New Year's Eve dinner cruise in San Francisco, CA from 9PM to 1AM

One thing I'd love to do on New Year's Eve in San Francisco is go on the San Francisco Belle of the Ball New Year's Eve dinner cruise.  The cruise departs from San Francisco, CA at Pier 3, on the Embarcadero at Washington Street.  The cruise boards at 8PM and the cruise is from 9:00PM to 1:00AM.  The price is $256.00 per person.

Resources:

San Francisco Belle of the Ball New Year's Eve dinner cruise
Hornblower Cruises
(415) 660-9597
www.Hornblower.com

Happy Holidays!

Halloween 2016

Osmanthus Restaurant, Asian Fusian in Rockridge! Walking distance from Rockridge Bart!

I recently visited Osmanthus in Rockridge.  We loved the garlic noodles!

Osmanthus
6048 College Ave.
Oakland, CA
94618
(510) 923-1233

Gondola rides in Long Beach, CA on the canals of Naples

Long Beach, CA has canals and Gondolas!

Gondola Getaway

5437 East Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA  90803

(562) 433-9595

www.gondo.net

Established in 1905, the community of Naples in Long Beach, CA was modeled after Venice, CA.  

Sir Winston's Restaurant & Lounge aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA

Sir Winston's Restaurant is aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.  The Queen Mary is magical at night, and after dinner a walk on the promenade deck is gorgeous!

Sir Winston's
aboard the The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy
Long Beach, CA  90802
Queen Mary.com
(562) 435-3511

The Crawford Hotel, located in Denver, CO at Union Station

For couples who are train lovers, the Crawford Hotel located within Union Station, can't be beat!

Amtrak rides simply walk into the Union Station, and right in front of them in the Crawford Hotel, the hotel and station are beautiful!

This upscale hotel also offers the following delightful perks:

*1 free scoop of ice cream per guest, per day,  from the Milkbox Ice Creamery, located in the Union Station.  Yum!

*1 free cup of coffee, per guest, per day, from Pigtrain Coffee Co.

*1 select craft beer from the Terminal Bar from 5:30 to 6:30PM, there is a really nice outdoor seating area to enjoy.

*Free Voss water waiting for you in the refrigerator, which is really appreciated considering how hot Denver can get in the summer.

*Complimentary rental of 2 Panda bicycles.

Crawford Hotel
Union Station
Denver, CO

4th of July Brunch at Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa, CA

Father's Day Aboard the USS Potomac

The USS Potomac -- FDR's Presidential yacht -- is berthed at Jack London Square in Oakland.  Lovingly restored, it is now operated by a 501(c)(3) non-profit as a working museum.  You can tour the ship at dockside.  Even more fun, you can take a cruise on the San Francisco Bay on the Potomac.

That's what we did on Father's Day.  The cruise lasted three hours.  We went under the new span of the Bay Bridge (where the gargoyle that protects the bridge was clearly visible), around Angel Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge, past San Francisco's Marina, downtown, and AT&T Park, and back to Oakland again.  They served boxed lunches and had an open bar.  The docents were fantastic and fun.    The tour was well worth the price of admission.

Happy Father's Day Weekend- Looking for some After Hours Pirate Mischief?

The Buccaneers Bash is an after hours event designed specifically for those 18 and over.  This event took  place from 6:30PM to 10:00PM on Saturday, June 18th. The Buccaneers Bash is at the annual Pirate Festival in Vallejo, CA.

Pirate Festival
www.norcalpiratefestival.com
Father's Day Weekend
June 18,19 2016
289 Mare Island Way
Vallejo, CA

Pucquio - Peruvian Cuisine on College Avenue in Rockridge

We just had a fantastic dinner at Pucquio on College Avenue in Rockridge.  We've been there twice, and have had a great experience both times.  Our best experience was sitting at the bar overlooking the small kitchen.  Watching the chefs at work was great fun.

We had the Lomo Saltado (a traditional beef stir-fry) and a fried chicken appetizer.  Plenty of food.  Excellent quality.  We watched the chefs prepare all sorts of dishes.  The Cebiches are a significant part of the menu at Pucquio.  We haven't tried any of their Cebiche offerings yet, but they look beautiful - particularly the Tiradito Clasico.

Among the deserts, we enjoyed the Bombitas de carretilla, which are fried sweet potato stuffed beignets.  We were left wanting more.

A fantastic, small restaurant in the heart of Rockridge.  Great atmosphere and staff.  Excellent food.    

Memorial Day By The Bay

The USS Hornet hosts a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony, bands, and other activities honoring veterans.  The ceremony starts at 1pm (music starts around 11).

The USS Jeremiah O'Brien sails around the Bay for Memorial Day today.  It boards at 9am and sets sail at 10am.

Gondola Boat Rides on Lake Merritt in Oakland

View from the SF Hilton (Financial District) Facing North (Day After Chinese New Year Parade)

Movie Recommendation: Away We Go with John Krasinski from the office and Maya Rudolph, Sat. Night

I love the movie, Away We Go with John Krasinski form the television show, The Office and Maya Rudolph from Saturday Night Live.

The movie has several themes going on such as pregnancy, miscarriage, love, home, friendship, and family.

Key Largo Movie Fans: Balboa Theater in San Francisco on Feb. 18th, 2016 at 7:30PM..

For fans of the movie, Key Largo, with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, visit the Balboa Theater in San Francisco on Feb. 18th, 2016 at 7:30PM.

www.cinemasf.com
3630 Balboa St.
San Francisco, CA
(415) 221-8184

For Princess Bride Fans in San Francisco, CA- Balboa theater on Feb. 20, 2016 at 10:00AM

The Princess Bride will be playing at the the Balboa Theater in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at 10 AM.  The $10. ticket includes popcorn and a drink.

Resources:

The Princess Bride
Balboa Popcorn Palace Movies
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 at 10:00AM
$10.00 ticket includes popcorn and a drink

Balboa Theater
3630 Balboa Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 221- 8184

Welcome 2016!