THE BLOG

26
Jan

FLOURISH LIKE A LOCAL

 There are an infinite amount of a great things to see, do and be in this city. In-between these suggested destinations, try getting lost. We walked up many hills and ran down others while getting to know sweet ‘frisco.

Parrots fly palm to palm tree, chirping, and crafting an exotic experience when you have a break and sit on a stoop.

The city is filled with years of art, locals make it and embrace it. You’ll find some far-out examples on paths, stairs and where you least expect it.

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Lombard Street

The unique Lombard Street is filled with a bizarre amount of tourists who have no problem blocking traffic to take 100 shots of the same frame. To top that off, the otherwise quiet area is constantly flowing with a river full of cars, all of which have all passengers recording themselves riding down the famous winding street. Regardless of the abundance, the experience is sweet. Climb those worn steps, snap a shot in-between cars, and have another wonderful view of San Fran unveiled

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Fisherman’s Warf You’re so close, you might as well head downhill and absorb Fisherman’s Warf. Find quiet areas, watch artists sculpt, perform and serve you ridiculously great ice cream. Street cars and sea lions rest along a sandy warf where the odd person swims by. Between the city, rolling hills, and a stretch of the bay lays this gem of merchants preserved in old brick architecture. propertyofsaidiazaloski

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

Listen to the flutter of voices and steps echo within these towering columns. We walked through the dome before heading to the beach for some sunset sight-seeing, and again after the sun had set.

Our heads tilted during daylight, gripping the detail and majesty. At night, we rested across the pond and watched the luminescent alcazar arouse vagabonds and all types.

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Presidio After a long day of wandering, grab a bottle of wine and head for a picnic at the beach. Walking along the boardwalk in Presidio serves a panoramic scene of the bay, from city depths, to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate. Catching the view at sunset leaves more than just golden hues, have a glimpse of the purple hills sparkling with bits of yellow. Locals haunt the shoreline by kite surfing, picnicking or cycling past while singing Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore,” at the top of their lungs. View more photos here.

08
Jan

Cycle your city!

Saidia Zaloski, Journalist

Make a different resolution this year and have fun like a 10 year old: go for a bike ride, go sliding, swimming, hopscotch, frisbee, jump rope, blow bubbles, fly a kite and get outside!

It’s time to bring the 90′s back while coasting your city and practising the exercise you loved as a kid, but now you don’t have to go home when the street lights turn on.

Plus, your hometown could still be crazy romantic when dusk rolls over the sky. Cycling dark streets gives you a unique city experience while the lights reflect in your path, articheture towers over you and in luck, you’ll find a star or two.  Everything looks better in dim light, and the roads are vacant in an ominous hum.

When I stumbled into Paris late one night, I rented a bike and explored the inner districts that illuminated and inspired. It was always a goal of mine to experience each city at night, take in the glowing nightlife in a quick whisper.

Find evening bliss in your own city, route yourself through hills and streets you haven’t before and find joy in a view. Aim for places that would be awarding to yourself and at least 2km+ (1.2 mi) away for good measure. Cycling is a great way to burn off dinner and is effortlessly enjoyable.

When we first moved to Victoria, we were quick to buy second hand bicycles and discover the new city by two wheels each night.

This bike friendly city offers destinations that will pair perfectly with a bottle of wine. Everything is quiet once it’s dark, making it easy to coast to gems like Fisherman’s Warf, Inner Harbour, Willows Beach, and the panoramic urban view from Mount Tolmie.

What You’ll Need

Backpack
Dress Warm/ Comfortable
Water
Gloves
Flashlight
Blanket

Optional: Bottle of Wine (Cider or beer works too)
Skyguide app (For optimal star gazing)
Lighter and newspaper (Start a beach bonfire)
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Dallas Road Cliffs

Locals know that the path that lines these cliffs is a gem, however, you’ll find the beaches vacant after the sun sets (or even an hour before that.) You may be accompanied by a few other beach fires, but trust someone who has spent many evenings here- Victorians don’t come out at night.

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Ross Bay Cemetery Beach

Not thrilled about going out after dark? This beach shares the same beauty as Dallas Cliffs but is lit by streetlights and passed by many cars on a nightly drive.

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Mount Tolmie

Victoria’s own Make Out Point peaks at the top of Mount Tolmie which is easily accessible by vehicle, but a great uphill workout on two wheels. Why not reward yourself with this view then coast downhill back into it?

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Gonzales Bay

Our personal favourite spot in Victoria is Gonzales Bay. The sandy beach reflects the warm light from homes along the shore.  Stroll low tide and find romance in this hidden gem.

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Gonzales Observatory

Follow Denison Road to Walbran Park and find the Gonzales Observatory. The narrow road leads you to a view of distant looming mountains over a blooming city. This one is a beauty.