San Francisco

[Cindy]

Have fun True.

[True Believer]

Originally Posted by SavedLou

We saw people growing pot from their windowsills there!

You can do a google search for medicinal pot and get a bunch of places listed!

[True Believer]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Keith and Jeanie took us all over SF a month or so ago. It's a great city! Be sure to eat at although the atmostphere isn't too great. The food is AMAZING. Ask for the chef to fix you whatever he wants; you won't be sorry! We also had dessert at a place called Max's - there are several of them, I think - awesome selection of sweets.

Ride the trolley, get crab cakes at the Wharf, see Chinatown, the Bridge, etc. I loved it! Stay away from Castro unless you want to be really shocked.

Well, it does seem like Nan King is the place to eat!

[SavedLou]

Originally Posted by True Believer

We are thinking of taking that tour. It is between that one and another tour with a boat.

It's a good one. You get to see lots of the city and get a history lesson. I we did a boat tour too. We skipped Alcatrez b/c we saw it from the boat. Oh and if you don't already know, it's gets COLD (40's) at night or on the water during the day. You'll want to bring layers there and definitely a jacket. One merchant told us when we were there that he was sorry we had to come during the heat wave they were having...80 degrees during the day! lololol! We told them we were from La. with 98 degree days/100% humidity! Napa Valley is very hot though.

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Moe

Actually do not pay attention to anything that has already posted about SF. It is actually one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the US. In fact it was named the #1 city in the world a few years earlier.

You want to stay in the Union Square area which is downtown. awesome hotels and world class shopping as well as the best resturaunts. Morton's Steak House is there as well as Cheesecake factory (top floor of Macy's)

China Town is just 4 blocks from Union Square. If you are a bit adventurous please eat at "House of Nanking" It is a real experience. it is a hole in the wall place that has won every award in the city. Very well known and you may not get a seat. You must try the Nanking chicken. the owner's name is Peter and he usually waits the tables as well.

right around the corner from House of Nanking is the best place in the world for foot and leg accupressure. You will be hooked for life. Awesome!!

You will then want to shop at the Nordstom mall downtown.. awesome visual experience as all floors open to a circular glass enclosed elevators. If you are afraid of heights you will get your money's worth (it's free...LOL) there is usually a man outside the door preaching hellfire and damnation with a very loud microphone. this is also where you can pick up the trolley. it can take you all about town but it is most fun to take it from there to the Pier 39. there you can do a vast variety of things from museums to geradelli (spelling???) chocolate factory. You can watch them make it and will be given samples.

Walk the Pier during the day. They shops are charming and the street shows are wonderful. You might even see the "Tree guy" that hides behind a bush and jumps out at you as you walk by just to get a reaction out of you. he has a permit from the city to be there and has been doing this for almost 15 years. It is fun to be across the street and watch him in action. There are ton's of resturaunts on the pier but my favorite is the Francisan. It is right on the water and has a vast menu. You can see alcatraz from any part of the dining area. Awesome food too. If you just want clam chowder from a sourdough bowl then this is it and the warf if the place!!

You must then go up the hill to the Coit Tower. usually there is a long line of cars waiting to park so plan this at a non busy time. This place tell the history of San Fran and you can take the elevator to the top and see virtually all angles of San Fran. Great kodak moment.

Then you need to take a drive across the Golden Gate bridge. that alone is worth it but then keep driving and once across the bridge is a small sea side village called Sausalito. (spelling??) great place to walk, shop and ride bikes. It has a very European feel. Tons of beautiful sail boats.

last but not least do not forget to buy sourdough bread to take home. This place is known for it's sour dough and it cannot be compared anywhere!!!

One of the largest burlington Coat factory is there on 5th & Howard. Not to far from the pier.

Parking will be expensive but if you will ask the locals when you get there they can usually direct you to more reasonable car parks.

There are so many more places to see but I gave you some highlights. Oh by the way there is an Opera district there with some very good venues. You will also want to eat at Max's by the opera house. You must order the pastrami sandwich which is a mile high and all the wait staff works for the opera and they take turns singing. great fun. Great deserts as well (this is on Van ness)

Haight and ashberry is fun to see but not much to do there. Just go through buy the Tshirt and keep going.

Castro street is where you will see some real sights after dark. this is the hub of the gay life so you may want to steer clear. Not to far from there is Little Italy. Great italian food. Good place to eat is "steps of Rome" it is where the locals eat amd decent prices. You will want their Tiramisu.

Hope these suggestions has helped. We travel a lot so have been able to explore many of the larger cities.

Enjoy and let us know how your trip went.

Wow, I am printing this out! I have lived in CA my whole life, and been to SF many times, but I didn't know about half of this stuff!! Thanks!!

[StMark]

Originally Posted by revrandy

They have a home in Monterey but I don't think it's on 17 mile drive...

certainly not on 17 mile drive. the homes there start at
10 million and up

[jdm05]

Blondie's Pizza in Union Square is the best!!!

[StMark]

Originally Posted by True Believer

We are not planning on renting a car. But that may change. We are actually staying on Nob Hill. From the map it looks like it is a pretty good location to get to everything. My husband doesn't want to deal with driving in that traffic. Atlanta traffic is bad enough!

I would like to get Chinese food while we are there so if you can think of that name, please post it.

I am banging my head trying to remember what it's called!!
I've eaten there quite a few times..... It is Fantasitic and the
Views are great too.
OH!!! You must go to the Monaco Hotel for Breakfast!!!!
It is just tops! hotel Monaco is near union Square. If you
like shopping that's the place. they have a 9 story all ladies
macy's Dept ( the mens is 7 stories) and a 7 story sacks 5th.

Personally I like it better than house of Nan king( but it's good
too).

you gotta check out haight ashbury area too

[True Believer]

Originally Posted by StMark

I am banging my head trying to remember what it's called!!
I've eaten there quite a few times..... It is Fantasitic and the
Views are great too.
OH!!! You must go to the Monaco Hotel for Breakfast!!!!
It is just tops! hotel Monaco is near union Square. If you
like shopping that's the place. they have a 9 story all ladies
macy's Dept ( the mens is 7 stories) and a 7 story sacks 5th.

Personally I like it better than house of Nan king( but it's good
too).

you gotta check out haight ashbury area too

This is the second time you mentioned this, I am getting curious to what is there! Will see about Hotel Monaco, I love a good breakfast.

[TCSQ]

Originally Posted by Moe

Actually do not pay attention to anything that has already posted about SF. It is actually one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the US. In fact it was named the #1 city in the world a few years earlier.

You want to stay in the Union Square area which is downtown. awesome hotels and world class shopping as well as the best resturaunts. Morton's Steak House is there as well as Cheesecake factory (top floor of Macy's)

China Town is just 4 blocks from Union Square. If you are a bit adventurous please eat at "House of Nanking" It is a real experience. it is a hole in the wall place that has won every award in the city. Very well known and you may not get a seat. You must try the Nanking chicken. the owner's name is Peter and he usually waits the tables as well.

right around the corner from House of Nanking is the best place in the world for foot and leg accupressure. You will be hooked for life. Awesome!!

You will then want to shop at the Nordstom mall downtown.. awesome visual experience as all floors open to a circular glass enclosed elevators. If you are afraid of heights you will get your money's worth (it's free...LOL) there is usually a man outside the door preaching hellfire and damnation with a very loud microphone. this is also where you can pick up the trolley. it can take you all about town but it is most fun to take it from there to the Pier 39. there you can do a vast variety of things from museums to geradelli (spelling???) chocolate factory. You can watch them make it and will be given samples.

Walk the Pier during the day. They shops are charming and the street shows are wonderful. You might even see the "Tree guy" that hides behind a bush and jumps out at you as you walk by just to get a reaction out of you. he has a permit from the city to be there and has been doing this for almost 15 years. It is fun to be across the street and watch him in action. There are ton's of resturaunts on the pier but my favorite is the Francisan. It is right on the water and has a vast menu. You can see alcatraz from any part of the dining area. Awesome food too. If you just want clam chowder from a sourdough bowl then this is it and the warf if the place!!

You must then go up the hill to the Coit Tower. usually there is a long line of cars waiting to park so plan this at a non busy time. This place tell the history of San Fran and you can take the elevator to the top and see virtually all angles of San Fran. Great kodak moment.

Then you need to take a drive across the Golden Gate bridge. that alone is worth it but then keep driving and once across the bridge is a small sea side village called Sausalito. (spelling??) great place to walk, shop and ride bikes. It has a very European feel. Tons of beautiful sail boats.

last but not least do not forget to buy sourdough bread to take home. This place is known for it's sour dough and it cannot be compared anywhere!!!

One of the largest burlington Coat factory is there on 5th & Howard. Not to far from the pier.

Parking will be expensive but if you will ask the locals when you get there they can usually direct you to more reasonable car parks.

There are so many more places to see but I gave you some highlights. Oh by the way there is an Opera district there with some very good venues. You will also want to eat at Max's by the opera house. You must order the pastrami sandwich which is a mile high and all the wait staff works for the opera and they take turns singing. great fun. Great deserts as well (this is on Van ness)

Haight and ashberry is fun to see but not much to do there. Just go through buy the Tshirt and keep going.

Castro street is where you will see some real sights after dark. this is the hub of the gay life so you may want to steer clear. Not to far from there is Little Italy. Great italian food. Good place to eat is "steps of Rome" it is where the locals eat amd decent prices. You will want their Tiramisu.

Hope these suggestions has helped. We travel a lot so have been able to explore many of the larger cities.

Enjoy and let us know how your trip went.

Excellent excellent post! San Francisco can be a blast! You forgot to tell them to order the Cioppino at Aliotos, Oh and by the way, whenever I am in that part of California, I ALWAYS go on priceline and make my hotel bid for 65 a night in a four star hotel at the SFO airport location, and aside from one miserable experience at the Holiday Inn ( it definitely has seen much better days) I usually end up in the Hyatt Regency or the Sheraton, Sometimes the Crown Plaza. But the Hyatt is the best! Oh and you know, I hope someone can help here but in Daly City on the way up north on 101, there is up on the right embankment what has to be the biggest and certainly best Seafood Buffet in the country! And the Art museum in Golden Gate Park is definitely worth seeing too! And be on the lookout for Herbie!