My City By The Bay

Courtesy of Stonestown Galleria Shopping Center

Join Aveda for Earth Month 2009 Buy our Light the Way™ Candle with organic lavender – and every penny, pound, euro and yen supports clean water around the world.Offer available while supplies last. Offer code: GGPEM09

Return to Origins Drop off any empty cosmetic jar, bottle or tube - regardless of brand - at any Origins Store and we’ll recycle them or use them for energy recovery.Plus get a FREE sample of one of our most popular Origins products. One per customer.

Green is not a colour; it’s a state of mind. FREE Bag for Life with $30 purchase! Get a free reusable tote bag made from organic cotton with any $30 purchase on Earth Day. While supplies last. Offer not available with gift card purchase. Threshold must be reached pre-tax and post Love Your Body discount. Offer valid only on April 22, 2009, in U.S. retail stores.

	$5 OFF a $20 purchase
One coupon per purchase. Excludes ear piercing, clearance & promotional merchandise, gift cards & prior purchases. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Offer expires April 30, 2009. Coupon Code #18

FREE My Pillow My Pillow is the go-anywhere, pressure-relieving pillow. This $29.95 value is FREE with the purchase of an iNeed™ Lumbar Massage Cushion. Assorted colors. Offer valid now through May 10, 2009. While supplies last.

Regis DESIGNLINE on SaleDESIGNLINE Styling & Finishing Products Buy 1, Get 1 50% OFF. Save up to $6.25. Excludes Cashmere and Pure Results. No double discounts. Higher price prevails. While supplies last. Offer valid through April 30, 2009.

Share the benefits of being a Swarovski Crystal Society (SCS) Member!If you are a SCS Member, bring a friend to our Swarovski retail store if your friend signs up to be an SCS Member, you will receive a stunning tote bag* adorned with crystal leaves. *Offer valid April 1 - 30, 2009. While supplies last.

Located in the Sunset district near the San Francisco Zoo , Sloat Gardens and nursery has been in business for over 50 years.  Originally located where the GET Department store had their shopping site which is now know as Lakeshore Plaza , Sloat Gardens moved only few blocks away at 45th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard.

They are the premier gardens and nursery in not only San Francisco but Northern California.  They have many other locations to include Danville, San Rafael, Mill Valley and more.

They have dedicated and licensed trained professionals on hand to meet all of your garden needs.  Ask them anything garden related and they have the answers.  They conduct seminars and offer educational programs for the gardeners in all of us.  It is a local family owned business and as a result they cater to their customers.

They have an outdoor showroom as well as an indoor store.  They are famous for their ethnic pottery which comes from all over the world to include Malaysia and many other locations.  They host an extensive collection of all types of plants, flowers, vegetable gardens and herb gardens.  Their prices are amazing.  They are extremely inexpensive in comparison to anywhere else I’ve seen.  I have to say that if you are ever in the market for plants, flowers or pottery, do not go to a local florist.  Get out to Sloat Gardens.  Inside their store they also have books, cards, gift items and anything you would need for your garden.

Sloat Gardens also can help you with designing and maintaining your own garden projects.  Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable and knows their stuff.  This is also a great little spot to visit and take in all the natural beauty around you.  If you are a tourist visiting the SF Zoo you can also take a short walk to Ocean Beach then over to the gardens for a short stroll.  It is well worth your visit.  And, remember all you locals out there this is THE place for all of your gardening needs.

For more information visit the Sloat Gardens website.

Photo courtesy of www.boatingsf.com

Just north of San Francisco and over the Golden Gate Bridge lies a quaint yet affluent beach town aligned with boating docks. waterfront allure and high end shopping boutiques along with a variety of appetizing eateries.  The views of San Francisco from Sausalito are nothing short of spectacular.  Tourists love this little town and is a must visit if you are traveling in the bay area.

Muir Woods is the largest virgin redwood forest in the country.  If like me, you enjoy nature, trees and greenery a visit to Muir Woods is something you will never forget.   It is simply inspiring, peaceful and gorgeous.  There are paths around the forest where you can hike and explore these beautiful redwoods.  The paths are clean and maintained for your trekking pleasure.  Personally I can journey along these paths for hours.  It is important when you are visiting Muir Woods to stay along the paths because it is easy to get lost if you don’t know the area.  On a sunny day the park is just beautiful and a photographer’s delight. You will love the woods.

The San Francisco Deluxe City Tour with Sausalito And Muir Woods is an enriching and exciting coach tour which will take you from the heights of Twin Peaks for spectacular views of the city to the ethnic tastes of Chinatown then on to Vista Point at the Golden Gate Bridge which is lovingly known as the “shutterbug’s heaven” then off to Sausalito and Muir woods.  

Visiting San Francisco means tasting and savoring the surrounding areas with their unique ambiance, local flavors and quaint charms.  This premier tour provides all of these amenities and much more.

Tahoe Comes to Ghirardelli Ghirardelli Square is now selling discounted lift tickets for Alpine Meadows & Homewood Mountain ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, CA. Your ticket purchase includes an hour of free parking, so come over to enjoy sweet treats, drink some wine, shop around…and purchase your lift tickets! Tickets can be purchased at the Ghirardelli Square concierge booth.
Click Here for more info  

All photos and video taken within the store by Joanne Olivieri

Being in business for over three decades Richter’s Music Boxes & Collectibles is the premier and oldest operating shop in the Country.  They are currently located within the Ghirardelli Square complex in San Francisco.

Richter’s has always been my favorite store.  I’ve been going and shopping there for years.  And,  yes I even worked there for a time and loved every minute of it.  Whenever I visit the store it brings back so many great memories for me.  I feel like a child again just playing with and viewing all of the musical merchandise.   I was there yesterday and went crazy with my camera taking photos and videos.  As a result, I wanted to share them will all of you and to also let you know that right now Richter’s is having a 20% OFF STOREWIDE SALE!!! Take a look at the video below for a sampling of their vintage musical ballerina box.  They also have an extensive variety of collectible glassware from Murano to Nemtoi and much more.

The backbone of Richter’s Collectibles are their Italian inlaid music boxes.

With a wide variety of vintage and Italian inlaid music boxes shoppers can customize their boxes with a song of their choice from Richter’s song list.  Boxes are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes and designs.  There is something to suit everyone’s taste.

The musical carousels are ornately designed with colorfully sculpted flowers and pastel adornments.  The perfect gift for a child - or a child at heart.  The video below depicts the carousel in action.

The musical animated clocks are one of my personal favorites.  They are timeless treasures playing various tunes each hour.

To view a sampling, see the below video.

The Capodimonte musicals were originally designed as cigarette holders, though they can be used as lipstick holders or just displayed as a beautiful piece of Italian artwork.  The doors open and close to music.

See the video below for an animated version of this piece.

I took so many photos while at the store that I could not post all of them here so I created an audio/photo montage video.  It boasts many more items including some shots of the entire store.

For me and many others the gift of music is timeless.  At Richter’s you’ll find not only a wide variety of timeless treasures but also as you see in the video above, a host of handcrafted blown glass, Russian artwork to include Fedeskino and Matryoshka and delicately designed jewelry.  A couple of other items I want to mention are their musical frames which make fantastic gifts.  They are customizable with a song of your choice and come with some beautiful poetry or you can further customize the frames with your own photos. 

They also have an adorable collection of musical and animated dolls that are the perfect gift for all of you doll lovers out there.  And finally, for those creative types, they sell both Swiss and Japanese movements which you can buy at fantastic prices and create your own musical gifts.

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I have enjoyed creating it for you.  It’s so much fun to be able to share my passions with you.  And don’t forget that Richter’s is having that 20% Off Store Wide Sale so if you are in the area get down to Ghirardelli Square at 900 Northpoint Street.  The store is located on the lower level in the Rose Court.  If you are not in the area, no problem.  Call (415)441-2663 - weekdays between 10 am and 5 pm for more detailed information.

Remember Valentines day is only days away and Mother’s day is coming soon.  So don’t miss out on this great storewide sale.

Home to world class dining, shopping and entertainment, Pier 39 is located on Beach Street along the Embarcadero in San Francisco.  This post will feature important facts and information.

Information: The retail shops within the complex are open from  10:00 am to 8:30 pm with extended hours of operation during Summer months.  The full service restaurants are open from 11:30 am with some opening earlier for breakfast.  There are also many small kiosks where you can buy coffee, hot chocolate, hot dogs, corn dogs, sodas etc…

Security: Pier 39 is patrolled around the clock, 24 hours a day. The head of security is maintained by the SFPD and the security guards are experienced professionals who are certified in First Aid, CPR, The Automated External Defibrillator and Fire and Life Safety.  They are well versed in law enforcement techniques and a wide range of emergency response scenarios.

Directions & Parking: Pier 39 is a major destination and therefore accessible by all major thoroughfares and freeways.  The Pier 39 garage is located directly across street from the Pier.  Patrons of any of the full service restaurants receive one hour validated parking for lunch and two hours validated parking anytime after 6:00 pm.  Visit the Pier 39 website for detailed directions.

Accessibility: Pier 39 is handicap friendly and accessible to all.  You can also receive sign language for live performances with a two week advanced notice.  Call 415-705-5500 for further detailed information.

Anniversary: Pier 39 is currently celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary with special events throughout the year.

California Welcome Center: The welcome center is located on level 2.  Pier 39 has two levels.  The welcome center is the official California Visitor Information Center for San Francisco and the entire Bay Area.  It’s hours of operation are seven days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Internet access and luggage storage is also available.  Phone # 415-981-1280.

Public Transportation:

In San Francisco: The following MUNI lines go to Pier 39. The F line streetcar, bus #’s 30, 47, 10, 19 and 39.  For trip planning click the MUNI link. On this website you can also plan your trip around the Bay Area by using the handy trip planning tool.  Also taxi’s are plentiful and always available within the city.

From the East Bay: Blue and Gold Fleet ferry services from Alameda/Oakland and Vallejo - 415-773-1188.  There is also AC Transit at 510-817-1717. My personal suggestion is to take BART when traveling to and from the East Bay to San Francisco.  It is the quickest and most inexpensive means of travel.  However if you want the scenic route, the Blue and Gold Fleet is the way to go.

From the South Bay: Caltrain or Sam Trans.  Again, by going to www.511.org you can plan your trip and find all the information you need.

From the North Bay: The Blue and Gold Fleet ferry service from Sausalito or Tiburon - 415-773-1188. Golden Gate Transit 415-455-2000.

Shopping: There are over 110 specialty shops catering to souvenirs as well as high end gift shops.

Dining: From your favorite catch of the day to Italian cuisine and casual fare there is something for everyone.

Sea Lions: The major attraction of Pier 39 and located at Pier 39’s K dock which is located on the left hand side as you enter the main plaza toward the end of the pier.  Just follow the barking.

Bay Views: There are panoramic bay views throughout Pier 39.  Alcatraz and San Francisco Bay are the highlights.

Fun and Activities: Pier 39 is fun for the whole family.  From the Riptide arcade to the Frequent Flyer Bungee Jumping to the San Francisco Carousel kids and adults of all ages love these attractions.  For you music lovers out there the entrance plaza hosts musical performances 365 days a year.

In the heart of the Financial District on Post and Montgomery Streets in San Francisco is the Crocker Galleria Shopping Center.  It is three stories worth of shopping, restaurants and offices.  It is large enough to accommodate whatever type of service or shop you are looking for but is also intimate in it’s layout and style.  With it’s dome skylight the midday sun takes it’s place filtering sunlight through the complex.  There are tables and chairs situated around the plaza for convenient lunching and watching the People In Plaza’s noontime free concerts.   It is a great spot to just sit, relax and enjoy your lunch with some soothing music.   You can find more detailed information at The Crocker Galleria.

Macy’s Union Square in San Francisco is always decked out for the holidays.  Their window dressings reflect the holiday season with lights, animations and good cheer.  This year is no different.  Macy’s is the staple store on Union Square.  Thousands of shoppers flock there on a daily basis.  It is the first store many think of when going to Union Square.  It’s holiday windows are a sight to see.  Many tourists who travel to San Francisco during the holidays as well as locals and shoppers from around the bay area specifically come for the window dressings.  While I was there a couple of days ago it was packed with people and very difficult to get photos however I did manage the two on this post.  There was also the animated Christmas window and the puppy window which I could not even get close enough to see the display. 

Macy’s windows are always a chic and modern display housing the latest in fashion and accessories.  Their windows a creative cornucopia of color, light and style - a decorators paradise for the artistically inclined.  All year long they will dazzle you with inviting pleasures.

The Old Emporium Capwell Dome

Westfield Shopping Center Interior View

In the heart of downtown San Francisco by Powell and Market Streets is Westfield Shopping Center within the San Francisco Center Mall.  Westfield used to be the old Emporium Capwell store which a few years ago was renovated and taken over by the Westfield Corp. The shopping center is massive and is connected to the SF center which also houses floor after floor of shops from clothing to giftshops to electronics and more.  It is the largest in San Francisco.

The lower floor which used to be the Emporium Capwell basement, still has the old Emporium sign and is basically a cornucopia of ethnic delights.  You foodies out there will love this.  Anything and everything culinary you can imagine is there.  It’s also not your typical mall food court.  It is high end.  There are also restaurants within the mall itself such as Strait’s which serves up a fusion of Singapore and Thai dishes.  Very yummy and very expensive but well worth the price.

The shopping center is also home to the Century Theatres and Bloomingdale’s which just recently opened there. There literally is something for everyone.Through the renovation they decided to keep the old Emporium dome - photo above.  It’s absolutely gorgeous and ornate with a marble and gold decor that is just stunning.  My photo does not do it justice.  You have to see it in person.You can easily spend almost an entire day exploring this shopping extravaganza.  And, once you’re done there you can walk a few blocks over to Macy’s Union Square.  This area is a shoppers paradise.For more info visit: http://westfield.com/sanfrancisco/