Sylvia Bentcheva Couture

There are many traditions to be celebrated in San Francisco. One of the most iconic is taking a ride on the city's cable cars. They were first put into use in 1873 as a means of offering transportation for citizens who needed a respite from walking up the steep hills in the city. The fact that the cable cars operate in exactly the same way (they grip underground loops of steel to move forward) says quite a lot about this mode of transportation that has survived over one hundred years and is now almost always associated with the city of San Francisco.

At Biordi Art Imports, they travel the world, so you don't have to! You will, however, reap the benefits of their globetrotting when you enter their incredible import shop. The truly amazing inventory includes such treasures as fine Italian majolica, among many other exotic items. Biordi has been consistently delivering the most sought-after items since it opened its doors in 1946, and that tradition of excellence continues to this day.

People who love books love Litquake, the yearly literary festival held every fall in San Francisco. Renowned authors are on hand for lectures and book signings, and interesting panels, workshops and parties are also part of what makes Litquake such an essential event for both readers and writers of all backgrounds. One of the highlights of this event is the three-hour Lit-Crawl through the Mission District that features stops at galleries, bookstores, bars and cafes.