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Remember that 1980s television show Fantasy Island , where a man dressed in white made visitors’ every wish come true? Saison is the culinary equivalent — a customized and luxurious hunter-gather fantasy dining experience in San Francisco ’s SoMa neighborhood.

Chef Richard Lee and his team source the best produce from anglers, ranchers and organic farmers, and then regale diners with dishes that showcase each ingredient to its advantage. It’s an elemental dining experience where your meal is cooked over an open flame and you eat with your hands. Yet there are exquisite details — like the housemade sakura salt or the delicate dishware with kintsugi -style veins — that tell a story.

The cuisine is matched only by sommelier-partner Mark Bright’s beverage program that showcases some of the world’s best wines and rare spirits, including a bottle of Chartreuse from the 1800s.

Saison is a place where you’ll find yourself wishing that time could slow down so you can savor every moment.

• Prepare to be pampered by a whole team of polished and engaging service professionals. Rather than having one person catering to your needs throughout the evening, you’ll find that service is a team sport at Saison.
• There’s no set menu. Before your reservation, you’ll correspond or speak with a member of the restaurant’s service team so it can craft a dining experience that satisfies your personal tastes and preferences.
• The produce here is exceedingly fresh, as much of it comes from the restaurant’s two-acre farm in western Marin County, just outside San Francisco. On a recent visit, the bounty included mizuna and red leaf lettuces, purple mustard, orange calendula blooms and milk from Saison’s brown-and-white cow named Vibrance.
• While Saison’s level of cuisine and service place it in the top echelon of dining establishments in the world, it’s far from formal or stuffy. Exposed brick walls, piles of firewood in the entry and an open kitchen that hums with activity keep things feeling cozy — and don’t be surprised to find yourself singing along to Michael Jackson, Madonna, Don Henley or Hall and Oates on the playlist.
• Seafood lovers will be in heaven: Saison has tanks stocked with live abalone and lobster, and sublimely fresh shellfish will be a part of your dinner if you desire. The chefs work with fishermen along the California coastline to source the best sweet sea urchin and brown box crabs, an unusual delicacy.
• The brightly lit open kitchen resembles a stage, and if you really enjoy seeing the chefs in action, then request one of the handful of kitchen tables that flank the hearth and the custom Molteni range.
• Get ready to play with your food — at least a course or two is served sans utensils. You may find yourself choosing ingredients to build your own lettuce wrap or gingerly eating a buttery morsel of bread crowned with sea urchin by hand.
• Cooking on an open flame is central to Saison. Our dinner began with the flavors of smoky roasted pineapple in a lobster lettuce wrap and ended with smoked cream and fire-smoked caramel studded with cacao nibs.
• Nothing goes to waste here; the chefs find a way to use every part of an ingredient. In one course, we enjoyed roasted pronghorn antelope loin that arrived at the table on a sizzling brazier, followed by a white soup tureen that opened to reveal a gleaming grilled antelope bone and aromatic bone broth seasoned with a tiny sage leaf.
• While Saison has been described as American-French, the menu constantly evolves — these days the dishes feature many Asian touches, such as the cherry blossom salt that is served with the lettuce wraps. 
• Say yes when you’re asked if you’d like to start the evening with champagne — it’s often Krug’s Grande Cuvée served in custom Zalto stemware. Then comes a nosegay of herbs, including anise hyssop, marigold and mint steeped in a vintage teacup to cleanse your palate.
• While restaurant partner and wine director Mark Bright is devoted to the wines of Burgundy, he believes in pouring the best possible beverage to accompany each course. That might mean a seductive Margaux, like the Château Malescot St. Exupery, or Enter Sake Shuhari, a rare junmai daiginjo from Kyoto that tastes like drinking a floral-scented cloud.
• Besides its extensive list of top-flight spirits that are widely available, Saison has a knack for acquiring vintage bottles from distilleries and breweries that are no longer in existence. Japanese whisky aficionados will want to inquire about The Joker by Hanyu or Rising Sun single malts, and rum connoisseurs will want to try the 1915 Rhum Clement from Martinique — it tastes like bananas Foster in a glass.
• The purveyors of the cocktail program source ingredients with the same rigor as the kitchen. While the menu changes often, an example of the well-crafted offerings is the exotic Smoked Heart, which employs Cardamaro, a wine-based cardoon amaro that is infused with charred artichokes.

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The Best Places To Ski Near San Francisco By Correspondent Kimberley Lovato

April 22, 2017

Ritz Carlton at Lake Tahoe, Photo Credit: Don Riddle

Any chance of a good snowstorm, or following one, and most of the skiers in the San Francisco Bay Area have one word on their mind: Tahoe .

Lake Tahoe is America’s largest alpine lake and a popular year-round destination for hikers, campers and bikers. But skiing is tops among San Franciscans, and Tahoe’s pristine blue waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains harbor some of Northern California’s best ski resorts.

Located about 200 miles, or 3.5 hours (without traffic) from San Francisco, Tahoe is a favorite for winter sport lovers and families. From intimate and casual to sprawling world-class ski resorts, Lake Tahoe has something for every age and skill level.

Squaw Valley was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games and skiers and snowboarders love its challenging terrain and runs, and there are some pretty awesome views of the lake too.

Nearby Alpine Meadows offers diverse terrain and has more than 6,000 acres to ski. Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA offer a combined season pass, to maximize your ski season. 

Northstar is off the lake a little bit, but the gorgeous setting is also popular for families, its stellar skiing, as well as the pretty village with 35 shops, restaurants, an ice rink, fire pits and tons of après fun. The gorgeous Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe in Northstar adds to the appeal for luxury travelers. 

Heavenly is one of Lake Tahoe’s largest and most-visited resorts with jaw-dropping views, great ski and board conditions, with the highest elevation and the longest vertical drop in the Lake Tahoe area. 

The choices are endless, really, but there’s a start. Check out  this website  for more details.

If you’re driving from San Francisco, traffic can be a nightmare and the 3.5-hour trip has been known to take double the time during popular holidays and if weather slows things down. Chains might also be required if you are driving in inclement weather.

Reno-Tahoe International is the closest airport to Lake Tahoe, about an hour away.  

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• San Francisco

Your Trip to San Francisco: The Complete Guide

• The Best Time to Visit San Francisco
• San Francisco Weather & Climate
• San Francisco Airports
• Neighborhoods to Know
• Getting Around in San Francisco
• Top Things to Do
• Free Things to Do
• Things to Do With Kids
• Beaches Near San Francisco
• Camping Near San Francisco
• San Francisco's Best Parks
• Top San Francisco Museums
• Live Music in San Francisco
• Itinerary: 48 Hours in San Francisco
• Day Trips From San Francisco
• Fine Dining in San Francisco
• San Francisco's Best Bars
• Breweries in San Francisco

Lingxiao Xie/Getty Images

The culture of San Francisco is diverse and vibrant, which is all too evident in the city’s art, music , and food scenes. Experience a stunning example of the city’s architectural force at City Hall or the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts. Or, learn a thing or two at the California Academy of Sciences. Sightsee on the cable car and stop at Ghirardelli Square for a hot fudge sundae or take a walk along the Embarcadero in search of barking sea lions. This beautifully historic city is bursting with unique things to discover whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived there for years.  

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit San Francisco is in the fall months from September to November. Prices are typically lower, kids have returned to school, and the weather is nice and warm.
• Language : English
• Currency : USD
• Getting Around : Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, is the main regional transit system for getting to and from the airport in the city. The San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni, is San Francisco's main and most popular public transit system, operating both metro trains and buses that connect downtown to outer areas like Ocean Beach .
• Travel Tip : If there are two things that throw visitors off the most in SF, its hills and fog (so much so that the locals have named the latter). Most residents will agree, always bring a jacket if going out after dark and always wear comfortable shoes if you plan on walking.

Things to Do

It's pretty difficult to pick just a few things to do in San Francisco, so don’t expect to see everything in a day. The mysterious Alcatraz Island, the food-filled Ferry Building, bustling Union Square, the list goes on and on.

There is one attraction that visitors tend to favor, however (especially because it’s pretty hard to miss): The iconic Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco’s most recognized landmark has operated as the gateway to the Pacific, connecting San Francisco to the North Bay, since its grand opening in May 1937. The city offers countless ways to experience it, too. Just outside of the city on the far side, The Golden Gate National Recreation Area supports 19 distinct ecosystems, over 2,000 plant and animal species   , and some pretty incredible hiking trails. Or, get a great view of the bridge from Golden Gate Bridge Beach .

San Francisco is practically brimming with historic architecture and inspiring artwork. Museums are some of the best places to experience the city’s rich history and delve into its love of scientific exploration. Some of the most popular include the Academy of Sciences, the Asian Art Museum, the Exploratorium, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art (known affectionately as “MOMA”)   .

• Golden Gate Bridge : Whether you walk across the bridge for free or take a bike tour to get a better feel for the quintessential landmark, don’t leave without at least catching a glimpse.
• Golden Gate Park : San Francisco’s answer to New York’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is beloved to locals and visitors alike. Home to botanical gardens and museums, take some time to enjoy this verdant and peaceful park.
• Pier 39 : Catch the best of San Francisco’s famous street performers, the tunnels at the Aquarium of the Bay, and the tourist-favorite sea lions here. 

Explore more attractions to enjoy in the city with our guides to the 20 best things to do in San Francisco , how to get around San Francisco’s best attractions , and the top things to do with kids .

What to Eat and Drink

When it comes to California , foodies can’t do much better than San Francisco. Visitors have the opportunity to experience a wide range of cultures and cuisines on a vacation in this dynamic and spirited city. Grab brunch at a French bistro in the morning, a sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf or authentic dim sum in Chinatown for lunch, and hit up North Beach for dinner at a classic Italian restaurant in North Beach. Just as many budget-friendly eateries line the city’s streets as world-class fine dining restaurants, so there is truly something for everyone.

Whether you’re a lover of smokey dive bars, hidden speakeasies, or classy cocktail bars (and honestly everything in between), you’re bound to find some of the state’s best in San Francisco. Cap the night off with a mai tai at a tiki-themed lounge, like the Tonga Room , or a historic Irish pub, like the Irish Bank . You’ll be raising a glass to the “City by the Bay” before the end of the night.

Discover more places to eat and drink with articles on San Francisco’s best bars , the best restaurants in San Francisco , and the top breweries in the city.

Where to Stay

San Francisco may only be just under 47 square miles, but each of the city’s distinct neighborhoods and districts still all have their own charm and culture.   Get the perfect combination of local and tourist in North Beach , stick close to Union Square in Nob Hill , or go back in time to SF’s bohemian days in the Haight-Ashbury . The Castro is the heart of the city’s LGBTQ community and the Mission District is known for funky nightlife and incredible Mexican food. The SoMa neighborhood, located South of Market, is considered by many as the cultural hub of San Francisco, with many of the city’s popular museums contained within its borders. Richmond has some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf are both close to the action and the water.

Get to know San Francisco’s neighborhoods with our recommendations for the city’s best hotels and the best neighborhoods to stay in .

TripSavvy / Melissa Zink

Getting There

The most convenient international airports near the city are located in South San Francisco and about 25 miles from downtown in South Oakland . If you plan to do some additional traveling down California’s Central Coast, the San Jose International Airport in Northwest San Jose is about 60 miles south of the city. To pair your San Francisco trip with a wine tasting adventure in Napa Valley or Sonoma County, the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa offers another option.

Speaking of day trips and side trips from San Francisco, if you’re planning on staying in the city for your entire vacation, you don’t necessarily need to bring a car. There are plenty of options for public transportation, whether it be Muni , trolleys, BART trains, cable cars, ferries, ride sharing, or taxis.

Money Saving Tips

• There are a surprisingly high number of free activities available to tourists in San Francisco. Taking a hike up Twin Peaks to the highest point of the city or walking across Golden Gate Bridge are some of the most popular.
• Keep an eye out for free museum admission days 
• If you are staying for more than a day, look into a Visitor Passport because they provide unlimited rides on Muni for one, two, or three consecutive days. There are multiple locations to purchase passes, including the city’s Visitor Information Center .
• For those staying in the Presidio neighborhood, be sure to take advantage of the​ PresidiGo Shuttle system, which provides free transp​ortation to an​d around the Presidio from three routes in the city daily.
• The San Francisco CityPASS features a seven-day Muni Pass for unlimited rides on a variety of the city’s public transportation including the cable car and trolley, as well as admission to several attractions and the San Francisco Bay Cruise. You can also look into the Go San Francisco Card , which includes admission to various attractions, too.
• Rates for hotel rooms tend to be highest from August through October. Apart from holiday weeks, a trip in December or January will boast the lowest prices.
• Tours to Alcatraz are limited, so get yours ahead of time to avoid shelling out big bucks on a more expensive organized tour.
•  San Francisco is big on walking, so do as the locals do and plan a free walking tour .

Learn more about visiting San Francisco on a budget with our guides to money-saving tips , the city’s free or cheap museum nights , and the best free things to do in San Francisco .

NPS. "Golden Gate National Recreation Area California." July 16, 2020.

City and County of San Francisco. "Visitors." July 16, 2020.

SF Travel. "San Francisco Neighborhoods and Districts." July 16, 2020.

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San Francisco › Restaurant

Forbes island.

A truly one-of-a-kind experience, this “island” is actually a houseboat converted into a restaurant, complete with an elegant underwater dining room, beach, and climbable lighthouse, tied up beside the city’s famous barking sea lions. As a lover of the uncommon, it’s been one of my favorite places to take people for years. (I’ve even rented the place out for parties.) But not for the food, which is fine. The draw is the experience: Get to the dock, phone the restaurant to send their pontoon boat, take the 3-minute ride to the island, and explore the world that is Forbes Island. Thank master carpenter (and pontoon skipper) Forbes Kiddoo for this whimsical experience. In the late 1970s, Kiddoo spent 5 years building the 1,600-square-foot floating home. After adding a beach, boulders, and 40-foot palm trees, Kiddoo dropped anchor across the bay in Sausalito, and might have lived there forever had new houseboat regulations not forced him to shove off. After drifting around for a few years (pun intended), and adding a 40-foot lighthouse in 1998, the island was towed to Pier 39, a license was obtained, and San Francisco’s first and only floating lighthouse restaurant was born. As well as two daily fresh fish dishes, the menu includes risotto, lamb chops, steaks and more. With a fire burning in the old fireplace, and the wood and brass interior, this underwater dining room is cozy, homey, and really cool. Heads up: Since you’re dining on a vessel, a slight rocking occurs, but it’s almost undistinguishable.

- Erika Lenkert

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Easy hikes and walks around San Francisco

Exploring San Francisco on foot is a delightful way to connect with nature. To help you make the most of your adventures, we’ve compiled the top easy hikes and walks around San Francisco. Perfect for short hikes, kid-friendly excursions, and family-friendly outings, these routes offer something for everyone.

Plan. Save. Navigate. Your best adventures await.

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Lands End Trail loop — Golden State National Recreation Area

Embarcadero via the bay trail — san francisco.

Let us show you the way with the komoot mobile app

Mount sutro summit loop — san francisco, stow lake & strawberry hill loop — golden gate park, creeks to peaks loop — san francisco.

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Who is Mike Lynch? A look at the British tech tycoon killed when his yacht sank off Sicily

FILE - British tech magnate Mike Lynch walks into federal court in San Francisco, March 26, 2024, (AP Photo/Michael Liedtke, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Liedtke]

Tech tycoon Mike Lynch, who died after his yacht sank off Sicily, had been trying to move past a Silicon Valley debacle that had tarnished his legacy as an icon of British ingenuity.

Lynch, 59, struck gold when he sold Autonomy, a software maker he founded in 1996, to Hewlett-Packard for $11 billion in 2011 . But the deal quickly turned into an albatross for him after he was accused of cooking the books to make the sale and fired by HP’s then-CEO Meg Whitman.

His death, confirmed on Thursday by Italian officials after they recovered his body and five others from the sea, was a dramatic turn of events that came after he was cleared of criminal charges in the U.S. in June.

Before becoming entangled with HP, Lynch was widely hailed as a visionary who inspired descriptions casting him as the British version of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Lynch was science and technology adviser to two British prime ministers. He also founded Invoke Capital, a venture capital firm that was a founding investor of British cybersecurity company Darktrace, and Luminance, an artificial intelligence platform for the legal industry.

Italian firefighters scuba divers are docked at the harbor of Porticello, southern Italy, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, as rescue teams returned to the site of a storm-sunken superyacht to search for six people, including British tech magnate Mike Lynch, who are believed to be still trapped in the hull 50 meters (164-feet) underwater. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Salvatore Cavalli

Lynch was “an instrumental figurehead from the Cambridge (England) technology scene,” said friend Brent Hoberman, former CEO of travel website lastminute.com. Hoberman told the BBC that Lynch was “leading the path forward for U.K. entrepreneurs to commercialize their inventions at a global scale.”

A decade-long legal battle had resulted in Lynch’s extradition from the U.K. to face criminal charges of engineering a massive fraud against HP, a company that helped shape Silicon Valley’s zeitgeist after starting in a Palo Alto, California, garage in 1939.

Lynch steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was being made a scapegoat for HP’s own bungling — a position he maintained while testifying before a jury during a 2 1/2 month trial in San Francisco earlier this year. U.S. Justice Department prosecutors called more than 30 witnesses in an attempt to prove allegations that Lynch engaged in accounting duplicity that bilked billions of dollars from HP.

The trial ended up vindicating Lynch and he pledged to return to the U.K. and explore new ways to innovate.

Although he avoided a possible prison sentence, Lynch still faced a civil case in London that HP mostly won during 2022. Damages haven’t been determined in that case, but HP is seeking $4 billion. Lynch made more than $800 million from the Autonomy sale.

Forbes pegged his wealth $1 billion in 2015, the only year he was on the magazine’s rich list. Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper estimated this year that Lynch and his wife Angela Bacares were worth 500 million pounds ($655 million).

Lynch, a Cambridge-educated mathematician, made his mark running Autonomy, which made a search engine that could pore through emails and other internal business documents to help companies find vital information more quickly. Autonomy’s steady growth during its first decade resulted in Lynch being awarded one of the U.K’s highest honors, the Office of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2006.

John Browne, chair of Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research institute, and former head of energy giant BP, said Lynch’s “ideas and his personal vision were a powerful contribution to science and technology in both Britain and globally.”

The Royal Academy of Engineering, where Lynch was a Fellow, said it was “deeply saddened” to learn of his death and that he played an “active role” as a mentor and donor.

In the months leading up to the deal that would go awry, HP valued Autonomy at $46 billion, according to evidence presented at Lynch’s trial.

The trial also presented contrasting portraits of Lynch. Prosecutors painted him as an iron-fisted boss obsessed with hitting revenue targets, even if it meant resorting to duplicity. But his lawyers cast him as entrepreneur with integrity and a prototypical tech nerd who enjoyed eating cold pizza late at night while pondering new ways to innovate.

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