usvi-on-line
San Francisco help please
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Thank you for all of the suggestions so far. We will not have a car so touring outside of the city isn't going to happen. (I'm totally okay with that, there's plenty to do as it is!)
Any more specific suggestions for casual dining?
Thanks again for all of your help!
Any more specific suggestions for casual dining?
Thanks again for all of your help!
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Me again. After some additional research, I have the following things to do/places to eat. Any comments on the following would be greatly appreciated!
Food:
Lolo for tapas
Frascati
SPQR
Foreign Cinema
Slanted Door
The Crab House at Pier 39 (we have reservations here for Thursday night but could certainly change this if we hear bad things about it)
House of Nanking
Swan's Oyster Depot (take out and find a nice place to enjoy it? Is that do-able? During the day, for lunch is our thought on this.)
Fun:
The Saloon for good blues music
Foreign Cinema (see above)
Beach Blanket
Views/To do's:
~Tank Hill, starting at the top of Stanyan St, going left at Belgrave Park and hike up the dirt path for a view that will make us gasp. Anyone know about this?
~Hang out at Fisherman's Wharf and be a typical tourist (more inside help here please)
~Probably not going to do the Alcatraz tour, just look at it from the shore
Something tells me that 3 and 1/2 days isn't going to be enough time for all that we want to do and eat and drink and see!
Food:
Lolo for tapas
Frascati
SPQR
Foreign Cinema
Slanted Door
The Crab House at Pier 39 (we have reservations here for Thursday night but could certainly change this if we hear bad things about it)
House of Nanking
Swan's Oyster Depot (take out and find a nice place to enjoy it? Is that do-able? During the day, for lunch is our thought on this.)
Fun:
The Saloon for good blues music
Foreign Cinema (see above)
Beach Blanket
Views/To do's:
~Tank Hill, starting at the top of Stanyan St, going left at Belgrave Park and hike up the dirt path for a view that will make us gasp. Anyone know about this?
~Hang out at Fisherman's Wharf and be a typical tourist (more inside help here please)
~Probably not going to do the Alcatraz tour, just look at it from the shore
Something tells me that 3 and 1/2 days isn't going to be enough time for all that we want to do and eat and drink and see!
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
I believe Tank Hill is up there in Twin Peaks area. Not sure about the hike up. We stayed with a friend on Clayton which is considered the area of Twin Peak. It's quite a hike up from Castro/Market. You might want to check out the bus that goes on Clayton or the one up to Portola and hike from mid point.
Oh and definitely bring something warm. It can get cool up there. Also, the hill keeps the fog on top of the hill which makes it doubly cool.
Oh and definitely bring something warm. It can get cool up there. Also, the hill keeps the fog on top of the hill which makes it doubly cool.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Funny you should mention the cold...the other night I was about to order a new swimsuit because we are going to CALIFORNIA. Then, Pete filled me in on the fact that it's not all that warm in SF, in fact, the weather is much like what we are having here. What a "duh" moment that was for me. I think I get it now.promoguy wrote:I believe Tank Hill is up there in Twin Peaks area. Not sure about the hike up. We stayed with a friend on Clayton which is considered the area of Twin Peak. It's quite a hike up from Castro/Market. You might want to check out the bus that goes on Clayton or the one up to Portola and hike from mid point.
Oh and definitely bring something warm. It can get cool up there. Also, the hill keeps the fog on top of the hill which makes it doubly cool.
As for the Tank Hill "hike" I really want to do that. I'd like to get a head start though, as you suggest, and start mid-way. Sounds really remote and pretty. Is it silly for me to envision getting some wonderful things to carry in a backpack and have a picnic of sorts up there?
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
It's not really remote. Do a google aerial view and you'll see that it is built up all around. It's the highest 'peak' in SF so has all the antennas on it. But there are great views in all directions. If there is no fog you'll be able to see the Pacific/Golden Gate and Bay Bridge.
One of the good things about this time of year is that there is less fog. Believe it or not the summer months have more fog.
You will definitely not be needing any bathing suits.
One of the good things about this time of year is that there is less fog. Believe it or not the summer months have more fog.
You will definitely not be needing any bathing suits.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Can you think of a better place to take a little hike to have lunch and enjoy the views?promoguy wrote:It's not really remote. Do a google aerial view and you'll see that it is built up all around. It's the highest 'peak' in SF so has all the antennas on it. But there are great views in all directions. If there is no fog you'll be able to see the Pacific/Golden Gate and Bay Bridge.
And, fine, no bikinis for me on this particular trip. Dang.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
I see the the Slanted Door is on your list of restaurants. I LOVE this restaurant---have been here a couple of times---most recently was for a weekend trip (business conference) about 3 weeks ago. Make your reservation now---its really crowded.
If you love food, the Ferry Building, in the Embarcadero area, is a must. Also, this is where you could catch a ferry to either Tiburon or Sausalito---would recommend either trip if the weather is not too cold.
I also noticed you had a seafood restaurant at the Pier on your list. One place you might consider, instead, is "waterbar," which is a new seafood restaurant in the Embarcadero area. Its on the water right below the Bay Bridge. Its a gorgeous restaurant---might check out menu online and see if it appeals to you.
Another fun Asian restaurant I love is "Betelnut." This is on Union Street (not Union Square). You might check it out.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is great too.
Also, a walk around Pacific Heights, with turn-of-the-Century brownstones and a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge, can be fun.
Enjoy!
If you love food, the Ferry Building, in the Embarcadero area, is a must. Also, this is where you could catch a ferry to either Tiburon or Sausalito---would recommend either trip if the weather is not too cold.
I also noticed you had a seafood restaurant at the Pier on your list. One place you might consider, instead, is "waterbar," which is a new seafood restaurant in the Embarcadero area. Its on the water right below the Bay Bridge. Its a gorgeous restaurant---might check out menu online and see if it appeals to you.
Another fun Asian restaurant I love is "Betelnut." This is on Union Street (not Union Square). You might check it out.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is great too.
Also, a walk around Pacific Heights, with turn-of-the-Century brownstones and a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge, can be fun.
Enjoy!
---Jim
I have to give a 2nd thumbs up for Slanted Door. We had a delightful evening there. It's loud and busy. Food was excellent! I wouldn't hesitate to return there. We had lunch at The Hog Island Oyster CO in/outside the ferry building, that was good too.
I think you can navigate SF w/o a car just fine using public means. Between the streetcars, buses, and cable cars, as well as on foot, there is always a way to get where you want to go. Next time we go back I am anxious to rent bicycles and ride them across the Golden GAte Bridge as well as thru parts of the GG park. You can circumnavigate the hills and there are bike lanes.
We enjoyed Coit tower and walking around that area. There is some amazingly beautiful art work restored inside the Coit Tower from the WPA (New Deal agency from the depression)and the view from atop the tower is 360. On our descent from the tower down Filbert St we saw the parrots and came home to rent the documentary, "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill " just to understand the whole story about the parrots.
Fisherman's Wharf was not particularly interesting to us, as it seemed more touristy altho I have to admit I did enjoy seeing the sea lions sunning themselves on pier 39.
WE enjoyed the Ferry Building more than Fishermans Wharf.
What area are you staying????
I think you can navigate SF w/o a car just fine using public means. Between the streetcars, buses, and cable cars, as well as on foot, there is always a way to get where you want to go. Next time we go back I am anxious to rent bicycles and ride them across the Golden GAte Bridge as well as thru parts of the GG park. You can circumnavigate the hills and there are bike lanes.
We enjoyed Coit tower and walking around that area. There is some amazingly beautiful art work restored inside the Coit Tower from the WPA (New Deal agency from the depression)and the view from atop the tower is 360. On our descent from the tower down Filbert St we saw the parrots and came home to rent the documentary, "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill " just to understand the whole story about the parrots.
Fisherman's Wharf was not particularly interesting to us, as it seemed more touristy altho I have to admit I did enjoy seeing the sea lions sunning themselves on pier 39.
WE enjoyed the Ferry Building more than Fishermans Wharf.
What area are you staying????
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Okay, it sounds like we should make a reservation for the Slanted Door. Maybe for our first night (Wednesday)??? We arrive at noon-ish and are staying at the Westin St. Francis (Union Square).Carolyn wrote:I have to give a 2nd thumbs up for Slanted Door. We had a delightful evening there. It's loud and busy. Food was excellent! I wouldn't hesitate to return there.
Fisherman's Wharf was not particularly interesting to us, as it seemed more touristy altho I have to admit I did enjoy seeing the sea lions sunning themselves on pier 39.
WE enjoyed the Ferry Building more than Fishermans Wharf.
What area are you staying????
I do want to see the sea lions at pier 39. We might end up just skimming the surface so to speak at Fisherman's Wharf, we are not big on touristy places.
Coit tower sounds fantastic. This is now on our "must do" list.
Thanks again everyone, for all of your help. I knew we could count on you. Bring on more.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
I think I mentioned it already but will just second the pier at the Embarcadero. Much better than the wharf. However, if you've never been you might want to take a quick trip. Good crab stand.
Racking my brain on eateries and remembered a good old pub called Johnny Foleys. Fun old place.
Another area easy to get to is the Castro District. Yeah, it's the gay area of town, but some great small eateries that are not gender specific. Check out Martoonis, a martini bar. Great mixed crowd. Sit in the corner and just people watch.
There is so much to do and eat in SF, that one could go on and on and you'll never get to all of the neighborhoods. They all have their own little identities.
Racking my brain on eateries and remembered a good old pub called Johnny Foleys. Fun old place.
Another area easy to get to is the Castro District. Yeah, it's the gay area of town, but some great small eateries that are not gender specific. Check out Martoonis, a martini bar. Great mixed crowd. Sit in the corner and just people watch.
There is so much to do and eat in SF, that one could go on and on and you'll never get to all of the neighborhoods. They all have their own little identities.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Well, we now have reservations for:promoguy wrote:I think I mentioned it already but will just second the pier at the Embarcadero. Much better than the wharf. However, if you've never been you might want to take a quick trip. Good crab stand.
Racking my brain on eateries and remembered a good old pub called Johnny Foleys. Fun old place.
Another area easy to get to is the Castro District. Yeah, it's the gay area of town, but some great small eateries that are not gender specific. Check out Martoonis, a martini bar. Great mixed crowd. Sit in the corner and just people watch.
There is so much to do and eat in SF, that one could go on and on and you'll never get to all of the neighborhoods. They all have their own little identities.
~Wednesday night, Slanted Door, 9 pm (this is going to be rough, we are two hours behind, so that will feel like 11 pm in our world, and a travel day, to boot; oh well me thinks we'll take a bit of a nap between some initial exploration of the city and dinner out.)
~Thursday night, The Crab House at Pier 39, 7:30 pm
~Friday night, House of Nanking, go when we want (early-ish) because they don't take reservations and then, after dinner go to the Saloon for blues.
~Saturday night, Frascati, 8 p.m.
You guys, you have no idea how excited I am to visit a new city (hell, a whole new state) with my husband. I feel like a kid in a candy shop. I just don't know which wonderful thing to enjoy.
Promo guy, keep wracking your brain...we can always make changes!
Still looking for the perfect mini hike for a picnic...
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
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California Girl
Marcia - How about taking a taxi to Golden Gate Park for a picnic? It's gorgeous there and you can hike all over the place! 
http://www.nps.gov/goga/
http://www.nps.gov/goga/
I just see this morning that you are staying @ The St Francis Westin. Perfect location ! How are you going to stay there and NOT eat at Michael Mina's? hmmmm It is pricey but mmm!!!
You can walk that area and enjoy seeing this wonderful city.
Your list is looking good!
We were there once in Oct and it got quite warm. I'd suggest layers! What you might need in the mornings and nights can be drastically different from the days. Be ready for just about anything.
You are in for such a treat! I understand your excitement...ENJOY!!!
You can walk that area and enjoy seeing this wonderful city.
Your list is looking good!
We were there once in Oct and it got quite warm. I'd suggest layers! What you might need in the mornings and nights can be drastically different from the days. Be ready for just about anything.
You are in for such a treat! I understand your excitement...ENJOY!!!
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California Girl