San Francisco points of interest/dining

hi everyone,

in light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week, my family is inclined to do some sightseeing in san francisco. why there? i can't come up with really valid reasons aside from sf being a far place away from LA, someplace different, and that it's an adventure to just go.

i posted this thread in hopes of getting info on where to go. aside from the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, and the cable cars i'd like to see everything else that doesn't stereotype san francisco. i'd also like to know great dining places from each of you who respond including reasons why you found a particular place enjoyable (and dont forget to mention cost too!).

i've searched some websites already but i need to narrow down my list and i prefer to have others have their take too.

helpful replys are much appreciated.

thanks

havent really tourist myself up in frisco much, besides checking out some clubs (but thats not a family affair) and crossing the golden gate bridge. all your places are pretty much all the tourist places, although try to drop by fishermans dwarf, try the chowda, its CHOWDA.. i'll kill you.. uh nm

make sure to checkout the public pay toliets, that'll give you a hoot (try one? upto you)

have fun

bruin said:

hi everyone,

in light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week, my family is
inclined to do some sightseeing in san francisco. why there? i
can't come up with really valid reasons aside from sf being a far
place away from LA, someplace different, and that it's an adventure
to just go.

i posted this thread in hopes of getting info on where to go. aside
from the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, and the cable cars i'd like
to see everything else that doesn't stereotype san francisco. i'd
also like to know great dining places from each of you who respond
including reasons why you found a particular place enjoyable (and
dont forget to mention cost too!).

i've searched some websites already but i need to narrow down my
list and i prefer to have others have their take too.

helpful replys are much appreciated.

thanks

Click to expand...

Well you can go down to China Town, Ride the trolly cars, go to the water front and see the sea lions( pier 38 I think), and a lot more.

Jason

dukes said:

make sure to checkout the public pay toliets, that'll give you a
hoot (try one? upto you)

have fun

bruin said:

hi everyone,

in light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week, my family is
inclined to do some sightseeing in san francisco. why there? i
can't come up with really valid reasons aside from sf being a far
place away from LA, someplace different, and that it's an adventure
to just go.

i posted this thread in hopes of getting info on where to go. aside
from the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, and the cable cars i'd like
to see everything else that doesn't stereotype san francisco. i'd
also like to know great dining places from each of you who respond
including reasons why you found a particular place enjoyable (and
dont forget to mention cost too!).

i've searched some websites already but i need to narrow down my
list and i prefer to have others have their take too.

helpful replys are much appreciated.

thanks

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

My wife and I were up there a couple years ago. Alcatraz is a must-see in my book. Try and take the last ferry out there, that way you'll get a view of the city lit up on the way in...magical. Also, if you get a chance take a day and drive up to Sonoma...to a vineyard called Gundlach_Bundeschu (sp?)....really down to earth people, beautiful vineyard, free wine, what more could you ask for? Oh, I know, the countryside is fantastic. Take care and enjoy your trip.

-Jason.

Jason Stoller said:

Jason

dukes said:

make sure to checkout the public pay toliets, that'll give you a
hoot (try one? upto you)

have fun

bruin said:

hi everyone,

in light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week, my family is
inclined to do some sightseeing in san francisco. why there? i
can't come up with really valid reasons aside from sf being a far
place away from LA, someplace different, and that it's an adventure
to just go.

i posted this thread in hopes of getting info on where to go. aside
from the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, and the cable cars i'd like
to see everything else that doesn't stereotype san francisco. i'd
also like to know great dining places from each of you who respond
including reasons why you found a particular place enjoyable (and
dont forget to mention cost too!).

i've searched some websites already but i need to narrow down my
list and i prefer to have others have their take too.

helpful replys are much appreciated.

thanks

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Well...if you are into Dim Sum, I recommend going to Tom Kaing. Very fresh and good.

check out http://www.chowhounds.com for some great info. The msg boards there are quite good.

Golden Gate Park is fun. If you have kids I HIGHLY recommend the Exploratorium.

CHuck

bruin said:

hi everyone,

in light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week, my family is
inclined to do some sightseeing in san francisco. why there? i
can't come up with really valid reasons aside from sf being a far
place away from LA, someplace different, and that it's an adventure
to just go.

i posted this thread in hopes of getting info on where to go. aside
from the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, and the cable cars i'd like
to see everything else that doesn't stereotype san francisco. i'd
also like to know great dining places from each of you who respond
including reasons why you found a particular place enjoyable (and
dont forget to mention cost too!).

i've searched some websites already but i need to narrow down my
list and i prefer to have others have their take too.

helpful replys are much appreciated.

thanks

Click to expand...

There's plenty to do and see in San Francisco. Avoid all the tourist traps like Fisherman's Wharf or the Beach House ... the locals never go near them. To get a real idea of The City, and some great pics, try to see some of the neighborhoods, and the better parts of Esse Effe.

Eats:

• Casa Mexicanna on 24th and Noe is the best tacqueria I've ever been to.
• All You Kneed on Haight and Ashbury is pretty good.
• Arnelli's on 16th and Valencia has great NY style pizza.

There are plenty of others, but those are my favorites.

What to see:

• The Palace of Fine Arts, at the Presidio and the Marina
• The Presidio and Land's End
• Bernal Heights at night
• The Botanical Gardens in GGP on 9th Avenue
• The Redwoods in GGP on JFK; between 10th and 20th Aves
• The Band Shells in GGP
• Coit Tower
• Dolores Park
• The Haight, if you're so inclined
• The Victoreans around Almo Square ( Fulton and Divisadero )

There's plenty more.

Do the tourist thing for a day to at least get in the basics; be sure to include Coit Tower for a view of the city, and go to Fort Point for your GG bridge views (or one of them), Baker's Beach is another good one for that. Wander around the Palace of Fine Arts, and if you have kids give them a couple of hours in the Exploratorium. After the tourist things:

Walk down Market St. between Van Ness and Grant or the Ferry building, and take the trolley back. A weekend daytime is good, or early morning. Take your camera, and be prepared for way too many people wanting a handout. if you take the trolley back to Powell St., take the cable car to Ghirardelli Square, and have a sundae at the chocolate factory, but do it early or plan a long wait in line. While you're there, walk out Muni pier, and maybe to fisherman's wharf if you didn't already see it. You can take the cable car back to Market St.

Chinatown is fun, especially the lower end where it's more authentic (you can tell by the dead chickens in the shop windows).

Go to outer Geary St. past nineteenth and when you finally find a parking place, go to a Russian Deli or one you like the looks of, and get a sandwich or some piroshki. There's one about 21st St. where they speak mostly russian and have all sorts of piroshki, you have to take them out to eat though, but it's a short drive to GG park or the beach.

Go to Golden Gate park, and look throuogh the museum, aquarium, planetarium, tea garden, etc., then head out toward Ocean beach, see the dutch windmills, Cliff house/Sutro's, and walk along the trail past Sutro's. San Francisco zoo is also good, especially if your camera is an Uzi or C700.

Wednesday or Sunday morning, go to the great farmer's market at Market near Van Ness.

If you want to cross the GG bridge, stop at the view point just across. If you're feeling touristy, go to Sausalito, otherwise drive up the coast a way to Muir woods or Mount Tam.

The Green Valley restaurant at Grant and Green is good and reasonable for Italian (good pesto), they've changed the name but it's still marked, Sam Wo's in Chinatown if you like REAL chinese food and don't mind eaitng in the hallway by the dish racks (though I haven't been there in years, may have changed).

There's lots more, it's a fun city to visit.

Gary
Photo albums: http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse

bruin said:

hi everyone,

in light of the fact that thanksgiving is next week, my family is
inclined to do some sightseeing in san francisco. why there? i
can't come up with really valid reasons aside from sf being a far
place away from LA, someplace different, and that it's an adventure
to just go.

i posted this thread in hopes of getting info on where to go. aside
from the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, and the cable cars i'd like
to see everything else that doesn't stereotype san francisco. i'd
also like to know great dining places from each of you who respond
including reasons why you found a particular place enjoyable (and
dont forget to mention cost too!).

i've searched some websites already but i need to narrow down my
list and i prefer to have others have their take too.

helpful replys are much appreciated.

thanks

Click to expand...

Gary R. said:

Walk down Market St. between Van Ness and Grant or the Ferry
building, and take the trolley back. A weekend daytime is good, or
early morning. Take your camera, and be prepared for way too many
people wanting a handout. if you take the trolley back to Powell

Click to expand...

If you do this, go check City Hall out. The Dome is gold ( we couldn't have Willie Brown working in a building that didn't cost $160M, now, could we? ) and they light it up pretty nice when it gets dark.

But don't stay too long. This district -- the Tenderloin -- is also known as "cracktown." Anywhere from Van Ness and UN Plaza to Powell should be avoided. Don't venture south of Market.

You aren't likely to get hassled, but it's very depressing. I'd like to get some night shots of City Hall, but I don't really want to hang out with an expensive camera, on a tripod, drawing attention ... and this is coming from a 23 year old who lifts weights every day.

Forrest said:

If you do this, go check City Hall out. The Dome is gold ( we
couldn't have Willie Brown working in a building that didn't cost
$160M, now, could we? ) and they light it up pretty nice when it
gets dark.

But don't stay too long. This district -- the Tenderloin -- is
also known as "cracktown." Anywhere from Van Ness and UN Plaza to
Powell should be avoided. Don't venture south of Market.

You aren't likely to get hassled, but it's very depressing. I'd
like to get some night shots of City Hall, but I don't really want
to hang out with an expensive camera, on a tripod, drawing
attention ... and this is coming from a 23 year old who lifts
weights every day.

Click to expand...

Good warning. I've never been hassled (other than occasional hits for $) but it can be depressing, though it's an interesting area....and that's why I suggested a weekend day or (relatively) early morning. Just don't pick up any piles of trash, it may be someone sleeping in there.

Here's Willie's dome:
http://www.pbase.com/image/384947

Gary

Gary R. said:

Good warning. I've never been hassled (other than occasional hits
for $) but it can be depressing, though it's an interesting
area....and that's why I suggested a weekend day or (relatively)
early morning. Just don't pick up any piles of trash, it may be
someone sleeping in there.

Click to expand...

Sounds funny, but that last line is completely true.

I was walking through the area once, and this guy kept following me, asking for $2 for the porn theatre... At least he was honest. But hard to get rid of.

But yeah, if you're going to visit, you don't want to trick yourself into thinking it's all like Pacific Heights.

thanks a lot guys! i've got more than enough places to see for a two day affair. thanks again...

J.Fick wrote:
Gundlach_Bundeschu (sp?)....really down to earth

My wife and I have been gun-bun Wine of The Moment'ers for a couple of years now. Great people. Fair wine.

Dude, SF ROCKS!! Take the camera and shoot your memory off! My wife and I ate one night at Alioto's at Fishermans Wharf. I got a great shot at night of the fishing fleet through their windows. Of course it was with a Nikon CP950 so I can't post it here, but now that I have my UZI I am sure I could have done better!

Lets see, get to pier 39 before sunset and get into "Nepture's". You can get a super shot of the Golden Gate, the sunset, and the sea lions, as well as dusk of fishermans wharf. Again I did mine through the windows (up against them to minimize reflections) as I did not want to leave my wife inside. It was VERY romantic! We rode the cable car at about 10:30pm back from Fisherman's Wharf to Union Square. It was magical! We wre the only people on it. What a view and what a city!

We also dined at Figaro's in North Beach. Small place, good food, but what was cool was the table on the sidewalk and watching the world go by at about 9pm as we dined.

We were only there for two nights. I loved the place sooooo much I booked us for 6 nights on our anniversary (Valentines Day) at the Hyatt Embarcadero. Get this. $120 a night! Check http://www.hyatt.com . That's were I found the rate.

I can;t wait to get back with the UZI instead of the CP950. (And of course the romantic days with my wife!)

Jeff

Gary R. said:

If you're feeling touristy, go to
Sausalito, otherwise

Click to expand...

It not all touristy. You have to walk and explore!

Gary R. said:

drive up the coast a way to Muir
woods or Mount Tam.

Click to expand...

If you want to see one of the most beautiful coastlines on the planet, drive a few hours up the 1 and get to the Mendocino coastline. My wife and I spend two of the most wonderful days of my life at the Heritage House in Little River. Expensive, yes. Worth it, you bet.

Clear skies
Jeff