Your California

Locals Talk

The best way to get California tips and travel advice is to ask the people in the know... the locals. To make your travel planning easier, we asked around and compiled a collection of favorite restaurants, activities and California’s hidden treasures. Find someone with similar interests to your own, and plan a trip that is sure to please.


San Francisco

Stephanie Andrade An epicurious traveler who likes to walk downtown and shop the Embarcadero Farmers Market.
Kimberly Atkinson Loves low magnitude earthquakes and foggy mornings.

Lisa Belforte A unique and colorful local who loves exploring the city's many neighborhoods.
Bill Bihn An active family man who loves the Giants!

Mo Clancy An in-the-know midwesterner who's got an eye and ear for what's new in town.
Chip Conley A seeker who enjoys the mystical, the natural, and the artistic.

AJ Davenport A fun-loving diva who appreciates the abundance of small theater.
Rob Delameter Loves to walk the city, explore the neighborhoods and take to the country.

Pedro DeLima An active personal trainer who's a bit of a night owl.
Phoebe Douglass A Russian Hill native who likes to play tennis and dine at outdoor cafes on sunny days.

Jan Elvee An energetic, retired teacher with a creative spirit who likes to walk the neighborhoods.
Shirley Fong-Torres A walking encyclopedia about Chinatown and S.F.'s food culture.

Matty Gilreath An eclectic book editor who loves the sumptuous visual feasts found on almost any San Francisco street.
Donald Graves A hip doctor with an appetite for eclectic restaurants.

Supriya Gujral An avid reader and traveler who enjoys boutique window shopping and riding cable cars.
Jim Haas A thoughtful guy who has made a great impact on his native city.

Jay B Hunt A downtown financial consultant who enjoys S.F.'s sophisticated good life.
Rick Kos When I took the Hotel Matchmaker test these are the words I selected:

Anthony Laurino An urbane artist who appreciates fellow creatives doing their thing.
Maureen Manuel A well-traveled Australian who loves the city’s natural beauty and progressive free spirit.

Teri McLelland A helicopter pilot who loves baseball, dinner with friends and flying under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Dan Rabin A bay-area native who enjoys the outdoors, Dolores Park and the Mission District.

Harry Rabin An urbane resident of Pacific Heights who enjoys bay breezes, local chocolates and museums.
Mindy Lauren Ross An attorney who believes in synchronicity and the power of a crisp sauvignon blanc.

Sherri Schultz A book editor who likes to explore the Marina District, Presidio and western parts of the city.
Foula Vasilogiorgis A native who loves to walk the streets of San Francisco and experience the magic.

Jen Villareal A young resident of the Richmond District with a taste for unusual cuisine and indie music.
Bonnie Wach An eclectic writer who loves playing tourist in her home town.

Jayson Wechter This man knows more of the city's hidden treasures than just about anyone.
Arthur Wehl A telecommunications manager who likes to explore the neighborhoods of San Francisco.

Wanda Whitaker A worldly and creative event planner who loves the diversity of the city.

San Francisco East Bay

James Lim A family man who introduces his kids to the wonders of the city.
Philip B. Stark A UC Berkeley professor with a passion for trail running and epicurean delights.

Nathalie van Linder A Netherlands native who enjoys international culture and spending time in nature.

Marin

Pamela Adams An adventurous mountain bike rider who loves to ride in the redwood forest in Marin.
Mike Barsul A Pacific Heights gardener who appreciates beat poetry, North Beach and the Filbert Steps.

Sue Carlomagno Good food and wine, great films, art, and travel – especially to Italy.
Jack Kenny A native New Yorker who's an avid hiker.

Vanda Marlow A bodacious goddess who revels in the Bay Area as a spiritual crossroads.
Ann Wheat An active vegetarian who loves the outdoors.


Wine Country

Marie Dolcini An unpretentious, urbane writer who enjoys gardening, fine dining and the great outdoors.
Christine Gaudenzi Enjoys the energy of city living and retreating to the wine country for a nice relaxing getaway.


Central Coast

Wendy Brodie A celebrated California chef who loves the magic and spirit of the Big Sur area.
Bob Bussinger This former General Manager of Ventana Inn & Spa still can’t get enough of Big Sur.

Corey Costanzo A New Yorker, so captivated by the magic of Big Sur is now a Big Sur local

Silicon Valley

Peggy Wynne Borgman Loves trying every spa treatment known to mankind.
Greg Mauldin A romantic leader in a suit who loves the pace and people of Silicon Valley.

Lynne Seymour Russell An active mother who likes to take her kids to the coast.

Los Angeles

Sara Mast A TV producer and outdoor enthusiast who craves adventure.
David Miller A native Angeleno who loves basketball.


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