San Francisco 49ers Draft

The draft is upon us. Tomorrow, 32 NFL teams will start a weekend long process of drafting their players for next year. Many teams are hoping to land their next star that will bring their franchise the Lombardi trophy.  The San Francisco 49ers have nine draft pics available in the 2015 draft.  This does not include any deals that are made to move positions or players.  Here are some possible scenarios for the 49ers draft selection.

Wide Receiver

This franchise has birthed one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL History. Jerry Rice will always be known throughout the NFL as one of the best receivers in history.  However, this organization has not had the best luck in finding the next pro bowl receivers during the draft.  The Mercury News believes that this could be the year.  They could be set with the veteran receivers they have, but this bluff could let them use their top pick for a future wide receiving all star.  

Defensive Tackle

Another prediction for the 49ers draft selection is a new defensive tackle.  Many believe that Arik Armstead from Oregon will be the 49ers man this weekend. In mock draft predictions, 40% of people believed that Armstead would be the player of choice for the 49ers.  This is a pretty good number considering the 49ers pick 15th overall in the 2015 draft. 

Moving Positions

Another prediction from the experts is that the 49ers could move positions with the Kansas City Chiefs. This would make them 18th in the draft instead of 15th.  This would make the team have a fourth and seventh round pick.  This seems unlikely, but if the 49ers have their own trade value chart this could be an option. 

All of these options could be seen as the 49ers try to make the next Super Bowl winning team. We will see how this plays out tomorrow for the 2015 NFL Draft. You can watch the draft at home at The Wilson.

Amenities at The Wilson

http://thewilsonsf.com/features-and-amenities.html

Why should you live at The Wilson? There are many reasons including the great location in city, the amenities, and the gorgeous views.  The Wilson gives you the ability to walk only a few blocks to be able to eat, play and work.  If you choose to live at The Wilson, you will see the convenience and luxuries that this apartment gives you.

 Rooftop Lounge & Kitchen

Head to the rooftop of The Wilson for an incredible view of the bay area.  Our residents can enjoy this 2000 square foot rooftop with lounges and a BBQ station.  You can head up to the roof after a long day of work and relax on the comfortable lounges while having your favorite after work drink.  It is a great place to socialize with your neighbors or a group of friends that are visiting. 

24 Hour Fitness Center

You no longer have to worry about joining a gym and getting there after work.  The Wilson has a 24 hour fitness center for all of our residents.  You can get your workout in with our state-of-the-art machines that are available at your convenience.  Yoga fans make sure to check out our beautiful Yoga studio before or after your workout.

ILounge

Do you want to keep work and your home separate?  Our ILounge is the perfect place to make this happen.  You can work, check emails, or catch up with friends in our comfortable lounge with free wifi.  Pull up a couch and get your work done quickly and easily with no distractions.  

The Wilson is not only a luxury apartment in the heart of the city.   The amenities that we offer will be perfect for the young professional on the go.  Our goal is to make your home the center for everything you may need.  

Walkability and The Bay Area

San Francisco has appeared on many “best of” lists over the years.  One list that you may not think about for San Francisco is most walkable.  However, the bay area has a great walkability score in many communities.  The San Francisco area has many ways to commute including cars and trolleys, but one of the best ways to explore our city is walking.

So what is a Walk Score?  How is walkability measured for cities?  There are many factors that can contribute to a cities ranking.  These include distance to restaurants, grocery stores, or other amenities.  More importantly this also includes how safe and pedestrian friendly the streets are for walkers.    

San Francisco is rated very walkable.  This means that you can get to most amenities by walking right from The Wilson Apartments .   The Wilson is in a great location that is surrounded by many restaurants and stores within a short distance.

Are you looking for some new clothing, but do not feel like driving to get to your favorite store?  You can walk less than a mile from The Wilson and check out Hugo Boss.   This high fashion line is great for the young professional in the office. They have styles for men, women, and children all within a five minute walk of your home.

After a long day of shopping, you may want to sit down for a bite to eat.  Make sure to check out The Chieftain Irish Restaurant and Pub.  This great bar and restaurant offers your favorite Irish selections with daily specials and great happy hours.  You can even take quick walk to the pub for live music or to watch the Giants win the World Series. 

There are many great places to explore that are all within walking distance of Market Street.  Take a walk this weekend to enjoy the weather, and you can see what is all around your home at The Wilson. 

52 New Art Installations on Market Street

Market Street has been under a year long renovation to bring something new to San Francisco’s main throughway.  The main street is also where we live at The Wilson.  This weekend 52 new creative and unique public art installations will be installed around the city and on market street.  These installations will then be voted on by popular opinion to see which 10-12 become long term installations.  Make sure to take a walk down market street this weekend and check these new installations out. We have featured a few in the blog below.

Life through a toddler's eyes.

This art installation is perfect for the adult that just needs a break to relax and feel like a kid again. The installation strives to help adults channel their inner child, and then use that to bring out their compassion and creativity.  Everything will be oversized just like it was when you were a child.  

A Pop Up Library

The San Francisco Public Library is behind this installation.  This gateway will be built out of 

San Francisco Resident’s favorite books.  As you walk through, you will be facing toward the library.  This walk through will also feature an audio book from the library’s collection. Finally, there will be a did you know section that visitors can take to learn more about the library. 

A two-story pile of life-size Jenga blocks.

Do you remember the game Jenga?  Did you ever think you would see a life-size version of the game?  These interlocking and stackable wooden blocks will encourage people to watch and interact with the exhibit and the people around them.   During specific times, the exhibit will be  unlocked and visitors can move the blocks around. 

Collaborative music driven by facial expressions.

Have you ever wanted to design your own music?  This next exhibit will give you that opportunity.  Four iPads will each be responsible for one instrument. The system will recognize seven facial expressions that you can use to shape the music and the piece that you are making.  This unique experience will let you design music with three other strangers or friends. 

These are just four of the many exhibits that you can experience this weekend in San Francisco.  To find out more information about this weekend’s art make sure to check out Huffington Post. 

Bikes Are Everywhere in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the most walkable and bike-able cities in the country.  New accessibility for cyclists has increased the bike count to over 90,000 people in March. This weekend try these beautiful safe bike routes with some friends. You can learn more at Sfgate. 

For the spring and early summer, I made a list of the 100 best bike trails in the Bay Area and near Monterey Bay. Of those, I picked my favorite all-round rides for intermediate cyclists, mostly mountain biking. The climbs aren't like Mount Diablo, but the payoffs are special. Here they are:
San Francisco

To Sausalito: This is the most popular ride in California, where you cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge and return by ferry boat to Pier 41, with rental bikes available. The trip starts along the bay on the Golden Gate Promenade, from Marina Green to the Presidio, and then up through the tunnel to the bike lane on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are spectacular along the 

Marin Headlands and out to sea. Then glide down to Fort Baker and complete the trip to Sausalito for lunch. Roughly 8 miles, one-way. Info and rentals: Blazing Saddles, (415) 202-8888;www.blazingsaddles.com.
South Peninsula

Bay Ridge Trail, Crystal Springs: You need trail reservations, but you and your riding pals can have paradise to yourselves. This is an 11-mile one-way ride with a shuttle on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. The route spans from Quarry Gate north to the gate at Sneath Lake in San Bruno. In the process, you pass through forest, view points to the east of Crystal Springs, then on past 5 Points to a remote sub-ridge; to the west is the seldom-seen east flank of Montara Mountain, to the east are weeping views of the South Bay. Info: Reserve at www.sfwater.org - click on "Community" and "Explore," then "Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail."


Crystal Springs Trail, San Bruno to Woodside: This gets packed with bikes every weekend, and weekday evenings are popular, too. It's gorgeous and feels secluded much of the way - a long, sustained, easy ride with lake views. Start at the northern trailhead and ride the San Andreas Trail, Sawyer Camp Trail to Crystal Springs, and Cañada Road (closed to motor vehicles on Bicycle Sundays); 13 miles one-way, 15-mph speed limit. You can connect to Woodside for lunch. Info: San Mateo County Parks, (650) 363-4020; http://parks.smcgov.org.

Haul Road, Portola Redwoods State Park: A personal favorite. A 10-mile round trip from Portola Redwoods State Park gently down to Memorial County Park. The Haul Road is a smooth dirt road that is routed through redwoods near the headwaters of Pescadero Creek. A great family ride in wildlands. Info: Portola Redwoods State Park, (650) 948-9098,www.parks.ca.gov.
Marin County

Tamarancho Loop: Camp Tamarancho is the No. 1 mountain bike park in California, where you pay $5 for a month for unlimited riding with like-kinds on single-track trails. The 9-mile Tamarancho Loop, single-track on the east side of White Hill, is the centerpiece. The long-range plan is to complete the Tamarancho Flow Trail and other single-track routes. Owned and operated by the Marin Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Info: www.boyscouts-marin.org - click on "Tamarancho Biking."


Perimeter Road, Angel Island: The 5.5-mile ride on Perimeter Road around Angel Island is probably the best ride for all ages in California. The views are spectacular at a series of lookouts across the bay to its landmarks, with easy side trips available to Camp Reynolds, Perles Beach, Battery Ledyard, East Garrison, Quarry Beach, North Garrison, and theImmigration Station. Bike rentals available. Info: Angel Island cafe (bike rentals), (415) 435-3392, www.angelisland.com; Angel Island State Park, (415) 435-5390; www.angelisland.org or www.parks.ca.gov.

Tennessee Valley, Marin Headlands: This is also a great family ride, nearly flat most of the way, 8.5-mile round trip. You ride through a valley west, and then park, lock and walk a short distance to a gorgeous secluded beach at Tennessee Cove, named after a shipwreck. Info: Marin Headlands, (415) 331-1540, www.nps.gov/goga - click on "Plan Your Visit."
South coast

Coastal Trail, Half Moon Bay: The best way to do this trip is to start at Half Moon Bay State Beach (or nearby at the Bike Works for a rental). Then ride north on the Coastal Trail all the way to Pillar Point Harbor (with one section incomplete at Surfer's Beach) for lunch. You'll pass bluff tops, a series of beach access points, and get big views of the Montara Mountain ridge on one side, the ocean to the other. Info/rentals: The Bike Works, (650) 726-6708, www.bikeworkshmb.com.


Rancho del Oso, Big Basin Redwoods: My favorite bike-and-hike anywhere is the ride on the dirt road from Rancho del Oso into the interior of Big Basin Redwoods. It starts out flat, but then rises up and down three hills. You then park, lock up at a rack, and hike 1 to 3 miles to see Berry Creek Falls, and then up the canyon to Silver Falls and the Golden Cascade. A 13-mile round trip ride, plus hike. Info: Rancho del Oso Nature Center, (831) 427-2288, http://ranchodeloso.org.

Wilder Loop, Wilder Ranch State Park: Wilder Ranch is the best state park around for mountain biking. From the ranch (dismount and walk), ride under Highway 1, turn left on the Wilder Ridge Loop. You then climb up a series of small hills and then terraces to catch your breath. Climb at least 500 feet (look for the spur on your left) for a lookout point of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, or make the 9-mile loop. Info: Wilder Ranch State Park, (831) 423-9703; www.parks.ca.gov
East Bay hills

Nimitz Way, Tilden Regional Park: From Inspiration Point, the trail is crowded for the first mile, then becomes more your own (still paved) for 4 miles to a turnoff on the left (becomes dirt) and a gate. Ride through the gate and continue to the foot of one of the hills. Lay down your bike and then walk up to a summit for a world-class 360 of the bay, foothills and distant peaks. 10-mile round trip. Info: Tilden Regional Park, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4562; www.ebparks.org.

Chabot shoreline, Lake Chabot: This is a family ride, great for youngsters or those getting in shape. From the marina, ride out to the left along Lake Chabot on the Shore Trail. It's a service road with mild undulations en route to the dam - easy and short, with pretty lake views. If you want more, at the marina, continue on the East Shore Trail. It extends to pretty Honker Bay. Info: Lake Chabot Regional Park, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4536; www.ebparks.org.

Alameda Creek Regional Trail: From Niles Canyon to Coyote Hills Regional Park, you'll find a paved trail on the southern side of the Alameda Creek that extends 12 miles (one way). You ride past Shinn Pond and Quarry Lakes en route to Coyote Hills, wetlands, marsh and the South Bay. Info: Alameda Creek Regional Trail, (510) 544-3137; East Bay Regional Park District, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4501; www.ebparks.org.