Brooklyn Brewery: winter warm up

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In the four years I lived in NYC I had never been to a brewery, including the more famous- Brooklyn Brewery. I had been meaning to cross it off my bucket list before moving, but I didn't get around to it. So on a winter trip to NY I went back to the list of things I missed and Brooklyn Brewery rose to the top.

This winter in NY was particularly long. When it is cold for months it can me tempting to stay indoors and avoid exploring. However, there is no excuse for a missed Saturdaze, the show must go on- rain or shine or sleet. 

In preparation for my trip I looked into a few venues to check out. 

  1. Brooklyn Bowl- Bowling/live music venue that has food and beer. This is fun at night when there is a live band so I wanted to hold off on this. It is actually very close to Brooklyn Brewery
  2. Brooklyn Boulders- Indoor rock climbing gym in Brooklyn (clearly). This popular place was booked weeks in advance so I did not get a chance to go. Don't worry indoor rock climbing will still happen on another Saturdaze, just you wait!
  3. Brooklyn Brewery- This clearly one the day. I had intended to make it in time for the tour, unfortunately I was late and there was a line outside to get in.
  4. Wythe hotel- Great views of the city from the roof. So I hear second hand through pictures.

Brooklyn Brewery ended up being the clear winner because it was easy to invite friends to catch up (lots of open space) and I didn't risk the weather. As I mentioned above it would have been great to go on a tour (and I have heard great things), so maybe next time.  I have to say the venue was cool, although as expected it was loud and the lines were long. The tokens did help speed up the process.

I have to say it was good to be back in the BK!

Until next time. Stay tuned.

 

Learn to fly in an hour or less

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Learning to fly was an incredible experience. I booked a class through BelAir International with an online discount. The class included an hour flight for two people on a small charter plane. It was also about 30-45 minutes from San Francisco which made it very convenient. 

When I arrived we went through safety checks including: fuel gauge, propeller, etc. It was helpful to ask questions directly to the pilot in a private setting to feel comfortable before take off. 

During the flight the pilot gauged how well I was learning and gave me additional responsibilities. For takeoff I was allowed to steer the plane to the runway with the pedals similar to a car. Then once we got to over 2,000-4,000 ft elevation I was able to use the controls to steady the plane and make turns. The 30-40 minute flight seemed longer than I expected given that we got to see a variety of landscapes- sea and mountains. 

The lesson was a perfect combination of learning and feeling in control, while still feeling at ease that the pilot could take over at any point. I did get some selfies in while flying the plane.

Bel Air International has a few options for first time flyers. Other tours include: Half Moon Bay, Golden Gate & Alcatraz, and Crystal Springs. The most appealing was the sunset tour over the golden gate bridge. I will save that for the next trip!

Until next time. Stay tuned.

Theme parks: tips & tricks

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After a six year hiatus from Six Flags it was time to get back in the theme park game. I had grown up going to Six Flags Magic Mountain and I had no idea there was one so close to the city (SF). Granted it is much smaller than I remember but a day trip is still fun if you do it the right way. 

The worst part about amusement parks:

  1. The lines. They can take up to 2 hours for 1 ride of 30-90 seconds! 
  2. The ticket price. Theme parks can cost almost $70 pp which can be expensive for a family or group
  3. The food. It is expensive and incredibly unhealthy. Although Funnel cakes, dippin dots, and frozen lemonades are a tasty tradition, they are not a good when combined with roller coasters.
  4. The temperature. Most people go when school is not in session, so if you live in CA you probably went when it was over 100 degrees

The solution:

  1. Arrive on time- yes, this is as obvious as it sounds. However, most people still do not arrive as soon as it opens. It makes all the difference! The park opens around 11am and the ride technicians offer double rides until 2pm. Because the park is not very busy not only are the lines shorter (about 15 minutes each), but you get to go twice in a row. Double the value.
  2.  Book online- Tickets are usually expensive. However, if you book in advance online you can save $25 per ticket. The caveat is that you have to make sure you attend the day you sign up for and everyone has to register so they can not be resold. However, this should not be a problem if you plan in advance. It can even be a few days in advance and still get the discount. 
  3. Pack snacks! Even if you do not like soggy sandwiches that you probably sat on during the ride, bring a bar that you can keep in your pocket or purse. The earlier you arrive the earlier you will have finished all the rides so you can leave the theme park for a decent meal. 
  4. Avoid peak season- If you do not want to go when it is very crowded or very hot then avoid peak times. Again, this is obvious, but not so obvious that people are actually doing it. Schedule in advance in late February or early March (before Spring break) and you can cross off 2 & 4. Just make sure you check the rain forecast before going in January/February to avoid rain showers in line. At least we have the CA drought to thank for something. I went in February and it was nice and sunny. 

Some other important tips:

  • Bring some cash for lockers. They no longer allow bags on the ride. Keep a few dollars and your locker combination and you do not have to go back and forth to your locker during the day. We forgot to pack cash and had to ask a stranger to open our locker to repay them. Whoops.
  • Go pro is no go. Well if you get caught. 
  • You can and will lose your sunglasses. Be careful to hold them. Even in jacket pockets they come lose. 

Enjoy the ride!

Until next time. Stay tuned.

 

 

 

How to do Lake Tahoe skiing in a day from the bay

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My biggest deterrent to learning to ski is the cold weather. I hate being horrible at something new while shivering. Luckily (for me) this year Tahoe was very warm. Most people were disappointed by the ski season this year in Tahoe, but not everyone is complaining. 

Another deterrent to go to Tahoe for a weekend is getting there and planning where to stay. I found the bay area ski bus that solved both of my problems. I didn't have to drive or find  a place to spend the night. I also did not have to get a group together to convince people to split the cost of a house. 

The bay area ski bus company allowed me to purchase: the bus ride round trip, ski lesson, and ski equipment. You can purchase each component separately if you do not need a lesson or have your own equipment. 

The entire trip was pretty seamless apart from the 5am departure. Once you get settled on the bus you can sleep until you are about to arrive. At that point the bus leaders offer you pastries, bagels, and juice. Once you arrive at the mountain you are welcome to take the free shuttle to any of the main ski lifts. For a beginner it was great because it was not crowded. I arrive to pick up my gear where they sized by boots then I leisurely walked to my lesson. There were plenty of adults who had not skied before which eased my fear that I would be in a class with children. 

At the end of the day we went for some snacks and a beverage at the ski lodge then headed to meet the bus where the staff was cooking hot dogs, hamburgers, and turkey burgers. They also had snacks, cookies, and wine. The latter encouraged the majority of people on the bus into a deep sleep on the way back while those who managed to stay awake watched a movie. 

Because the trip was hassle free and included snacks I would rate the experience two thumbs up!

Until Next Time. Stay Tuned.

 

Whale & Dolphin Watching in Monterey Bay

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Dophins

Whale watching is more exciting than it sounds! 

A weekend in February I traveled from SF to Monterey for a whale watching tour. I had anticipated an hour tour with 3 whales. I thought that would be a reasonable expectation.  Unfortunately, conditions are often unpredictable and no company can guarantee that you will see whales during your visit. That being said, there is a good chance that you will encounter sea animals in Monterey despite the time of year. Depending on the month and migration patterns you can expect that grey whales, blue whales, or killer whales.  For a schedule by month visit here. 

During the 2-3 hour tour we saw one whale breach and approximately 3 spouts from the water coming from whales under the surface. The wonderful surprise were the hundreds of dolphins. The pod chased the boat and jumped into the air. They also followed along very closely and appeared to be racing out boat. Although the video is not the best quality (due to excitement, rain, and turbulence) it gives a great pictures of the dolphins I saw during the journey. I could not believe how many I saw at once and how playful they were. 

I would highly recommend going through a local tour company, in particular I went with Monterey Whale Watch and had a great experience with highly educated guides. Don't forget to take a cash tip! Two thumbs up.

Until Next time. Stay Tuned.

Hobby Club: Hunger Games themed Archery

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January 21, 2015. Dear Diary, today I will improve my archery skills. The end.

The goal to "improve" my archery skills was a pretty low threshold given that I had only done it once at a summer camp when I was about 12 years old. Needless to say I succeeded. I also had a lot of fun in the process. My friend and I found it slightly competitive and highly addicting.

Archery is easier than I remember. Not as easy as Katniss makes it look, but you get the point. First we started with proper training from Archery Pro Shop. By the time my friend and I arrived we had missed the morning rush and we arrived before the afternoon crowd. It was painless to wait for a 15 minute instruction and a bow sizing. We shot a few arrows in the store so the manager could check our form and recommend adjustments. Secondly, we took our rented gear (~$26 for the day including bullseye) and make the quick drive (or walk) over to Golden Gate Park.

Once we arrived at the field we had to wait about 15 minutes for a target to open up. It is first come first serve. I assumed it was a SATURDAZE novice activity for everyone, however I was mistaken. There were professional archers including some teenagers training for international archery competition. I didn't know that was a real thing!

After the wait for the target, my friend and I set up camp and did some rounds on our own. If you were lucky you got a target next to someone willing to teach you some tricks, unfortunately that was not our situation. We did have fun practicing and working our way further and further from the target to odd angles to see what would happen.

Long story short: It was inexpensive. We had a great time. No one hit a bullseye.

Until Next Time. Stay Tuned. 

 

Hot Glass, Cold Beer: SF Glassblowing

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My friend recommended a glassblowing workshop the weekend of January 31st. We arrived at night, unsure what to expect. She had heard about this event through a friend of a friend that was into the glassblowing "scene." I am not sure exactly what this "scene" entails, but from what I heard there are very few professional glassblowers in the US. The leaders in the craft live are mostly in italy and some other parts of Europe where the tradition has passed down by family members. An amateur glassblower elaborated that glassblowing techniques are very difficult so people work together to learn from each other and improve their craft. What a unique hobby!

The event itself was exactly as the title describes:

  • hot glass-=glassblowing live
  • Cold beer= wine and beer options with unlimited pours
  • Music- there was a live band in the main room and a separate techno DJ in another room. I do not recommend the techno DJ to be honest 
  • Your own glass blown cup to take home
  • Reserved seating for VIP. Plenty of standing room for GA ($25)

The main area was  social and had the master artist with two assistants. The main glassblower worked with the glass while another helped him to blow into a long metal straw. The third helped from shaping to moving the glass back and forth from the kiln. 

The pictures above do not do it justice to be honest. If you are in the mood for a funky evening with craft beer, check out the events calendar at Public Glass,

Until Next Time. Stay Tuned.

Welcome to Miami. Bienvenido a Miami: Tips for a weekend getaway

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Long weekends are the best of times and the worst of times. The best is having that extra day that allows time to travel out of town for the weekend. The worst part is that extra day makes you (or at least me) overly ambitious as to all the things you can do. Somehow the time flies faster than a normal weekend where expectations are lower.

During MLK weekend (Jan 17th) my friends and I met in Miami. Although it was a quick trip, it was just what I needed- friends, fun, sun and some local activities. 

Below are a few things we did during the weekend. I can't wait to go back again and explore what the locals do. Email me any suggestions for the next trip!

Adventure:

Even a relaxing weekend was no excuse to pass on an adventure. I had the perfect plan in mind- JET SKI Rental. After calling no less than 10 companies, I settled on Jet Ski South Beach. I chose this company because they were the most flexible with their reservations and the friendliest on the phone. A few companies had better prices, but they were sold out earlier in the day. Jet Ski South Beach accommodated a last minute request, stayed open late, and let my friend and I share a jet ski for a reasonable price.  They also took us out pretty far so we could enjoy a view of South Beach on the way back. Two thumbs up!

Cocktail Hour:

  • The Villa by Barton G-  Italian Designer Gianni Versace's mansion was converted into a boutique hotel. They have an upscale bar, but be prepared to dress well!
  • Broken Shaker- Very cool atmosphere for a drink with some friends. They have a few bars throughout the venue all around tiki lights and a pool. 

Food:

  • Upscale:
    • The SLS Hotel has a great restaurant -the Baazar by Jose Andres. Favorite dishes included the scallops, beef, and of course the must have Foie Gras PB & J. :)
  • Casual Dining:
    • Sazon- delicious and inexpensive cuban cuisine. The chicken and rice was tasty and large. It was great to share if you want to try a few appetizers. 

Until Next Time. Stay tuned.

5 Bay Area Hikes not to miss

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alamere falls

Hiking is a past time in the bay area akin to Boozy Brunches in NY. Everybody's doing it. So I jumped on board. 

If I was on Family Feud and the question was "What are the top 5 words San Franciscans say during the weekend" I would guess YOGA, YOGA, HIKE, HIKE, YOGA. 

Thus far I have been to:

  1. Land's End Trail. I wanted to see the Labyrinth created by Eduardo Aguilera in 2004 based on pictures I had seen. It was a gorgeous day so there was a nice view of the beach ad the GG bridge, but the labyrinth was not as large as I expected and it was slightly worse for wear. However, the hike to the point was beautiful and I had a chance to see the Sutro Baths
  2. Billy Goat Hill- I had been dying to go here as a SF landmark and fly on the swing overlooking the city. However, when I went the swing had been cut down :( 
  3. Marin Headlands- This hike required a drive, but it was worth the views. I tend to favor hikes that have different scenery and different difficulty levels depending on what you are in the mood for.  We stopped by the information center in Marin before starting and they recommended some particularly nice paths based on the time of year.

Next on the list

1. Mt Tam-I have heard the hike to the beer garden at the Tourist club is worth the trip. They are only open select weekends, so apparently you have to plan in advance. Details here for Mt Tam. Schedule of open weekends here.

2. Alamere Falls- This is a longer hike about 9 miles roundtrip and includes a gorgeous waterfall. I have seen pictures, but I am sure they do not do it justice (one above)

3.  Hot Springs Getaway in Big Sur- pictures here. Found on SOSH (app and website for activities in your area)

4. Hidden Black Sand beach in Marin- here also found on Sosh

5. Beach hike on sand dunes- here also on Sosh

Top Bay Area Hike lists include date hike desitinations by Thrillist. Any other recommendations? Let me know @ thesaturdazeblog@gmail.com

Until Next Time. Stay Tuned.

Horseback Riding in Malibu

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This SATURDAZE was a horseback riding class for myself and my mom. I booked it through Connemara Ranch in Malibu by our house. for Christmas. We rode on January 3rd 2015.

A great gift idea for the holidays is to reserve a class for yourself and a friend/family member. SATURDAZE experiences are more fun when there is a group and who can say no to a free adventure? Especially one that they might not have researched, planned, and paid for themselves. 

If the adventure is a gift, clearly you should consider the recipient's interests. Luckily, there are a variety of packages for two or more- flight classes (later post), cooking classes, workout classes, DIY classes,  that cater to all types of people. i will continue to post ideas and share in the newsletter!

Until Next Time. Stay Tuned.

JETPACK!

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Be a superhero! Fly the Jetlev Jetpack! 30 feet in the air! Over 30 mph top speed! Walk on water! Submarine below the water's surface! Call Jetpack America at (888) 553-6471 to book your flight today or visit our website at JetpackAmerica[dot]com to purchase and schedule online.

Jet packing is one of the coolest SATURDAZE activities around! I first heard of jet-packing from a link my grandmother sent me. I was immediately hooked. For those of you that do not know what jet packing is I will try to explain. The jet-packer (in this case me) was strapped to a 30 lb. backpack. The pack is attached to a hose that propels the jet-packer in the air with water pressure. For the first time rider the jet ski or pod give you throttle. The better you do, the more throttle you can play with.  Eventually you can control your own pack.

The instruction prior to launch was to do very small movements that would then change the direction and height at which I was flying. At first it was very simple and I floated around with ease. As I started to overanalyze my movements became less subtle and I had a few crash landings. 

Some of the novice moves include dolphin (going in and our of the water), stairway to heaven (walking up the air) and superhero (arm in the air as you fly high).

The video music selection was supposed to be ironic or comical. After I posted the video on instagram a friend reminded me of the Kenny powers episode (also a video above). I hope you enjoy the reference.

Until next time. Stay tuned.

Tandem or Double Kayaking?

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Another day, another Groupon. 

The week of Dec 20th (obviously I am referring to the SATURDAY), I went Kayaking with a few friends in Sausalito. I found a Groupon online through SF Kayaks and Adventures. The challenge was that all kayaks were doubles. Sidebar-maybe they are called Tandem kayaks or maybe I just want to refer to it as a "tandem" because I have a soft spot for tandem bicycles since they are the only kind of bicycle I know how to ride. Either way you want to call it- double or tandem- kayaking was fun!

The best parts:

  • Seeing sea lions/seals (different ears/fins) and otters
  • Upper body workout. The instructor claimed that when done properly, kayaking is an abdominal exercise because the way you properly push the paddle into the water is done by turning your upper body rather than lifting your arms. Most beginners quickly forget the proper form and resort to kayaking instinct
  • The location- the weather is relatively predictable which makes kayaking a sport that can be done pretty much year round. We also had a change to explore the floating homes of SF that were started by artists in the 1950s- 1970s (details here)
  • Learning about the Full Moon kayaking they have a few times a month and their annual trip to Baja. Not surprisingly, you can also do the paddle board yoga in Baja (previous post on the blog here).

The worst part

  • Upper body workout- yes I mentioned above as the "best" part.  After 2.5 hours you will most likely agree it is the best and worst part.

Until next time. Stay tuned.

 

 

SantaCan Santacon

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Originally December 13, 2014

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero año y Felicidad

This year for SantaCon we celebrated a friend's birthday with a gift exchange, brunch, and in home portraits. NY was where Santacon was first introduced to me so it was only fitting I went back. Typically,  I do not like to dress in a giant full velvet outfit, but when in Rome...

Leading up to Santacon, a friend had the great idea to do a secret santa through Elfster which worked well even though we were not all in the same city. The commentary on the Elfster site and not-so-secret wishlist added some humor to the process. 

Once we were all in town we swapped gifts and stories over brunch then went to a friends apartment as a meeting location before going out on the town ;) While we waited to gather our Santa crew we took a series of silly portraits. My favorite was the picture posted above because it was very clear each person's interpretation of "silly" was very unique. 

2015 Santacons have not been scheduled yet, but the links are below for the overly prepared

Until next time. Stay tuned.

 

SATURDAZE goes to London

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Originally November 29, 2014

SATURDAZE travels abroad! The week of Thanksgiving I traveled to London to visit some friends from school.  The weekend was too short, but it was worth the trip. Europe is always a good idea.

I landed on Thursday and made my way to my friends apartment while she was at work. Her brother had never been to London so we went to the touristy sights- Westminster Abbey, London Eye, and Big Ben. Then we had a Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of Whole Foods with some ex pats, my friend's American co-workers, and their British friends. My first Friends-giving was a success even if I had to sacrifice homemade pumpkin pie.

More importantly, the SATURDAY consisted of exploring outdoor market and going to Winter Wonderland. The Winter carnival was much more impressive than what I expected.  There were at least double the amount of rides compared to any local fair I had been to in CA. It was packed full of both kids and adults in full holiday cheer. The only cautionary tale is to watch out for people running around spilling your (or their) mulled wine from over excitement. If you do not have fun at Winter Wonderland you need to rethink what you consider "fun", Mr. Scrooge.

Until next time. Stay tuned.