Clara Hogan

Sacramento has always meant business. Sitting at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, Sacramento was a commercial hub during the Gold Rush, and became the Golden State’s capital in 1854. But after years of hustle and bustle, new establishments and lots more people, it’s now a prime spot for things to do. And downtown is something special. It’s green and bright, and delightfully walkable (Sacramento actually has more trees per capita than any city in the US), and there’s plenty of museums for both kids and adults to explore. Downtown is also home to some of the best food in Sacramento, so we’ve included some seriously good food spots here. It’s even earned a name for itself as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. So listen up, we’ve rounded up all the best things to do (and consume) in this fantastic area, so you can fill a week or a weekend. Here are the best things to do, see and eat in downtown Sacramento right now.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Sacramento right now📍 The best things to do in the Old Sacramento Waterfront🏨 The best hotels in Sacramento

San Francisco has long held a reputation as being one of the world’s fine dining hotspots, and for very, very good reason. The Bay Area has over 60 Michelin-starred restaurants across it (more than NY), from Berkeley to Oakland, so you’re definitely spoiled for choice, but San Francisco’s culinary scene is at the heart of it all. There’s a reason people trust the Michelin guide year after year – so we’ve got it all right here, along with our own reviews. The newest additions to the Michelin guide are Anomaly, a contemporary American spot which grew out of a pop-up, and Copra, a southwest Indian fine dining restaurant, which were both awarded stars in June 2023. In our hit list we’ve got everything from mind blowing sushi to high-end Mexican, and from 12-course tasting menus to twists on Thai classics. So if you fancy going somewhere extra special, there’s guaranteed to be something for you here. Read on for the best Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco right now.  RECOMMENDED:🌮 The best restaurants in San Francisco🍳 The best breakfast in San Francisco🍸 The best rooftop bars in San Francisco📍 The best things to do in San Francisco

Keeping the spark alive in relationships can take work and require creativity. Getting out of the routine and planning exciting dates is one sure way to fan the flame. After all, sharing new experiences is one of the best ways to build connection. We've rounded up the 10 best date ideas in the U.S. From coast to coast, these one-of-a-kind adventures promise to entertain. They run the gamut, from hot air balloon rides to themed bars and boozy train journeys. Imagine soaring above the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon in a helicopter, indulging in romantic fine dining New York City, galloping horseback along a pristine beach in Florida, or sipping world-class wine on Napa Valley's wine train. Ditch the dinner-and-a-movie combo and get ready for a romantic adventure, whether a heart-pounding thrill or an intimate moment of connection. Your date will thank you.

People from across the globe travel to San Francisco for its iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, stunning natural beauty and charming, hilly streets. It's a city that truly has it all—from world-class restaurants to boundless outdoor activities. That's why our list of the best things to do in San Francisco is so jam-packed. From eating burritos in the Mission to shopping at high-class weed dispensaries, sipping on craft beer, and admiring every view of the Golden Gate Bridge, it's incredibly easy to fill up your itinerary with must-do experiences. We've compiled important details about how to visit San Francisco's most famous attractions and how to book at the best restaurants in San Francisco, in addition to offering more under-the-radar suggestions. With so much to see, get ready for a packed schedule to enjoy all the city and larger Bay Area region has to offer. 

Buffets haven't exactly been en vogue over the past few years. The pandemic affected this group of restaurants more than any other in the industry, with a huge number of classic spots shutting down. The good news is that a solid number of incredible buffets made it through the hard days—they're back up and running and even more delicious.  Cuisine in America is incredibly diverse—from incredible Chinese restaurants to destination Mexican spots and stellar BBQ joints—and buffets follow suit. The best buffets in America range from classic southern food to Indian fare, with many offering multiple types of food in one line-up. So if you're looking to indulge and get your plates overflowing, head to one of these all-you-can-eat spots across the U.S. From high-end seafood bars to ultra-comforting soul food, you will not be disappointed.

San Francisco has no shortage of places to get an excellent drink, from intimate cocktail bars to award-winning breweries to carefully curated wine bars. But historically, one type of venue was severely lacking: rooftop bars. We're here with good news, though. Over the past couple of years, the city has experienced a boom in sky-high drinking destinations. Now, rooftop bars are some of the hottest spots to grab a drink in the city. Enjoy fresh air (with heat lamps, don't worry) and cityscape views that stretch from the iconic Bay Bridge to the streets below. Sip on handcrafted cocktails expertly mixed by talented local bartenders as you take in the sights and sounds that define the city. From established favorites to hidden gems, we've rounded up the best rooftop bars in San Francisco that offer a range of options to suit your tastes. Whether you're seeking a laid-back atmosphere to catch up with friends, a romantic setting for a special date night, or simply soak up the city's beauty you'll find it here.

Camping in U.S. national parks is a favorite pastime for nature enthusiasts, and for many, securing a spot at the iconic Yosemite National Park tops the bucket list. With its breathtaking landscapes and unparalleled wilderness experience, Yosemite offers a range of campsites that  set campers up to create unforgettable memories. Sleeping under the stars in Yosemite is magical, but the process leading up to the experience is far from as enjoyable. Navigating the reservation systems and deciding which campsite to go after can be challenging. Yosemite is in high demand, particularly from May through October, and securing a camping spot requires effort.  Popular campsites in Yosemite include Upper, Lower, and North Pines campgrounds for their proximity to the valley. However, these are highly competitive to reserve, and North Pines is often fully booked through an early lottery system. If you are willing to drive from your campsite into the valley, it's easier (but still not easy) to snag a reservation at Wawona or Hodgdon campgrounds. We have rounded up the best campsites in Yosemite, including their pros and cons. Once you've set your sights on the one you want to try for, make sure to register and get familiar with Recreation.gov, the site used for making campground reservations. Create an account and be prepared to act quickly. During peak season, reservations can often be made up to five months in advance, and Yosemite campgrounds often book up within seconds. Reservations o

There’s nothing like a romantic getaway to fuel a relationship’s fire. The opportunity to escape the confines of everyday life and share experiences in a new setting can shake things up in the best way. But romance means something different to every couple. To some, it means long conversations over fancy multi-course dinners or indulgent spa treatments. To others, it’s more about having an adventure in the great outdoors or holing up in a cozy cabin. From the iconic streets of San Francisco to the sultry energy of New Orleans to the cozy mountains of Aspen, we have compiled the 10 most romantic cities in the US. Walk along the rich history of cobblestone streets, take in stunning natural landscapes or have a series of stellar dining experiences.  Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone, planning to pop the question, just started dating or are looking to infuse your relationship with a renewed sense of magic, book one of these romantic getaways for a sure-fire way to foster a closer connection with your boo.  

San Francisco has plenty of world-class art museums, from SFMOMA to the de Young, where visitors can take in masterpieces covering all disciplines, styles, and centuries. But the city is also bustling with smaller art galleries you can take in paintings and other works of art. A decade ago, Bay Area art buyers would flock to Union Square, where exclusive galleries mingled with high-end boutiques. Not anymore. As gallerists have fled rising rents downtown, the resulting dispersal sparked an art resurgence in the Dogpatch, Potrero Flats, SoMA, and beyond. From international standbys to intriguing up-and-comers, and classical painters to cutting-edge video artists, the best art galleries in San Francisco run the gamut. If you're interested in checking out a more boutique art gallery experience and supporting a local business, here's where to start. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in San Francisco

The 4th of July in San Francisco is officially back in full force. After several years of canceled or limited events due to the pandemic, the line-up for 2023 is packed and on par with pre-COVID days. In the City by the Bay, you'll find the usual events—from parades to fireworks (though the fog usually makes those a bit of a bust)—but you can also enjoy some non-traditional options (bar crawl anyone?) And, of course, hitting up a new restaurant or bar is always an option. To help you plan your holiday festivities, we've rounded up the best 4th of July events in San Francisco. Head out with the tourist crowds in Fisherman's Wharf, find a spot at one of the best places to watch fireworks in the Bay Area, or simply enjoy some killer ice cream to celebrate—there's something for everyone. 

Sushi has become almost as common to the American palate as pizza or burgers. Today, you can grab a roll at the grocery store or get delivery to your doorstep in minutes. And while we have absolutely no hate for the last-minute sushi order (in fact, it's one of our personal go-tos), we also have an appreciation for fine sushi dining. The appreciation for this kind of art form captured the world's attention in the documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" telling the story of Tokyo sushi master Jiro Ono and has resulted in high-end sushi experiences across the country that easily run hundreds of dollars. Outside of Japan, America is home to some of the most top-tier omasake experiences, in which diners enjoy a series of delicately crafted dishes chosen by the chef to create a memorable dining journey. From the best sushi restaurants in L.A. to the best sushi restaurants in New York and everywhere in between, here are the best sushi restaurants in America.

Picture this: you're sitting outside with views of vineyards before you, a glass of wine in your hand and an Atlantic breeze in your hair. Sound ideal? Look no further than the best wineries in the Northeast. With its cooler climate conditions, regional growers tend to specialize in French-American hybrid grape varieties such as Seyval, as well as sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. However, the number of vineyards are always growing and varieties expanding—today you can even find well-received Merlot and Cabs. That means whether you’re a fan of red, white or sparkling, our list of recommendations for the best wineries in the Northeast will have something for everyone. Squeeze in a trip to one of these spots after an adventure glamping or settling into a nearby cozy cabin. A day with wine is never wasted. 

You can hear the Napa Valley Wine Train before you see it. Starting in Downtown Napa at the McKinstry Street Station, the train rumbles through towns like Yountville and iconic vineyards like V. Sattui on a 36-mile round trip journey to St. Helena and back. The cavalcade of railroad cars were built in 1951 by the Pullman Standard Company and  refurbished for the modern era with details nodding to the original time period such as plush booths and mahogany paneling. Passengers can choose from a variety of dining journeys, including the Gourmet Express (a multi-course meal), Romance on the Rails (dinner and wine in a private booth on the train's Vista Dome) and Murder Mystery (a murder-mystery– themed dinner). One of the most intimate option is the Champagne Vista Dome experience, which guarantees you a private table. This car features curved glass windows in the observation-style dining car that give even more expansive views of Napa's lush countryside.  The three-hour lunch and two-hour dinner rides generally stick to the rails, but if getting off and exploring the vineyards is more of your thing, opt for one of the winery tours; most go to a few wineries and include lunch or dinner on the train.

Since 1994, the old stone cottage in the heart of wine country that houses the French Laundry has stood among the holiest of holy grails not only for destination diners, but aspiring industry pros around the world. Chef Thomas Keller’s influence on the culinary world is inestimable; without him, there’d be no Noma, Alinea, Benu or Frasca Food and Wine, to name just a few iconic restaurants his mentees have gone on to open. The pilgrimage to this intimate, 17-table Napa Valley institution remains at the very top of foodies’ bucket lists. Reservations open a month in advance, with seatings occurring daily from 4pm to 8:15pm. Every meal begins with a crisp salmon tartare cornet paired with a glass of champagne. From there, diners select one of the two prix fixe menus (one for meat eaters and one for vegetarians) and are then promptly taken on a three-to-four hour culinary journey. Dishes consist of classic and refined, yet unstuffy, French cuisine that showcase California-fresh produce sourced from the culinary garden across the street. The French Laundry has served as the pinnacle of fine dining for 25 years, with hospitality as unwaveringly pristine as the food. The restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars every year since the first Michelin guide to the San Francisco Bay Area was issued in 2007, making Keller the only American chef to have two three-star restaurants at the same time (the other being Per Se in New York.)  The restaurant recently underwent a stunning $1

Think of San Francisco’s largest Halloween pub crawl as trick-or-treating for adults. Thousands of costumed revelers take over Polk Street for drinks, music and dancing, and costume contests. This year, whether you show up on foot or via the San Francisco Party Bus, you’re sure to be in spooktacular company at 20 haunted watering holes including Mayes, Nick's Crispy Tacos, Del Mar, and Wonder SF. It’s free to join the festivities.     

Napa Valley’s BottleRock festival is back this year for its first “normal” event since 2019. The festival was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and, in 2021, it was delayed until the fall and had pandemic precautions in place. This year, BottleRock is back in all its glory in its usual slot, Memorial Day weekend, with big-name headlining artists from Pink to Metallica and Luke Combs. Other performers include Twenty One Pilots, Kygo, Pitbull, Alessia Cara, Vance Joy, and Amos Lee. The event will also host a slew of other activities from famous chefs and celebrities on the culinary stage to an impressive food and drink line-up and a series of more intimate performances outside of the main event.  We’ve rounded up answers to all of your questions to give you everything you need to know about BottleRock 2022. We also have you covered on where to go, eat, and sleep in Napa Valley should you want to explore more.  What is BottleRock?BottleRock Napa Valley, presented by JaM Cellars, is a three-day music, wine, craft brew and culinary festival that started in 2013.  When is BottleRock? BottleRock 2022 will run Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29, in downtown Napa at the Napa Valley Expo fairgrounds. How do I buy BottleRock tickets? Three-day tickets are sold out, but one-day general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are still available through the BottleRock website. You can also still buy sold-out passes through the official ticket exchange Lyte. How much are BottleRock tickets?

The local coffee scene across American cities has exploded in recent years — but which city loves its coffee the most? That would be the City by the Bay, at least according to one recent report. San Francisco is the number one coffee city in America, ranked by a survey from the personal-finance website WalletHub. The calculation compared the 100 most populous cities across the US using 12 key metrics, including the average spending on coffee per household, the share of homes with coffee makers, the number of coffee shops and manufacturers per capita, and the number of coffee-centric events.  After San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, Honolulu, and Portland rounded out the top five coffee cities.  Source: WalletHub Coffee has played an important role in San Francisco's history: the first cup of restaurant coffee in the West was served there, large coffee brands such as Hills Brothers and Folgers started in the city, and the Italian espresso houses of North Beach were popular meeting spots for famous Beat poets. Today, the "third wave" of coffee shops has meant a coffee boom.  San Francisco's top coffee shops are independent, full of local personality, and spread throughout the city. Favorites include Ritual Coffee, Andytown Coffee Roasters, and Farley's. A few of the factors for SF's number one rating — it had both the highest number of affordable coffee shops and cafes rated 4.5 stars or above per capita, as well as the highest number of manufacturers. It also ranked number on

Add another must-do to your San Francisco bucket list: the Presidio Tunnel Tops, a project 30 years in the making. The new federal parkland is now officially open, offering 14 acres of space to play along the bay and take in stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Tunnel Tops, located within the Presidio, a national park formed out of a former military outpost, debuted on July 17 to an outpouring of crowds eager to see the city's newest national park destination. It is a creative solution to creating usable green space in a densely packed city, located on top of the busy Presidio Parkway highway tunnels and connecting the center of the Presidio to the park’s Crissy Field waterfront. The unique design feat was a perfect fit for James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York City's High Line, which also found ways to connect urban streets to more peaceful, nature-focused settings.  The park is already a hit with locals and visitors alike, featuring picnic sites, a campfire circle, trails, native plant gardens as well as the Outpost, a sprawling two-acre, nature-inspired play area for children.    Photograph Courtesy of the Trust for the PresidioTunnel Tops   Getting to the Tunnel Tops is easy from most places in the city. Several of the city’s MUNI lines stop at the nearby transit center and there's a free PresidiGo shuttle from downtown.  If you get hungry, you can count on a variety of food trucks and carts nearby, in addition to a slew of eateries offered with

イギリスの金融商品比較サイト、Money.co.ukは新しい分析調査を実施し、LGBTQ+コミュニティーに最も友好的な世界の都市ランキング『The most LGBTQ+ accepting cities』を発表した。 分析に使われたのは、さまざまなデータ。例えばSocial Progressから入手した各国の受容度に関する世界的な指標、人口10万人当たりのLGBTQ+施設の数を示すTripadvisorのデータといったもの。出生証明書や運転免許証の性別表示変更が州相当レベルでどれだけ容易か、成人におけるLGBTQ+自認の割合、子育てをしている25歳以上のLGBTQ+成人数なども含まれている。 その結果、世界で最もLGBTQ+の人々を受け入れていのは、アイスランドのレイキャビクとなった。同地のLGBTQ+受容度スコアは満点の10ポイント。LGBTQ+専用のバーやクラブが最も多くあり、それらの質も高いことが結果に反映されたようだ。 2位、3位はオランダのアムステルダム、ロッテルダムが続いた。アムステルダムは、惜しくもレイキャビックにトップの座を譲ったが、スコアの差はほとんどない。受容度も9.8ポイントと非常に高く、ナイトライフについても数、質ともに大差がなかった。ロッテルダムは、LGBTQ+向けの施設の数が上位2都市に比べると少ないため、この順位になったようだ。 4位に入ったのが、アメリカのサンフランシスコ（アメリカの都市として1位）。同地は、人口10万人当たりのLGBTQ+施設の数が全都市中2番目に多く、それらのTripadvisorの平均評価も星4.2つと高い。サンフランシスコが高順位になったことは、この都市がLGBTQ+コミュニティーにとってリベラルで進歩的な避難所であるという長年の評判や、LGBTQ+運動の歴史を考えると大きな驚きではないだろう。 このランキングのトップ20を見てみると、、アメリカからはボストン（11位）、シアトル（12位）、ロサンゼルス（16位）、シカゴ（17位）の5都市がランクインしている。 ただ、同時発表されたアメリカの州別ランキングで1位になったのは、カリフォルニア州ではなく、ハワイ州だった。同州では人口の4.6％がLGBTQ+を自認。労働安全や出生証明書の性別表記を変更する手続きなどでも高い評価を受け、LGBTQ+コミュニティーで子育てをしている割合が30％と、上位5州の中で最も多い。ハワイに続く2位にはメイン州、3位にはバーモント州がランクイン。カリフォルニア州は4位となった。 ランキングと分析内容は、Money.co.ukの公式サイトで確認できる。 原文はこちら 関連記事 『ブライダル大手が同性婚のためのウエディングプランを紹介』 『東京、学びのクィアスポット6選』 『日本のジェンダー観や婚姻制度のあれこれ、もう一度社会の前提を疑おう』 『ニューヨーク歴史協会がLGBTQ+博物館の設立を発表』 『6年で日本は「ジェンダー平等」に近づいたのか、公平な制度の実現へ』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

A new study shows which cities around the world are the most friendly toward the LGBTQ+ community, and we're not that surprised at the winners.  The study, conducted by Money.co.uk, analyzed cities based on a variety of criteria, including a worldwide indicator sourced from Social Progress on the level of acceptance in each country, Tripadvisor data showing the number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people, as well as how easy it is at the state level to change the gender marker on your birth certificate and driver's license, the percentage of adults who identify as LGBTQ+, and how many LGBTQ+ adults over 25 are raising children, among other factors.  In the United States, San Francisco came out on top as the number one most accepting city in America, and fourth in the world. The city has the second-highest number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people and has an average rating of 4.2 stars.  San Francisco coming in the first place isn't a huge surprise, given the city's long reputation as a liberal and progressive haven for the LGBTQ+ community and its history of LGBTQ+ activism. Out of the top 20 most accepting cities, five are based in the US: Boston ranked 11th; Seattle ranked 12th, Los Angeles placed 16th and Chicago came in at 17th. At the worldwide level, Reykjavik, Iceland was number one. That was followed by Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.  In terms of states in the US though, California wasn't number one. It came in fourth. Hawaii actually cam

Napa Valley is a bucket-list destination for every wine lover – the rolling vineyard hills, award-winning wineries, and gourmet California cuisine make it a foodie mecca that people around the world flock to. And one of the most magical ways to take in all that wine country has to offer is aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.  The wine train is an iconic piece of Napa that’s been operating for more than 30 years, running directly through the valley on a rail line originally built in 1864. It was on a long hiatus during Covid, but officially re-opened in May. And now it's bringing back its popular Murder Mystery rides starting this month through October. The themed rides include 'Crime and Punishment,' 'Death of a Gangster' and a 'Wizards and Witches' tour that sounds perfect for Harry Potter fans (wizarding robes and hats are highly encouraged).  Photograph: Courtesy Napa Valley Wine Train While aboard the refurbished 1951 Pullman coaches, guests will have two hours to solve a murder (all while being served a multi-course fine-dining experience). On the Wizards and Witches tour – which takes place October 2, 9, and 16 – feel free to dress up as your favorite Hogwarts character and imagine you're aboard the Hogwarts Express!  Not into dress-up? The train offers a variety of other tours. Choose from various experiences and times, including daytime and evening rides, an intimate meal in the Champagne Dome, as well as those that includes stops at wineries and special ones like j