The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast is where travel, food, and culture meet. Hosted by San Francisco–based travel writer, storyteller, and mom of two teens Shannon Gomes, the show features thoughtful conversations with experts in the food and wine world, avid travelers, creators, tastemakers, and locals who reveal what truly makes a destination memorable—and how to experience it like a local, with food always at the center of the journey.
From unforgettable meals and hidden neighborhoods to meaningful cultural experiences and practical travel insight, each episode is designed to inspire curious travelers—especially Gen X listeners who value depth, connection, and great food—to explore the world more intentionally and to bring a sense of discovery back home.
Shannon is also the writer behind The Gomes Guide (https://thegomesguide.substack.com), a weekly travel-focused Substack filled with stories, recommendations, and inspiration for meaningful travel. Listeners are invited to subscribe for fresh ideas, insider tips, and destination inspiration delivered each week.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply dreaming about one, The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast celebrates connection, community, and the joy of experiencing new places through food and travel.
The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
San Francisco Food Tours: Eat Like a Local with Kara Ricciardi of Stretchy Pants Food Tours
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If you love food and travel… this episode is for you.
I sit down with Kara Ricciardi, founder of Stretchy Pants Food Tours in San Francisco, to talk about how food tours can completely transform the way you experience a destination.
Kara has traveled to over 80 countries (yes, 80!) and is a trained chef, so she brings a unique perspective on how food, culture, and connection all come together when you travel.
We talk about how she turned her love of food and travel into a business, and why food tours are one of the best ways to really get to know a place, from meeting local chefs to discovering hidden gems you’d never find on your own.
We also get into her San Francisco tours, including:
- Chinatown dim sum and tea experiences
- A North Beach “gourmet ghost tour” (yes, haunted + delicious)
- Fisherman’s Wharf and Ferry Building food tours
- Custom tours for groups, team building, and special events
And what I love most about her approach? It’s not scripted. Every tour feels like you’re hanging out with a local friend who just happens to know all the best places to eat.
We also talk about why food connects people in such a powerful way, the difference between eating at a place vs. understanding the story behind it, and how these shared experiences create lasting travel memories.
If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco, or just want to experience your own city in a new way, this episode will definitely inspire you to eat your way through it.
👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.
Chapters
00:00 Kara's Journey from Brooklyn to San Francisco
02:56 The Impact of Travel on Food and Culture
06:01 Memorable Culinary Experiences Around the World
09:07 The Birth of Stretchy Pants Food Tours
12:12 Creating Unique Food Tour Experiences
15:00 Exploring San Francisco's Culinary Landscape
17:55 Diverse Tour Offerings and Customization
20:55 Future Plans for Stretchy Pants Food Tours