San Francisco Planning

When you travel somewhere, you want to visit some touristy places, the ones that you see on TV and everyone talks about, but you may also want to hang out in cool neighborhood and enjoy life as a local. To me being able to experience a little of the local life, that is the real experience.

San Francisco CityPass
Alright, so here’s my free plug for CityPass, the San Francisco edition, which I think provides a good compromise to fulfill your tourist visits and let you discover the city on your own.

First, I want to make the point that I am recommending the San Francisco CityPass because I have actually used it, and it is the only one of the serie that also provides a pass for one week of free commute in the city. This is very convenient because it’s basically pretty much all you need to get around, and that how the locals do it, too! Also, it includes unlimited rides on the historical Cable Car. A one way cable car ride costs $5, and a weekly bus pass is $15, the CityPass cost $54. Already, this is a deal!

Note though, the attractions of the pass are valid to use within 9 days, and the commute pass is valid for 7 days only.

Getting around San Francisco: ride the Muni!
San Francisco is a very compact city, where people tend to prefer taking public transportation rather than driving. Reason being that parking is a real pain, as a result, the commute system, the Muni as it’s called, serves the city very well. Frequent buses that can get you pretty much anywhere you want in the city in a timely manner.

So before finding lodging, check out the Muni maps, and try find a stay near the main Muni stations. This way you’ll optimize your time in the transportation and have more time to enjoy the city!

Also, to figure out your route from one point to another, just go their Trip Planner!

On a sidenote, you may have heard of the BART, Bay Area Rapid Transit. It’s the subway system that runs through the Bay Area, but if you intend to visit the city onnly, there is really no reason to take it. It really has nothing worth paying the ride for. If you plan to visit Berkeley or Oakland in the East Bay, then, you will want to take it.

So here we go, let me help you get prepared for San Francisco.

1st Task: Get a card of the city
There is a tourist information center at Powell station, located downtown. I recommend going there to grab all the pamphlets and other information you may be interested in.

The Bay City guide booklet, includes some maps of the city, so grab one of those. The maps are also online so you can download and print them ahead.

2nd Task: Get a CityPass
You can either buy it online or get one at the locations listed on the website.
*Note: if you buy it through Alcatraz Cruises, you will get a pass to the Alcatraz island. A tourist must see! This is new(!), and I recommend it!

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Boston's Skyline

Step for step, Boston is an American history epic with a New England accent. Boston CityPass offers a cultural buffet of memorable locations, attractions and a sky-high vista, too.

Boston CityPass chooses carefully to save 50% and whisk you through the doors of Boston’s distinctive in-the-know attractions with its six-ticket booklet. Getting into Harvard is easy! Alumni and benefactors have bestowed the rarest of the rare upon the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Peabody Museum of Archeology and Ethnology; there's nothing to compare to its glass cases, exhibits and displays of acquisitions in the places once scarcely found on maps.

Another ticket from our slim booklet -- rich in details such as opening and closing hours, tips and how to use the "T" -- speeds you to JFK's Presidential Museum for a look back at the '60s Camelot and political angles. Dip your imagination in aquatic species at the New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science and the outstanding Museum of Fine Arts.

Top off your trip with the Prudential Building's Skywalk Observatory and its bird's eye view of the region. Don't miss the special coupon for a treat at the Union Oyster House, the United States oldest seafood restaurant.

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Seattle City Pass

Dodge flying fish. Sip Pike Blend, available only at the original Starbucks – the little brew that launched an empire. Twirl around twice for a panoramic effect of Elliott Bay, the Olympic peaks, the top sliver of Mt. Rainier, and magazine-chic islands surrounding the Pacific Northwest's fabled Emerald City. Seattle CityPass attractions are perfect punctuation points to Pike Place Market fishmongers and crafts, downtown shopping and Pioneer Square galleries.

At half-off the price of individually purchased admission, our sleek CityPass booklet puts you on a gorgeous Argosy Cruises Harbor tour, crossing wakes with island ferries. Immerse yourself in fresh and salt-water wonders at the Seattle Aquarium and, from a higher viewpoint, leave your fingerprints on Pacific Science Center exhibits. Drop in on the Woodland Park Zoo for a peek at the region's flora and fauna. And for an idea of the influence of man's devotion to air travel, visit The Museum of Flight. Note: Summers (and in the Northwest, that means from the Fourth of July to October) are naturally air-conditioned and relatively dry. It's when all those Washington wine regions get great sun on the vines. There’s less rainfall than in New York, but it appears here as mist or drizzle. Locals love it, swear by its power to look ten years younger, count on "sun breaks" and leave umbrellas to the tourists.

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Valentaines in Chicago

Discover romance against the sparkling city skyline. Chicago, the third largest city in the nation, is an exciting backdrop for a truly memorable Valentine’s weekend get-away. A cultural explosion, this Illinois city lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, offering the finest in soul, jazz, blues and gospel music, mouth-watering deep-dish pizza, champion sporting events and the city’s famous Chicago hot dog.

Transportation is easy in the nation’s hub, whether you arrive by air, rail or auto. Quickly and cost-efficiently move from Point A to Point B via Chicago’s extensive metro, known locally as The L. You can also make use of airport shuttles, city busses or Chicago’s historic and broad-reaching highway system.

When you visit, set aside a day to explore non-stop art attractions and shopping in and around the business district. At Armitage, you’ll find prestigious shops and million-dollar historical homes. Enjoy a more modern experience in the Wicker Park where you can grab a bite to eat and order a drink at a local bar.

For a low, fixed price, Chicago’s CityPass provides a steep discount on, and front-of-the-line entrance to, five popular tourist attractions including Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Hancock Observatory, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Shedd Aquarium. Plus, don’t forget the unbeatable shopping opportunities that captivate you at Chicago’s Watertower Place, Michigan Avenue strip and Chicago Place where you’ll find Bloomingdales, Macy’s Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lacoste, Movado, Tiffany’s and countless one-of-a-kind boutique shops.

For the true sports fan, this city is an unbeatable haven. In 2006, The Sporting News named Chicago, home of 16 professional sports teams, the best sports city in the nation. Visitors can plan to spend an action-packed day at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, US Cellular Field or United Center cheering on champion teams like the Chicago Bulls, Cubs, Bears or White Sox or Blackhawks. Chicago is also home to incredible indoor soccer, hockey, lacrosse and rugby. Pick your event, book in advance and experience the excitement. The day is guaranteed to be a winner.

Chicago is renowned for it’s eclectic dining choices ranging from All-American to Korean, Italian and Mexican cuisine. Whether you prefer a posh, upscale establishment or the trendy Hard Rock Café, you’ll find the hardest part is choosing just one. Add icing to the cake by giving your sweet a devilish fresh-baked cinnamon roll covered draped in sugary goodness from Ann Sather or specialty pastries from some of the nation’s most incredible bakeries.

The evening is rich with shows and entertainment. Spend an afternoon finding the ideal attire then leisurely enjoy a delicious dinner. Then sit back and enjoy an night filled with laughter and relaxation. Some options, requiring reservations, include The Blue Man Group, an artistic multimedia performance, or rotating shows at the Steppenwolf Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Symphony Center. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more casual, visit B.L.U.E.S or Rosa’s Lounge on Armitage, two unbeatable local blues bars, The Hideout on Wabansia, an alternative folk and bluegrass bar, The Velvet Lounge, offering an incredible jazz atmosphere, or Green Mill on N. Broadway, former hangout for notorious gangster Al Capone, presenting an intense weekly poetry slam and jazz music.