San Francisco

[StMark]

Originally Posted by True Believer

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!!)

One Neighborhood you gotta visit That I don't think
anyone mentioned is the Haight & ashbury District.
What a TRIP. This was the birth place of the hippie movement.
( along with Berkeley just across the bay). Lots of very
unusual people, bands, shops, just pull up a chair and do
some "people watching" lol

SF truely is a world class city.

[True Believer]

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.

Thanks so much for the information!

[SavedLou]

The Bushman! Cheap thrills..I'm such a kid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKfNo...eature=related

[SavedLou]

Originally Posted by StMark

One Neighborhood you gotta visit That I don't think
anyone mentioned is the Haight & ashbury District.
What a TRIP. This was the birth place of the hippie movement.
( along with Berkeley just across the bay). Lots of very
unusual people, bands, shops, just pull up a chair and do
some "people watching" lol

SF truely is a world class city.

We saw people growing pot from their windowsills there!

[True Believer]

Originally Posted by StMark

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.

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.

[revrandy]

From Pier 39 (Tourist area) go to Bay St...take a right on Bay..you will circle down and around the beautiful homes and be by the seaside... stay on Bay St and go straight into Chrissy Field... you will go up a little hill to a stop sign...take a immediate right and you'll go down under the golden gate bridge...Ft Hood is there and usually open... you can go in and see some history... and go up to the 4th floor of ft Hood and look at the ocean to your west...and the city to the east...

IT CAN"T BE BEAT!!!

or call Keith4him or Jeanie...they can be your tour guides!!!...

[revrandy]

Here is the area I am talking about...

[revrandy]

This is from Chrissy Field...

[Sherri]

Keith and Jeanie took us all over SF a month or so ago. It's a great city! Be sure to eat at Nan King, 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.

[revrandy]

I would rather go to San Francisco and the Bay area than pretty much any other place... it is a awesome city...