Beginner's Guide to San Francisco tag:beginnersguide.com,2007:/san-francisco//98 2006-08-07T16:12:08Z San Francisco Movable Type 3.35 Final Thoughts tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24265 2006-04-24T15:34:17Z 2006-04-24T15:34:52Z If you are looking for a spot to call home on the West Coast, San Francisco is one of the best places to do so. Although the average price of a home may seem extremely high to many folks, the... John If you are looking for a spot to call home on the West Coast, San Francisco is one of the best places to do so. Although the average price of a home may seem extremely high to many folks, the city itself is what drives up the cost. From the breathtaking views of Twin Peaks to the cultural heart of San Francisco in its Downtown district, many visitors fall in love with the city and culture and soon become residents. San Francisco continues to be one of the most loved cities in the world, and the real estate remains hot.


Resources

http://www.zephyr-re.com/explore.cfm

http://www.homegain.com/local_real_estate/CA/san_francisco.html

http://www.pacunion.com/Mortgage/

http://www.homes.com/Content/Promotions/MarketConditions.cfm??open&link=http://mktc.realtytimes.com/mktc/conditionsviewjs/California~San_Francisco~fw_vestirainc?open&pID=homes.com

]]> San Francisco--Restaurants and Activities Overview tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24266 2006-04-24T15:35:20Z 2006-04-24T15:36:25Z San Francisco is renown for its food industry. Having a reputation for starting trends in food, the city is a dream place for gourmet food. Young San Francisco chefs were responsible for the innovation of combining Asian cuisine with mainstream... John San Francisco is renown for its food industry. Having a reputation for starting trends in food, the city is a dream place for gourmet food. Young San Francisco chefs were responsible for the innovation of combining Asian cuisine with mainstream Californian and American fare; this concept grabbed the fancy of chefs across the nation. If good food is what you are after, San Francisco is the place to be.

]]> Restaurants in San Francisco tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24267 2006-04-24T15:36:36Z 2006-04-24T15:37:50Z Although it may be hard to decide where to eat while you are in San Francisco because of all the food choices, if you know what you like, there is bound to be a restaurant that will satisfy your palates... John Although it may be hard to decide where to eat while you are in San Francisco because of all the food choices, if you know what you like, there is bound to be a restaurant that will satisfy your palates desires. Below is a list of possible restaurant choices in San Francisco as well as some of the most popular dining areas the city has to offer:
  • Aqua
Location: 252 California Street San Francisco, CA 94110
Prices: $51 and up
Cuisine: Seafood
Dining Style: Fine Dining
Description: Aqua Restaurant in San Francisco offers contemporary seafood in a sophisticated setting. This four-star, award-winning restaurant has been one of San Francisco’s most celebrated and famous landmark restaurants for over 11 years. By employing European techniques, Aqua is able to serve delicate fish in a way that has traditionally been set aside for meats. The menu is distinctive and delivers fresh local and imported seafood. As the crown jewel of Charles Condy’s empire, this upscale eatery caters to individual dietary needs with creativity and color. Dieters can enjoy a delicious fish entrée or veggie plate upon special request. 
  • Fleur de Lys
Location: 777 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94109
Prices: $51 and up
Cuisine: French
Dining Style: Fine Dining
Description: Fleur de Lys is one of the finest dining restaurants in San Francisco. After being devastated by a fire in 2000, this downtown restaurant fully renovated their building. The new dining room boasts a luxurious setting for four-course gourmet dinners, which include seafood, meat, game, and vegetarian. The food is outstanding and the menu never the same.
  • Boulevard
Location: 1 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Prices: $31-50
Cuisine: American
Dining Style: Fine Dining
Description: Since its beginning in 1993, Boulevard restaurant has been acclaimed as one of the best restaurants San Francisco has to offer. Found in the historic 1889 Audiffried Building, this waterfront restaurant offers views of the Bay Bridge. The décor is the essence of the Belle Epoque style yet warm and welcoming. Found in the center of San Francisco’s revived waterfront area, the entrees boast of hearty, gorgeous cuisine bursting with flavor. The portions are generous and the presentation creative. Enjoy American regional flavors as you sit in the interiors French-influenced style.
  • 1550 Hyde Cafe & Wine Bar
Location: 1550 Hyde St.,San Francisco, CA 94109
Prices: $31-50
Cuisine: Organic, California
Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Description: Situated in two small storefronts by the cable car line on tree-lined Russian Hill, the 1550 Hyde Café and Wine Bar is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant. The restaurant feels like one of those places that is a well kept neighborhood secret. 1550 Hyde serves basic, seasonal, organic cuisine that boasts local sustainable agriculture.  With its Mediterranean-influenced meals, this restaurant lacks the pretension that other restaurants of the same caliber sometimes deliver. If you enjoy wine, you are certain to find the perfect bottle here with over 150 selections. 
  • Half Moon Bay Inn – Kitchen and Cocktails
Location: 401 Main St., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Prices: $30 and under
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Dining Style: Casual Dining
Description: Located in the recently renovated Half Moon Bay Inn, this restaurant serves a menu steeped in tradition, recognizing the wealth of locally grown ingredients. The restaurant offers a full bar with sixteen beers on tap. The atmosphere is romantic as you can enjoy the European style courtyard in the warmth of a cozy fireplace in this foggy coast city.
  • Vignette
Location: 665 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Prices: $30 and under
Cuisine: American, French
Dining Style: Fine Dining
Description: Vignette claims of providing elegant décor in a stylish upscale dining room. The décor is highlighted by a glassed in wine room and the primary dining room possesses a wine motif suggestive of restaurants located in prime wine regions throughout the state of California. Chic, serene, and quietly cozy, Vignette is a favorite of locals and visitors. The seasonal menu showcases boldly flavored entrees utilizing local and seasonal ingredients, and is inspired by European and contemporary cuisine. The tea menu at Vignette consists of over 20 whole leaf teas procured from small farms located all over the world.
  • Zingari Ristorante
Location: 501 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Prices: $30 and under
Cuisine: Italian
Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Description: If you want an elegant atmosphere but don’t want to pay the typical price, Zingari Ristorante is a great choice for dining. Although Zingari means “gypsies” the food is Tuscan-influenced, and you can expect to hear people speaking in Italian during your dining experience. With its intimate and cozy environment, this upscale restaurant offers delicious Italian food with modern flair. As you sit back and relax over dinner, enjoy the live jazz in the bar offered every night.
]]> Activities in San Francisco tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24268 2006-04-24T15:37:59Z 2006-04-24T15:38:35Z John San Francisco not only offers wonderful restaurants to choose from but also delivers a host of activities tourists and locals alike can enjoy. Below is a list of activities often enjoyed while in San Francisco:
  • Boat Rides: The city of San Francisco is a great place to go on a boat ride, and the rides are often fairly affordable. Travel on a gorgeous sailboat and see the entire bay from Golden Gate Bridge. The views are breathtaking, and the experience memorable. Make sure you bring warm clothes as the weather is much colder on the ocean. 
  • Chinatown: If you want a glimpse of Hong Kong’s present and past, spend the day in Chinatown. Here you will discover authentic markets and inexpensive restaurants where you can purchase imported products. As parking is extremely limited, take a bus or taxi.
  • Muir Woods: Take the day off and spend it in an ancient redwood forest. Escape the city and enjoy the winding drive to the forest through Marin Headland hills. The forest tends to be cool and damp so dress appropriately. Take a hike through the 560-acre park that includes six miles of paved trails on the canyon floor.
  • Union Square: Spend the day shopping in San Francisco’s famous Union Square. This popular spot in the city is a top destination for shopping, and also features an active theater district. Stores in the area include: Nordstrom’s, Urban Outfitter’s, Tiffany’s, and J. Crew. Be careful in this area, however, as it close to some suspicious neighborhoods.
  • Beaches: San Francisco’s Ocean Beach travels along the entire west side of San Francisco and is the city’s largest beach. Great surfing can often be enjoyed along this beach and if you love to stroll along the ocean, you can walk unhindered all the way to San Mateo County. If scenery is what you want, travel to Baker’s Beach, San Francisco’s most picturesque beach. Located just west of the bridge, Baker’s Beach offers an amazing view of Golden Gate Bridge. The beach is also a great place to get a tan when the weather’s warmer.
]]> Final Thoughts tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24269 2006-04-24T15:38:43Z 2006-04-24T15:39:18Z John San Francisco offers both delicious restaurants and fun-filled activities. Enjoy casual dining, fine dining, or casual elegance at one of San Francisco’s many restaurants. Whether you are looking for Italian, American, French, or delicious seafood, San Francisco is the place to dine. The city also holds great wonders along its sandy beaches, peace in nearby redwood forests, and great shopping at Union Square.

Resources

http://www.sanfrancisco.com/dining/

http://opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid

http://www.sallys-place.com/food/dining_directory/north_america/sf/hyde_cafe.htm

http://www.sftravel.com/boats.html

http://www.sealrockinn.com/beaches.html

]]> San Francisco-Vacations: A 1 to 3 Day Itinerary Overview tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24271 2006-04-24T15:40:19Z 2006-04-24T15:41:20Z Planning a vacation to San Francisco should not be stressful. There is so much this city has to offer that the last thing you want to do is spend your time worrying about the trip. A vacation is supposed to... John Planning a vacation to San Francisco should not be stressful. There is so much this city has to offer that the last thing you want to do is spend your time worrying about the trip. A vacation is supposed to be fun and something you look forward to. There are several steps you will want to keep in mind so that planning your San Francisco vacation does not become too stressful.

First, prioritize. When you picture a vacation in San Francisco, what first comes to your mind? This should help you in planning your itinerary. You can always contact a Travel Specialist who will help you determine a realistic price range for your San Francisco vacation and help you with your overall itinerary.

Next, develop an itinerary. Once your priorities are in order, you will then be able to go about creating your personalized itinerary. This will help you in your major decisions such as where to stay, how long to go for, and daily activities.

Finally, enjoy your stay! Have the time of your life enjoying the San Francisco coast and beautiful cable car city. Planning an itinerary to San Francisco can be fairly simple when you put the proper steps in motion. Below is a one to three-day itinerary of how you can spend your time in San Francisco.

]]> Three-Day Itinerary in San Francisco tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24272 2006-04-24T15:41:37Z 2006-04-24T15:42:07Z John Located on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, the city of San Francisco is the main hub of the San Francisco Bay Area. As one of the world’s top tourist destinations, San Francisco brings in scores of people each year. When one thinks of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the cable cars often come to mind. The beauty of San Francisco is inescapable as it preserves its historic charm with Victorian mansions, breathtaking vistas, and culinary delights. Three days in this city will be well worth the trip.

One of the greatest things about San Francisco is that you can be in an art museum in the morning and on a mountain later in the afternoon. View the art of Jackson Pollock at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in the morning and then breath the outdoors at Muir Woods in the afternoon where you will be intrigued by enormous redwoods.

]]> Day One: Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24273 2006-04-24T15:42:16Z 2006-04-24T15:42:44Z Begin day one by taking in the Golden Gate Bridge. This year, 2006, signifies the 69th birthday of the most photographed bridge in the world. Spanning 4,200 feet and soaring as high as a 65-foot building, this infamous bridge is... John Begin day one by taking in the Golden Gate Bridge. This year, 2006, signifies the 69th birthday of the most photographed bridge in the world. Spanning 4,200 feet and soaring as high as a 65-foot building, this infamous bridge is the gateway to San Francisco. Often half-veiled by the city’s legendary fog, this bridge attaches the City by the Bay with the Redwood Empire to the north. Completed in May 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is a work of art and one of the 20th centuries most practical engineering feats.

Rent a bike and ride across it, feeling the cool breeze as you travel its course. Or, take it easy and simply walk across the bridge basking in its awe-inspiring beauty. Millions of pedestrians bike or walk across the bridge every year, staring up at the zooming red twin towers, gazing down into the stacks of oceangoing liners, or out at the breathtaking vistas. Make sure you bring appropriate clothing as it will be fairly cool. Afterwards, shop for souvenirs at the Gift Center.

At lunch, eat at the Bridge Café. If you drive your car, make sure you continue to Marin’s Vista Point, located at the bridge’s northern end. As you gaze back, you will take in one of the most spectacular views San Francisco has to offer.

In the afternoon, visit Lombard Street which is known as the “crookedest” street in the world. This street possesses incredible character with its steep hills and sharp curves along a one-way road boarded by grand Victorian mansions. Millions of tourists visit the road every year.

]]> Day Two: Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24274 2006-04-24T15:42:58Z 2006-04-24T15:43:25Z John A trip to San Francisco would not be complete without visiting the infamous Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock”. Although you can view it from Fisherman’s Wharf, the best way to take it all in is to visit this former prison island in San Francisco Bay. Discovered in 1775 by Juan Manuel Ayala, Alcatraz was named after the many pelicans that nested on the island. In 1934, the government converted the buildings into a maximum-security prison. Due to the surrounding frigid waters, sharp cliffs, and treacherous tides and currents, it was believed that no one would be able to escape the prison.

Alcatraz is now a national park where park rangers lead daily tours. You will hear of the prison’s thrilling history as well as intriguing stories about Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, the so-called Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud, and other legendary figures who stayed here. It was extremely expensive to keep prisoners here as water and supplies had to be shipped in. The prison was closed in 1963 after a seeming escape with no bodies being discovered. The following year the island became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

This trip should take an average of 2 ½ hours for the boat ride and the tour. Make sure to bring warmer clothes because of the cooler temperatures and also comfortable shoes to walk in. Because this is a popular excursion, purchase tickets as soon as possible on your vacation.

Later, spend the afternoon shopping in one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, Fisherman’s Wharf. The area for shopping begins at Pier 39 on the east end and finishes at Ghirardelli Square on the west end. The Wharf is home to such popular spots as the Haunted Gold Mine, The Wax Museum, and Medieval Dungeon. One of the best free attractions on the wharf are the sea lions who have taken up residence on the neighboring floating docks.

]]> Day Three: Haight-Ashbury, Muir Woods National Monument tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24275 2006-04-24T15:43:37Z 2006-04-24T15:44:03Z John Begin day three by taking a tour of one of San Francisco’s most notorious neighborhoods, Haight-Ashbury. During the 1960s, this popular neighborhood was home to the American hippie movement as well as rock legends Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead. Although the flower child ’s aura can still be felt, the neighborhood is not quite as rebellious as before. Spend the day visiting arts and crafts shops, unique bookstores, and great cafes. If you have time, go on the Flower Power Walking Tour, where you will take a trip through the neighborhood as well as down the halls of its history.

In the afternoon, take a trip to visit the redwoods at Muir Woods National Monument. Here you will find trees, trees, and more trees. Named for conservationist John Muir, this coastal redwood preserve is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Each year more than 1.5 million visitors come to walk the scenic trails and take in the spectacular redwoods. Even if you are not a nature lover, it is hard to visit this place and not sense the wonder of the woods.

]]> Final Thoughts tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.24276 2006-04-24T15:44:16Z 2006-04-24T15:44:49Z San Francisco is a wonderful place to spend your vacation. Whether you enjoy shopping or being in nature, the city has activities that will meet your desires. If you only have three days to spend in San Francisco, you will... John San Francisco is a wonderful place to spend your vacation. Whether you enjoy shopping or being in nature, the city has activities that will meet your desires. If you only have three days to spend in San Francisco, you will not want to miss seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting Alcatraz Island, or taking a drive to Muir Woods National Monument. These are sights that are well worth your time and effort. It is not hard to understand why the city of San Francisco remains a top tourist destination today. This foggy city will forever remain etched in your memory.



Resources

http://www.hawaiianexperience.com/fit/hawaii-vacation-packages.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.com/GetawayDestination-g60713-San_Francisco_California.html

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanfrancisco/

]]> San Francisco - Hotels and Accommodations tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.31399 2006-08-07T16:07:30Z 2006-08-07T16:08:00Z San Francisco - Hotels and Accommodations Overview Hotel Rex, San Francisco Hotel Drisco, San Francisco Four Seasons San Francisco, San Francisco... phillip sfhote.jpg

San Francisco - Hotels and Accommodations Overview

Hotel Rex, San Francisco

Hotel Drisco, San Francisco

Four Seasons San Francisco, San Francisco

]]> San Francisco - Restaurants and Activities tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.31400 2006-08-07T16:08:21Z 2006-08-07T16:08:50Z San Francisco--Restaurants and Activities Overview Restaurants in San Francisco Activities in San Francisco Final Thoughts... phillip sfrest.jpg

San Francisco--Restaurants and Activities Overview

Restaurants in San Francisco

Activities in San Francisco

Final Thoughts

]]> San Francisco--Real Estate tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.31401 2006-08-07T16:10:53Z 2006-08-07T16:11:22Z San Francisco--Real Estate Overview Demographic and Housing Market Data for San Francisco, California San Francisco Disctricts Mortgages in San Francisco... phillip sfre.jpg

San Francisco--Real Estate Overview

Demographic and Housing Market Data for San Francisco, California

San Francisco Disctricts

Mortgages in San Francisco

]]> San Francisco-Vacations: A Week Long Itinerary tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/san-francisco//98.31402 2006-08-07T16:11:44Z 2006-08-07T16:12:08Z San Francisco-Vacations: A Week Long Itinerary Overview Day One: Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Day Two: Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach Day Three: Alcatraz, Ocean Beach... phillip sfiten.jpg

San Francisco-Vacations: A Week Long Itinerary Overview

Day One: Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Day Two: Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach

Day Three: Alcatraz, Ocean Beach

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