Portland weekend getaway: nature & food

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Activity: Exploring Portland for the weekend. This included eating doughnuts and ice cream, hiking and touring the Rose and Japanese Garden

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Website:

Cost: Doughnuts were under $2 and ice cream was reasonable depending on the size (scoops, cones, etc.), the all day tour was $54 per adult. The Rose garden was free and the Japanese Garden was about $10 pp.

Description: Portland references itself as a "weird" town, but in my experience it was quaint and full of good snacks and outdoor activities.  

If you like doughnuts this is the place for you! We tried Voodoo Doughnuts because of its popularity and unusual shapes. Locals told us many time that Blue Star doughnuts actually taste better, so if you have time and the metabolism for both then try them and compare. Personally, I am more of a fan of ice cream and frozen yogurt. Therefore, I was in HEAVEN at Salt and Straw. They  had flavors like blue cheese with pear, olive oil, habanero chile with fruit, and coffee with Bourbon just to name a few.

In between our eating festivities we checked out the International Rose test Garden that was beautiful in the summer. There were so many varieties of flowers and colors in full bloom that it was a perfect free afternoon activity. Within walking distance from the Rose garden is the Japanese Garden. You can either walk up a short hill or take a trolley. The garden was nice, but much smaller than I expected. There was also an entry fee unlike the Rose garden.

On the last day of the trip we went on all all day tour of the Gorge. This included stopping at scenic views and going to multiple water falls. I recommend a tour since it was reasonably priced and parking would have been difficult. 

Recommended:  weekend trip to Portland is a great  weekend getaway for outdoorsy foodie crowd!

SF summer stay-cation. Oysters & live music.

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Activity: Saturday adventure to Hog Island Oyster Co. and Sunday free Symphony in Embarcadero

Rating: 4.1 of 5 Stars

Website:

Description:  Hog Island Oyster Co has an Oyster farm in Marshall, CA. It is about 1-2 hour drive from SF and it is right on the water. You can bring your own snacks and drinks and purchase oysters and appetizers. The oysters are fresh and delicious! They sell BBQ or raw oysters. If you reserve ahead of time you can have a picnic table for a large group and shuck your own oysters. If Hog Island is  booked check out Tomales Bay.

On Sunday my friends and I went to a free concert from the SF Symphony by the Pier. I recommend to arrive early for a spot and bring some food because it gets very quiet during the concert. 

Recommended:  Both are great summer activities for a group of friends. I also would recommend the concert for families without very small children, as I mentioned it was a quiet and relaxing environment. 

 

Happy Birthday America!

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Activity: On the fourth of July holiday weekend I flew south for the Winter (aka SF summer) to Los Angeles. I went to Hermosa Beach/Redondo, Venice and Santa Monica. 

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Website: 

Description: I started the weekend going to Huckleberry's brunch in Santa Monica which was delicious. The line was long, but it went quickly. From there my friend and I went to the Venice Canals which I had not been to in many years. It is very serene to walk around on a nice day. In the link above there is an events calendar including boat parades. 

On the 4th of July I went to a friends house in Redondo Beach for their annual family and friends reunion. Afterwards my friends and I made it to Hermosa beach for a bit before I  headed back to Santa Monica for a friend's BBQ. Nothing better than a warm beach filled day with good friends and food!

For those looking for fun LA summer activities, check out the Thursday night free concerts on the Santa Monica Pier!

 

Throwback adventure: roller disco

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Activity: Rollerskating or blading to disco music in a former church

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Website: http://www.churchof8wheels.com/ 

Cost: $10 to skate + rental

Description:  This is a former church that is converted into a small roller skating arena. There is a DJ that plays oldies and new music upon request. 

Pros: It is conveniently located in SF. It is a relatively inexpensive activity. The decor was interesting and on theme. There were pews to put on your skates and old stained glass.

Cons: the building is small and not well maintained. During the day there are lots of children so you must feel comfortable as a novice or avoid the children

The last image is a picture of Dolores Park during Pride weekend. There was a lot of celebration after the federal decision to uphold gay marriage. This added to the fun atmosphere that weekend.

Recommended: Families with children 8-14 during the day. At night only adults are allowed which makes for an interesting dynamic

 

Bay Area Stay-cation: Museums & food

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Activity: Oakland Gallery tour and Berkeley dinner

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Website: 

Oakland galleries:

  1. Mercury 20
  2. Vessel Gallery
  3. More ideas

Berkeley Restaurants:

  1. Tigerlily- Indian with a twist
  2. Cesar- Spanish Restaurant
  3. Cheese Board Pizza- renown pizzas

Cost: The galleries were free to walk around and dinner was about $30 pp for the restaurants above

Description: I had been wanting to check out Oakland since I moved to SF a year ago. I had heard about the artist culture and decided to visit some galleries with a friend. Unfortunately, several were closed because the prior day Oakland had hosted the parade for the Warriors leaving the city tired with trailing blue and yellow confetti. 

My friend and I went to 25th street in Oakland as there were some small galleries open that were all in close proximity. I found the work of Carlo Fantin (2nd picture) the most interesting. He hosted a variety of paper images that had each tiny section cut out to form an religious image. He added details of social media to each image for an interesting dichotomy. The first image above is from the Vessel gallery. The photograph is of a work installation of wheels that spun. The installation had sand on the top. The challenge with gallery tours is that you can not take pictures for blog documentation purposes.

After the gallery tour we chose to explore restaurants in Berkeley. We ended up choosing Tigerlily for atmosphere and the fried chicken reviews. It was delicious! We were debating on Cesar as well which is next door and also smelled fantastic. The last restaurant on the list had stellar reviews, but the line was obscene. So we will have the pizza for another day.

Recommended: Adults that want a relaxing Saturday exploring Bay Area neighborhoods

 

NYC weekend getaway: Jazz lawn party & Sheep's Meadow

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Activity: Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Website: http://www.jazzagelawnparty.com/ 

Cost: $35-55 pp for General admission. VIP and tables are also available

Details: This is a lawn party where everyone is dressed in 20s theme attire and brings a picnic to listen to jazz. I am not exaggerating when I mean everyone is in costume, so go prepared. 

First you take a ferry to Governor's island which is short ride and only $2 round trip. Then you walk a short bit to get to the party. Arrive early for the best spot or take your changes with a late arrival as we did. 

We had a wonderful meal courtesy of a friend who picked out a buffet of Whole Foods appetizers. I would say the majority of people brought a picnic or had already eaten. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside so be prepared to wait in very long lines for any drinks. First you have to buy tickets to the drinks which still did not cut down on the wait time for the second line to cash in the ticket. 

Pro: theme was executed nicely (vintage cars, memorabilia, etc.) and the music was nice.

Cons: lines were long for food, water, and drinks. Preparation is key for a good time.

Recommended: Groups of friends for a day activity

Part 2

Sheep's Meadow- The last picture was taken from a day in Central Park at Sheep's Meadow. A hot and sunny day in Manhattan leads to a craving for nature and the outdoors. The best and most accessible way to find this is with a trip to the park packed with sun screen, water, and of course more picnic snacks.

Montauk weekend getaway: Lobster rolls, boats, & beaches

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Activity: Montauk weekend getaway

Rating: 4.2 of 5 stars

Websites:

Food: 

  1. The lobster roll
  2. Tacombi
  3. Ruschmeyer's
  4. Gurney's

Activities

  1.  Charter Catamaran 
  2. Montauk Lighthouse

Cost:

Casual lunches ranged around $14-20 pp at the Lobster roll and Tacombi ($) Rushmeyer's and Gurney's are more expensive meals that vary widely depending on order. We did the fixed price menu with several entrees as a group ($$$).

The catamaran was pretty reasonable for large groups. The lighthouse was fun to explore and free if you only want to wander the outside. Admission inside is $10 per adult and $4 per child with additional parking fee

Details: Montauk is a great getaway from NYC when the weather is nice.

Pros: Montauk is a quaint town with nice restaurants amidst expensive casual bars so there is something for everyone. The boat time and beach were very relaxing.  The lighthouse was picturesque. 

Con: the weather fluctuates greatly and sunny days are not as predictable as one would assume during the summer season. The train to Montauk was over 3 hours, so if you are not driving or coming from a flight to a train the commute can be quite a trek. 

Recommended: young adults that need a break from the city, but not the nightlife. Alternatively. wealthy retired people would find it enjoyable.

Camping at the Boonville Beer Festival

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Being outdoors is one of the best parts of living in the Bay Area. In May my friend took me to the Boonville Beer Festival in Mendocino County Fairgrounds. What/Where is Boonville might you ask? Why would you camp at a beer festival? Well let me explain.

We decided to camp because Boonville is about an hour and a half from SF. As it was starting to warm up the thought of a no-fog saturday was very enticing. So my friend packed up the Zip car and we were on our way to camping. We got there the night before the festival and set up camp. It was only $15 pp to camp per day and you were charged in cash at the entrance to the Mendocino County Fairgrounds. You know when you arrive because there is a painting of an apple riding a horse/dog. Apparently there is a Mendocino county fair with rodeos and apples. That I will investigate at a later date. 

Back to Boonville- camping was not as crowded as I anticipated for 11pm arrival. There was plenty of space in the open field. Some people had arrived much earlier- you could tell by the set up they had including a big screen monitor projecting music videos- and had taken the "better spots". The part that was missing from a traditional camping experience was the bonfire. There were no fire pits, so unless you brought your own - NO FIRE! Our group got settled in and hung out until it was past the time we could tolerate the cold. 

The next day was nice and sunny. We woke up, made breakfast, and prepared for the festival (made pretzel necklaces). Around noon they let in the VIP tickets and around 1pm everyone else was allowed to enter. There were several tents with local craft beers, an indoor area with craft beers, and some food stands scattered about. The ticket included a small tasting cup where you could go back for your favorites or try some artisanal beers. The most unique included one that tasted like hot chocolate (just not hot) and another that tasted like jalapeño. The food was pretty good and the music set the scene well. I would describe it as good for groups of friends to hang out. Apart from the small yet vocal bachelorette party, everyone was pretty friendly. 

After a full day in the sun our group made our way back for snacks, naps, and some kickball. I would like to say it was pretty low key, but there were some beer enthusiasts that took the party a little late. So if you are the type that considers camping a calming experience with nature I suggest you only stay 1 night. In my opinion it was not too bad that it was loud and it was easy to avoid participation if you were looking to relax.  I would recommend going at least for the day if you are into non-crowded craft beer events!

Until next time. Stay tuned.

'Shooting the sh!t' at the gun range.

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Shooting range
My bother shooting an automatic

At the gun range shooting a revolver in slow motion

Apparently I am much better at duck hunter than I am at shooting a gun in real life.

As a family friendly Saturdaze activity we went to the outdoor shooting range. I assumed I was going to have a good shot, but it is harder than it looks. I had read somewhere (in a Law & Order episode) that guns had kickback so I expected some force from the gunshot. I guess I am not as strong as I think because the first time shocked me. I ended up overcompensating for the sensation that the gun was going up that I was just shooting the dirt and not the target. I guess there is room for improvement.

My dad and brother were much better, but to be fair they had been going for several years. I guess my invitation was lost in the mail... Invited or not, I had a great time trying the revolver and the automatic gun this time around. I stood the entire time while others in the gun range sat and had a stand for their weapon of choice. In this particular range most people brought their own firearms and purchased the day pass to shoot. You may be able to tell from the dirt and metal targets that this was not the most state of the art range. I did like it because the owner made an effort to teach me the proper stance and where to look to improve my aim. 

Overall, I feel a little more patriotic and a less inclined to pursue a career in law enforcement. But don't take my word for it. Try it out and see what you think!

Until next time. Stay tuned. 

Girls can race cars too!

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Racetrack at Stockton 99 Speedway

Racetrack at Stockton 99 Speedway

Video of me and the professionals

When it comes to racing cars leave it to the professionals!

Now that the disclaimer is in writing I can elaborate on the details of my race car experience. I signed up for a shotgun ride for a few laps at the Stockton Speedway. I chose this location because it is the closest to where I live, but there are many other tracks across the country through the same company that look just as good if not better- Rusty Wallace Racing. 

After a 1.5 hour road trip with the song "ridin' dirty" in my head, I arrive at the Stockton speedway. I have to admit finding the track was the most difficult part of the day. After driving down a dirt road I arrive at my destination. I am greeted by a lady to check in reservations that include driving the cars and riding in the cars.

Driving the cars involves a short training session. After the training session you put on all the gear- jumpsuit, head cover, helmet and head under the only portion of shade for your vehicle to arrive. Although you make a reservation for a specific time, you still have to wait your turn to drive the cars. Once your car is back from another driver using it, you and the other drivers line up. There was a maximum  of 5-7 drivers on the track at once and you are not allowed to pass each other. For the thrill seekers go first, for the anxiety ridden get the last car. For the most part everyone went slowly as they made their way through the turns. Only one gentleman did not drive properly and ruined the clutch of the car. Despite his poor driving everyone was safe, the only thing hurt was his ego. 

For those of us that chose to shotgun a ride we also started by putting on the racing uniform. I have to say that it was incredibly hot with all the gear in the car-- much hotter than I had anticipated. When your driver is ready you hop in the car through the window since the doors do not open. Then there is someone to help buckle you in and secure the neck brace- (another reason it was SO hot). The benefit of going with someone experienced is that you are the only car on the track and you can go faster than if you were driving with the other novices. I do think it is worth it to try out both experiences, so that leaves driving for another Saturdaze!

The ride itself went quickly. That shouldn't be shocking since it is a race track. Then there was time to get water and watch some other drivers before calling it a day. 

If you are interested there are seasonal deals through Rusty and other companies. Before Father's Day they are promoting 60% off driving rides! Other times of year may be discounts as well, just ask or look at discount sites. I highly recommend trying it at least once!

Until next time. Stay tuned.

Rock climbing: fun for all levels

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Planet Granite has a fun introductory rock climbing class for new members. It is an hour long and you learn the proper rope technique to go up the rock wall and to spot a friend while they go up. After about 30 min of training you take turns going up the beginner wall. The class gives you a day pass to continue practicing  even after the hour long class. They have a variety of walls based on difficulty so you can work your way up to the hardest. They also have an area where you do not need a harness and you can free climb.

Before you leave they offer promotional deals for a membership. A membership includes the rock wall and access to their gym. I booked my first class through a Groupon offer and they still honored any additional discounts. 

I chose Planet Granite over Mission Cliffs because of the discounted class, location (right by the water in Presidio), and nice instructors. Although I have heard great things about both companies, from experience I can say Planet Granite  is worth a try.

Until next time. Stay tuned.

 

Hiking: beach, trees, and waterfalls the best of SF

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Alamere Falls is one of my favorite SF hikes so far. In a previous post I mentioned this hike was highly recommended and I finally had a chance to go. 

The hike starts in Bolinas and is about 4.5 miles each way from the parking lot. It is not a loop so roundtrip it comes out to 9 miles. The hike is relatively flat by SF standards. My friends from NY who went on the hike with me would disagree and felt slightly misled by the word "flat", however a SF native would understand after one too many grocery trips up a steep hill that this hike is pretty flat.

The views are gorgeous! The trail starts in a parking lot where you can leave your car and immediately veers to a hill overlooking the water. After a few miles you are in tall trees with vegetation (3rd picture). Right before the waterfall you have another beautiful view of the ocean (4th picture). Then the final part is a steep hike down the side of the mountain to get to the beach. The side is eroding so it is slippery (5th picture), but it is not long so no need to worry.

As the reviews all mentioned I would pack layers, bring plenty of water, bring a snack, and eat a full meal before the journey. We stopped at the Grove for a hearty brunch before heading out. It was delicious and filling but we still needed some snacks.

Additional Reviews:

Until next time. Stay tuned.

16 things Batman can and can't do on a Saturday in Buzzfeed community

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Pre race photo session

Pre race photo session

Batman can get a clean cape at the dry cleaner

Batman can get a clean cape at the dry cleaner

Batman can make friends with law enforcement

Batman can make friends with law enforcement

Batman can't cut the line at Walgreens

Batman can't cut the line at Walgreens

Batman can't use Apple products

Batman can't use Apple products

If you have not worn a costume for an entire day (not halloween) then I recommend trying it. I started the day at the Super Run where my friends and I ran a 5K for charity.  The Super Run is exactly like what it sounds, hundreds (maybe thousands?) of people dress in a full costume and run around Crissy Field. The Super run calendar is online here and includes dates for: Dallas, Chicago, LA, Las Vegas, Philly and many more! 

I dressed in a full batman (batgirl) unitard including a hood and gloves. I even found a man in a full Batman costume that I took pictures with. Overall, people were very committed to the costume and the best part was watching young children participate and get very excited by the costumes and props. 

After the race my friends and I stopped for a coffee in the Marina at which point multiple people asked to take a picture with me. This was only the beginning. It was hilarious to see people's reactions.  I thought it was so amusing that I acting like it was just another Saturday doing errands. 

The results were that I figured 8 things that Batman could do and 8 things Batman could not do. For the full list including pictures checkout Buzzfeed Community section. The pictures above are the highlights.

Things Batman can do:

  1. Take pictures with fans
  2. Ride the Muni to brunch
  3. Make friends with the police
  4. Get dry cleaning done
  5. Go shopping for #tight clothes
  6. Get a coffee
  7. Go to the gym in costume
  8. Jaywalk

Things Batman can not do:

  1. Cut the line at Walgreens
  2. Shop for home decor
  3. Use Apple products
  4. Get money at ATM
  5. Get a psychic reading
  6. Eat donuts
  7. Get a manicure
  8. Shop for eyewear

Hope you enjoyed the trials and tribulations as Batman. Until next time. Stay tuned.

 

 

Sailing in Sausalito: Breezy like Sunday morning

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too cold for comfort :)

too cold for comfort :)

I was really looking forward to sailing from Sausalito around the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, I did not chose the best day. I think i jinxed myself since it was an odd coincidence that the  first adventure not to go smoothly was also the first adventure on a Sundaze...All so suspicious.

I arrived early Sunday am ready for a nice day on the water with Bay Breeze Charters. Although, the company did warn about cold wind and potential rain, I did not think it would happen during the trip. The forecast looked gloomy with low chances of rain. Apparently, this was one of few days where the weather in SF was nicer than Sausalito- go figure!

We started the trip with mimosa, hot chocolates, tea, and blankets. I have to admit the view was beautiful as we sailed to the bridge. About 3/4 of the way through the trip to the furthest point it started to drizzle. Based on the video you can tell that it was also pretty windy. 

Once we got close to Alcatraz and the city we headed back. In total the tour was about 2.5 hours, 45 minutes of which was raining. I  can not fault the company for the inclement weather and they did emphasize to come prepared. However, I will say that the allure of a day on the seas is entirely dependent on the weather and to make sure to book at during peak season. 

  • Pros:
    • Nice view
    • Friendly crew
    • Punctual adevnture
  • Cons
    • Website booked far in advance 
    • Owner was unfriendly
    • Did not take calls for questions
    • highly dependent on good weather

Despite the mixed review for this trip, I am still optimistic that the next time will be much better!

Stay tuned.

Unique work outs that are fun and affordable

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SF Surfset at the beach

SF Surfset at the beach

SF intro to aerial silk

SF intro to aerial silk

LA anti-gravity aerial yoga

LA anti-gravity aerial yoga

NYC Row house picture repost:@transformingmommy

NYC Row house picture repost:@transformingmommy

I am constantly looking for new workouts that are both challenging and achievable. When I signed up for ClassPass I was excited to try new routines. Below is a short story of the most unique work outs I have tried in SF, LA, and NY!

San Francisco

  1. Left Coast Sweat: Surfset at the beach: this workout includes a surfboard, two balls and some ropes to tie it together. The surfboard lays on the balls so that when you stand on the board it moves to simulate waves based on your body weight and positioning. I first tried a class in the Marina (Sweat Republic) and enjoyed it. I thought it would be much more fun to do it outdoors the second time. Luckily it was a gorgeous day which made the workout even better.

  • Type of exercise: squats, push ups, lower body, plank

  • Unique moves: mix of yoga moves and surfing techniques. Think downward dog meets duck dive.

  • Length: 1 hour

 2. Aspen Aerials- this was a great class because it was small and the instructor paid a lot of attention to each student. We were all first timers in the class. We started with some warm up exercises on the floor including planks and then moved to the silks where we learned about 6 moves

  • Type of exercise: upper and lower body. When done properly: lower body, as a novice: upper body

  • Unique moves: mermaid

  • Length: 1 hour, 15 min

Los Angeles

1. Coolhotyoga: Antigravity aerial yoa- yes, more circus moves. This one was slightly easier since everyone had their own station to practice with rather than using the silks. 

  • Type of exercise: mostly yoga type moves with some opportunities to flip upside down

  • Unique moves: chandelier (pictured above)

  • Length: 1 hour, 15 minutes

New York

1. Row House- This was the first time I tried a rowing class. It felt very much like a spinning studio with loud music and an instructor yelling commands. I mean that in a good way actually, the instructor did come around to make adjustments. He also made it challenging for the veterans in the group by encouraging us to go faster than our previous time. There is a monitor on the machine that allows you to tell Rows per minute to benchmark your progress. Additional workout benefits of rowing here.

  • Type of exercise: upper body mostly but your legs are tired from pushing your weight when done properly

  • Unique moves: floor work off the machine was included such as side planks and push ups

  • Length: 1 hour

 

And yes I  have a lot of black sport leggings and white workout shirts :)

Until next time. Stay tuned.