San Francisco Bay Area, USA

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Overview

We are happy to call the San Francisco Bay Area our home. This is clearly the location of choice for anyone seriously interested in high-tech entrepreneurship. The process of capitalist creative destruction is evindent here more than probably anywhere else in the world. Every year, a vast number of high-tech (and not so high-tech) companies are created, mature, go bust, get acquired, go public, downsize, etc. Apart from having an intense entrepreneurial aura, the area is a true cultural melting pot, and also has much to offer to those interested in art. We must not forget to mention the outstanding climate: warm enough so you never have to drive in snow, but cool enough that you are not compelled to stay at the beach all day.

A Guide to Leisurely Activities

Outdoors

There are a number of parks in the area that are worth visiting. For a visit to a well-preserved redwood forest, consider Muir Woods NM (it can be tough to find a parking spot at the park, so go early). At Fitzgerald Marine Reserve you can wade in the receding water at low tide and observe the tide pools and their inhabitants. If you are into bouldering, you may find a visit to Catle Rock SP very enjoyable, even though THE climbing Mecca lies a 4 hours' drive east, in Yosemite.

Art

San Francisco has art in its DNA. We recommend the SF Symphony for some classical music, Opera San Jose for opera, and during the holiday season, the San Francisco Ballet for a unique performance of The Nutcracker.

Lodging

There are a number of good spots suitable for bursts of relaxation. Our recent favorite is Seal Cove Inn, in Moss Beach. If you want to stay in downtown San Francisco, Mandarin Oriental has a great hotel at the top of one of the tallest buildings. Last, but not least, you might want to consider spending a weekend in Carmel, and in that case we heartily recommend Lobos Lodge.

Dining

You can find any type of food here. For Indian food, we recommend Amber, in Mountain View. For Mexican food, we recommend Los Portales, a low-key and authentic family joint in Mountain View, or if you are looking for a classier experience you can visit La Fiesta in the same city. The best French food we have tried is that at La Folie, in San Francisco. The best French onion soup we have ever tasted (*ever!*) can be had at Anton & Michel, in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chef Chu's in Los Altos is a highly respected Chinese restaurant.

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