To travel is a chance to no longer live as a prisoner to long-held beliefs and norms. This past weekend I was blindsided and heartbroken on hearing the news of Anthony Bourdain’s passing. He lived a life that constantly sought to push beyond his comfort zone and challenge others to see the world differently. “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart.…

In the next week or so, San Francisco will be overrun by a wave of fanatics leaping through hills and running the streets in our annual Bay to Breakers footrace. This is one of the longest consecutive races in the world and was created in response to a spontaneous natural disaster that almost wiped out San Francisco. On April 18th, 1906, a powerful earthquake rattled through the city leaving everything…

Alright, you have a couple of hours to spend between conference and dinner, chances are your starting point is a downtown venue. So what to do in downtown San Francisco when you're short of time? Read on. What to see in North Beach District, San Francisco? Fisherman's Wharf is swarmed by tourists and you can join the legions. But why not use your time less touristy with our list of…

Alright, you have a couple of hours to spend between conference and dinner, chances are your starting point is a downtown venue. So what to do in downtown San Francisco when you're short of time? Read on. What to see in SOMA, San Francisco? To make sure you're going in the right direction take the Market Street with the Bay Bridge visible and turn right wherever. But start at Union…

Alright, you have a couple of hours to spend between conference and dinner, chances are your starting point is a downtown venue. So what to do in downtown San Francisco when you're short of time? Read on. What to see in Chinatown, San Francisco? Find yourself the Dragon gate, Grant Avenue, or the Great Eastern Restaurant where Obama had dim sum. But you can also choose to start at Union…

Topping the rent charts nationwide, $3500/month for 1-bedroom unit is as real as is obscene. But where did it go wrong for San Francisco and is it really so bad as it looks? The supply side is pretty straightforward: available housing in San Francisco is scarce. Here’s why: Geographic constraints. Bay Area doesn’t have much land available to build out. San Francisco is a 7-by-7 mile city with sprawling problematic,…

The warmest month in the city, September is definitely a good time to visit San Francisco. Just bring your layers. What is the weather like in San Francisco in September? Expect temperatures around high 60s (19-22'C) by day to mid-50s (11-14'C) by night. Pleasant weather, coupled with diminishing crowds (tourists love summer), it's a good time to visit the city. Mind the famous San Francisco fog in early mornings and…

Where are the most exciting swings in San Francisco? These are not the overprotected constructions on city playgrounds with rubber flooring, rather than old-school rope-and-tire tree swings done by enthusiasts on various precious spots. Most of them have the added value of a vista site so get your camera ready! #1. Bernal Heights Park Swing A very popular spot with a very wanted swing that was broken and repaired numerous…

Not what you may expect. If you think of California as a sun-soaked, heavily air-conditioned place, arriving in San Francisco you might be in for a surprise so read on. What is the weather like in San Francisco in July? Expect mid-50s – high 60s (12–19'C) temperatures. Although you can certainly get 80s (ca 27'C) at noon Downtown, 'beach weather' tends to be a rarity in SF, so make no…

Slideseeing: The city's steep terrain has to have some advantages besides vistas. 1. Slides in Golden Gate Park Golden Gate Park is your go-to place in San Francisco for all things fun and relax - with kids or on a kid-free day. These bumpy concrete slides with shallow chutes are the oldest and well-known in San Francisco. Thing is, the slides in Koret's Children's Quarter in Golden Gate Park are…