Posts tagged San Francisco
Christmas in San Francisco - Top Things to See During the Holiday Season
Christmas in San Francisco - Top Things to See During the Holiday Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I'm here for it! I'm a big fan of Christmas. I love the decorations, the sweet aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg, the cheery lights, and all things sparkly. When a city's festivities and spirit bring on the holiday joy, it makes for an especially memorable experience, and San Francisco will always have a permanent place in my heart for that.

I grew up in the small town of Half Moon Bay which is located just south of San Francisco. My husband and I eventually moved into a tiny apartment in the heart of downtown San Francisco, and we got to experience Christmas in the city firsthand.

In this guide I’ve rounded up my top things to see in the month of December should you find yourself spending the Christmas holiday season in San Francisco. From picture perfect holiday card spots, to the best yuletide sweets, and of course Christmas shopping, we’ve got everything you need for a festive itinerary while on your California winter vacation.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco
SFO Airport - Top Things To Do During Long and Short Layovers in San Francisco

Whether you're stuck in a long layover or have a few hours to kill before your next flight, there's no need to be bored at San Francisco International Airport. With plenty of things to see and do, you can make the most of your time at SFO.

Planning ahead will allow you to better enjoy your travel time and take advantage of any unexpected delays during your trip, rather than simply waiting around bored for your flight to come. So take on an adventure and take advantage of one of these excellent options the next time you have a short or long layover in San Francisco.

About me, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my husband and I lived in an apartment very close to SFO. All of the recommendations in this blog post are things that we have done ourselves when either waiting for a flight or entertaining friends and family visiting on a long layover.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
Top California Coffee Shops and Local Chains for Coffee Lovers
Top California Coffee Shops and Local Chains for Coffee Lovers

Foodie travel is a top trend for travelers of all ages. Maybe it's the influence from foodie rockstar Anthony Bourdain, but it's not uncommon for vacationers to build their travel itineraries around the restaurants and cafes they hope to visit. Coffee lovers are particularly devoted to their caffeinated brews and find it necessary to fuel their addiction with quality coffee while on the road.

Each city has its own popular and tried and true coffee locations. If you are planning to road trip and venture around California, you'll need to know where to get a great cup of joe. Don’t worry as we will introduce you to the most exceptional coffee destinations that you shouldn’t miss in the Golden State. These places will be just perfect for your morning routine and help start your vacation days off right.

All of the coffee shops listed here are places I have personally visited during my many travels around the state of California. Each one had some special qualities which made it stand out as exceptional. I’ll do my best to paint a picture of what it’s like to sip a hot cup of coffee inside one of these noteworthy cafes.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, Southern California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San FranciscoComment
Foodie Photographer's Guide to San Francisco
Foodie Photographer's Guide to San Francisco

Like most people I enjoy indulging in delicious food but I especially love it when your meal is also a feast for the eyes! I often bring my camera with me when I go out to eat because fancy eats can truly be a fun subject to photograph. I like to call it “Poetry on a plate!”

In this blog post I’ve listed San Francisco eateries where your meal is truly an experience and there’s ample opportunities to capture beautiful photos. Whether it’s for Instagram or your personal portfolio of photography, these spots are filled with natural light and airy aesthetics… and of course yummy eats!

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
Best Photography Locations in San Francisco
Best Photography Locations in San Francisco

I first started my blogging career back when I lived in the bay, and we spent pretty much every weekend looking for new San Francisco photography spots for the blog and Instagram. Over the years we covered every corner of the City by the Bay and captured memorable pictures on my camera.

In this guide I’ve got over 30 San Francisco photography locations. Some of them are familiar iconic landmarks and others are hidden gems known by locals. Both San Fran newbies and veterans will find inspiration for your next urban photography adventure, I promise!

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
Planning Your Elopement Wedding in San Francisco
Planning Your Elopement Wedding in San Francisco

My husband and I had an elopement wedding in San Francisco on July 8th, 2019. The city of San Francisco is a special place for us because it’s filled with so many memories. We met when my husband was a college student at the University of San Francisco.

Our early days of courtship were spent exploring the city, and we eventually got an apartment together in Nob Hill. Getting married in San Francisco was perfectly fitting for us.

This comprehensive guide to eloping in San Francisco covers so many topics including budgeting, legal requirements to elope in San Francisco, selecting a location, reception and your honeymoon.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
Stroller-Friendly Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area
Stroller-Friendly Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area

One of the biggest challenges of being the parent to a young child is finding ways to enjoy the outdoors. When my daughter was born I quickly learned that many of my favorite hikes and walks were not very stroller friendly.

This blog post began because I spent so much time researching where I can take my toddler on scenic walks and urban hikes. Luckily the San Francisco Bay Area has several options where you can walk at least a solid mile uninterrupted with your stroller.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan Francisco, Northern CaliforniaComment
Best Spots in San Francisco to Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge
Best Spots in San Francisco to Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge

Probably the most iconic landmark of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. While you can see the bridge from many locations around the city, for photography purposes there are limited places where the bridge is large enough to show up clearly in photos.

Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve spent many years roaming around the city with my camera. In this blog post you’ll find my recommendations for best area in and around San Francisco for photos with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment
First Time Visitor's Guide to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
First Time Visitor's Guide to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco

Every time I've had friends and family come and visit San Francisco for the first time, they always want to explore Fisherman's Wharf. This 10 block stretch is filled with sights to see and things to do. Coming from a gal who has been to this area of San Francisco many times in my life, in this blog post I break down my favorite spots worth visiting.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan Francisco, Northern CaliforniaComment
San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District
San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District

Back in the day before we became parents, my husband and I used to house sit a cute little apartment in the Marina District. My favorite part of this neighborhood was that you could walk to pretty much everything and it’s so scenic! If you’re staying in San Francisco, cruising the Marina is a great way to spend a few hours. This neighborhood is worth visiting anytime of day, they’ve got great brunch spots, ample lunch options and a lively nightlife scene.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10

This list began because we had friends visiting us in San Francisco and they were looking for trendy and photogenic places to see, while still staying on a budget. And the more I started thinking about it, the more ideas and places kept popping into my head. I grew up in Half Moon Bay, a beach town 45 minutes south of San Francisco and I’ve been exploring the city for years.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
Top 10 Best Hotels in California’s Silicon Valley
Top 10 Best Hotels in California’s Silicon Valley

I am always on the lookout for good travel deals on Booking.com and I came across a steal for the luxury hotel Pullman San Francisco Bay (previously known as Sofitel) located in the Silicon Valley. We decided to take a road trip from Sacramento to the bay area and enjoy some cool temperatures and a relaxing atmosphere.

It was such an indulgent trip, sleeping on Egyptian cotton and laying out by the pool in a cabana. It was first class all the way with fine dining and bay views. Mother nature put on a spectacular show with one of the best sunsets I've ever witnessed. The colors were so vibrant and it took over the whole skyline. The perfect ending to our stay. :)

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TravelGennifer RoseSan Francisco, Northern CaliforniaComment
Day Trip Guide to Sausalito - Just 10 Minutes Outside San Francisco!
Day Trip Guide to Sausalito - Just 10 Minutes Outside San Francisco!

If you're looking for a small coastal town with a laid back and relaxing atmosphere, look no further than Sausalito. This under the radar gem is located in Marin County, just 10 minutes from San Francisco, making it the perfect escape for a fun day trip out of the city. With a backdrop of beautifully lush rolling hills and seaside houses on the sparkling Bay water, a trip to this quaint town can help you feel renewed.

When my husband and I lived in San Francisco, we would cross over the Golden Gate Bridge for a leisurely day trip to Sausalito. This small seaside town is located right on the other side of the bridge. Sausalito is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the metro San Francisco city. The pace is much slower and serene, and you can see views of the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge from another angle.

Popular activities in Sausalito often include water-sports in the bay, and then a well-earned meal afterwards. You can spend your day sailing, kayaking, strolling along the waterfront, or exploring the many shops and restaurants that line the streets. In this small corner of Marin County there’s a surprising vibrant foodie scene with a wide variety of modern cuisine.

In this Sausalito travel guide you’ll find everything you need to build a fun weekend itinerary.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
Top 10 Most Instagrammable San Francisco Gardens
Top 10 Most Instagrammable San Francisco Gardens

We all know about those classic San Francisco Instagram spots visitors love to take when they travel to California. Iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alamo Square with the Painted Ladies, and Lombard Street. Even Alcatraz Island and the Ferry Building gets lots of love from shutterbugs. But I’m here to tell you that there’s some serious gems hidden among these beautiful San Francisco gardens. From lush greenhouses, to traditional roses and even urban skyline terraces, I’ve got it all listed.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
A Stormy Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
A Stormy Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge

As you can imagine, the Golden Gate Bridge is a popular tourist attraction and is often full of visitors. We discovered that one of the benefits of visiting during a rainstorm is that you pretty much have the place to yourself! San Francisco is known for its fog and you can get some very majestic views of the fog rolling in while standing at the halfway point on the bridge. We were so lucky to see a rainbow stretching across the sky.

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TravelGennifer RoseNorthern California, San FranciscoComment
Photo Diary from Our Visit to Lands End Park & Sutro Baths in San Francisco
Photo Diary from Our Visit to Lands End Park & Sutro Baths in San Francisco

Last weekend we took a day to play tourist in our own city and stroll through some favorite San Francisco spots. I've been trying to soak up the last of these summer days with being outdoors as much as possible. We walked drenched in sunlight through Lands End Park and enjoyed some incredible ocean views. The Lands End Park and Sutro Baths are some of the most interesting historical sights in San Francisco.

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TravelGennifer RoseSan FranciscoComment