Fun
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This ‘millennial playground’ seems to be missing quite a few attractions
As someone who has adored roller coasters, amusement parks, and all sorts of other themed experiences since childhood, it felt odd growing up in San Francisco. For all the bright colors, kitschy diversions, and innate playfulness of the city’s booming tourism industry, I found the lack of actual amusement parks or even amusement park-like rides disconcerting. Even today, as the city leaders tout the newest rooftop park or downhill big wheel race as the pinnacle of leisurely activities, I can’t help but wish there were more.
That’s because San Francisco used to be far more inviting for thrill-seekers. Beginning in…
We’re here to help you get through virtual present opening and all the family drama
I think we may have reached the point in quarantine where it’s okay to stop appending the word “Zoom” in front of every activity that’s been moved to Zoom — we’ve all been through it enough. We did the Zoomsgiving and the Zoom-o-ween and the Zoomy-fifth-Birthday (it was my 35th birthday, ambiguously defined so some would believe it was my 25th birthday).
However, if you’re not traveling home for the holidays this year (and I hope you’ll consider staying put, given the rise in cases), you may find yourself celebrating the holidays over good ol’ Zoom.
To make things a…
Brew some tea, open up your laptop, and don’t bother with ‘real’ pants
As denizens of the City by the Bay, we’re all too accustomed to dim skies and seemingly endless (albeit light) rainfall. But before the pandemic, you could at least subscribe to a conventional trove of rainy day activities to ease that internal gloom: Eat a warm, indoor meal at your favorite local eatery, grab some coffee to sip inside a nearby café, take a craft-making course, you name it.
Alas, that was a time before LED and spray-painted face masks were a thing and social distancing was something you’d associate with unplugging from Instagram and Twitter. …
The Weekend Wind-Down
Take a socially distant spin with aerial views of San Francisco
“The Weekend Wind-Down” is a new TBI series highlighting ways to explore the Bay Area, support local businesses, and wind down from your stressful week. If you have an idea or tip, email us, or DM us on Twitter or Instagram.
The SkyStar, created in the Netherlands some three years ago at a cost of $10 million, is the biggest Ferris wheel ever to make its way to San Francisco. In fact: Its appearance in Golden Gate Park will mark the first time a colossal Ferris wheel has turned in San Francisco since the World’s Fair of 1894.
All you need is a little time and creativity to celebrate Halloween at home
Spooky season’s up against some challenges this year, since traditional Halloween events, like trick-or-treating, haunted house tours, and massive costume parties where you’re almost guaranteed to puke somewhere embarrassing, are most likely out. While that’s definitely a bummer, it doesn’t mean you’re out of ways to celebrate.
For example, if you live with someone, there are plenty of ways to scare the bejeezus out of them every day — hell, every hour up through All Hallows’ Eve. And I’m not talking about brandishing an ax and pulling a “HEEERE’S JOHNNY!” while they’re plucking nose hairs in the bathroom. (Okay, maybe…
FRIDAY FIVE
Tap in to your inner child
While San Francisco has never been known as a city for children, it’s full of options for actual kids and the young at heart. So tap in to your inner child, and let go of the stress of being an adult. If you’re looking for activities that are entertaining for both adults and little ones, we’ve got you covered.
1. Exploratorium
Museums are cool and all, but they’d be a lot better if we could touch the artifacts and learn from them, right? Head over to the Exploratorium, “a museum of science, art, and human perception dedicated to learning through the power…
FRIDAY FIVE
Fun things to do that don’t require booze
Millennials are drinking less. It’s true—well, at least according to this Atlantic trend piece out this week. Sure, it only had anecdotal evidence, but it seems logical that the generation is no longer excessively drinking at bars every night since they’re mostly in their late 20s and 30s.
That being said, it is true that much of our social lives in the Bay Area revolves around dive bars and craft cocktails. Fortunately, though, there are plenty of ways to have fun on a Saturday night that don’t involve getting wasted.
1. Kava Lounge
If you’re craving a bar-like atmosphere on a weekend night…
To help you beat the gloom
You know you’ve lived in the Bay Area too long when a rainy weekend hits, and you have absolutely no idea what to do with yourself. Sure, you could do the expected—visit SFMOMA, see a movie, binge-watch Game of Thrones while ordering Caviar every few hours. But life is short, and there’s no need to be so boring. For this rainy week, we’ve rounded up eight more interesting ways to spend your day off from the outdoors.
1. Check out Magowan’s Infinite Mirror Maze
FRIDAY FIVE
With unhealthy air likely to keep us inside again this weekend— some tips on things to do
Part of the fun of living in California is that when winter rolls around and the rest of the country is posting miserable photos of the snow, we can still fill our weekends with patio drinking, urban hikes and beach time.
Unfortunately, winter in California also means dryer temperatures, which—as we’ve seen over the last two years—can result in absolutely catastrophic fires. By now you know that three fires are raging across the state, the Camp Fire in Butte County being the deadliest, having unleashed a smoke storm in the Bay Area. …
We’re halfway through the year, so you’ve still got time
If your New Year’s resolution is to try new things and you’ve already fallen back into your work/Netflix/sleep routine, then get off your ass and check out the list below. Regardless of location, cost or time, the below to-do’s will have you seeing the good, the bad and the naked of the Bay Area.
1) Off the Grid
No, don’t delete your Facebook account and throw your phone into the ocean. Off the Grid is a group of food trucks that travel throughout the Bay Area — almost all of it ranging from San Francisco to Pleasant Hill to Larkspur. If you haven’t been…
The Bold Italic
Celebrating the free-wheeling spirit of the Bay Area — one sentence at a time.
