Posts Tagged ‘San Francisco’

Using Public Transportation Systems

March 18th, 2010

Big cities—Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc—are great places to live and fun places to visit. However, whether you’re just visiting or planning to ditch your quaint country cottage for a chic urban flat, you’ve got to know how to maneuver the city. Of course, public transportation systems are different depending on where you are. Comparing the MBTA (Boston) to the New York MTA will yield a striking number of dissimilarities. Follow this advice, though, and soon you'll be a pro no matter which metro system you're using.

  • Plan your subway trip before you leave — Long before you duck into the subway station, use maps and online resources to plan out your subway trip. A number of Web sites will help, if not do most of the work, when it comes to choosing a train line, figuring out transfers, directions, and more. Consider using “Hop Stop” as it's a great resource for subway trip planning.
  • Figure out how much you’ll be using the subway — Will you be in NYC for a weekend? Chicago for a week? San Francisco for 2 hours? Just be conscious of how long you’ll be in the city. More so, how many times do you expect to use the subway? This will help you decide on which subway card or ticket to buy. For instance, Boston’s Charlie Card will save you 30 cents every time you use the metro system, but it might not be worth the effort to acquire the Charlie Card if you’re only using the subway once to get to the airport. Be prepared, look into the subway ticket options for whatever city you're in.
  • Pay attention to service alerts and delays — Subway systems are great for getting from here to there, but none of them are flawless. Work has to be done, and this often causes train delays or temporary line closures. Major notifications will be posted near subway entrances and communicated over loudspeaker systems within the subway tunnels, so take off your iPod while you’re waiting.
  • Be extra wary of the train directions — It might be simple to select the train line you need, but the work doesn’t stop there. Make sure you’re going the right way—either go uptown or downtown, inbound or outbound, etc. Listen, if you don't know which direction you need, just ask someone for help! You won’t look foolish. It’s better than going in the wrong direction and ending up confused and lost in a foreign area of the city.
  • Practice using the subway system — If you’re visiting for a while or moving to a new city, take some time to learn the system. Choose various lines and just hop on and off at various stops. Not only will this help you get acquainted with the subway, it’ll help you learn how to navigate the city in general!

And realize, subway systems aren’t just for the main metropolitan areas. If you’re visiting or relocating to a suburb just outside a major city, it’s still likely you’ll be connected to the major metro system in some way. For example, if you’re moving into one of the many condos in Jamaica Plain (a neighborhood right outside the Boston metropolitan area), you’ll still have great access to the MBTA. So keep these tips in mind, too!

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Immerse Yourself in San Francisco

February 17th, 2010

San Francisco is one of America’s true gems, a gay travel destination, a promised land to all who enjoy sipping fine wine and a true visual feast for all who appreciate striking geographic contrasts.

When thinking of San Francisco, a big orange bridge and an island prison are likely the most common things that come to mind. Certainly, these things are two of the most famous tourist attractions for people to see, but don’t let your exploration of San Francisco begin and end with only those. The city has plenty of other things to offer that are unique to the city and will take you beyond the beaten tourist path.

 

 

San Francisco is a perfect place for walking. The climate is never too cold or too hot for enjoying the outside and the city is so beautiful; a nice walk is the best method to take in all that “The City” (as it is known to the natives) has to offer. And, if you find yourself tired from walking, you merely have to jump on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars and let them take you to your next point of interest. This form of transportation is unique to San Francisco, the city where the trolley was first used, and is a perfect way to start getting acquainted with the city’s special culture.

 

While in San Fran, Fisherman’s Wharf is a must see for your itinerary. Stop by Pier 39 and experience the culture and activities offered there. Pier 39 is famous for its great shopping center, which is filled with shops, arcades, and street performers. Take a look off the piers and see the local inhabitants of the docks—sea lions! Fisherman’s Wharf, as you may have guessed, is also the place to go if you’re looking for great seafood. While there are dozens of great restaurants that will strike your fancy, be sure to grab a meal at Boudin’s restaurant and try their famous sourdough bread (you can even watch it being made!) and unbeatable clam chowder. Fisherman’s Wharf is simply swimming with excitement; don’t miss this must-see!

 

The local neighborhoods of San Francisco are another must-see if you want to experience the diversity of San Francisco culture. From North Beach to Chinatown, each neighborhood offers 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. The spirit of these artists and their music still lives on in this district. Haight-Ashbury also boasts of some small but great local restaurants, bars and shops, including Amoeba Music, a bowling alley that was converted into a record store. Here you will find almost any type of music you can think of, with a huge variety of vinyl. And just a short distance from this district you will find the Golden Gate Park—a large, gorgeous park that rivals New York City’s Central Park.

 

To enjoy one of the most fascinating neighborhoods of San Francisco, spend time in Chinatown interesting and thriving neighborhoods. A walk down any of its narrow streets will bring enticing smells wafting from home kitchens and the many restaurants. Meanwhile, your ears can feast on the sounds of Mandarin mixed with occasional English. It’s like a trip into an exotic culture within and exotic culture.

Lesbian and gay visitors to San Francisco may be drawn to the Castro area to visit the sites and enjoy the camaraderie, but you will discover the entire city 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!

 

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Spectacular San Francisco: From the Bay to the Peaks of the Hills

January 21st, 2010

While the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz island prison are the two best known images of San Francisco, the city offers many other sights and pleasures that will keep you busy during your stay. Don’t just do the tourist thing during your trip: immerse yourself in the life and beauty of the city of San Francisco!
San Francisco is a perfect city for walking. The temperature is rarely too cold or too hot for wandering outdoors and the city is so beautiful; a stroll is the best transportation alternative to get an idea of all that ”The City” (as it is known to the natives) has to offer. And, if your feet begin to feel a little cramped from all that walking, all you have to do is hitch a ride on one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars until you reach your next point of interest. The cable car is unique to San Francisco, the locale where the trolley originated, and is a perfect way to immerse yourself in San Francisco culture.
While in San Fran, Fisherman’s Wharf is a must see for your itinerary. Make a stop at Pier 39 for a good time. Pier 39 is famous for its great shopping center, which is filled with shops, games, and street artists. Take a look off the piers and see the local inhabitants of the docks—sea lions! Fisherman’s Wharf is also the place to go if you’re looking for great seafood. While there are many great restaurants to be found, be sure to stop by Boudin’s and try their famous sourdough bread (you can see the chef in action!) and unbeatable clam chowder. Fisherman’s Wharf is swimming with fun; don’t ignore this landmark area!
For the true flavor of San Francisco culture, get off the usual path and see the city’s neighborhoods. From North Beach to Chinatown, each neighborhood offers an experience of its own that you won’t find anywhere else. The neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury is one of the highlights of San Francisco. Considered the Bohemian part of the city, this neighborhood is the birthplace of such musical legends as Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin. These musical geniuses have left their personal on this district. Haight-Ashbury also has some small but great local eateries, bars and shops, including Amoeba Music, a record store that was once a bowling alley. Here you can buy nearly any music you’re looking for, with a great selection of vinyl records. And only a short walk away from this district you will find the Golden Gate Park—a large, gorgeous park that reminds one of New York City’s Central Park.

Chinatown is one of the most bustling neighborhoods of San Francisco. A walk down any of its narrow streets will bring enticing smells wafting from home kitchens and the many restaurants. Meanwhile, your ears will be treated to the sounds of Chinese mixed with occasional English as you move past busy shops. It’s like a trip into an exotic culture within an exotic culture.

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. Engulf yourself in the culture of the city; it’s the only way to do San Francisco!

Virtually any online travel company can assist you with your San Francisco travel plans.  You could also use a specialized site, such as one that specializes in gay hotel reservations.

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