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Holiday break with the kids: what to do?

Dear Weotta blog readers,

The following is written by a special guest blogger, my mom.
She is quite the expert on doing San Francisco right with the whole family; believe me I know from experience.

Happy Holidays,

Grant & the Weotta team

___________

Holiday break with the kids: what to do?

The holidays bring a special gift of two weeks without school.  This is a wonderful time for the family to be together.  Fortunately, all my children are home for the holidays.  We are doing a lot of cooking, hiking, a little bit of shopping, lots of talking and so much laughing.  It’s the togetherness that makes the holidays so special – not the presents or spending lots of money.  In fact, there are so many things you can do that cost very little and are fun experiences to share with the family.  Now that Christmas and Hanukkah are over, it’s time to get out and play!

Since it’s just after the holidays, it’s always fun to walk around Union Square and see the decorations and lights before they are taken down.  Fisherman’s Wharf is decorated too, but if the lights are gone, there’s so much else to interest the kids.  Start at Pier 39 and walk to Ghirardelli Square.  There are lots of places to stop along the way and yummy snacks for everyone in the family – the kids will love the sundaes at Ghirardelli Chocolate.

San Francisco is always a fun city to explore.  A different way to look at it is to explore some of the 300 stairways in the city.  You could do a Google Search or start with www.sisterbetty.org.  Everyone knows about Lombard Street, said to be the “crookedest street in the world,” but wait until you climb, and climb, and climb stairs all over the city!  Sometimes it’s good to have a “designated driver” to meet you at either the top, or the bottom of the hill, depending on if you want to climb up or go down.  Don’t forget an updated map or a GPS system as many of the stairs cross over several streets.

We love to walk through Golden Gate Park and there are so many things to do, both inside and outside.  Few cities can boast of such a big park right in the middle of their city.  Since the time they were old enough to walk, my kids always loved to walk through the conservatory and the Japanese Tea Gardens.  There are lots of other paths too.  Don’t forget warm jackets as the weather changes fast, good walking shoes that can get muddy, and healthy snacks.

With all the daytime sunshine predicted, a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods is a good thing to get on the calendar.  It’s a place to celebrate trees, enjoy native plants, and work off some of those extra holiday pounds as you hike.

If you feel like heading out of the city, take a drive tour down the coast along Highway 1.  A day pass will let you park at the state beaches along the way.  And there’s Ano Nuevo State Park in Pescadero.  Seeing the sea elephants is amazing, but in the winter you need to have advanced reservations and take a tour, so call ahead. It’s worth it!  A great stop along the Route is Sam’s Chowder House right before Half Moon Bay.  The chowder is amazing and the fried calamari is the best.

To top off your family adventures head across the Bay to Berkeley’s hidden gem, the Scharffenberger Chocolate factory tour.  Little kids and grandparents alike will love it, so take the whole family to this one.  The tour is free, but you have to sign up in advance.  The tour includes complimentary tastes, a little chocolate education, and a glimpse into the kitchen to see where the magic happens.

Weotta hurry, before we know it  school will be back in session. Enjoy!

Christmas Shopping Weotta Style

Christmas is next week, yes next week – where did the year go? Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? If you are like us then probably not. But no problem, the weekend before Christmas is the perfect weekend to shop. You are probably thinking, packed stores, long lines, over priced knickknacks, picked over sweaters – Weotta be kidding, right?

No really, it can be fun and doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s our top 5 reasons why:

5) Feel good about saving money. This year there are some great discounts to be had and the closer we get to Christmas the cheaper things get.

4) Excuse to buy yourself a little treat. With the discounts available you will have a little left over to buy yourself something special.

3) Explore your city. It’s a great excuse to checkout some neighborhoods you don’t get to all that often. Union street in the Marina is quite the scene, with good looking people strolling from shop to café to bar. Hayes Valley is pretty hip as well, with quite the collection of trendy stores.

2) Support local merchants. There are tons of stylish local boutiques all over your city, where the service is personal, the lines short and they have all sorts of one-of-a-kind items. For instance,  Enchanted Crystal (Union @ Laguna St ) where you can get lost for hours in their one of a kind art pieces, glass wears and jewelry from all over the world. How about Flight 001 in Hayes Valley (Hayes @ Octavia St), the ultimate place to find the perfect gift for the hip urban traveler on your list.

1) You can eat and drink your way through the day. There are all sorts of quaint coffee shops, cafes and bars to relieve your holiday shopping woes. Betelnut in the Marina (Union @ Buchanan St) is always good for a  cocktail or two, a snack and some people watching in between shopping on Union Street- try the happy buddha dumplings or the chili crusted calamari.  Citizen Cake Patisserie (Grove @ Gough St), not the restaurant- the patisserie, is a relaxing stop for a chocolate cupcake and cappuccino while shopping  in Hayes Valley; this time of year you can try their egg nog ice cream as well.

O ya, and don’t worry if you don’t find everything on your list in one day, “the internet” has your back.

So grab your favorite urban explorer- Weotta get shopping.

Family Visiting for the Holidays?

Family coming to San Francisco for the holidays?Wondering how to make the most of it without doing the same tired traditions…try this:

Find a local spot that you’ve always wanted to go to, but never did because it was always right there. For Bay Area natives, there are several options to consider, but one in particular is the new California Academy of Sciences. Round up the family and spend the day exploring the rain forest, planetarium, and natural history museum. You’ll feel like you’ve gone on a mini-vacation too.

Or, treat your family to a classic California Brunch by picking up fresh spices, organic vegetables and flowers at the Farmer’s Market. Take public transportation, bring some canvas bags to stay “green”, and load up your sacks with delicious camembert, lavender bunches and maybe some chocolate truffles to create a truly special ambiance.

If you’re really feeling the spirit of the holidays, and want to give more than you receive, check out a local volunteering agency. Visit Elders in the local area who may be feeling lonely or sad. Or, go to the Annual Holiday Christmas Block Party and help prepare grocery bags and register residents who are less fortunate than us, especially during these harsh economic times.

No matter what you choose to do this holiday, make the most of this gorgeous area with the ones you love. Try something new, you may end up making it a new holiday tradition for years to come!

Good Eats a Way of Life

Here at Weotta we are extremely passionate about food.   We love to cook. We love to go out. We love good eats.

When we cook, we enjoy making dishes to share with our friends. We have been known to make copious amounts of creamy shrimp risotto, succulent buffalo steaks with halloumi cheese and, always, tons of fresh greens and fruit.

When we go out we like going out for things we don’t make at home, like Persian or Burmese food.  In SF, Lavash (Irving @ 6th Ave) is a great choice for Persian food. They have amazing kebabs, and you have try Kashk-e Bademjan — I’ll bet you’ve never had eggplant that tastes so good. Burma Superstar (Clement @ 4th Ave) is also quite fun, although usually the wait is ridiculous. If you can bear the wait, the tea leaf salad is quite the unique sensation.. We also like going out for unique experiences: five-course dinners at a high-end place like Gary Danko (North point @ Hyde St) or northeastern- style lobster rolls, oysters and chowder at Woodhouse Fish Company (Market @ 14th St).

Of course, we don’t go out all the time, just as do we don’t cook elaborate dishes every day. But we do strive for good value and good eats. And making good eats is something you can do, too. Really, it’s not that hard, and doesn’t take much time or cost a lot. Take pasta — If you’re out of college, it’s time to put down the Raman Noodles. We’re talking about real Italian pasta with homemade sauce in under 30 minutes, including cleanup. Checkout Chez Pim’s 15-minute sauce — It’simple and tasty. Or how about steak? Steak is always one of the most expensive things on the menu when we go out, and it is rarely worth our $$$. It really is simple to make an amazing steak at home at fraction of the price — and you don’t even need to fire up the grill. Just ask “Good Eats” expert Alton Brown.

Know your Steak [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KrjeJDNKUA]

Make your steak in 15min [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiQ0VOJmCbg]

So this holiday season, when you want an evening out with friends or family, try going out for something a little different. And when you do go out, make a point to ask yourself, “Is this something I could make at home?” If so, invite a few friends over, get some good wine and try your hand at some new dishes… And if you need help figuring out where to go or what to cook, feel free to ping us for some tips .

What are some of your favorite easy-but-classy recipes?

Good eats – good friends – Weotta do it!

Broken heart, job loss, family overload? If the holidays are giving you the blues…

Escape into nature, on a budget.

The holidays can be rough enough without the added downer of a break-up, a layoff or your annoying underage cousin asking you if their fake ID is good enough for the local bars. So how might you avoid a potentially stressful holiday season? Take a break, go into nature and save money by staying at a Northern California Hostel during their 50^th anniversary! For you skeptics, I implore you to continue reading and learn about these gorgeous treasures that rest in the Bay’s backyard. These accommodations are a far cry from the lodgings you paid pennies for during your youthful backpacking adventures in Europe or Latin America…I assure you.

Why hostels? During these uncertain economic times, singles, DINKs (dual-income, no kids) and families can all benefit from a mini-vacation while saving a few bucks. Also, as a non-profit organization, the cost of your lodging at any Hostelling International hostel in Northern California directly supports numerous programs, such as Hostel Adventure Program, which educates inner city kids on intercultural and environmental practices through an overnight stay at one of the network hostels. Hostels provide the perfect retreat for friends, a solo soul-searching escape, or a historical adventure into the past that will surely impress your family’s know-it-all history buff.

Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel: Imagine spending a quiet night near a historic lighthouse, waking up to the Pacific Ocean and taking a vigorous walk along a secluded beach cove with tide pools. Recently rated 6^th worldwide among Hostelling International’s 4,000 hostels, Point Montara offers a unique experience for their guests. Not only can you chip away at the blues by escaping into the sunset, but you can also sip an espresso while reading about the only lighthouse that existed on both the Cape Cod and Montara coastlines. This spot is only 30 minutes south of San Francisco, along the Pacific Coast Highway…you can’t go wrong.

Sacramento Hostel: This 19^th century Victorian mansion is great for families looking to wean their kids of Wii and teach them something about the state’s capital. The building’s classic restoration will transcend you to the Gold Rush days, perfect for even the scariest of ghost stories!

Point Reyes Hostel: For any traveler seeking fresh air, coastal views and wilderness deep inside the pristine National Seashore, this hostel provides the only available accommodations. The rustic and Certified Green lodging is ideal for groups looking to escape urban chaos and wander the multitude of trails surrounding the hostel. For large family reunions, or for friends needing a getaway before holiday insanity takes over, do what I’m doing, and rent out the entire Bunkhouse which sleeps 20 comfortably. Carpool up with your best pals, set up dinner/breakfast crews, bring guitars, drums and maybe even cajones to dance the night away. In the morning, wake to the beauty and magic of the 70,000-acre park, walk the grounds and slip into a blissful state as you make your way out to the rugged seashore.

More hostel suggestions to satisfy every taste, check out Hostelling International for worldwide accommodations.

Weotta make a reservation today!

Freaking out about the First Date?

Here’s what to do…

The most important thing to consider is finding a comfortable atmosphere to avoid potential awkwardness.  A first date can be exciting, but it can also be a disaster with the wrong person.  Ryoko’s Restaurant & Bar in Nob Hill is the perfect underground treasure for a wary two-some that isn’t quite sure if they have legs to stand on.

As you approach the red Japanese characters decorating an awning on Taylor St, you and your date will feel like you’re on the edge of a small Kyoto secret.  As you descend, you will be pleasantly surprised to find a DJ spinning down-tempo beats atop a grand piano and a young vibrant staff ready to top off your sake till 2am.  If “name that song” or people watching doesn’t do the trick, there’s enough sushi combos to keep the conversation flowing even if you two aren’t.

After Dinner…?

If the date is going well, stay at Ryoko’s.  The club-like energy is ideal for first timers who aren’t quite ready for candlelight and a bottle of champagne, but wouldn’t mind sitting in close proximity to a potential soulmate.  Or, consider walking up the hill towards Grace Cathedral and admire the colorful mosaic outside the Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium.  If the doors are still open, pick up a list of upcoming shows.

If the date is not going well, kindly escort your date into a cab on Sutter St. and try your luck in the Redwood Room down the street at the Clift Hotel.

Ryoko’s Restaurant & Bar

619 Taylor Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Nob Hill Masonic Center

1111 California Street

San Francisco, CA 94108

Redwood Room

495 Geary Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Clift Hotel

495 Geary Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

The Post-Thanksgiving Lull… What To Do???

Thanksgiving, what a blur; four days of eating, drinking and family time that just flies by every year. Right now we are all feeling at least 10 pounds heavier, perhaps a little jet lagged and hardly ready to get back to the daily grind. It is time we exercise, eat healthier and have a few drinks to reward ourselves before we do it all over again in a few weeks.

So Weotta go running, play some tennis, get on the b-ball court, or at least hit the gym once or twice. Eat fresh fruits for breakfast, salads for lunch and lean meats/fish for dinner. At the very least layoff the sugar; I know many of us need the rush of a Snickers or the boost of a Coke to get us through the day but try going for an apple or a cup of black tea instead.

Running and a light bite in the Marina: Park at Crissy Field and go for a jog or do some sprints along Marina green. It is the place to see and be seen with lots of good looking guys/gals working out in the latest fashion and great views of the bay and the Golden Gate – talk about motivation to get in shape. Afterwards head over to Plutos (Chestnut @ Scott) for a tasty big salad- one of the best cheap eats places in the Bay.

Tennis and basketball in the Mission: Yes, Dolores Park (Dolores @18^th) maybe the hipster hangout these days, but it is home to some pretty nice tennis courts and basketball hoops that are lite until 10:00pm. So grab a friend or two and get to it. Afterwards stop by Bi-Rite Market (18^th betweenDolores & Guerrero) for some gourmet fresh flavors- try the yam sandwich.

Pumping iron at Mission Cliffs: For those that enjoy the gym how about Mission Cliffs (Harrison @ 19^th) where you can not only pump iron but try your hand at some climbing as well. Climbing really is the total body workout, but you won’t notice until the day after because it is quite the mental challenge. Afterwards walk over to Café Gratitude (Harrison @ 20^th) for some cleansing, fresh vegetarian goodness – try the sushi bowl.

Eat well, exercise, and have fun doing it… Weotta be healthy!