Posts Tagged ‘san francisco’
“If You’re Goin’ to San Francisco… Be Sure to” Explore It All
Written by MichaelZ on August 18, 2009 – 11:48 pm -San Francisco is one of America’s genuine masterpieces of man and nature, a prime gay travel destination, a promised land to all who enjoy sipping fine wine and a true spectacle for all who appreciate geographic contrasts.
When you think of San Francisco, a big orange bridge and an island prison are often the first things to come to mind. Certainly, these things are two of the key tourist attractions for people to see, but don’t let your exploration of this wonderful city begin and end there. The city has lots of other things to offer that are unique to the city and will let you catch a glimpse the lives of San Franciscans.
San Francisco is great for exploring by foot. The climate is never too cold or too hot for being outdoors and the city is so beautiful; a nice walk is a great method to get an idea of all that “The City” (as it is known to the natives) has to offer. And, if your legs begin to feel a little tired from all that walking, all you have to do is jump on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars and let them take you to your next destination. The cable car is unique to San Francisco, the city where the trolley originated, and is a perfect way to start getting acquainted with San Francisco culture.
While in San Fran, Fisherman’s Wharf is a must see for your itinerary. Stop by Pier 39 for a good time. Pier 39 is famous for its great shopping center, which is filled with shops, arcades, and street performers. And if you’re feeling adventurous, salute the other local inhabitants of the docks—sea lions!—easily glimpsed just off the pier. Fisherman’s Wharf is also the place for great seafood. While there are dozens of great restaurants to be found, be sure to grab a meal at Boudin’s restaurant and try their famous sourdough bread (you can even see the chef in action!) and clam chowder. Fisherman’s Wharf is simply swimming with excitement; don’t miss this must-see!
The local neighborhoods of San Francisco are another great stop if you want to experience the diversity of San Francisco culture. From North Beach to Chinatown, each neighborhood has a life of its own that you won’t find anywhere else. The neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury is an extremely exciting neighborhood of San Francisco. Considered the Bohemian center of the city, this neighborhood is the birthplace of such legendaries as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin. These artists have left a remarkable and lasting influence on this district. Haight-Ashbury also has some small but great local restaurants, bars and shops, including Amoeba Music, a record store that was once a bowling alley. Here you will find nearly any music you’re looking for, with an enormous variety of vinyl. And just a short distance from this district you will find the Golden Gate Park—a large, gorgeous park that resembles New York City’s Central Park.
Also near Haight-Ashbury and the downtown area, you will find Castro, the gay mecca of San Francisco. This district is the place for great restaurants, clubs, bars, and shops as well as the the best of San Francisco nightlife. Don’t forget to catch a flick at the historic Castro theatre and take it easy at one of the great bed and breakfasts the district has to offer. And if you plan your visit carefully, you can catch one of the great San Fran festivals such as the Castro Street Fair in October, or Pink Saturday in June.
Lesbian and gay vacationers exploring San Francisco may be primarily attracted to the Castro district to visit the historic sites and enjoy the camaraderie, but you will find the whole of the city is accepting of all orientations of people. Enjoy the complete experience of the city!
So while planning your San Francisco get-away, make sure your itinerary takes you off the beaten path. In San Fran you will find unique adventures everywhere you turn. Immerse yourself in the culture of the city; it’s the only way to enjoy San Francisco!
Tags: castro district, destination guide, fisherman's wharf, gay destination, gay travel, gay vacation, pier 39, san francisco
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Fabulous Entertainment and a Charming Hotels
Written by MichaelZ on July 29, 2009 – 4:42 pm -One of the best card tricks around is the Four Aces. It is important to learn the card trick step by step. First, the deck should be thoroughly shuffled in front of the audience. Second, the deck must be separated into four different stacks. The stacks must have an equal number of cards. After the cards have been separated, the four aces of each suit – hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades – should be placed on the bottom of each pile. Then, the magician can easily find the aces in the stacks. Put each stack on top of the other. Then, count down the cards until you reach an ace. Continue to do this until you reach all of the aces. Audiences will wonder how you found each ace so easily and without looking at the face of the cards. This is a fun and great way to entertain family or friends.
The Florida Lottery has some of the biggest prizes in the country. In the Powerball game players can win millions of dollars. Also, the Florida Lotto has huge millions to win as well. The Mega Money game has a bit of a smaller jackpot, usually in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Smaller jackpot games are in the Florida Lottery as well, like the Fantasy 5, Play 4, and Cash 3. Some of their scratch-off tickets include prizes like a brand new Ford Mustang or licensed Mustang merchandise. Most of the money gained by the Florida Lottery goes into the education system. Just in 2008, the Florida Lottery donated over 1.28 billion dollars to the education fund. Other sources that receive funds from the lottery include a program called Bright Futures. Bright Futures is a scholarship program that gives funds to needy teens on their way to college. The Florida Lottery has donated 2.3 billion dollars over the years.
The Fitzgerald Hotel, located in the Union Square area of San Francisco, is one of the most charming hotels in the nation. First established all the way back in 1910, the hotel was renovated just in 2003. The Double Deluxe rooms at the Fitzgerald Hotel are filled with tons of original artwork. Plush comforters grace the beds, and great faux painting on the walls give the rooms a comfortable and cozy feel. In the hotel’s lobby, the Hidden Vine Wine Bar is a great place to make a stop for a cocktail or to taste some of the local wines.
Tags: aces, card tricks, cards, florida, hotel, lottery, lotto, mustang, san francisco, the fitzgerald hotel, the florida lottery, the four aces
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