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Should Visitors Ride San Francisco’s MUNI Buses?

November 7th, 2011 · Muni Buses, Transportation

There are many different ways to get around the city of San Francisco, some of which are more for entertainment (like the city’s historic cable cars) and some of which are more for convenience (like taking a taxi). One of the most common ways that San Franciscans get around is to take MUNI, the public bus system. But is it right for you as a visitor? The answer depends upon your personal travel style and where in the city you want to go. We talked with the editors of MUNI Diaries, a website filled with stories from people who ride San Francisco’s buses, to help you get a feel for the pros and cons of choosing this form of transportation during your trip.

 MUNI Diaries

Before we get started on the ins and outs of MUNI, let’s talk a little bit about MUNI Diaries. This great website is a collection of stories that San Francisco bus riders submit about their true experiences on San Francisco’s buses. We spoke with Eugenia Chien, an editor and co-founder of the site. She and Jeff Hunt founded the site in 2008 in order to create a place where people could discuss their lives on public transportation since it’s such an integral part of the every day San Francisco experience. They work together with Tara Ramroop Hunt to run the site, providing them with comprehensive insight into MUNI. And Chien rides MUNI twice daily so she also has first hand experience with the system.

Running the site means soliciting, vetting and editing stories from riders. The content on Muni Diaries is 90% user-submitted by people who ride MUNI. Their stories range from touching tales of compassion on a tough trek to pure rants about the frustrations that come along with the frequent use of any form of public transportation. Chien and her co-editors also talk to the SFMTA (which runs MUNI) and other organizations about issues that face MUNI riders to give a well-rounded perspective to MUNI Diaries.

You can get a good sense of what this community-driven blog offers by reading their “greatest hits”. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook, see MUNI photos in their Flickr pool and even attend a live on stage Muni Diaries storytelling event. This blog received a 2011 web award for “best public transit blog” and will really help you get a good feel for what San Francisco’s MUNI experience is like so that you can decide if it’s a form of transportation that is right for you.

MUNI Buses and Trains

 Before we start talking about the nitty gritty of getting around on MUNI, you need to understand that MUNI is made up of two different types of public transit vehicles: buses and trains. The MUNI buses are above ground buses that take you all around the city uses various routes that are numbered. The trains go both above ground and underground on a limited route between certain neighborhoods and are organized by letter instead of number. So when you hear someone talking about “the 30” or another numbered MUNI, they are talking about a bus but if you hear them talking about “the N” or a lettered MUNI then they are talking about a train. They are all a part of the same system and your fare, including transfers and passes, will work on both forms of MUNI but the experience you have on MUNI naturally may differ depending on whether you are taking a bus or a train.

 

Signs MUNI May Work For You

 MUNI is a public transit system that can take you between nearly any two points in the city of San Francisco. But is it right for you? Here are some signs that you and MUNI will be a good fit:

 

  • You are comfortable with public transit in urban areas. MUNI is comparable to bus systems in other urban areas. It may not be as convenient as light rail or subway systems in major metropolitan areas. If you are generally comfortable with taking public transportation in US cities then you should find MUNI to be a good option.
  • You don’t mind crowds. San Franciscans as well as travelers frequently use the MUNI system to get around the city. The buses are usually crowded and are sometimes standing room only.
  • You want to get around, not see the sights. If you want striking views during your treks around the city then you should use the historic cable car, a cab, a bike or your own two feet. Although some MUNI buses do include scenic views, they typically take a practical route, not a scenic route.
  • You are going a short distance but don’t want to walk. MUNI can be great for quickly getting from one place to another when the two places are a short distance apart but separated by a big hill that you don’t want to trek! Most buses in heavily trafficked areas run every 5 – 15 minutes so you can just pick a nearby stop, check the map to find the bus that will get you where you want to go and take the ride.
  • You are going a long distance to an area with a MUNI train stop. Many people take the lettered MUNI trains when they want to go from the Financial District to a destination outside the heart of the city. For example, you can take the N to The Haight, Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach and you can take the L to the San Francisco Zoo. This is the most affordable option although may be slow in some cases.

    CC 2.0 Flickr.com via SillyGWaio

Ultimately, MUNI may be right for you if you want to take a ride that will probably be easy and uneventful but just might result in a fun San Francisco story. For example, Eugenia Chien of MUNI Diaries shared her favorite story that a passenger got to experience during a ride:

My favorite story is about a bus driver named Tammy who decided to throw an impromptu party on Muni because it was her last day driving that line. One of her passengers was so touched by the gesture that he took photos and sent us the story. Riders boarded the bus to find balloons, streamers, and posters that Tammy had made to say thank you to her passengers. The postscript to this story is sweet and sad at the same time — we stayed in touch with Tammy because of the story and later found out that her son had died in a hit-and-run and she had been on leave. We interviewed Tammy and asked our readers to help her with a foundation she set up in his memory. 

 So maybe you’ll get on MUNI and nothing will happen between one stop and the next but maybe you’ll find a party on the bus and a San Francisco community that welcomes you with open arms.

 

Negatives of MUNI to Be Aware Of

 As a public transit system, there are drawbacks to MUNI that you must be aware of when determining whether or not to choose it as your preferred form of transportation. MUNI Diaries told us that the two biggest problems regular users cite are overcrowding and delays. And although MUNI is a family-friendly transit system, there are naturally sometimes difficulties that arise when riding crowded public transportation with people from all walks of life.

As a visitor riding MUNI, you should be aware that you may face delays. MUNI Diaries points out that the SFMTA has a budget deficit of about $23 million in the next eight months, so funding is a big cause of the problem. They did an interesting interview with San Francisco’s mayoral candidates who proposed some ideas for dealing with this issue but as of right now delays are an ongoing issue.

You can plan your MUNI trip around the city online (see “navigating MUNI” below) but the times you are given are not always accurate. The buses sometimes get delayed. There are real-time updates on many bus stops but they aren’t always accurate. And sometimes the bus shows up on time but is too full so it passes the stop by. Be aware that taking MUNI is usually efficient but can have delays and therefore you should give yourself a cushion of time when taking it to San Francisco activities with a specific start time.

When you do ride MUNI, it may be crowded and you may not always be comfortable with the people you are crowded in next to. There is just no politically correct way to say this so we’ll just be honest; there are homeless people, loud teenagers and people who may try to sell you stuff. For the most part, MUNI is filled with regular people who are friendly, polite and keep to themselves. But this is a public transit system and there are sometimes problems with other riders. Homeless people asking for money, teenagers playing loud music in the back of the bus and people arguing are not uncommon on some MUNI rides. Despite this, most people agree that MUNI is a family-friendly option. Eugenia of MUNI Diaries told us that she sees a lot of parents who take their kids on MUNI and that a lot of families in San Francisco do depend on MUNI as their main form of transit.

 

CC 2.0 via Flickr.com Tom Prete

Navigating MUNI

 There are several options you can use to plan your trip on MUNI, find the right buses to get where you want to go and check on MUNI travel times. Here are the best ways:

 

  • 511 Transit. Use this online system to plan your trip from point A to point B using San Francisco’s public transportation. It is not limited to just the MUNI system but includes it and will provide you with a variety of options to get where you want to go along with costs and timing information.
  • Google Maps. You can input your start and end locations into Google Maps and choose the public transit option to get MUNI directions between locations. It is convenient because most people are familiar with the Google Maps format. However, it doesn’t offer you as many route options as 511 transit does.
  • MUNI map. If you are a more visual person then you might prefer to use a map that shows the entire layout of the MUNI system so that you can select the lines you want to ride. There are official MUNI maps online.
  • NextBus. Once you know what bus you want to take and between which two stops, you can check for real time bus status updates using NextBus on your computer or mobile phone. This is also the system that provides expected bus arrival times at some San Francisco bus stops. It is usually, but not always, accurate. Curious why it’s sometimes wrong? A MUNI Diaries interview with NextBus gives some insight.
  • MuniDiaries on Twitter. The MUNI Diaries site is the collective diary of San Francisco bus experiences. Their Twitter account is frequently a way that the community shares real time information with each other. If you’re already standing at a San Francisco bus stop and you want to see the latest MUNI updates then this is a good place to start.

 

CC 2.0 via Flickr.com Tom Prete

Some Tips for Taking MUNI During Your Travels

 

One of the most important things to know about MUNI is that you need a MUNI pass or exact change to ride the buses. There are MUNI passes for visitors as well as monthly passes, transit cards and single-ride tickets with transfers. Learn more about rates and payment options through SFMTA.

 Another important tip is to be aware of your own personal safety when riding MUNI. Most of the time, you won’t have any problems but you should use common sense when riding public transportation. Keep an eye on your valuable belongings and stay aware of your surroundings.

If you get lost or confused about the MUNI system ask someone for help. The bus drivers are there to answer your questions. There are ticket agents at the underground MUNI train stations who can help you. And most MUNI riders are friendly San Franciscans who will lend you a hand.

 

Share your MUNI Story

 If you do decide to take MUNI during your San Francisco trip and you have a story from the trek to share, you can submit it to MUNI Diaries through their website.

This post by Kathryn Vercillo.  Kathryn is a San Francisco based writer specializing in sharing her love of travel and the City.  Follow Kathryn’s writing and updates on Twitter to learn more.

 

 

 

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Uniquely San Francisco, Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream Shop

October 31st, 2011 · Activities, Restaurants

humphrey slocombe

“Some people just like a little bourbon with their ice cream,” the counter girl at Humphrey Solcombe answered when I asked why the flavor “Secret Breakfast” was the most popular. This flavor, made with corn flakes and bourbon, is one of the many unique flavors that the Humphrey Slocombe ice cream shop offers to connoisseurs of this cold confection. Blending the sweet and savory, the seasonal and the local, Humphrey Slocombe ice cream flavors are as unique as the shop.
humphrey slocombe

On the corner of 24th and Harrison in San Francisco’s Mission District, a small sign stating “Humphrey Slocombe,” is the only indication of the ice cream shop nearby. A blue awning with two words juts out from a cream-colored building, shading several tables and chairs. “Ice cream,” is printed in white on the facing side. On arrival, I heard the exclamations of satisfied customers. “Delicious,” two women exclaimed through full mouths. The undulations continued inside, “This is wonderful” another customer shared when tasting a beet sorbet, “it tastes just like beets.”

humphrey slocombe

Inside there is a feel of an old soda fountain with red vinyl and chrome stools on one side of a black and white tiled floor, across from a freezer chest of ice cream buckets. That is where the traditional ends and the strange begins. T-shirts for the store feature cartoon ice cream cones with smiles, but eyes exed-out like dead characters. Subtle, but startling, a two-headed calf wall mount looks directly at the service line with black eyes. Sweet and scary, Humphrey Slocombe is purely San Francisco.

The rotating ice cream offerings are unique (Balsamic Caramel), local (Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee), charitable, (FlufferNutter for Project Open Hand), reflective (Secret Breakfast), and seasonal (Sweet Summer Corn). The creativity spawns loyalty and lines. Already a favorite of locals – one woman in line was picking up her weekly pint of Secret Breakfast – and national foodie press, Humphrey Slocombe ice cream is a staple on any visiting foodies list of must-eats.
humphrey slocombe

On the Saturday I visited, the store was celebrating Halloween. Spiders, pumpkins, and skeletons danced on the wall, right next to the weird mount. The flavors were playful, varied, and overall delicious. I tried the Secret Breakfast first and then moved on to the Halloween flavors like Devil’s Food Cake (red velvet and cream cheese), Jesus Juice (red wine and Coke), Carmel Apple, and O-Positive (beet and hibiscus sorbet). “You can try as many as you want,” the counter girl offered. And I did, happily trading an empty, tiny metal spoon for a new, filled one.
humphrey slocombe
My final choice: one scoop of caramel apple and one of the O-Positive. I ate both scoops outside the shop, enjoying the sweet, flavorful coolness on a rare, sunny San Francisco day. Humphrey Slocombe offered me unique flavors in a unique setting on a unique day.

By Kristin Zibell, editor and author of travel blog Takeyourbigtrip.com. After two years of traveling around the world, she is currently traveling locally in the city of San Francisco. All photos copyright 2011 by Kristin Zibell.

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Best San Francisco Family Activities | From Toddlers to Teens

October 26th, 2011 · Activities

Whether your child is a toddler or teen, San Francisco offers much more than Fisherman’s Wharf and cable cars for our young visitors to enjoy.

Babies and Toddlers


Golden Gate Park

1. The Marina District and Crissy Field

The Marina’s broad and flat sidewalks make this the ideal neighborhood for a stroll.  Crissy Field, a bay front “boardwalk” with Golden Gate Bridge views, is peaceful and quiet, perfect for a napping toddler.

2.  Neighborhood playgrounds

Let your toddler run around in one of San Francisco’s 90 secluded playgrounds.  If you’re in North Beach, make a pit stop at Michelangelo Playground.  Pacific Heights? Head to Alta Plaza Park. Chinatown? Dive into the bustling Willie Wong Playground.

3. Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is San Francisco’s answer to New York’s Central Park. Paved trails lead to great lawns, lakes, and even a bison range.  It’s an ideal spot for an urban picnic.

 

Children under 10

Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio

1. The Exploratorium

Build your own robot or create your own light art at The Exploratorium. It’s so much fun, even parents don’t want to leave.

2. Lands End and the Presidio

Well-maintained walking trails take you through eucalyptus groves and past the rocky Pacific coast to reveal jaw-dropping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge.

3. San Francisco Giants Game

The 2010 World Series Champions play right in downtown San Francisco, making it one of the easiest sports venues to get to.  Definitely get seats in the infield to keep an eye on all the sailboats vying for “splash hits”.

 

Preteens

Cell Phone Accessories at the Japan Center

1. Candlelight Tour of Fort Point

November through February, the National Park Service hosts evening tours of Fort Point, situated right below the Golden Gate Bridge. Built in the 1850’s and later used to house WWII soldiers, Fort Point’s open-air architecture ensures incredible nighttime views and spooky guests.

2. Japantown

Imagine your local Hello Kitty store occupying a department store, and then add in new Sanyo characters, rows of cell phone accessories and comic books, ice cream crepe wraps, and sushi boat restaurants.  One of only three Japantowns in the world, this is a must-see.

3. Top of the Mark

Get proper and fancy with lunch or afternoon tea at Top of the Mark.  The food and service is top notch, and the 360 degree view from the tallest building on the tallest hill is downright dazzling.

 

Teenagers

Hanging out in the Mission

1. The Haight Ashbury

Drop off a bouquet for Jimi, dance to an impromptu music performance, or shop at the renowned Amoeba records, the Haight is still the eccentric heart of San Francisco.  Once the epicenter of counterculture, the Haight is now family friendly and lined with funky boutiques.

2. Rock out to live music

San Francisco is home to many iconic music halls, including The Fillmore, The Great American Music Hall, and the Warfield Theater.  If jazz is more your style, head to Yoshi’s on Fillmore Street.

3. Street art tour of the Mission District

Since the 1970s, street art has permeated every sidewalk, alley, and public building in the hip Mission District. You can hunt for and find works by Banksy and Shepherd Fairey, in addition to dozens of local artists.

 

by Maria/Far Out City.  Maria plans and publishes San Francisco Bay Area day trips at FarOutCity.com.  All photos copyright by 2011 Far Out City.

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Can you get a taxi in San Francisco?

October 10th, 2011 · Limousine, Taxi

Fact: The average wait time for a taxi in San Francisco is approximately ten minutes, however over half of cabs never arrive. (Source: SFMTA) During weekend nights, only 25% of cabs that are dispatched arrive at all.

San Francisco has a multiple issues in its taxi / cab industry that will make it difficult at many times for you to call for a cab and get it in a reasonable amount of time.   Numerous complaints are found across the internet that stem from the business model of taxis in San FranciscoSan Francisco Taxis

  • There is a fixed / limited supply of taxis in San Francisco, limited by license or “medallions” sold by the City to the taxi cab companies.  This limits the supply.
  • Demand for cabs is “spiky”, it varies wildly depending on the time of day and weather.
  • Cab companies are actually in a business model of serving cab drivers – who they rent to—not taxi customers.  Unlike a pizza business, taking care of the customer doesn’t matter.  The taxi company needs to keep its drivers filled with fares and running, to maximize their daily “rental” price of the cab to the drivers.
  • You will find the dispatch phone operators to be particularly poor.  You can be placed on hold for a long time, hung up on, or be promised a cab that never arrives.  If you are in a busy area, you should try waiting for the cab outside, it’s often a more efficient route.

San Francisco Car Service
Because of the issues of limited supply and wildly varying demand for taxis in San Francisco, a number of both legal and illegal car services have sprung up to meet the demand.  Although private car services are at often higher prices, they offer excellent service and accountability to their customers.  It’s a great example of how the free market solves the business issue of the taxi industry by developing a market-based higher level of service.   The popular iPhone / Android app, Uber is known for its ability to obtain car service with your smartphone and avoid conversations with busy dispatch operators.  There are numerous stories of great, efficient service with both Uber and private car services.

If you need a taxi in San Francisco, don’t expect prompt or great service.  There is just too many people calling for cabs in the 49 square mile city, and too few cabs to serve them.  If you have the money, consider a private car service to get the service or timeliness you need to make an appointment.

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Crazy Cheap Bus Express: San Francisco to Los Angeles

October 10th, 2011 · Airport Shuttles, Limousine, Transportation, Uncategorized

Are you going between San Francisco and Los Angeles and need to cut your costs drastically to stay on a budget?

Are you somewhat fearful of air travel and prefer to stay on the ground?

Don’t want the hassle of going to the airport, parking and getting through the time-consuming and intrusive security lines? Want to try something different?

Then perhaps the California Shuttle Bus is something that you might want to consider for your next trip to/from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Bus California

The California Shuttle Bus is a shuttle bus service that operates 7 days a week and departs from both San Francisco and Los Angeles at 1pm and midnight. Pick up starts at 11:45am for the 1pm departure and 11:15 pm for the midnight departure. There are 5 different pick-up and drop-off locations in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. The pick-up/drop-off locations are all in safe areas, mostly train stations or in front of hotels. Additionally, some of the hotel pick-up/drop-off locations have rental car agencies.

The California Shuttle Bus fares average between $30 and $40 each way depending on how far in advance you book your trip which is cheaper than the cost of gas to drive there yourself with the extremely high gas prices these days. Although the bus is not the fastest option, considering it is about a 7+ hour drive vs. a 1 hour flight, California Shuttle is great if you are on a budget and have time to spare. Keep in mind, your reservation is non-refundable, and there is a $10 handling charge to change the date of your trip, so it is important that you have a firm date set.

Also, this may not be the best option for last minute travelers. I tried to book a shuttle only a week in advance, for a Saturday departure and there were no open seats available. I then tried for a Sunday departure, and that was full as well. It is also more expensive to ride on the weekends. I got a quote for a Saturday to Saturday trip and it was $80 round trip. However, when I booked my trip a month in advance for Monday to Monday it was only $65 round trip. To get the most out of California Shuttle Bus, you should book your trip at least a couple weeks in advance and ride on a weekday.  The prices however can be much less expensive than flights between L.A. and San Francisco, which average around $250 – $300.  The bus is a city-to-city route, which differs from the airports in outlying areas.  You can expect airport shuttle or taxi costs of at least $20 to-and-from each of the airports, so an additional $80 on top of the $250-$300 for the airfare.  In terms of cost alone — depending on how much you value your time, the bus can be a large cost savings.  There can also be time savings based on the airport “early arrival” required to handle TSA security scans and potential patdowns — none of which is required for the bus.

When riding the California Shuttle bus the other riders that you will see are typically international visitors on a budget, value-oriented tourists and younger people. Many students take the California Shuttle Bus because it is safe and a cheap travel option. You can read some detailed reviews of riders experience on the “California Express Bus” here.

Keep in mind that when you travel on any bus (much like flying) departure times, traffic delays and mechanical problems can all be a factor in the actual driving time to/from San Francisco and Los Angeles, and these problems are completely out of your control! So beware that you could experience some delays and frustrations with the California Shuttle Bus. However for the low price and convenient pickup/drop off locations – this might be the right travel option for you between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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Halloween in San Francisco | Best Things to Do

October 6th, 2011 · Uncategorized

San Francisco is a wild place filled with creative people. On any given day you might see folks in costume on the street for a festival, event or party. This fun-loving celebration of imagination peaks on Halloween. Whether you want to go to a family-friendly event during the day, enjoy a spooky walking tour in the evening or get all dolled up for a romantic costumed affair at night, San Francisco will have something that’s perfect for your Halloween.

Halloween San Francisco

 Haunted San Francisco Walking Tours

 

San Francisco is a city that is rich with dramatic history. Many people believe that the area is haunted. All throughout the year, you can take tours of hotels and neighborhoods where ghosts have been reported. What better time of year to do that, though, than during the spooky week of Halloween?

 

Here are some of the best haunted tours in San Francisco:

 

 

San Francisco’s Halloween with Kids
Halloween San Francisco Kids
 

San Francisco is definitely a risqué city with many activities that are designed for adults but it can also be a super kid-friendly place especially on great holidays like Halloween. Museums, hotels and other hot spots have great all ages events to enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do with kids for Halloween in San Francisco:

 

  • SuperNatural Halloween Party at California Academy of Sciences. This awesome science museum is hosting special creepy events throughout Halloween weekend with an all-ages party on October 29th. The party will include a costume contest, a pumpkin carving contest and the ickiest animals in the Academy’s collection.
  • Halloween Haunts and Happenings at The Exploratorium. The city’s other major science museum is also featuring Halloween-themed events with an October 30th event. Activities range from tarantula demos to decorating sugar skulls.
  • Dog Costume Fashion Show. Kids will get a kick out of seeing dogs dressed up in Halloween costumes at this free outdoor event. It’s located in the courtyard next to the Argonaut Hotel and donations are accepted to benefits the SF SPCA.
  • Boo at the Zoo. The San Francisco Zoo hosts a popular annual event with special events and animal demos. Kids are welcome to come in costume although rubber masks are prohibited. Trick-or-treating is a key feature of this event.
  • Alcatraz. A trip to Alcatraz is always a little bit spooky. Visitors who don’t have time to fit in a lot of different activities can kill two birds with one stone by enjoying this popular but creepy tourist attraction.
  • 32nd Annual Spiral Dance. Do you believe in the spiritual power of Halloween and want to share that with your kids through ritual? The Reclaiming Community’s ritual dance at Kezar Pavilion in Golden Gate Park is filled with music, art, poetry and dance.

 

Where the Adults Play on Halloween

 

One of the things that many people love about San Francisco is that there are lots of opportunities for creative, artistic, imaginative adults to play. Halloween is no exception. Here are some top choice activities for adults this Halloween season:

 

  • Zombie NightLife at California Academy of Sciences. The science center is open late on the Thursday before Halloween for a 21+ party that’s all zombie. Zombie costumes, the science of zombies and a zombie prom are key features.
  • Shocktoberfest. Looking for an activity that is entertaining but doesn’t require you to dress up yourself? Go check out this great theater performance put on by the Thrillpeddlers, an edgy, out-of-the-box freak show performance for adults only.
  • Live 105’s 3rd Annual Subsonic Halloween Ball at The Regency. If you’re looking for a great costumed dance party on Halloween night then this is one of the top selections in the city.
  • Ghost Ship IV: The Afterlife. You’ll have to trek over to Treasure Island for this big event but it should be worth the drive if you’re interested in the creative and imaginative aspect of Halloween. Think Burning Man meets food truck festival with a Halloween twist.

 

These are your top choices for Halloween events in San Francisco. However, it should be noted that a majority of clubs, museums and galleries in the city host some type of special event on Halloween or in the days leading up to Halloween. If there is a particular spot you want to visit, check to see if they’re offering something special for Halloween.

 

Some Transportation Tips for Halloween

 

It’s important to have a great time for Halloween weekend, but it’s also important to be safe and prepared. Know what you’re going to do for transportation before you leave for the night. Some tips:

 

  • Free taxi cab rides from Luxor Cab. Berg Injury Lawyers has a program called Safe and Sober that helps people in San Francisco get free cab rides home on Halloween. From 10 pm on Monday until 4 am on Tuesday, just call the cab company and let them know that Berg will pay the bill. Rides must be in San Francisco only.
  • BART and MUNI. Check with the public transit agency that you’ll be using to find out if they’re altering their schedules. Typically MUNI does not have any schedule changes for Halloween. BART has been known to stop running early but also to run through the night.

 

Another smart option is to plan your Halloween weekend in advance and then book a reservation at a San Francisco hotel near your event. Then you can just walk back to your room when you’re done with your Halloween adventures.

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Breakfast at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market

October 3rd, 2011 · Restaurants

Locals and visitors flock to the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market on Saturdays because of the hive of activity, the rainbow of fresh local produce, and a vibrant waterfront scene. But for a visitor, it’s hard to take advantage of the agricultural bounty that exudes at every stand. Not to worry! Breakfast at the market provides a way to enjoy the market offerings from local restaurants and farmers. Try these four breakfast items to get a taste of the market and start a San Francisco day.

Pastries
Ferry Building Breakfast
Head to Della Fattoria and sample the delectable and traditional bakery. Get there early to have the unique almond polenta or homemade granola breakfast muffins. For those craving a little bit of savory in the morning, try the pastries at Les Elements Patisserie. This is not your typical pastry stand, but a creative take on the traditional breakfast pastry. Try an Asian-inspired beignet stuffed with rhubarb and ginger (it’s a gourmet jelly donut). Or pick up a scone infused with figs, blue cheese, and honey.  If you’re lucky, there may be cake available – like the Darjeeling tea cake with blackberry currant jam.

The Breakfast Sandwich
Ferry Building Restaurants
A portable and hearty breakfast awaits with two stands selling breakfast sandwiches. Near Pier 4, try the egg sandwich with applewood-smoked bacon from Rosa Pistola. The all-natural bacon is thick and flavorful on toasted bread. Leave room for the grilled potatoes cooked with summer squash, red peppers, and onions served with it. Rose Pistola also offers a full breakfast menu that includes a mountainous brioche French toast capped by pile of cinnamon crème. Further from the actual Ferry Building is 4505 Meats, home of a sausage patty and egg breakfast sandwich. Patrons enjoy the homemade local sausage and runny over-easy egg served on a hamburger bun with melted Gruyere cheese.

A Different Take on Fruit
Ferry Building Fruits
There’s fruit aplenty at the market for any breakfast lover wanting a healthier choice. Depending on the season, fruit lovers will have no problem finding the juicy plum, crunchy apple, or creamy strawberry. Of course, the market offers a little something extra. Try sorbet that tastes exactly like the fruit in it at Scream Sorbet and fresh Mexican juices at Primavera. The sorbets are light, creamy and taste oh-my-god-just-like-fruit. In season, fresh-picked taste of Pink Pearl Apple fully delights. Go a little richer by indulging in the fresh and rich Orange Chocolate flavor. The fruit creativity continues at Primavera with juices like watermelon mint, pineapple cucumber, and muskmelon. Primavera is also another favorite breakfast place that serves a very popular chilaquiles verdes – breakfast nachos with fluffy, buttery eggs.

Coffee
Ferry Building Cafe
Local favorite Blue-Bottle Coffee is a strong accompaniment to any breakfast dish. The wait is worth it for fresh-roasted coffee dripped individually into each cup.

There are over 40 stands at the Farmer’s Market so be sure to visit the information booth right beneath the clock tower and grab a map. Starting the day with breakfast at the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market with the locally sourced food means enough energy to take a ferry ride for a day trip to Sausalito or ride the historic cable cars down Market Street.

By Kristin Zibell, editor and author of travel blog Takeyourbigtrip.com. After two years of traveling around the world, she is currently traveling locally in the city of San Francisco. All photos copyright by 2011 by Kristin Zibell.

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Top 5 San Francisco Fleet Week Events

September 30th, 2011 · Activities, Fleet Week

This year San Francisco’s Fleet Week is October 6-10, 2011 and is extra special this year because Fleet Week is celebrating the Centennial of Naval Aviation! Fleet Week is held annually in San Francisco to honor the armed forces and is always a favorite among locals and tourists. There are numerous events that go on throughout Fleet Week, but here are the ones that you do not want to miss:
Fleet Week San Francisco
1. The main attraction of Fleet Week is definitely the Blue Angels Air show, which is held Saturday, Oct. 8th and Sunday Oct. 9th, at 3-4pm. It is a spectacular show of arial stunts performed by the Navy’s Blue Angels Team, and it’s free! It is a must-see event that you can watch with friends and family over a picnic at the park. The main viewing areas are the Marina Green Park and Fisherman’s Wharf, but the Blue Angels can be seen and heard all along the coast of San Francisco, including viewing on the Marin County coastline. Bring a jacket because you never know how cold it will be in San Francisco, and if you have sensitive hearing you should consider earplugs because it can get very loud!

2. The Italian Heritage Parade is another great, free event put on during Fleet Week. Even if you aren’t Italian it is still one of the best events of the year in San Francisco. There will be plenty of excitement with colorful parade floats, Italian music, and artists lining the streets. Of course there will be plenty of Italian food and wine specials at many of the restaurants in North Beach. The parade starts at 12:30 on Sunday, Oct. 9th at the foot of Jefferson and Stockton, goes through North Beach on Columbus Ave, and ends in Washington Square.

3. The parade of US Navy ships begins at 11am on Saturday, Oct. 8th under the Golden Gate Bridge and continues along the San Francisco waterfront. The parade is amazing and fun to watch, but the best part comes after the parade. You can take free tours of many of the different US and Canadian Navy ships. The tours are led by the ship’s crew members and are held at Piers 27, 30, 32. How often do you get the chance to go aboard a Navy ship?

4. If you love wine and food be sure to check out Artisan Wine-Blue Angels-Bacon Buzz 2011 hosted by the Treasure Island Winery & Tasting Room. General Admission is as low as $6, which is a steal considering you get to sample over 7 hand-crafted wines, while the Blue Angels fly directly over the parking lot. In addition to the fine wine and Blue Angels, if you get hungry The Mobile Gourmet is providing the Bacon Bacon food truck and Speedy Panini, both San Francisco favorites. There will be an array of pork belly sandwiches, chocolate covered bacon, and delicious Italian sandwiches.

5. Another awesome event is the 2nd Annual Fleet Week High School Band Challenge at the Golden Gate Park band shell on Oct. 10th from 10am-4pm. There will be six high school bands from all over the bay area competing for the grand prize of $25,000. After the high school bands play, the 1st Marine Division band will play, and then for the grande finale all of the bands will come together to play “Stars and Stripes Forever”. This event is great because it is supporting local students and lots of great band music!

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City Pass San Francisco – Is It Worth the Money?

September 27th, 2011 · Activities

As most of us know from experience, traveling to a new city and visiting the top tourist attractions can be expensive and hard to plan on your own.

CityPass is a way for travelers to save money while touring various cities across the US.  San Francisco CityPASS offers unlimited muni and cable car rides as well as admission to five of San Francisco’s top sight seeing attractions.  City PASS provides you with an easy way to organize your trip to make sure you don’t miss the must see hot spots in San Francisco.

However, the big question is- Is the San Francisco CityPASS worth the money?
Fishermans Wharf San Francisco
The San Francisco CityPASS is priced at $69.00 for adults and $39.00 for children ages 5-12. The attractions offered in the CityPASS are good for 9 days from the first day of use, and the muni pass is only good for 7 days. You also get to skip to the front of the line on most attractions. CityPASS claims that you will be saving 48% on full fare admissions, but that statistic is only true if you use the CityPASS to its full potential. If you use the public transportation and go to all 5 of the available attractions, then the CityPASS is a great deal.   However some people simply do not have enough time to visit all of the attractions that are included with the CityPASS.  Others may have a change of plans or find something better to do on their vacation.

Many travelers don’t end up using the muni bus pass because they tend to be uncomfortable riding the muni. This is mostly because schedules can be confusing, and there tends to be a lot of “interesting” riders.   Also, the cable car is mostly used for entertainment and CityPASS is not valid for BART, the Bay Area’s subway system, so the transportation aspect of the CityPASS does not have much value for many travelers.

In addition to the unlimited cable car rides and muni pass, the available attractions for SF CityPASS are:

  1. California Academy of Sciences
  2. Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise (with optional Alcatraz Tour)
  3. Aquarium of the Bay
  4. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
  5. De Young Museum OR Exploratorium

All of the attractions offered are popular San Francisco tourist attractions that many SF travelers would typically visit. The California Academy of Sciences, the Aquarium of the Bay and the Exploratorium are all very fun and interesting places, especially great if you are traveling with kids.  However, if you are staying for a longer period of time and are adventurous, I would recommend taking a side trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium rather than the Aquarium of the Bay.

Another attraction available through City pass is the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise. It is a great way to see the San Francisco Bay and Pier 39, but bring a jacket because it is usually windy and cold on the bay even if it is a warm day in San Francisco. However, most travelers would prefer to see Alcatraz to the San Francisco Bay cruise. Many people want to see the San Francisco Bay and take a boat ride, but you get to take a boat to Alcatraz, so many people see the Alcatraz tour as a bonus deal. CityPASS does have an option to replace the Bay Cruise with an Alcatraz Island tour, however the switch is not guaranteed.  It is very hard to get Alcatraz tickets unless they are purchased weeks, if not months in advance, so this option to switch attractions is not easy.  The only way to make this switch is to call far in advance, request the exchange, and purchase the CityPASS from the Alcatraz tours.  The number to call is 415-981-7625 (ROCK). This option to replace the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise with the Alcatraz Island tour is not a sure thing by any means.

CityPASS is great for travelers who are organized and like to prepay and preplan every detail of their trip. If you like to follow schedules then CityPASS would be a great option for you. Also, you pay for the pass before you arrive in San Francisco, which is nice because then you don’t feel like you are spending money during your trip.

I know from personal experience that one of the best things about the CityPASS is that it somewhat forces you to plan your days and visit the sites, as compared to “maybe” going and then never getting to the museum, etc.  When I went to NYC with my family, we bought a CityPASS and literally “ran” from one site to the next to use up our pass.  Without it, we probably would have ended up in a sports bar watching baseball or going shopping on 5th Ave.

However what if you don’t want to go to all of the available attractions? Lets say you only have time or are only interested in a few of the attractions, and you do not end up using the muni pass. The question is – Is the CityPASS still a good deal?

If you could only choose 3 attractions in addition to riding the cable cars, which attractions do you choose?  My favorites would be:

1. The California Academy of the Sciences because it is a good balance of historical learning and entertainment. There is also the Steinhart Aquarium located in the California Academy of the Sciences, and many travelers believe that the Steinhart Aquarium is as good as, if not better than the Aquarium of the Bay.

2. The Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise – even if you’re unable to switch the Bay Cruise for the Alcatraz tour, I still recommend that you go on the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise because it is a beautiful tour, most people want to see the city of San Francisco from the water. Also, this cruise is conveniently located at Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco’s most popular destination, so since you will most likely be visiting Fisherman’s Wharf at some point on your trip, you can take the bay cruise while you are at the Wharf.

3. The SFMOMA because it is an incredible art museum, and for many people it is on the top of their list of attractions to see.

If you choose to only go to these three attractions and go on one cable car ride, will you have saved money? The California Academy of Sciences cost $29.95; the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise cost $25.00; the SFMOMA costs $18.00, and the cable car costs $6.00 for one ride. The total cost is $78.95, so yes in this case the CityPASS is worth the money, for you are saving $9.95. However, these attractions happen to be some of the more expensive available attractions, so really it all comes down to which attractions interest you and how much time you have to visit them.

In conclusion, you have to know what kind of traveler you are. Are you traveling to San Francisco to go to museums and learn the history and see the beauty of San Francisco? Or are you the spontaneous traveler who wants to explore the streets and neighborhoods of San Francisco and find the best local restaurants, shops, etc. If you enjoy pre-planned trips and want to hit all of the tourist spots then the CityPASS is a great option for you. If you can’t follow a schedule and you are not interested in some of the attractions then you probably won’t use the CityPASS to its full potential, and it would not be worth your money.

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Keeping Kids Happy on Long Airplane Flights

September 18th, 2011 · Travel News, Traveling with Kids

travel with kidsAs both a father and frequent traveler, it’s fun to share the magic of travel with our children – and a challenge to keep them happy and amused. Having experienced the spectrum from sleeping children on a flight cross-country to screaming children on a flight cross-continent, I am always searching for ways to keep kids entertained without “plugging them in” to a variety of electronic devices. Our kids love the idea of travel, but like most adults they enjoy most the part “when we get there”. I’ve compiled a list of the ways that our kids love to keep busy on airplane flights, with an emphasis on creativity and education. A few electronic items are included.

1.) Mini Board Games: Game makers today offer a wide variety of games that can easily be enjoyed on a flight. These include the games of our youth such as Scrabble, Cribbage, Checkers, Backgammon, Yahtzee, and Uno. It’s a great way to get to know your child better and challenge their mind. Disadvantages of this plan can be the tiny pieces which you may be searching for under the seat after a turbulent section.

2.) Sticker Sets: New from the boomers’ youth, kids can use stickers (versus coloring books) to design amazing dioramas and even some that are scratch-and-sniff. By taking a variety of different figures of animals, shapes, colors, and vehicles — kids can build their own story in a detailed background word. We have tried the stickers
sets from Peaceable Kingdom as a good value (under $5 per set), they provide a nice variety of stickers without breaking the bank. These sticker sets have choices including dinosaurs, puppies, sparkly critters, robots, and many more. Disadvantage of sticker sets can be the cost and short term of use if your kids is a “quick sticker setter”. Our kids really enjoyed the sticker sets and put together some very creative pictures to share with family.

3.) We can’t leave out the Nintendo DS: With the prices of these kid-friendly devices dropping dramatically in competition with the iPhone, Android phone games, and iPod Touch — Nintendo has chosen to specialize. There are great sets of games that are directly designed for adults and kids to build up brain power with intellectual challenges. Nintendo DS still offers the classic Mario and Donkey Kong games, but don’t overlook the wide set of games that are intellectually challenging for the Nintendo Platform. Two of our current favorites are Puzzler World and Scribblenauts. Our kids love Scribblenauts which allow kids to write out words that drive the character’s actions. Let’s Draw is also a great way for kids to express their creativity and store their best drawings to share.

Whether you are flying to San Francisco or Sao Paulo with your family, keeping kids entertained is a top priority to keep your sanity and those around you. We hope these suggestions help you to have a great next trip, please share your favorites with our community too!

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