Customer Reviews

Time Off! The Leisure Guide to San Francisco

5 star:		(9)
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3 star:		(1)
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As a social worker in San Francisco running vocational training programs, the first thing we do is try to get our unemployed clients to perceive their situations in the most positive light possible - not always an easy task. The generous stack of books that the author herself presented to our organization in hopes of alleviating some of the above mentioned stress have been of great help with this daunting task.

Personally, after thumbing through the chapters, I have not only over come any fear of losing my job in the environment of layoffs and downsizings, but now secretly await my own "Time Off!" - don't tell my boss.

Escaping unscathed from the dot-com fallout, Dean LaTourrette and Kristine Enea have taken a cue from Cary Grant's character in 1938's "Holiday" when he chose to take an extended period of adventurous unemployment despite pressure from his fiancée's family to accept a staid, unfulfilling job at a bank. Although they state that they have been "successfully unemployed since 2001", each has found the financial means to pursue their creative interests in order to build an ideal leisure lifestyle. Their most renowned outlet has been their "Time Off!" books, which I think are terrific, eminently readable resources for those wondering how to handle the abrupt reversal between time and money when between jobs.

I still have a ragged, used copy of the first edition which was called "The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco". The switch to "Leisure" seems quite intentional, especially since much of the text is directed to anyone in a high-stress situation. In fact, the first part of the book is devoted to the art of leisure, and it gives informative stepwise advice on managing the transition to unemployment. This section covers not only the psychological aspects, including nagging feelings of guilt and dismantling time schedules based on going to work, but also practical advice on dealing with dwindling financial resources. I particularly like how they clearly define the three phases of money management - Finance 101 for planning and budgeting, Finance 202 for paying off debt and keeping a cash reserve, and Finance 303 for getting cash in the immediate term.

By far the biggest part of the book, Part 2 is a cleverly organized guide to free or low-cost activities in San Francisco, including museums, festivals, volunteer organizations and a great matrix of the more famous coffeehouses. Granted some of the information is dated (e.g., the National Maritime Museum is closed until 2009), this was still immensely helpful to me when I was unemployed and trying to live comfortably in one of the world's most expensive cities. There is even a large section on travel and how you can reasonably journey to far-flung locales on a budget. It's inevitable that the book should end with how to manage the transition back to the job hunt and work, and the co-authors remain steadfast in ensuring you incorporate leisure even during this process. The revised book feels a bit heavier, but the graphics remain pleasing and the text relatively light-hearted. I think it's a great instructional resource for those trying to make the best of a most trying time.

Yesterday was my one year anniversary of not working. I picked up this book shortly afterwards and as a result, I have to say that this last year was the best year of my life. I have to highly recommend it for the unemployed of the SF Bay Area. Not only does it provide some interesting, low-cost things to do in the City, but also (and more importantly), it addresses the psychology of unemployment. It's easy to get in a funk when you're unemployed - this book will help you see it for a chance of an excellent adventure.

If you're not working in SF (or even if you are), buy this book! It offers a lot of great ideas for cheap and free things to do/see/eat around the city as well as tips on volunteering and using your time off to make a difference in the world. This book offers a great perspective on the positive and restorative benefits of time off from work. It is a great read and I would recommend it to anyone!

Greetings fellow SF readers. Pick up this book. It's not only a great read full of hundreds of nuggets of zen-like wisdom for this frenetic world we all live in, but it's also one of the best guide books I've ever seen. Not like Fodor's that fills you with esoteric info. like the type of aggregate used to make the Coit Tower, this book, on the contrary, hits you with useful, ready and very cool tips. It's funnier than Lonely Planet and more helpful than the Let's Go books. It's also filled with great reminders about what's really important in life.

Whether you've been downsized, fired, or quit your job from hell, this book will show you the path toward better days in San Francisco. Even if finances are thin, the authors' knowledge of San Francisco' treats will allow you to live large at little or no charge. After reading this book, it will make you think long and hard about all the other things you could be doing if work was kept in check by the leisure forces in life. I will definitely keep this book handy for that day and consult it for weekend inspiration until then.

This book is not only intelligent and informative, but it is hilarious, strikes an upbeat and realistic tone and is, in a word, a gem. The graphics are terrific and I learned much about a city I thought i knew and know I love. It can be read cover to cover or used as a manual to consult on myriad fun and practical topics. Reading this book is time well spent, whether you are unemployed or not. I heartily recommend it.

I've been reading this book while commuting to work. Yes, I wrote work! I still have one, but I have uncertainties. So I thought "Hmm this can be a good how-to book just in case in a couple of weeks I get fired or laid off. Excellent! hehehe." The book is very helpful as it suggests where to eat and shop when your tiny little checking account is about depleted. Saying that, they mentioned as well how to obtain/maintain your finances. Humor and tidbits of SF made this book a best buy. There are some websites that are no longer up, but not to worry, just email the writers for updates. Whether you're working or not, who's in a tight budget or no budget at all, this is a great book! And.. you'll be surprise of how much you don't know of SF, I don't till this book.

In the City by the Bay and its surrounding other cities. Change and Restructure in the Work place is so common that Time Off from the corporate grind is expected and can be useful too. This book shows you how to make excellent use of your Time Off in between the next career adventure.

Please note: This book contains an error. When visiting the Koret Health & Recreation Center, the Red Pass ONLY allows you access before 2pm (Monday-Thursday) and anytime on Friday-Sunday. You can NOT attend a group exercise class if time restrictions apply.