Tag Archives: San Francisco

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San Francisco Running Trails

Running trail in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to some stunning running trails, each one promising to inject your run with some extra motivation. From the diverse views through the Golden Gate Park to the challenging inclines of the Presidio Coastal Trail, there are so many different running trails to choose from, no matter where your experience level may lie.

Presidio Coastal Trail
The Presidio Coastal Trail is an ideal one for those who are more advanced runners, as it incorporates a number of different hills with various incline levels. The seven-mile trail is best started at California Street and Arguello Boulevard, and you will reach your first incline in a matter of minutes.

Golden Gate Park
The 1000 acre Golden Gate Park is home to several different dirt trails that crisscross their way around the park. Since the park boasts a number of the city’s top attractions, you will be able to take some of these in during your run, from the Japanese tea gardens to the Botanical Garden to the Rose Gardens.

Land’s End Trail
The Land’s End Trail travels through a woodland area that runs alongside the Pacific Coast, and splits off into multiple trails, meaning that you can choose between shorter and longer routes. The terrain throughout the trail is varied, which makes it a really interesting run, and many parts of the trail offer panoramic views out across the ocean and its surrounding cliffs, as well as of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you are running here while the tide is low, keep your eyes peeled as you are likely to be able to spot various shipwrecks down below, which date back to the early 1900’s.

Crissy Field
Crissy Field is where you will find some of the city’s most popular running trails, and it is an area that is extremely pet-friendly as well as family-friendly. There are various routes that you can take, although the most common path runs for about five miles, running from Fort Mason to the Golden Gate Bridge and back again. The views from this trail are incredible, and since there is a separate lane for bicycles, you will be able to spend more energy focusing on your running.

The Embarcadero
Starting at AT&T Park and running along the bay, before finishing at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Embarcadero is an extremely lively running route, and you will pass everything from street performers to the Exploratorium to the Ferry Building Marketplace. While there are plenty of pedestrians in the area, runners are frequent here, and pedestrians are quick to move to the side if they see you approaching.

San Francisco is such a beautiful city, that it is no surprise its many different running trails offer unbeatable views, as well as a diverse terrain that keeps every run interesting. Being a relatively compact city, many running trails pass by some of San Francisco’s top attractions, and by planning your run in advance, you will be able to take in many of the city’s top sights while staying fit and healthy.

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Plan a City Tour of San Francisco

San Francisco
With so much to see and do in San Francisco, planning a tour of the city can often be quite overwhelming. However, thanks to the way in which San Francisco is so compact, it is actually very possible to see the main highlights of the city in just one day, and this itinerary will show you exactly how to do that.

Union Square
While Union Square may be steeped with history, it is best known today for being the heart of San Francisco’s shopping district. This open square is surrounded by high end boutiques, as well as a few independent stores, but be sure to keep an eye on the time so that you do not spend hours indulging in retail therapy, as there is still plenty more to see.

San Francisco Cable Cars
The San Francisco cable car system is the last manually operated cable car system in the world, and is iconic when it comes to San Francisco. The best route travels up the steep gradient of Nob Hill, passing through Chinatown before making its way down to Fisherman’s Wharf. Depending on how much time you have to spare, it could be worth disembarking at the intersection between Lombard and Hyde Streets, so that you can take a stroll along the meandering Lombard Street and enjoy the spectacular backdrop of the bay.

Touring Alcatraz
This world-famous prison is set on its very own island, and is easily accessible by a ferry, which you can board just a short walk away from Fisherman’s Wharf. The ferry ride is incredibly scenic, and once you reach the island, you can take an audio tour of prison. From touring the cell blocks to learning more about Alcatraz’s history, this is always a popular activity for those visiting San Francisco, so be sure to book your tickets for this tour well in advance.

North Beach
Also referred to as Little Italy, North Beach is home to numerous quaint Italian cafés and restaurants, and is the heart of the city’s Italian community. Columbus Avenue is worth exploring on foot, as you will be able to stop off at some of the area’s many different eclectic stores and boutiques, browsing the diverse array of goods available.

San Francisco Museum
Museums
For those that want to end their day with a dose of culture, there are a few worthwhile museums that you can choose from. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is always popular, as is the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Museum of the African Diaspora. While you will not have time to visit them all, you can always check out current exhibits on their website before choosing the museum that appeals to you the most.

San Francisco is a vibrant and diverse city, and is filled with history, culture, art and an effervescent energy. From touring the famous prison of Alcatraz to taking a stroll around the bohemian North Beach, this city tour will show you some of the very best sights that San Francisco has to offer.

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Where are Young Professionals Moving?

Over a million young professionals cross state lines each year, seeking out the best location in which to settle down. Recent research has shown that rather than being motivated solely by a fat paycheck, young professionals are seeking out a combination of different factors when it comes to finding a city to live in. From strong public transportation links to reasonable rent costs to ethnic diversity, these are the cities that have a fantastic balance of these features and are therefore attracting the country’s brightest young professionals.

US Capitol, Washington DC

Washington, DC
In recent years, Washington has experienced a 75% increase in the number of young adults that choose to live there, and is, without a doubt, the highest ranked city amongst young professionals. In addition to a downtown area that is positively packed with culture and entertainment, as well as a number of social opportunities, Washington is home to an abundance of potential jobs, from government to technical, promising a bright future for the young professionals that move to the city.

San Francisco, California
While San Francisco may have some of the highest average rent rates in the whole country, this is not too much of an issue for the young professionals that move here, as they are likely to earn figures that are also much higher than average. San Francisco’s technology industry is thriving, and for any young professionals who want to develop a career in technology, this is the ideal city in which to live.

Boston harbor

Boston, Massachusetts
Being home to Harvard, MIT and Tufts, among many other well-known names in education, it is no surprise that Boston attracts some of the country’s most intelligent young professionals. One of Boston’s biggest draws is the fact that not only is there so much to do in the city, but it is also easy to travel around without a car, significantly reducing the cost of living. Around 20% of commuters in Boston do not depend on a car, and this is something that strongly appeals to the young professionals of today.

New York City, New York
Just like with Boston, one of New York’s main attractions is that a car is not needed, and almost 40% of commuters in the city do not depend on a car. New York is also home to one of the most diverse populations when compared to other American cities, and has a fantastic range of social, entertainment and cultural activities. While rent costs may be high in New York, this is once again offset by higher than average earnings, making it well worthwhile for young professionals to choose to live in one of the world’s most popular cities.

By offering a mix of diversity, culture and excitement, these cities are some of the most popular among young professionals. This brings about a variety of advantages for each city, from a decrease in crime to a boost in the economy to an improvement in public schools, and while some fear that young professionals are only moving to these locations on a temporary basis, experts predict that a large number of them will stay, significantly contributing to the overall development of each city.

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Top Chinese New Year Celebrations

Chinese New Year

Prapas Satong / Shutterstock.com

The Year of the Monkey may have begun on the 8th of February, but celebrations are far from over. For those of you that still want to join in on the festivities, these are some of the very best places around the world for celebrating Chinese New Year.

Beijing, China
China is, of course, the number one place to go if you really want to go all out to celebrate Chinese New Year. While most people in China’s big cities head home to smaller towns for the holiday, creating the largest annual human migration in the world, Beijing has a population of over 20 million residents, meaning that the city is a lively one to spend Chinese New Year. The city gets blanketed in red decorations, and temple fairs put on traditional shows, complete with authentic food stalls serving Chinese New Year specialities. This really is the mother of all Chinese New Year celebrations, and is definitely the city to visit if you want to experience festivities at their most authentic.

San Francisco, USA
Between the colors and events found in San Francisco’s Chinatown and the festivities hosted throughout the city, San Francisco’s Chinese New Year celebrations are some of the biggest and boldest that you will find outside of Asia. The two giant markets selling a variety of goods are a joy to explore, while the food stalls serving up authentic bites make tasty stopping points as you wander around. Visitors can expect to see 100 martial artists wearing a massive 268-foot dragon costume, acrobats dancing around the streets, stilt walkers taller than you’ve ever seen, and marching drumming bands giving the city a whole new rhythm, and, to top it all off, the spectacular sight of 600,000 exploding firecrackers. Another highlight of the holiday is the illuminated night parade, which is not only one of the few night parades in the US, but has also been named as one of the top ten parades in the world.This is the largest Asian cultural event in North America, and it never disappoints, earning itself such a reputation that it is now officially sponsored by Southwest Airlines.

Sydney, Australia
Sydney has quite an advantage over other cities when it comes to their Chinese New Year celebrations, as the days are still warm in the city at this time of the year, meaning that visitors need not worry about being outdoors in the cold. Over 600,000 visitors travel to Sydney for Chinese New Year each year for the variety of events that are hosted around the city. From a variety of art exhibits to a twilight parade to traditional dragon boat races, it is no surprise that the city is so popular for this holiday. You will also find smaller celebrations within different areas of the city, such as in Thai Town and Koreatown.

It does not matter where in the world you live, as you are likely to be able to find a Chinese New Year celebration near you. Even if they may not be as extravagant as the ones mentioned above, they will still give you a true taste of the holiday, as well as the invaluable experience of immersing yourself in another culture.

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Weekend in San Francisco

You’re going to see the Golden Gate Bridge. There really is no way to avoid it when you go to San Francisco. If you don’t go or you fail to take pictures, then everyone you know is going to doubt you were ever there. Once you’ve gotten that social obligation out of the way though, you get to explore San Francisco on your own terms. A weekend in San Francisco is a distinctly picturesque way to experience part of California without ever leaving a city. Between the Golden Gate Bridge and famous neighborhoods, it often seem San Francisco was made for pictures. OROGOLD has a few other things to suggest beyond taking pictures of everything though.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Visit Golden Gate Park
California has several large municipal parks and the Golden Gate Park is one of them. While not quite as sprawling as Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Golden Gate Park still encloses a variety of attractions. You can simply tour the park by foot on one of its many trails to get away from the city…or you can visit one of the aforementioned attractions. The De Young Museum will let you sample a bit of art while you’re in the park, but you might prefer the Steinhart Aquarium instead if you’re feeling a bit more zen. Two arboretums are available for you to wander if you want to take in beautiful flowers on a somehow rainy day, but on a clear day you should consider the Japanese Tea Garden. The latter is not only beautiful, but of historical interest as well.

Cable Car in San Francisco

Ride a Cable Car
Cable cars are as much a part of San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge itself. These moving antiques remain in excellent condition and offer you a chance to travel through the city at a slower rate to take in the sights. There are several lines that each ensure you’ll get your fair share of the taste of San Francisco. You can easily ride them through some of the more historical areas and hop off to explore when you see a likely candidate. But riding them all the way to the end will give you a true San Francisco experience and let you relax and enjoy the day at the same time. Just keep a tight grip if you’d don’t have a seat. Those hills are steep.

Castro neighborhood, San Francisco.

Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

The Castro
The other thing a visit to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without is a little bit of pride. This neighborhood is often a must for LGBT travelers, but certainly isn’t restricted to only them. It acts as at once a slice of civil rights history, a colorful enclave, and a great place to find a bite to eat or do a bit of shopping. The area is certainly flavored by its history though and signs of it are everywhere. There’s not guarantee of there always being a parade going on, but you certainly aren’t likely to find anyone bothering with being sedate. No matter why you visit The Castro, you’re sure to come away with a lighter step than you entered thanks to the lively locals.

Like all places in California, San Francisco is an eclectic mix of history and an absolute driving dedication to the here and now. Finding where to enjoy a week is simply a matter of getting in touch with the pulse of the city and seeing where it takes you. OROGOLD recommends talking to friendly locals on your way in or checking with a driver for other places to see. The ones here barely scratch the surface of what all you could do in a couple of days.

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Globe Trotting Without Leaving California

Chinatown, LA.

The freedom to move around the world and experiences cultures is a prized possession. Sometimes you just don’t feel like getting on a plane for hours on end to experience another country. Fortunately, you can travel the world just within a single city in some parts of the United States. A number of California’s cities are no different in that respect. Everyone knows about the Chinatowns of the United States, and they enjoy an interesting place in American culture as a whole. OROGOLD would like to highlight some lesser known ethnic neighborhoods that you can visit when you’re in California though. Chinatown may not be making this list, but these neighborhoods remain dedicated and vibrant examples at fostering a more international flair in some of California’s cities.

Little Arabia, Anaheim
Little Arabia offers a distinct slice of the Middle East to visitors in a variety of ways. Some buildings offer a visual flair in keeping with the theme of the area, but the real treats are in the stores and restaurants in the area. They focus on providing authentic ethnic cuisine and goods. You can stroll along the street browsing a jewelry store and than pop into a bakery for a snack while you discuss what particular style of Middle Eastern good you’d like to eat with any friends you’re traveling with. Of note to would-be visitors, the area is particularly known for its hookah establishments and the internal variety of them within the area. This kind of flexibility generates a distinctly regional flare even though Little Arabia is ultimately part of the general Los Angeles area.

Belden Place, San Francisco
Europe has an old world charm that is hard to beat and capture without wandering the ancient, narrow streets of some of Europe’s longest standing cities. Belden Place does its best to try to bottle the experience of France into a small area. The focus of the area is on food. Multiple restaurants all compete to offer French cuisine in its many forms from the high cuisine to the simpler fare of the average French person. Restaurants use both their food and their space to create the atmosphere. Many make extensive use of their street facing sidewalks to set up outdoor eating areas to draw on the air of French cafes and the time honored past time of people watching. There may be no ancient buildings around you here, but the spirit of France certainly has a home away from home in the area.

Thai Town, Los Angeles
Thai Town has the distinction of being the only ethnic neighborhood of its kind in the United States, and it isn’t afraid to let everyone know how proud it is of its heritage. Decorative elements are scattered through the area that bring a bit of the visual of Thailand to Los Angeles without entirely overriding the nature of the city itself. Plenty of restaurants exist in the area to satisfy anyone looking to sample the cuisine of the country. The area truly shines in its other venues though. Various stores exist importing authentic clothing and materials from Thailand as well as traditional Thai spas for people who need a bit of relaxation in their day.

Not only does California enjoy a diverse landscape geographically, but it also enjoys it ethnically. The history of the state combined with its many port towns have given the opportunity for various enclaves to spring up and stake their own claim in America. Each area integrates into the cities, but, like every American, they also remain proud of all of their heritage rather than just one part. OROGOLD believes any of these areas will make an interesting step into another culture without ever needing to even leave California.