SF: 10 Web Resources to Help Organize and Maximize Your City Life

The Internet can indeed make life better, if it points you to the things you love the most. Here are a few Web resources that help you get the most out of your city. Would be grand to hear from readers about similar lists/maps I should have included.  

1. Got dog? Check out Wikifido which lists restaurants and bars at which your favorite furry friend can accompany you. Also listed: vets, parks, kennels, etc.

2. Love the utter lack of pretension, eclectic music (and customer) selection, and cheap drinks of the dive bar? Yelp readers list their SF favorites here.

3. Worried about the fires? You can chart the latest course with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Interactive Fire Map (as seen on SF Gate).

4. Want the real story on the safety of a neighborhood? Chilling statistics are ready on the Chronicle’s Murder Maps.

•    San Francisco
•    Oakland                        

5. Significantly happier than #3 and 4 above are Tennis Maps! Mapping courts from SF to Menlo Park (you can search any US zip code), this resource also tells you which have lighted courts, which are private clubs, and more.

6. Kids like playgrounds. The Golden Gate Mothers Group has kindly listed some of SF’s best kiddie fun locations here, and include pictures and a map!

7. Finding a pool in San Francisco can be harder than walking down Haight Street without being offered bud, weed, or (insert cute drug euphamism of choice here). Luckily those in the know, the folks at SF Recreation and Parks, have a list of public pools with hours and fees and such, here.

8. We all need to repair from metropolitan life with a day in the park. And SF has tons of them- the Golden Gate being the largest and most famous, it is by no means the only one. Here’s a list and map of city parks and gardens.

9. Friends in town? Or just feel like remembering why you pay so much to live here? Best places to drink/eat with a panoramic view are here, courtesy of City Search. If you want the view without the $20 glass of champagne, hoof it with recommendations (and gorgeous photos!) from Virtual Tourist.

10……. (?) I leave this to you. What secret maps/lists do you use to make your life better? In the spirit of reciprocity, share some!

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Photo credit: Chris Moulin