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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!

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!

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!

Last weekend before Thanksgiving… what to do???

First of all, get out and eat ethnic food. You will be chomping down on good old American Turkey and stuffing soon enough.  Second, grab a few stiff drinks with your buds/ladies to prepare for obligatory family time. When Uncle Frank starts going on about the election or grandma gets a little too inquisitive about your love life, you will thank yourself for having some fun the weekend before. O ya, and save the new Bond flick for family time, it’s an easy break; instead, head to a local club to continue your preemptive steam-blowing.

Bottom line, this weekend is about you and your city… here is a potential Fri or Sat night plan for you classy young San Francisco professionals…

Amazing Drinks and Fresh Sushi … Weotta style

1) Start on Polk Street at Biondivino Wine Boutique… it’s a hidden gem of a wine shop with a great selection of Prosecco’s… ask what’s cold, pop it open there and start your evening on a classy note. And while you’re at it, pick up a bottle or two for the holiday weekend ahead.
(Biondivino, 1415 Green Street @ Polk, (415) 673-2320)

2) Head to the top of Russian Hill and eat some of the city’s best sushi at Okoze … fresh, fun, pure flavors and excellent service. Grab a seat at the sushi bar and check out what’s on special. If they have Spanish mackerel, get it… and keep the drinks flowing with some unfiltered cold Saki
(Okoze, 1207 Union St. @ Hyde, (415) 567-3397)

3) Head to Hayes Valley for drinks at Absinthe… they serve the best vodka tonics in town (Indian tonic water and local Hanger One vodka). If you’re looking for something more exciting, ask the bartender about specialty cocktails like the Ginger Rogers and Uptown Manhattan
(Absinthe, 398 Hayes @ Gough, (415) 551-1590)

(Optional)
4) Now, if you’re feeling the night is still young and you have more steam blowing to do then throw classiness out the window and head up Hayes Street to Madrone for some sweaty dirty dancing beats on Fri and funky global jams on sat. It is a $5 cover after 10, but the bouncers can be cool about cutting deals.
(Madrone, 500 Divisadero St @ Fell, (415) 241-0202)

Enjoy your Thanksgiving