Rolling through the Bay

Upside-down ice fishing, where to go skinny dipping and a room exploded with stickers—highlights from the web this week

The hard-won result of 35 years, 100,000 toothpicks and an estimated 3,000 hours, this fantasy rendering of San Francisco is a sight to behold. With several “tours” available, the mass is navigable only by ping pong balls that explore all the sights including ocean beach, the Golden Gate Bridge and the rainbow-colored Castro district.

Best of CH 2011: Five Books

Profane grammatical stylings, an inside look at NYC's elevated park, an insane beer can collection and more in our look at the best tomes of 2011

The digital era isn’t stopping writers with a clear purpose for a printed publication, and readers are just as eager to get their hands on a bit of paper that will stimulate their mind and sit well on their shelves for another read another day. Below are the top five books on Cool Hunting that made an impact on 2011. Saul Bass: A Life in …

Best of CH 2011: Five Travel Pairings

From the beachside to the Big Apple, our choice locales and travel essentials of the past year

After yet another year of seemingly endless adventure, we look back on our favorite trips of 2011 and the items we bring when we take to the road. With the right gear and the right destination, a last-minute red-eye becomes a welcome surprise. Hôtel Americano and GoToob We loved the minimalist, Mexican style of this NYC hotel when it first opened, and it hasn’t lost …