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Locals Talk
Stephanie Andrade
San Francisco
- When I took the Hotel Matchmaker test these are the words I selected:
- Serene/soulful, Epicurious, Stylish, Casual/relaxed, Welcoming/friendly
- My favorite activities include:
- Almost any activity involving great food, close friends and California wine. In a previous career I enjoyed traveling extensively and collecting frequent flyer miles; now I enjoy traveling occasionally and redeeming those frequent flyer miles.
- I was born and raised in:
- Upstate New York, in the Finger Lakes region, in a tiny village called Skaneateles.
- I currently live:
- The Castro, San Francisco
- What do I do to make a buck?:
- Sales Coordinator, Hotel Vitale
- 5 things I love about the San Francisco Bay Area:
- Natural beauty, Proximity to an amazing range of activities, climates and experiences, Fantastically diverse population, Creative and groundbreaking political movements, Eclectic and inspirational architecture.
- My favorite local hidden treasure you shouldn't miss:
- There's a little art gallery called Xanadu on Maiden Lane, just off Union Square. It was one of the last structures that Frank Lloyd Wright received a commission to design. He never saw its completion. It is a great little microcosm of so many of the design elements Wright employed over the course of this career. Free to enter.
- My perfect day spent in the San Francisco Bay Area:
- Get ready to walk. Steel yourself with some fantastic fare for breakfast at Town's End Restaurant (where Townsend Street meets the Bay). From there it's a short stroll up the Embarcadero to one of the greatest farmer's markets ever at the restored Ferry Building. Say hello to the Mushroom Guy, pop in to the caviar store (inside) and sample delicious local olive oils. Be sure to pick up some Acme bread and Cowgirl Creamery cheese to nibble on throughout the day. Cross the street and pay a quick visit to the Hotel Vitale (take the elevator to the 5th floor terrace for a great photo op). then begin a stroll down Market Street though the high-rise Financial District. Turn left at Third Street and continue for 1 ½ blocks to the entrance to the Museum of Modern Art. At least enter the lobby (free) to see Mario Botta's stunning design, or spend some more time exploring the exhibits.
- Cross the street and enter the Yerba Buena Gardens. Walk up the ramp past the MLK Memorial to the top terrace for a great view of the San Francisco urban landscape. Tired yet? And you haven't even hiked the hills! Fear not, from here on you'll want to do some exploring by car, following all or part of the well-marked 49-mile drive to some of the best sights in San Francisco (some, admittedly, thronged with tourists, but a great many virtually unknown to tour groups).
- Finish your bread and cheese or stop almost anywhere for a very light bite because you're going to want to save your appetite for dinner at Gary Danko (this is assuming you've made a reservation 60 days in advance). Afterwards, catch the legendary show at Club Fugazi in North Beach – Beach Blanket Babylon. Now, collapse and get some well-deserved rest.
