What words say and mean are important, but how they are presented with images and beautiful photos truly make them stand out. Such in the case with The Bold Italic – one of the web’s premiere sites for exploring what makes San Francisco tick. With a keen eye for graphic design, illustration and telling one hell of a tale, the approach this melting pot of San Fran culture takes is refreshing and a thrill to dive into. It’s perfect for an audience that appreciates humor, biting wit and bringing attention to the weird and wonderful.

Three aspects in the city are highlighted, including stories shared by locals, crazy events taking place in the area and where to pick up some of the most interesting and well crafted souvenirs and goods. Each category is updated often to ensure everyone is getting the latest information, with each story usually paired with images created by city artists.

Not only can users find fun places to shop, see art, hear music and more, the site offers a rare insight into the small idiosyncrasies that make San Francisco unique. Learn why there is a plastic bag ban throughout the city or how to best blend into the microbrew scene at a neighborhood bar. Besides what to try when traveling, intelligent and fresh contributors offer their takes on the latest news, phone apps and other tidbits to further explore the City by the Bay’s mindset.

While the idea is to mostly appeal to a local resident crowd, sites like The Bold Italic are perfect for travelers who thrive on discovering gems off the beaten path. People can find the top five things to do in San Francisco anywhere, but to truly get a feel for the city and it’s special personality, diving deep through the quips, articles and advice will do a world of good for any adventurous visitor. The spirit of a destination is usually found not in it’s impressive architectural or historical landmarks, but more so in the locals themselves who call it their home. Through The Bold Italic, travelers can immerse themselves in the city and feel as if they’ve already met a group of like-minded friends willing to show them around.

By Eileen Cotter, Copyright SFTravel LLC