San Francisco

[Moe]

Originally Posted by True Believer

OK, all you people on the west coast. We are planning a little trip there next month. I have never been to SF. So where do all the locals go for dinner and what would you suggest is a "must see" while we are there?

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.

[Jekyll]

I forgot, no left turns.

Never felt like leaving my heart there, though.

See it once at least.

[StMark]

Originally Posted by True Believer

OK, all you people on the west coast. We are planning a little trip there next month. I have never been to SF. So where do all the locals go for dinner and what would you suggest is a "must see" while we are there?

Are you renting a Car? Are you staying in downtown area?

iF you are Traveling outside of the city and you don't go at the
right times, the Traffic alone will rob you of your entire day.

Try Viva's on columbus ave. for Italian food - it is AWESOME!

There is a chinese restuarant in china town that is famous
and the food is off the charts! ....BUT I can't think of the name
of it right now. It's on the 9th floor of a building- they have
pictures on the wall of a lot of famous people that have eaten there.
If I think of it I'll post.
house of nan king is another popular chinese place.

[smurfette]

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.

The one thing that you left out is the walking tour of Alkatraz and China town. You can get the tickets at Pier 39. They are very inexpensive. When you do Alkatraz, you put on these headphones and it narrates the tour at your own pace. The ferry ride across in neat too! Pretty Cool! When you take the tour of China town, they take you to a tea shop and you taste the tea. Then you go to the factory where they make fortune cookies. You get to taste one hot off the press! We broke up the tour in 2 days. You can do it in one if you want. Have a blast. You will love it.

[SavedLou]

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.
YES!

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. Be sure to ask if the restaurant is "family style". When we went to China Town we all ordered a seperate dish, plus each of us ordered a side of rice. The food kept coming and coming! Couldn't fit it all on the little table. A side of rice ended up being a huge bowl for each person! (It was only about $1 each...we didn't know) You will probably just end up sharing.

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.

This is the bush man...don't miss it! Hilarious! You're sure to catch him sometime on at Fisherman's Wharf. You can see some clips of him on youtube.

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.

I loved this place! So peaceful!

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.

One of the funniest things to me was the competition among the bums with their signs. We saw one that said "Need cash for weed" and another "Why lie, I need beer!"

When we went to SF we did one of the tour packages. Well worth the money! We had a tour of the city, Sausilito, and the redwood forests. Also, if you can..rent a car to go to Napa Valley as mentioned and then one day do a drive south of SF to Monterey/Carmel. We drove about 2 hours down from SF on the famous PCH 1 (Hwy 1). There's whats known as the 17 mile drive...famous. Some of the most gorgeous scenery...driving next to the Pacific the whole way. Have fun! I am so jealous!

[Ferd]

Cross the big bridge, go north a few miles and hug a big tree.

[True Believer]

Originally Posted by Jekyll

No yards, everything is vertical. Car dealerships downtown below street level astonished me. The city from the bay looks like a white concrete city. Verrry few chain restaurants, no parking, you can see a Bently right next to a Volkswagen. Driving in that town gave me indigestion and headaches for a week. ugh. The pier is nice, though.

We aren't planning on doing any driving. We either walk or take a bus. It looks like we are right in the center of things so walking will be ok. At least one way! (not sure about coming back up the hill!!)

[Rico]

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.

Hmmmmm. Why does this post say "Last edited by Ferd" when Moe made the post?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by smurfette

The one thing that you left out is the walking tour of Alkatraz and China town. You can get the tickets at Pier 39. They are very inexpensive. When you do Alkatraz, you put on these headphones and it narrates the tour at your own pace. The ferry ride across in neat too! Pretty Cool! When you take the tour of China town, they take you to a tea shop and you taste the tea. Then you go to the factory where they make fortune cookies. You get to taste one hot off the press! We broke up the tour in 2 days. You can do it in one if you want. Have a blast. You will love it.

This one says "Last edited by Ferd" too. What is going on around here?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by SavedLou

One of the funniest things to me was the competition among the bums with their signs. We saw one that said "Need cash for weed" and another "Why lie, I need beer!"

When we went to SF we did one of the tour packages. Well worth the money! We had a tour of the city, Sausilito, and the redwood forests. Also, if you can..rent a car to go to Napa Valley as mentioned and then one day do a drive south of SF to Monterey/Carmel. We drove about 2 hours down from SF on the famous PCH 1 (Hwy 1). There's whats known as the 17 mile drive...famous. Some of the most gorgeous scenery...driving next to the Pacific the whole way. Have fun! I am so jealous!

This one says it too. Have I entered the Twilight Zone or something?