quickly year-round. When it's sunny and in the 70s at lunchtime it may be foggy, exceedingly windy and in the 50s two hours later. As Mark Twain said, the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco.
It's a running joke for the locals here to spot the tourists shivering in shorts and t-shirts. Especially anywhere near the coast or on the ferry to Alcatraz. We are in northern California...
The trip to Alcatraz is worth it btw. Yes, a total tourist thing to do-but interesting.
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Post by welle on Jul 29, 2015 4:48:21 GMT 2
Best bison burgers: Roam on Fillmore St in San Francisco: roamburgers.com/about/ I have been to the Fillmore location, don't know the other ones. And the previously mentioned Au Coquelet in Berkeley: www.aucoquelet.comGrass-fed, organic, hand-gallopped (kidding) yummy bison burgers. |
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Post by welle on Oct 26, 2015 21:08:58 GMT 2
For dog walking off leash try Fort Funston. Park up in the lot on the cliff and you can walk all the way to a gorgeous beach with some neat rocks/cliffs.
It's gorgeous without a dog as well.
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Post by tzarine on Oct 27, 2015 20:59:35 GMT 2
welle
is sears on union square still there?
used to live on fair oaks
ate cheap pupusas in the mission
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Post by welle on Jan 17, 2016 7:58:43 GMT 2
welle is sears on union square still there? used to live on fair oaks ate cheap pupusas in the mission Hi Tzarine, Not sure-I'd have to look it up on google... |
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Post by welle on Jan 17, 2016 8:14:38 GMT 2
I've had flashes of my 'old' Bay Area recently-the Bay Area before the gold rush of the tech industry. Neat little art gallery on 440 Haight street called Three Ravens. www.threeravenssf.comNice cafe with very reasonable prices on Balboa St x 38th Ave. Close to Southwest corner on Balboa. Great sandwiches, good coffee and lots of books in the back. The kind of place you want to grab a book and just sit... I forgot the name but if you follow the directions I'm sure you'll find it! And a true classic: City Lights bookstore. It's been there forever (well, almost). A must for all book lovers and literature fanatics. Located in the middle of little Italy, surrounded by great restaurants and cafes. You step inside and start loosing yourself in the books. And when you think you're done, there's another room to discover, and another... Going up the back stairs of the back room leads you to the poetry room which is, you guessed it, full of books with poetry. It's a little slice of heaven. www.citylights.com/bookstore/ |
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Post by welle on Jan 25, 2016 8:11:20 GMT 2
And more signs of life of the 'old' artsy San Francisco!
Went to a live comedy show the other day. It was at an artist commune housed in a former convent and just as wild as it sounds. I will definitely be going back. Apparently they throw good parties, too...
The venue is too underground for me to post more about in the open part of the forum. Send me a pm if you're truly interested.
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Post by tzarine on Jan 25, 2016 10:03:45 GMT 2
love city lights!
had many an espresso @ the trieste
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Post by welle on Apr 9, 2016 8:11:41 GMT 2
Napa and Sonoma Valley probably deserve their own thread, but since they are within an easy one hour drive from SF I'll include them here. California has a lot of fantastic wineries. You can spend weeks just exploring. A recent trip to Napa Valley revealed the following gems: Domaine Carneros www.domainecarneros.com-amazing outdoor and indoor seating with gorgeous views -great service -the cheese plates are perfect -A+ wines. Domaine Carneros is most famous for it's sparkling whites but we also had amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Really great round Pinot that goes with fish, lighter meats is this one www.domainecarneros.com/wines/pinot-noir/Avant-GardeMy personal favorite is the current Merlot www.domainecarneros.com/wines/other-still-wines/2013-Hyde-Vineyard-Merlot-compared to the consistently outstanding quality the prices are very reasonable (it's all relative... ) This winery was my personal favorite on this trip to Napa. Jarvis winery www.jarviswines.com-you have to call in advance to make a reservation for a tour and tasting -on the pricey side (the tasting and tour currently cost $80/person) -the property is amazing. You will have to call once you arrive at the gate for the gate to be opened. Then you enter a peaceful and beautiful private property over 1000 acres big. The winery itself is completely underground. You'll be led through a cave system with an underground river and event space full of the biggest amethysts I've ever seen -the wine matches the prices. You get what you pay for. If you can afford it, 100% worth it! |
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Post by welle on Apr 9, 2016 8:29:23 GMT 2
Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga www.castellodiamorosa.com-the wines are good. Not outstanding, but good. Overall you get decent quality for what you pay for. What makes it very special is that the owner decided to recreate a medieval Italian castle. They did a great job and it feels very European for lack of a better word. Most of the castle is underground so dress warmly! Here is a winery that hits a very eccentric note. You've been warned... Raymond wineryThis was a total surprise. -outside garden is gorgeous with an emphasis on biodynamic farming. Then you enter the entrance area-all still fairly standard. -inside... is unexpected. -what it lacks in class it makes up in uniqueness. To give you an idea: You can rent the red room for private events www.raymondvineyards.com/experience/red-room/The crystal cellar is where the tastings are. The pictures look harmless but imagine the space full of ligthly clad winged mannequins with leopard bras... www.raymondvineyards.com/experience/crystal-cellar/-The wines are like the inside of the place. In your face and not subtle at all. Not exactly bad but lacking finesse. If you're tired of being classy this is a fun place to visit.
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Post by shrjeff on Apr 9, 2016 13:10:27 GMT 2
traditionally the last weekend in february is when the wineries open up their top wines for tastings...
an opportunity to taste and compare wines which for hundreds of dollars at release!
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Post by welle on Apr 11, 2016 6:36:18 GMT 2
I'll have to check out that last weekend in Feb next year! Here's some great local cheese to go with the wine: Mt Tam from Cowgirl Creamery. Demand outweighs production so not always easy to find. You might get lucky in one of the more upscale grocery stores. Definitely look for it... one of the best Brie cheeses I've ever had. www.cowgirlcreamery.com/our-cheeses/mt-tam |
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Post by welle on Apr 18, 2016 5:58:22 GMT 2
Sunbathing on the beach in San Francisco is not completely impossible... The main beach in San Francisco is Ocean Beach. It is frequently very windy and only on a handful of days per year warm enough to sunbathe on. So head on to Baker Beach and join the San Francisco beach crowd. www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/baker-beach.htmlIt is very close to the Golden Gate bridge and has fantastic views. Sheltered from the wind it is the warmest beach you can find in San Francisco. The north end is traditionally a nude beach and a favorite of the mostly male gay scene.
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Post by tzarine on May 11, 2016 22:10:48 GMT 2
loved the ruins of sutro baths
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Post by welle on Sept 8, 2016 19:23:23 GMT 2
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