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Fall Fun in San Francisco

Wrapping up my look at noteworthy events in the San Francisco area here’s a look at some regional celebrations that take place during the end of the year. Castro Street Fair This family-friendly event typically takes place during the first weekend in October. It is chock full of PG-rated fun and attracts thousands to Castro St. between Market and 19th streets. Along with the miles of craft booths there is a slew of food and clothing vendors displaying their wares. Yummy treats aside this neighborhood celebration is known for its showcase of dancers who strut their stuff at the dozens … Continue reading →

What to Know Before You Go—San Francisco Part 2

Now that you know that the home of the Golden Gate Bridge is not made of Rice-a-Roni and that you should never utter the words “Frisco” or “San Fran” in the presence of locals let’s review some other helpful tips that will ensure your next visit to San Francisco is a pleasant one. No Smoking. If haven’t kicked the bad habit before you visit the Bay area you are going to have a hard time keeping your cancer sticks lit. Finding a legal place to light up a cigarette in San Francisco is next to impossible. Smoking is banned in … Continue reading →

What to Know Before You Go—San Francisco

Now that you know where to go when you arrive in San Francisco it’s helpful to know what NOT to do while you are visiting the northern California hot spot. First and foremost never, ever (no matter how tempting it is) call the city “Frisco” or “San Fran.” This is a lesson my neighbor in Hawaii learned the hard way when she was waiting in line at the Honolulu International Airport. She referred to the city as “San Fran” and got an earful from a resident of the area telling her that the cutesy abbreviated version of San Francisco was … Continue reading →

Kristi Yamaguchi’s San Francisco

Kristi Yamaguchi may be calling Los Angeles home during her stint on this season’s “Dancing with the Stars” (and judging by the way she busts a move she’ll likely be there for a while), but the Olympic gold medal–winning figure skater’s heart will forever remain in her childhood home of San Francisco. The city by the bay is where Yamaguchi, her hockey star husband Bret Hedican and their two young daughters live part of the year. (They spend the hockey season at their sprawling mansion in Raleigh, North Carolina—-home of Hedican’s Carolina Hurricanes.) San Francisco is also where you can … Continue reading →

Celebrating Summer in San Francisco

When I was a child my family would travel from Hawaii to San Francisco to visit my dad’s brother and his family. They lived in a beautiful home in a quaint suburb in the City by the Bay. And as I mentioned in my previous blog because of our school schedule we traditionally made our journeys to the California hot spot during the summer months. While we may have missed out on everything the city had to offer during the spring we certainly got our fill of summer festivities. Here are some of my favorites: During the month of June … Continue reading →

Springtime in San Francisco

San Francisco has always been one of my mother’s favorite vacation destinations. As such our family spent a fair amount of time visiting the city by the bay while I was growing up. Only because of the school schedule we typically made our journeys to the California hot spot primarily during the summer and early fall. Which means we missed out on everything the city had to offer during the spring. If you have the opportunity to travel to San Francisco from now until the end of May I would highly encourage you to do so. The city is teeming … Continue reading →

Where to Embrace Your Inner Dragon

It’s Day Four of Chinese New Year and I still keep writing 4709 on all of my checks. Oh, I kill me. Four down, 11 to go. Lunar New Year 4710 celebrations get bigger and better as the days progress. If you haven’t had the chance to immerse yourself in the pomp and pageantry of the Year of the Dragon, check out these travel hot spots where the 15-day celebration is in full swing: CHICAGO On Sunday, January 29th get up-close and personal with dancing lions, elaborate floats and a myriad of marching bands at the annual Chinatown New Year’s … Continue reading →

Spring Fling for Kids

Who says the only place you can hang out with the Easter Bunny is at the mall? Peter Cottontail is hopping into several towns before he makes his mad dash around the world on Easter Sunday. Take a look at just some of the places your kids can party with the holiday rabbit before he hits the bunny trail: PENNSYLVANIA You and your kids can ride the rails with Peter Cottontail on the Great Easter Bunny Train Ride in Strasburg. The Strasburg Rail Road is letting the Easter Bunny play conductor on a steam train that chugs through the Pennsylvania … Continue reading →

Outdoor Spring Adventures

My daughter is dying to head outdoors and break in her new Razor scooter. She was fortunate to spend the month of January in Hawaii where she could scoot outside to her heart’s content (while giving my dad a heart attack in the process), but now she’s back to reality, dealing with the snow and cold that blankets the state of Wisconsin from October to June. Spring is officially here, though you’d never know it by stepping outside and feeling the chokehold Mother Nature has on our state. Still, if you are looking for ways to make the most of … Continue reading →

Where to Be Irish for a Day

If traveling to Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is out of the question, then why not make your Irish eyes smile by traveling to some equally amazing, but far closer green-rific destinations this month: Chicago The Windy City knows how to make other cities green with envy by hosting spectacular St. Patrick’s Day events. One of the most popular is the Irish Miracle, which started in 1962, when the city of Chicago dumped dye into the river and it turned the entire thing green. On Saturday, March 12th, the city will keep the tradition alive by sending a bunch … Continue reading →