The Best Resource

In our last edition of Traveler's Resources I talked about how you can use the local newspaper to find hidden gems and local events in the city you're visiting. Because everyone knows that anytime you watch the Travel Channel or read any travel magazines, they always talk about finding "places the locals haunt" and "local favorites".

Today we will again be utilizing the Google to do exactly that.

For the record; I really, truly, honestly admire any human who ever planned a trip before Google was invented. How exactly do you find a hotel (or Bed & Breakfast, wink wink), three meals a day, entertainment, and activities with nothing but a phone book, a AAA guide, and some maps? Eek! It's like the pioneer's version of trip planning...

But I digress. Sorry.


The "Best" Resource:
Head to Google and type in this:

(inserting the name of your destination in place of San Francisco)

(By the way, if anyone has any tips for making my screenshots a little clearer, I'd be forever indebted if you would pass those on to me. These are just an awful, terrible, blurry mess...)

I'm digressing again!

Notice that I said "Best of ___ 2008" instead of 2009. This is because these lists are, for the most part, locally conducted surveys, and they usually aren't published until mid-year. So "Best of San Francisco 2009" would be less likely than 2008 to return results because we're only 2 months into the year.

So I'll click the first link, and show you what comes up.
This happens to be an excellent "Best of" list. Sometimes (especially with smaller cities and more rural regions) you don't get so lucky! You can see that it's categorized for easy navigating, has a search feature, a map feature, and a listing of the "Best of" previous years. Jackpot!

From here I usually click and poke around, seeing what's available. In larger cities, like San Francisco, it's great because the lists get very specific. Best Kimchee, Best Men's Haircut, Best Flamenco Show...

Seriously. Best Flamenco. How cool is that!

Once you find some places and things that strike your fancy you can Google them to get more information and also view reviews on other resources like Trip Advisor, City Search, and Yelp. I also recommend skimming a few years of lists if you can, because sometimes you'll see that a place has had something like "Best Huevos Rancheros" for 6 years running. That's how you find the real gems.

Until next time, happy planning!
~Brande N.