Put That Cellphone Down

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Today’s fast paced society can be draining. Being on the go all the time can make you forget the time before you were busy nonstop. With our faces constantly buried in our phones, tablets and laptops both at work and at home, it can distract us from the real world. Even though our phones are great connectors and open up a whole new world to us, sometimes there’s nothing that beats good old face-to-face communication and alone time. In honor of the Day of Unplugging, take a day or even just a few hours to unplug from your electronics and live in the moment.

Now that the weather has been a little kinder to us, it’s almost okay to spend tons of time outside again. Luckily, at The Wilson, we have a great rooftop lounge and kitchen. So even if the weather is still a little chilly, you can still hang out near the rooftop lounge and grill up some burgers. Relaxing in the rooftop area with your pals is a great way to be social without having to be attached to your phone. If all of your friends are already with you, you don’t need to stare at your phone! Hopefully, spring will be here soon so we can start to use the rooftop lounge and kitchen regularly!

One of the best ways to avoid the draw of your phone is to occupy yourself. Strike out into the city for an event! If you’re enjoying yourself and keeping busy, you’ll forget all about your phone and enjoy yourself even further. One of the days of unplugging is March 5th, and San Francisco has a festival that is the perfect distraction. You can head to the San Francisco International Chocolate Salon at the Fort Mason Center. You can distract yourself from your phone while indulging in over 50 chocolatiers from around the region.

Another great way to remove yourself from the burden of technology is to take yourself outdoors! Spending time outdoors is never a waste of time. There are tons of lovely local parks in San Francisco to enjoy. Enjoy a day with the animals at the San Francisco Zoo. Lately, most people at zoos are trying to get the perfect selfie with a penguin. However, take this opportunity to really just watch the animals without looking through your phone.

Enjoy your Day of Unplugging with some distractions to keep your mind off of the fact that your phone isn’t in front of your face.

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. 

Plan Your Perfect Super Bowl Party

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Will you be throwing a Super Bowl party this year? The big game is a little over a week away. Even if your team is not in the game, it is still fun to watch the commercials, eat tons of food and party with friends. The Carolina Panthers will take on the Denver Broncos Sunday, February 7th. Send out your invites now, so you can celebrate the 50th Super Bowl. What makes the perfect Super Bowl party? We have some ideas.





Appetizers:

Guacamole and Chips:

A classic appetizer for any event, guacamole and chips are the perfect starter for your party. Head to Trader Joes near The Wilson to get your hands on all the necessary ingredients. This recipe is super easy. Take all of the ingredients listed on the RealSimple recipe, then stir them in a bowl. Once the mixture is done, you have you guacamole. Choose your favorite chip and serve it to all of your friends and family.

Main Dish:

We love themes, and the Super Bowl is the perfect opportunity to really theme out. We recommend picking one team and serving a traditional dish from that area of the United States.

DENVER

Did you know that the Cheeseburger was trademarked in Denver? The trademark for the name cheeseburger is listed with Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado in 1935. We recommend making mini-cheeseburgers for your main Super Bowl dish if you are rooting for Denver.

CAROLINA

If your are rooting for Carolina, we recommend a classic BBQ recipe. Everyone goes south for BBQ ribs and wings. Ribs are not hard to make. We have found a great Sweet Carolina Rib recipe for your crock pot. This will allow you to start the food in the morning, and it will be ready by kickoff.

Drinks:

Drinks are pretty easy for the Super Bowl, most people want to grab a cold one from the fridge. Take this up a notch with different beers from the Super Bowl Area. San Francisco has some great beers that you can order or get at your local store. We recommend checking our Anchor Brewing. They have a great selection, and it will add to the Super Bowl theme.





These are just a few ideas to make your Super Bowl party one that everyone will remember. What are you adding to your Super Bowl party?a

San Francisco Baseball and Football

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Are you a sports fan? Luckily for you, you live in one of the best sports cities on earth. No matter what your sports preference you can always find something that will be great to watch on TV or in person. In San Francisco, we have 2 different professional sports teams for you to choose from. If you are new to the world of sports or an old fan, learn about the history of our cities teams in the blog below. Hopefully, you will learn something new and have an appreciation for San Francisco's great sports history. 

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were an original member of the All-American Football Conference. They were also the first major league sports franchise based in the Bay Area.  The team was founded in 1946, and they were named after the prospectors who lived in the area during the 1849 gold rush. The team became part of the NFL in 1950. They were originally housed in Kezar Stadium before moving twice. The first move was to Candelstick Park in 1970, followed by Levi's Stadium in 2014. 

This team had the most successful streak between 1981-1994, where they won five Super Bowl Championships. These teams were led by Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young and coach Bill Walsh. 

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants did not originally start in San Francisco. Originally known as the New York Gothams, the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. This team is one of the longest-established professional baseball teams in the country. They have won the most games of any team in American baseball. 

The Giants now play at AT&T Park as of 2000, before that the Giants played in Candlestick Park with the 49ers. The Giants have won six pennants and three World Series championships since moving to San Francisco. These three championships were in 2010, 2012 and 2014, where they beat the Kansas City Royals in four games to three. 

These two teams will give you plenty to cheer for all year around. Gather your friends from The Wilson and head to the game. You will be addicted to cheering for San Francisco in no time.

Other Sources:

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco Giants