Hi, I’m RandySFO, AKA Randy Schroeder, your new friend and local San Franciscian. I love helping people find fun things to do that they wouldn’t have found on their own.
My first memorable experience of San Francisco was on our way back to our home in Pacific Grove, California – on the Monterey Peninsula. We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and I was amazed. It was late in the evening; so we got to stay in a hotel downtown, which was one of the most exciting times in my life growing up … all the hussle and bustle of horns honking, cable car bells, the whistles from hotels hailing cabs for guests and more. My parents dated in San Francisco; so they knew their way around, which helped make it fun. Trips to San Francisco were the always a treat. We called San Francisco “The City”, and it was the start of my love affair with one of the most picturesque spots in the world. Alfred Hitchcock called it Paris of the West and he was right. My dream was to live in a one of those cool lofts downtown, South of Market Street – now referred to as the SOMA District.
Well, now my dream is real and my partner and I live in a loft only blocks from the center of the city, Union Square. Even though I’ve got a great car, we walk most everywhere. Everything we need is close, and if we don’t want to be bothered with the hussle and bussle of the city, we can stay home, and enjoy hanging out. If the mood changes, there are 24 movie theaters, 12 live theaters, at least 15 dance clubs, hundreds of restaurants, 8 museums, several parks, 2 farmer’s markets, the largest shopping mall West of the Mississippi, every designer store you can think of, 15 great book stores, hundreds of boutique shops, at least 75 hotels (many with gorgeous lobbies you’ll see here), street cars, busses, underground light rail, Bart (the underground train through the city and under the bay to sevaral point East) and yes, the San Francisco Cable Cars … all blocks away. You may find some ideas for food and interesting things to do. The photos are based on our travels around the city over the past five years … and I’ll continue to update with more photos and notes of unique, fun and quirky things to do, as we continue our life in San Francisco. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Need more info or onsite help?
If you want to know more about a hotel, a facility or something you can’t find photos for, or you don’t trust the marketing details you see online. I can go to the location, shoot photos, and give you an honest evaluation. Or, you may be thinking of buying or renting a home here and need photos of the neighborhood. Or, or, or. The possibilities are endless.
Simple questions that take a few minutes to answer are FREE. Other projects may take time, but you tell me what you want, I’ll price it, you decide if it’s worth it or not. No obligation.
More about this site …
If you travel a lot, you know the value of getting a “heads up” from a local. If you don’t travel often or don’t have much time, maybe this site will help. Again, a local is your best bet. My blog can help, or I offer personalized help, if you want it?
I’ve lived in San Francisco since 1995, but grew up in Monterey, CA; so “The City” has always been part of my heart and soul.
I’ve traveled a bit, but I’m not big on typical touristy things to do. For example, the Golden Gate bridge is beautiful, but instead of just going there, snapping a few photos and getting back on the tour bus, how about doing it a little differently? Rent a bike and ride across it! It’s not hard, and you can take the ferry back and you’ll end the day with some exercise, something unique, lunch along the way, and a bay cruise … all in 3 or 4 hours. AND, trust me, it’s not hard. I’m old, and I still love this ride.
I’ve created a free eBook of 43 pages with all the details of where to rent the bike, where to stop for photos, lunch and all the details you need. Just click on the yellow and blue button “Bike The Bay in 1/2 a Day” on the home page
Now, which one sounds like the most fun way to spend 3 or 4 hours? Tour bus or bike trip?
The bike version is more my style; so if that sounds like more fun to you too, you may enjoy the other things I have listed for you here on my blog. I add things constantly; so you might want to come back frequently to see what’s new.
Use the search box on the top right, or the categories on the left, to find things that seem interesting to you; then just print out what you’d like take along. Everything should be easy to find; so just ask at your hotel or someone on the street. We’re a friendly bunch and always willing to help people find their way. Or if you need more help, just email me from the contact page.
Enjoy,
RandySFO
