a guest blog by travel journalist Jules Older, co-creator of the new iPhone App San Francisco Restaurants.
Savor San Francisco Dining without Breaking the Bank
Here’s a travel fact: San Francisco is the world’s favorite American city. Year after year, it’s the city overseas visitors most want to see.
Here’s a food fact: Along with Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge and those little cable cars climbing halfway to the stars, one of San Francisco’s biggest attractions is its food. It has 3,489 restaurants.
Here’s a locals’ fact: San Franciscans firmly believe that visitors routinely miss the best of the restaurants.
I’m a San Franciscan. I share that belief.
When I see tourists, they’re flocking to places all my friends avoid. When my wife and I eat out, the places we choose rarely see a tourist from farther away than San Jose.
Why the disconnect? Because while there are fine restaurants downtown, most of the best eating in San Francisco is in the ‘hoods. Especially at small ethnic restaurants. And most especially, at small, ethnic, cheap restaurants.
Even those that aren’t cheap cost far less than the Venus Fly Traps where tourists flock to devour… and be devoured.
Let me share some of our faves with you.
Our go-to restaurant is a venerable Thai place, Little Thai. It’s on Broadway and Polk, where Russian Hill meets Pacific Heights. Don’t miss their pumpkin curry with soft tofu — we eat it so often that when we sit down, Toni, the owner asks, “And what are you having besides pumpkin curry?”
One of the great bargains of San Francisco is a Persian restaurant on Van Ness and Sutter.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Is traveling with your sister on vacation a recipe for disaster? It doesn’t have to be as long as you lay down some ground rules first. Here are a few travel-tested truths for keeping peace in the sister hood.
- Leave the baggage at home. Traveling with sisters should be easy. You carry the same DNA. You’re alike. Right? Wrong. Sibling relationships can be fraught with the peril of childhood roles, divergent interests and unspoken resentments. So, no matter if you’re the big sis used to being in charge or the baby accustomed to being indulged, leave the birth-order baggage at home. Commit to appreciating each other as you are NOW and let the magic begin. The bonds born out of the shared experience of upbringing is like nothing you can ever have with a friend, partner or coworker. Let it blossom.
- Privatize: Allow for private time in your itinerary. Even if you and your sister(s) are BFF, heading off on separate adventures gives you something to chat about when you regroup. Compare wish lists and decide which activities are best suited to individual exploration. If you love tromping through museums and castles and she thinks the perfect vacation is watching life from the seat of a café table, then one of you is going to be disappointed or resentful. Make time to break away and do your own thing. It will enhance your experience and the quality of time spent together.
- Get thee to chocolate. Not much sweetens a disagreement or hurt feelings better than chocolate. If you start to get snarky, or she does,
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
The Getaway Gift Card™ from BedandBreakfast.com will whisk her off to a choice of nearly 4,000 luxurious B&Bs — and she’ll thank you for the send-off!
In charge of the holiday gift for the head honcho? If you’re looking for an affordable gift for the boss this year, toss the ties, flip the fruitcakes, and give a gift that’ll really get you noticed. This holiday season, present the gift that every boss wants, a ticket to travel to his or her choice of more than 4,000 luxurious B&Bs in the United States and Canada. The Getaway Gift Card™ from BedandBreakfast.com is perfect for people who have everything … but time to relax. Even if you’re a last-minute shopper, The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com can be personalized with a choice of designs or customized with your own photo (free), and printed off your computer in less than five minutes — just in time for the company party.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
What’s your dream trip? Find it at TravelDragon.com
What’s TravelDragon? It’s travel specialist Kathy Dragon’s rolodex of the best in the biz. Insider information on where to go, what to do, and who can help you experience it better, that’s what it is. It’s all my favorite travel companies, and a few new ones, wrapped up in one user-friendly search engine. Thank you, Kathy!
Curating a searchable portfolio of unique tours, excursions, and accommodations by exceptional travel providers from around the world, TravelDragon.com enables you filter you choices by comfort level, exertion level, price, group size, green commitment and more.
“I’ve been traipsing around the world designing and leading tours, living and working around the world, meeting with guides and exploring hotels, restaurants, routes and companies for decades. Friends and friends of friends are always interested in the best recommendations around the world,” says Dragon. “TravelDragon is designed to further that network of travelers you trust and help you to find the types of trips to the destinations you are looking for with all the information you need to narrow your decision.”
What TravelDragon has done is handpick a collection of the highest quality tour operators, properties and associations worldwide who offer experiential travel opportunities. Whether they specialize in adventure, culinary, family, volunteer or nature travel they are experts in connecting you with a destination in an authentic and intimate way.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
a guest blog by Peggy Coonley of Serendipity Traveler
Stressed out on vacation? Help! THAT wasn’t in the brochure!
Here are 10 wise tips to help you better enjoy your next vacation…
- Let go of all expectations
- Be open to surprises
- Take walks wherever you are
- Pack exceptionally light
- Find blessings in all disguises
- Arrive early at Airport, Train, or Bus
- Remember what really matters
- Mindfully create positive memories
- Keep well rested
- Let go of all perfection
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
Their trips to Chile & Argentina, New Zealand, and Vietnam are sure to make you forget about your winter blues and have you start doing the cha cha. Make like the birds and head south this winter where summer is in full swing. There’s still plenty of time to plan a winter vacation. This could be the perfect gift to yourself this holiday season. Chile & Argentina - 8 days (+2-day post-extension)
Discover an unspoiled and often less-visited countryside in the Andes and Chile’s Lake District, just north of Patagonia. The area’s landscape has been sculpted over millennia by glaciers and volcanoes and has created the backdrop for riding-tranquil lakes, coastal cities, ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and thermal springs. By bike, you will explore the Andes, cruise across Pirehueico Lake and meet the largest group of indigenous people in the area. You will also have the option to extend your stay on a three-day Santiago and Chilean Vineyard Tour, including a visit to Chile’s capital, sommelier lectures and three private winery visits.
Trip Info | Request a Detailed Itinerary
New Zealand - 10 days (+4-day post-extension)
Cycling New Zealand’s South Island is like soaring through a virtually untouched microcosm of the natural world.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".