Chili Day!

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Yum! We love a good chili. From a great traditional chili to a five-alarm bowl at a chili cook-off, you can never have enough of this great dish. Did you know that February 24th is National Chili Day? This is the perfect day to make your own traditional chili, or you can get out and explore some of the great restaurants with chili in San Francisco. We hope you and your stomach have a great National Chili Day.

One of our favorite aspects of chili is that it can be combined with many great food dishes. Head to The Counter to get a classic make-your-own burger with some great chili side dishes. Their menu includes chili with cheddar, red onion and sour cream or turkey chili with cranberries and scallions. If you are not feeling up for an entire bowl of chili, order a plate of their delicious chili cheese fries. 

Vegetarians can even enjoy the occasional dish of chili at La Corneta. The taqueria has expanded from a small shop in 1995 to four total stores in the Bay Area. Head to La Corneta for a traditional or vegetarian chili dish. You can try their vegetarian chili relleno burrito or the chili relleno plate with rice, beans, salad and tortillas. There are even chili options for our carnivore friends. 

The Pinecrest Diner is perfect for the chili lovers that want something at 3am. This 24-hour diner is in the heart of the Tenderloin District, and it has a huge fan following. When you are craving chili at weird hours, head to The Pinecrest for their chiliburger with a homemade chili con carne and cheese. You can also try their chili con carne and cheese in a bowl or with a platter of cheese fries. No matter what the time, Pinecrest will help satisfy your chili craving. 

These are just a few of the many chili options you have close to your home at The Wilson. What is your favorite chili recipe? Share with us in the comments underneath this post on our Facebook Page. We hope everyone has a great and delicious National Chili Day. 

Vacations From San Francisco

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We could all use a little vacation. Even if it is only for a few days, the ability to fly away from home is a great escape. Lucky for you, there are some great getaways from San Francisco that will not break the bank. Do you need some ideas on where to start? We have researched some of the best quick vacations from San Francisco. Keep reading and decide where you will make your escape.

What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas

What about a short weekend trip to Vegas? “Sin City” is only a short 90 minute flight from your home in San Francisco. Thanks to SkySkanner we have found flights for as low as $128 roundtrip. Now that you have your cheap flight, it is time to find cheap accommodations. One of our favorite places to find hotel deals is Groupon. For example, Groupon right now has a special to stay at Harrah’s Casino Resort for as low as 23.50 a night. You can even use all the money you saved at the slots, a show or on a few drinks. 

Spontaneous Weekend Getaways

Groupon has great deals on hotels, but they also have great deals on vacation packages. Maybe you have a few more vacation days and a little extra money to spend. You can head to the Tropical Princess Beach Resort & Spa with airfare for as little as $599 a person. This all-inclusive resort has many days to choose from. However, these specials always sell out fast so make sure to check everyday to find the best trip for you. 

The Emerald City

No, we are not suggesting you head to Oz for your next trip. However, a quick trip to Seattle sounds perfect. Expedia has some great bundle deals to really any city you can imagine, but we thought visiting Seattle for a weekend would be a relaxing trip. You can find a bundle deal for a flight and a three night stay at the Sheraton in Seattle for only $502 a person. 

We hope this blog gave you a few ideas for your next vacation. No matter where you go, we will be happy to see you once you get home to The Wilson. 

Valentine's Day Date Nights

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Did you read our last blog? If you did, we hope you found the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one. If you have not found the perfect gift yet, you still have a few days. Read our past blog for help with your Valentine's Day presents. 

Now that you have the gift, it is time to start planning the perfect date. Valentine’s Day can have a lot of high expectations associated with the holiday. However, the key to any great date is planning it with your loved one in mind. What is something you both love in the relationship, or does your person have a favorite place or restaurant? This previous knowledge will help you create a Valentine’s Day that they will never forget. 

We have researched and found a few Valentine’s Day local date ideas that we think your special someone would love. These ideas are all within a close distance of San Francisco and The Wilson.

Do you want a place that will give them the view of a lifetime? Take her to the Top of the Mark rooftop bar. They are known for their signature martinis and gorgeous views of the Bay Area. You can arrive early for pre-dinner drinks while watching the sunset. You can learn more about reservations and dinner accommodations on their website. 

Maybe you want a little more variety in your date. First, head to dinner at Epic Roasthouse, Waterbar or Chaya Brasserie. After this delicious five star dining experience, you can head to Leo Villareal's monumental light sculpture knows as The Bay Lights. End your night with this gorgeous view standing close to the one you love. 

If you are looking for something to do during the day, Gourmet Walks' Valentine's Day Cupcake and Chocolate Tour could be a great option. If your loved one has a sweet tooth, these special Valentine's Day tours feature three cupcake shops and five chocolate tasting shops. These tours run on the 14th from 11am -3pm. 

We hope you have a great Valentine's Day with a loved one, family or friends. The best part about Valentine's Day is spending time with the people you love. 

Find That Perfect VDay Gift

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Valentine’s Day is almost here, and that means it is time to surprise your loved one with presents and gifts. However, are you one of those people that gets completely overwhelmed with shopping for presents? We completely understand, we have been there too. Lucky for you,  San Francisco has a wide variety of shops and stores to find the perfect gift. We have gathered some of the best gifts near our home at The Wilson. So grab your wallet and take a walk to find your perfect gift for this Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate and flowers are always a great gift to start your Valentine’s Day date. However, there is more to chocolate than the pre-made boxes in your local grocery store. You can head to Recchiuti Confections to get the perfect sweet gift.  Shop their Valentine’s Day collection to find a great variety for each person’s unique tastes. They also have chocolate sauce and s’mores kits if you want to go a little unique with your purchase. 

Maybe you want your gift to be a little more adventurous than chocolate and flowers. San Francisco has so many adventures that are right near your apartment. Take your loved one on a Sunset Catamaran Cruise. This $55 dollar cruise lets you explore the San Francisco Bay Area aboard a catamaran sail boat. This is one unique gift that your loved one will not forget. 

If you want this Valentine’s Day to stand out from the others, head to Brilliant Earth to find the perfect piece of jewelry. This store was founded by two Stanford Grads. They sell conflict-free jewelry using recycled previous metals. You can choose from custom made rings, earrings and other pieces. This store is located right off Market Street. Make sure to make an appointment for the showroom to pick out your gift. They are open seven days a week.

These are just three of the many great creative gifts throughout the San Francisco area. Valentine’s Day can be stressful, but thinking about your loved ones' tastes makes the process just a little simpler. Do you have the perfect go-to Valentine’s Day gift? Share it with us on our Facebook Page.