The street car sign says it goes nowhere in particular and as the sun rises in San Francisco there are locals doing Tai Chi in Washington Square. There’s a roar as a taxi cab negotiates one of the steepest hills in the city riding halfway to the stars it seems. San Francisco has that laid back but efficient feel to it from the exquisitely painted Victorian houses to the fast service in restaurants and friendly welcome from the locals. There are many things to see in San Francisco but if time is short here are a few suggestions to get the best out of a stay in this beautiful city by the bay.

Image courtesy of www.frontendeveloper.com

 

1. Chinatown

The Chinese came to San Francisco to build the Transcontinental Railroad and many stayed to develop the area known as Chinatown. Walk through the street markets piled high with oriental fruit and vegetables and observe the ornate temples with incense burning. Visit the Fortune Cookie Factory to see how this San Franciscan invention is made. Don’t forget to sample some of the best Chinese food around in one of the restaurants that make this area so special.

 

2. Go shopping in the Castro

Home to much of San Francisco’s gay and lesbian community The Castro is decked with rainbow flags and has some eclectic shops selling all manner of things that you might not find elsewhere – great for souvenir hunting! There are vibrant cafes and restaurants, live music from time to time, a real buzz in the air and a warm welcome to anyone in this great San Franciscan district which borders the area between 17^th and 20^th Streets.  For entertainment the Castro Theatre has the original organ and fittings and is a real experience.

 

3. Alcatraz

Known as The Rock, Alcatraz sits in San Francisco Bay and was a notorious prison from which there was no escape. The cells have been home to the likes of Al Capone and Robert Stroud, or the Birdman of Alcatraz. Reached by boat it is fascinating to walk around as it is full of stories and legends as well as a quite sinister, yet intriguing, atmosphere. The views from the island are worth a trip just to see the bay and city skyline from a different angle. Don’t forget to see the garden created by prisoners on the island.

 

4. Visit the Painted Ladies

One of the loveliest things in San Francisco are the various styles of Victorian architecture. On Steiner Street in the Alamo Square District the Painted Ladies, also called the Six Sisters, stand in a row with pastel painted frontages. These beautiful houses survived the 1906 earthquake and are each painted in three or more colours giving them an exquisite style unique to San Francisco.

 

5. Hang on to the Strap

There are three ways to ride one of San Francisco’s cable cars. Either sit inside, or on one of the outside seats, or if you want to ride like a local hang on to the strap like Doris Day as these beautiful old cable cars ascend through the steep streets .It is the perfect adventure for those on family holidays as it will thrill young children but they do need to be supervised.  For a glimpse of the best sights of San Francisco ride facing east as you go up on the Powell Hyde Line. Visitors can travel from Hyde Street to Union Square where a short walk takes you to Wells Fargo Bank and the place where miners used to have their gold dust weighed and where the Pony Express was first developed. Nob Hill is another cable car with a precipitously vertical ride through the city and good fun to experience.

 

6. Take a bike ride from Pier 39 to Sausalito

With a city built on 43 hills cycling holidays are not the first thing that comes to mind in San Francisco. Bicycle tours from Pier 39 are very popular and a wonderful way to take in the sweeping views across San Francisco Bay and along the waterfront. Pedal past North Beach and across the famous Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. Take a rest in delightful Sausalito with its Victorian houses and restaurants before the return ride or alternatively take a ferry crossing past Alcatraz to Pier 39.

For anyone lucky enough to be visiting San Francisco, the Bay is undoubtedly one of the main attractions. From the distant view of Alcatraz, to the fabulous Golden Gate Bridge, a tour of San Francisco Bay has enough to keep everyone entertained, whatever the weather. Because there is so much to see around San Francisco Bay, both on land and on the water, it is a good idea to take a tour that combines both bus and boat. These tours tend to be better value than taking two separate tours and you can make sure you fit in absolutely everything there is to see during your visit.

Bus tour

For the part of your trip that is on dry land there are a number of sights that you should make sure you include in the itinerary. Fisherman’s’ Wharf is home to San Francisco’s fleet of superb fisherman and the best place in the city to get some fresh seafood. Hop off your bus tour here for a trip on one of the legendary cable cars, a ride on a tandem bike or a romantic lunch overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge (http://www.fishermanswharf.org).

The Ferry Building at the end of Market Street is a huge market and has been dubbed ‘a famous city’ most famous landmark.’ Until the 1930s the ferry was almost the only way visitors could get to San Francisco, so the building was a focal point for the town. Now it is a fantastic market with a huge range of produce on offer from artisan cheeses, to ceramics and fresh bread – a great place to pick up some souvenirs or just to get lunch!

If you want to learn about San Francisco’s ‘other’ bridge – the Bay Bridge (http://baybridgeinfo.org) then this is the area to do it in. The bridge began construction in the 1930s and was one of the most ambitious projects of its time. It was damaged by the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 and has undergone some serious work since that is due to be completed in 2013. It is a big part of San Francisco Bay’s heritage and has also become quite famous through film and TV hits like Basic Instinct and The Graduate – definitely worth a visit for those interested in San Fran history.

Boat Tour

Once you’ve had your fill of San Francisco Bay by land then hop on the boat for the next leg of the tour and hope for a clear day. San Francisco is legendary for its fog – a very specific type of fog that has given San Fran the nickname of ‘the naturally air conditioned city.’ However, assuming you have a clear day then make sure you sign up for a boat tour that takes in the Golden Gate Bridge (http://www.goldengatebridge.org) (most do!), the most legendary piece of architecture in San Francisco and one of the iconic images of the city. Most boat tours will take you right up close to the bridge – underneath usually – giving you a unique view of the towering gables and distinctive red hue of the construction. Of course the other major sight across the water from San Francisco is Alcatraz (http://www.nps.gov/alca). You can take a tour of this infamous penitentiary but it is a good idea to book in advance as it remains hugely popular, whatever the time of year. The island has a range of tours and exhibits for visitors, including the cellhouse tour, where you can walk around and look at the conditions in which the prisoners lived, accompanied by an audio information track. If Alcatraz has given you a shiver then the best way to finish the boat tour is with something warm and fuzzy like the Pier 39 sea lions. The sea lions seem to have lived here since 1989 when they starting shifting from Seal Rock and as many as 1,700 may occupy this area. They are a cheerful sight as they bask in the sunshine and if you’ve got a spare sardine you might even be able to feed them.

A tour of San Francisco Bay by boat and by bus means you can take in absolutely everything this fantastic area has to offer. Whether you’re interested in the grim reality of Alcatraz or the majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge the Bay tour is the way to go.

Amy is a blogger from Alamo. Amy recommends Alamo for car hire San Francisco Airport and cheap car hire USA.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

With scenic splendours ranging from rugged mountain ranges to sandy coves as well as a huge variety of wineries battling to tempt your taste buds, California is a paradise for wine lovers.

Image courtesy of jimg944When planning a wine holiday in California, there are a number of different factors to consider, from the region you plan to explore, to the time of year you’d like to travel and the mode of transport you prefer.

Getting There

The nearest airports to Napa Valley are Sacramento International Airport, roughly 60 miles east of the valley and San Francisco Airport, roughly 55 miles south of the valley. Of course there are plenty of airports further afield as well. If it’s your first visit to California you may want to visit a few of the nearby cities and regions and for this region many people do a road trip starting as far out as Vegas. Flights to Vegas are quite frequent and given a few days the journey can provide a great road trip past Mojave National Reserve and via Los Angeles. Regardless of where you fly into, there should always be plenty of flights to the major airports surrounding Napa Valley.

Where to go

Home to a massive selection of excellent wine regions, choosing which part of California to tour can be tricky. Join aficionados and celebrity wine fans with a trip to Sonoma and Napa, where you’ll be spoilt for choice. Sonoma alone boasts more than 250 wineries.

In Napa, you’ll also find COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, an excellent cultural museums and education centre ideal for anyone who’d like to discover a little about the history of the wine industry, as well as its present.

The Russian River area is considered to be the region north and west of Healdsburg and you’ll find many wineries taking advantage of the fertile riverside soil. These, combined with the lovely view of the water, make it a popular area for visitors. The border of Mendocino County also offers dramatic coastlines and the chance to discover the sights of the wonderful state park in Alexander Valley, as well as a selection of intimate and enjoyable wine tours.

When to go

Plan your visit to Wine Country to coincide with September, California Wine Month, to help celebrate harvest time and the area’s fertile grounds and fine crops. Coordinated by the Wine Institute and more than 1,000 local wineries and businesses, the annual festivities are great for wine fans travelling to the region.

However, if you’re planning a more relaxing tour, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of other opportune times to enjoy California’s wineries. Visit Napa Valley during August and enjoy the serene sounds of the concerts that take place as part of Music in the Vineyards. April is also a great time to visit the Russian River area, where you can take part in the celebrations of the Apple Blossom Festival in the town of Sebastopol.

There’s plenty worth seeing during the winter month’s too, including the Festival of Lights which runs from November to New Year in Southern Napa Valley and a wonderful New Year celebration in Northern Sonoma County.

James writes for Skyscanner.net a flight comparison company based in Scotland. For more information about Skyscanner check out the Skyscanner Wikipedia page, or for Window Phone users, take a look at the new Skyscanner app.

 

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

San Francisco has a lot of interesting places.

Most of us are used to the typical tourist destinations.

Like Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can watch Sea Lions bask in the sun and interesting street performers. You can see our favorite, the Bushman, who’s been surprising guests for years.

There’s also Alcatraz, which was once home to some of the toughest and dangerous criminals. But now you can go on guided tours and experience solitary confinement first hand (It’s scary, even for a few minutes!).

Or you can take your kids to the Aquarium of the Bay, where they have a 300 foot glass tunnel, petting pool and feeding sessions.

And stay at a hotel that’s in the center of San Francisco. From Union Square, everything is just a couple blocks away!

But there’s also a few “hidden treasures” that you may never have seen before…

Image courtesy of Shayne Kaye

The San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel just ran a Facebook contest asking participation about their favorite San Francisco hidden treasures. Here is what their winner’s suggested:

Kristina Wilson suggested hunting down the locations made famous by Alfred Hitchcock movies: Muir Woods, the Vertigo Hotel and an apartment on Lombard Street.

The grand prize winner, Gina Braden suggested exploring Distillery 209, home to craft spirit brewing. Known for its 209 gin, the Distillery offers gin tastings and distillery tours once a month and is located near great San Francisco attractions, like the AT&T Park. Gina also suggests taking the T Line Muni train, which stops extremely close to the distillery.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Is your city trick-or-treat friendly?

Zillow.com has ranked the top 20 cities to trick or treat this Halloween. From their blog;

Now in its third year, the Zillow Trick-or-Treat Index is designed to help kids (and parents) use data to identify cities that will boost their Halloween haul.

How are they ranked?

Zillow uses their home value index, “walkability” rating of the city, people per square mile and the rate of violent and nonviolent crime.

All of that adds up to the most candy with the safest and least walking.

Is your city listed below?

Image courtesy of Transguyjay

1. San Francisco

San Francisco Trip for the Whole Family

4. Seattle

5 Things to Do in Seattle with Kids

6. San Jose

5 Things to Do with Kids in San Jose

8. Los Angeles

Things to do in Los Angeles

13. San Diego

Free Fun for Kids in San Diego

16. Denver

6 Denver Activities for Kids

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

The winter months are steadily approaching, and bring with them some of the things humans hate most: cold, snow and awful driving conditions. Now would be a perfect time to start planning for a vacation to escape the cold for a couple of weeks, because we all know how nice sunny beaches feel when your family is shivering near a fireplace in December.

Below I’ve included five of the best locations the United States has to offer, and I’m sure you’ll agree.

Image courtesy of Anirudh

1. San Diego

Home to some of the prettiest beaches in the world, San Diego makes for a perfect destination away from the cold weather. In addition to lounging on the beach and enjoying some sun, you could also partake in the many activities that accompany a location such as: water-skiing, boating, surfing, volleyball and especially swimming.If you’re a sports fan, you’ll also want to check out QualComm Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers football team. What better way to spend the day than to watch a rousing game of football and watch a whole slew of guys pound each other into the ground?

2. San Francisco

The Gold Gate Bridge, the famous trolley system and the world class dining and atmosphere are just some of the attractions most often affiliated with San Francisco. With an assortment of art and culture exhibits and attractions, wild and sophisticated nighttime activities and high class hotels, those who visit the famed city will have plenty to do.Take a ride on the trolley while you’re there, too. You have to!

3. Las Vegas

This one really needs no introduction, because, well, it’s Las Vegas! Gambling, drinking, partying and a loose atmosphere make this a hotspot for fun and excitement. While gambling in the casinos and viewing the special design of hotels like the Bellagio, Excalibur and the Hard Rock are wonderfully fun, there are other attractions as well like visiting spas, golf courses, racing and even indoor skydiving.

4. Seattle

While this may not be the warmest location of them all, Seattle does have a mild climate all year round. If you can handle 50 degree weather and a bit of rain here and there instead of 30 degree weather, you’ll love what Seattle has to offer. Aside from being a beautiful city, it is one of the northwestern cities that has a very sophisticated and youthful population. If you’re the artsy or culture type, you’ll be in heaven. But just about everyone will enjoy the ski resorts, beaches, dining and even the first Starbucks coffee house to ever be built in Seattle, all within an hour or two apart.

5. Phoenix

Phoenix has a very warm climate, and visitors will love the outdoor activities that are available to them. With many parks and outdoor attractions, all nature lovers will enjoy everything about them. Perhaps one of best outdoor attractions that many find to be exhilarating fun is the River Rampage water rafting and kayaking, where you can combat the white, raging rapids and make your way down river, making for an exciting adventure.

There you have it, folks, the five best vacation destinations for those seeking refuge from the colder months. You’ll be glad you took a vacation when those blizzards and 20 degree winds swoop in. That’s for sure!

Joe Petchonka has been a writer for over five years, and has written for newspapers, websites and automotive dealerships. In addition to having an extensive writing background and bachelor’s degree in English, he has helped companies develop professional material to help them achieve their goals. He currently writes for Nexteppe, who helps dealerships sell Queens Used Cars, New York Used Cars, CT Used Cars and Bronx area Kia cars, in their social media department.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Hotel Diva is always one of the best priced hotels in San Francisco. But it’s not a budget hotel. It has way to much style for that.

Image courtesy of BG³Photo

You really can’t find a better location. It’s located right next to Union Square in the heart of Downtown San Francisco. You’re across the street from the American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) and the Curran Theatre.

The Hotel Diva also has common areas and meeting rooms. You can work or relax in one of their unique lounges created by award winning designers. Their meeting facility is the perfect size for meeting clients or coworkers.

If you’re traveling with young children, you can rent one of their Little Divas Suites. The kid-friendly room has bunk beds, personal flat screen with child-appropriate movies and toys to keep them busy for hours.

Image courtesy of El Frito

It also just underwent a $2 million face-lift.

The guest rooms, common areas and exterior will be finished in November, while a new Perrier Lounge will open in January. The lobby will be redesigned as an open-air lounge.

Oh, and they’re also pet friendly!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

The number one topic people wanted to hear about on our survey was ways to save.

We can do that!

Fox already provides a number of ways to save on car rentals. Here are a few that highlight some of the best ways.

Image courtesy of owenwbrown

1. Last Minute Deals

Score last minute deals with the Fox Hot Deals.

On our main website, you’ll find the lowest rates for the next two weeks.

2. Loyal Customers

The Fox Rent A Car Rewards Program is the best way to save on car rentals.

Earn points with each rental and use them on your next rental with Fox Bucks. Your points are applied directly to your next rental car. You’re allowed to use them whenever you’d like.

You can also redeem points for gift certificates. You can pick a Super Certificate on the Gift Certificates website, for a larger list of stores.

Give By Category

3. Coupons for Friends

Get discounts on a variety of cars and locations from our Facebook Specials.

“Like” us and the discounts will be yours!

You can also Check-In to our locations and receive upgrades and more!

About Fox Rent A Car

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Wouldn’t it be great if you knew exactly when to travel.

I mean the right place at the right time.

Well a great article from About.com has given us some clues and detailed when you should travel to specific U.S. cities.

Image courtesy of BG³Photo

January

New York, NY
San Francisco, CA

March

Los Angeles

June

Phoenix

August

Las Vegas

November

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
Reno, NV

December

Napa-Sonoma, CA

What do you think?

Do you know of a good time to travel? Let us know in the comments below!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Here’s what you may have missed over the past few days.

Fox Now Rents to 20 Year Olds
Fox Rent A Car now rents to 20 year olds. This makes it just a little bit easier for you college kids to travel.

Happy 4th of July!
We hope everyone had a great, happy 4th of July!

Napa Valley Wine Train Video on the Fox Road Trip
Here’s a great video of the Napa Valley Wine Train from the Fox Road Trip… hopefully you won’t be as jealous as I am!

3 Steps to your San Diego Summer
San Diego is the perfect summer spot for sun, ocean breezes, unique sea animals and great nightlife.

The Best Las Vegas Show You’ll Ever See
Absinthe manages to combine satirical comedy, jaw-dropping circus acts and burlesque singing and dancing. There truly is nothing else like it.

“If you’re offended by words like f*** or s*** you just might be at the wrong f***’in show”

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.