More out of town recommendations - San Francisco!

[Gizzmonic]

I'm going to the Bay Area Aug 1-3.  I'll be going to the Sunday Giants v. Phillies game.  Any recommendations on what to do, where to eat, etc?  Thanks in advance!

[MusicMan]

Move to retitle the forum Beer and Orbitz.

[Gizzmonic]

Move to retitle the forum Beer and Orbitz.

It's what the people want.  Hey, people on this site are good at finding the hidden gems.  They have rare and discerning tastes!  I'm only good at finding hidden gems in video games.

[Alkie]

There is no good food in the Bay Area.

If you search hard in Oakland, you might could find a Denny's.

Also, there's nothing to see there.

You won't even enjoy it.

Give me your tickets and hotel reservation.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm going to the Bay Area Aug 1-3.  I'll be going to the Sunday Giants v. Phillies game.  Any recommendations on what to do, where to eat, etc?  Thanks in advance!

1.  Go to Alcatraz.

2.  Eat lunch at one of them fish stand places on The Wharf.

3.  Eat Italian food in North Beach.

4.  Walk the Golden Gate Bridge.

V.  Expect long lines and to pay a lot for food and service.

[Guinness]

Absolutely agree on Alcatraz.  I was in SF a few years ago for some training, and Mrs Guinness and I went up a few days before my training started so we could have some fun.  She booked us tickets to Alcatraz and I thought, eh, not really interested, but once there it really turned out to be a cool experience, I was shocked I found it so interesting.

[hostros7]

Swan oyster depot for lunch.  Great hole in the wall with some of the freshest seafood you'll taste.  The wait can be extremely long with a line out the door at peak lunch hour though.  I enjoyed the slanted door for dinner (not too expensive).  It's right up on the water in the financial district.  Tons of great restaurants though in San Fran...hard to go wrong.  I'd avoid the stinking garlic place though.  it's largely a tourist trap, but you might be cool with that.  Sometimes touristy activities can be fun.  I enjoyed the views from Coit Tower, for example.

[HudsonHawk]

Swan oyster depot for lunch.  Great hole in the wall with some of the freshest seafood you'll taste.  The wait can be extremely long with a line out the door at peak lunch hour though.  I enjoyed the slanted door for dinner (not too expensive).  It's right up on the water in the financial district.  Tons of great restaurants though in San Fran...hard to go wrong.  I'd avoid the stinking garlic place though.  it's largely a tourist trap, but you might be cool with that.  Sometimes touristy activities can be fun.  I enjoyed the views from Coit Tower, for example.

"Touristy" isn't necessarily bad, if you're a tourist.  Just know what you're getting.  Alcatraz, for example, is an extremely touristy thing to do.  It's also pretty fuckin' cool.

[Gizzmonic]

Swan oyster depot for lunch.  Great hole in the wall with some of the freshest seafood you'll taste.  The wait can be extremely long with a line out the door at peak lunch hour though.  I enjoyed the slanted door for dinner (not too expensive).  It's right up on the water in the financial district.  Tons of great restaurants though in San Fran...hard to go wrong.  I'd avoid the stinking garlic place though.  it's largely a tourist trap, but you might be cool with that.  Sometimes touristy activities can be fun.  I enjoyed the views from Coit Tower, for example.

I don't care about being touristy.  As long as it doesn't involve a Segway...saw a bunch of people doing that last time I was in SF, pretty silly.  I am very bad at travel, I usually just get drunk and wander around the general area of my hotel.  I thank everyone for their suggestions!

[Bench]

I don't care about being touristy.  As long as it doesn't involve a Segway...saw a bunch of people doing that last time I was in SF, pretty silly.  I am very bad at travel, I usually just get drunk and wander around the general area of my hotel.  I thank everyone for their suggestions!

Sounds like you're better at travel than most.  I greatly prefer travelling with people like you than with the people who meticulously plan five activities in a day and spend all day worrying about their schedule.

[Rebel Jew]

I don't care about being touristy.  As long as it doesn't involve a Segway...saw a bunch of people doing that last time I was in SF, pretty silly.  I am very bad at travel, I usually just get drunk and wander around the general area of my hotel.  I thank everyone for their suggestions!

come hang out at my house.  we can get drunk and wander around my neighborhood

[hostros7]

I don't care about being touristy.  As long as it doesn't involve a Segway...saw a bunch of people doing that last time I was in SF, pretty silly.  I am very bad at travel, I usually just get drunk and wander around the general area of my hotel.  I thank everyone for their suggestions!

This is my preferred mode of travel as well.  On my one off day in London, I crafted an impromptu all day one man pub crawl.  In the process, I met some great people and saw most of the sights in passing. 

[hostros7]

"Touristy" isn't necessarily bad, if you're a tourist.  Just know what you're getting.  Alcatraz, for example, is an extremely touristy thing to do.  It's also pretty fuckin' cool.

Agreed, which is why I said Coit Tower had some great views. I had a great time doing it, but the climb up the hill is steep! 

"Touristy" food though can be trickier.  Some is touristy because it's so good and renowned that word has spread beyond it's geographic bounds.  Other times it's just overrated (or perhaps declined as a result of its popularity). Or it's constructed to be "touristy" like the Aquarium.  I generally try and avoid the last two of these when travelling.  That's the only distinction I was trying to make.

[Gizzmonic]

come hang out at my house.  we can get drunk and wander around my neighborhood

Sounds good as long as you're not going to sock me on the head and rob me!

[JaneDoe]

Sounds good as long as you're not going to sock me on the head and rob me!

Will you be on a bicycle?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

For breakfast/brunch/dunch try Mama's on Washington Square.

Pretty long line, so don't think you'll just pop in and get fed.  But it was pretty freaking good.  Its within easy walking distance of Coit Tower.

http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/d4J6LWjQur24upabBlKsEs-mamas-on-washington-square-san-francisco-ca

[Andyzipp]

For breakfast/brunch/dunch try Mama's on Washington Square.

Pretty long line, so don't think you'll just pop in and get fed.  But it was pretty freaking good.  Its within easy walking distance of Coit Tower.

http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/d4J6LWjQur24upabBlKsEs-mamas-on-washington-square-san-francisco-ca

2nd for Mama's.  Worth the wait.

[juliogotay]

Agreed, which is why I said Coit Tower had some great views. I had a great time doing it, but the climb up the hill is steep! 

"Touristy" food though can be trickier.  Some is touristy because it's so good and renowned that word has spread beyond it's geographic bounds.  Other times it's just overrated (or perhaps declined as a result of its popularity). Or it's constructed to be "touristy" like the Aquarium.  I generally try and avoid the last two of these when travelling.  That's the only distinction I was trying to make.

Did you climb up the Filbert Steps from the Embaradero? That's 300+ steps to Coit Tower.

[juliogotay]

2nd for Mama's.  Worth the wait.

A good breakfast spot in Pacific Heights is Doidge's on Union. It's in a Victorian house.

[chuck]

come hang out at my house.  we can get drunk and wander around my neighborhood

That sounds like a good time, actually. As long as no one tosses a traffic cone at me.

[Bench]

That sounds like a good time, actually. As long as no one tosses a traffic cone at me.

That shit just happens.  You can't control it.

[roadrunner]

I'm sure most people think it's a ridiculous waste of time in a great city like San Francisco, but I loved watching the seals out on the pier.  It was touristy, but I enjoyed it.

[geezerdonk]

The Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel used to be one the world's great bars.

[juliogotay]

I'm sure most people think it's a ridiculous waste of time in a great city like San Francisco, but I loved watching the seals out on the pier.  It was touristy, but I enjoyed it.

I've never understood why it is so bad to be a tourist. If you enjoy it, do it. You may never get another chance. I know New Yorkers who grew up there and never went to the Statue of Liberty. I think they've missed something.

[Guinness]

I've never understood why it is so bad to be a tourist. If you enjoy it, do it. You may never get another chance. I know New Yorkers who grew up there and never went to the Statue of Liberty. I think they've missed something.

I know exactly how you feel:  you get to talking to some smug 20 year old who talks about how they went to Europe or something and how you should skip the 'touristy' parts--well, if you go to another country or city on vacation,  you're a fucking tourist!  That's the word for it.  And in a lot of cases, there's a reason 'tourists' go to certain places:  because they're cool or awesome.
And the seals on the pier is great.  I even took video.

[roadrunner]

I know exactly how you feel:  you get to talking to some smug 20 year old who talks about how they went to Europe or something and how you should skip the 'touristy' parts--well, if you go to another country or city on vacation,  you're a fucking tourist!  That's the word for it.  And in a lot of cases, there's a reason 'tourists' go to certain places:  because they're cool or awesome.
And the seals on the pier is great.  I even took video.

I don't know.  I can see both sides to this.  As much as I love seeing the important sites of certain destinations, sometimes I just want to relax and check out the local neighborhoods and flavor.  The next time I go to NYC, I will not go to Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, etc.  Partly because I've done those, and partly because you can easily make a vacation out of being in NYC. 

I think you can say the same for SF, Chicago, etc

[Bench]

I know exactly how you feel:  you get to talking to some smug 20 year old who talks about how they went to Europe or something and how you should skip the 'touristy' parts--well, if you go to another country or city on vacation,  you're a fucking tourist!  That's the word for it.  And in a lot of cases, there's a reason 'tourists' go to certain places:  because they're cool or awesome.
And the seals on the pier is great.  I even took video.

There are good tourist sights and there are crappy tourist sights.  Amongst the good tourist sights there are those that you really need to see only once in your life and there are those that require your presence anytime you are in town.

[Guinness]

I don't know.  I can see both sides to this.  As much as I love seeing the important sites of certain destinations, sometimes I just want to relax and check out the local neighborhoods and flavor.  The next time I go to NYC, I will not go to Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, etc.  Partly because I've done those, and partly because you can easily make a vacation out of being in NYC. 

I think you can say the same for SF, Chicago, etc

That is true, but if you're going to a destination you've never been to and likely won't be again (at least for some time), you should hit the high spots (like you listed for NYC).  If you've never been to London, for instance, and have 3 or 5 days there, you're not going to pick up much of the local flavor (sorry, flavour), and I think it would behoove you to go to the Tower, the various museums, etc.  Take in pubs along the way for a taste of the city, but if you roam around Islington or Victoria or Hammersmith for a few days, you've wasted a trip.

[Matt]

I'm sure most people think it's a ridiculous waste of time in a great city like San Francisco, but I loved watching the seals out on the pier.  It was touristy, but I enjoyed it.

I witnessed a seal defecating all over an expensive boat docked in Newport Beach, CA. Right on the steering wheel and driver's seat.

[drew corleone]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

[BizidyDizidy]

Slanted door is supposed to be good, but why not eat in wine country if you are up there anyways?

[Mr. Happy]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

You can eat at the Slanted Door before the ball game. In Napa, I'd consider Fume'. It's our neighborhood spot.

[hostros7]

Out of curiosity, anyone been to mission Chinese? 

[Bench]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

I recommend picking up charcuterie at Fatted Calf if you plan on picnicking in the wine country.

[Rebel Jew]

Out of curiosity, anyone been to mission Chinese? 

I have. Pretty disappointing, though the same owner had a place called "Mission Burger" that was inside a Korean grocery store and had amazing burgers, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and try again.  SF chinese food pretty much climaxes with this place in my opinion: http://blogs.kqed.org/checkplease/2006/03/23/old-mandarin-islamic-restaurant-info/

[Rebel Jew]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

Food in Chinatown is pretty universally mediocre. The only two restaurants I've ever been to that were any good are "House of Nan King," and "Brandy Ho's" and those are almost in North Beach. All the good SF Chinese is in the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods.

[chuck]

I have. Pretty disappointing, though the same owner had a place called "Mission Burger" that was inside a Korean grocery store and had amazing burgers, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and try again.  SF chinese food pretty much climaxes with this place in my opinion: http://blogs.kqed.org/checkplease/2006/03/23/old-mandarin-islamic-restaurant-info/

Do you guys have the Korean taco phenomenon that sprouted up in LA a couple of years ago?

[chuck]

Food in Chinatown is pretty universally mediocre. The only two restaurants I've ever been to that were any good are "House of Nan King," and "Brandy Ho's" and those are almost in North Beach. All the good SF Chinese is in the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods.

I agree entirely. Chinatown in SF is a real disappointment. I like Richmond for Vietnamese and there are all sorts of weird ass Chinese places out in the Sunset.

[Rebel Jew]

Do you guys have the Korean taco phenomenon that sprouted up in LA a couple of years ago?

I think that was a Portland thing first, actually, and yes! just hit fairly recently. Match made in heaven. The gourmet food truck phenomenon is pretty great.

[BizidyDizidy]

Have not been to Mission Chinese but this review made me want to:

http://mobile.seriouseats.com/2011/08/san-francisco-mission-chinese-eatery-is-the-d.html

[chuck]

I think that was a Portland thing first, actually, and yes! just hit fairly recently. Match made in heaven. The gourmet food truck phenomenon is pretty great.

It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Much of the time I adorn tacos with a cabbage-based relish that is effectively a non-fermented kimchi. If I were smart enough to figure out how to ferment the stuff I'd try that, too.

But I DO know where to get kimchi around here, now that I think about it. I was hipped to a fruteria that has all sorts of asian products tucked away in the back. It's in a heavily jewish part of town with several kosher markets. I never would have suspected all the awesome asian stuff they have in there. I'm planning to go tomorrow and will absolutely get some kimchi with a view towards making some tacos.

[Rebel Jew]

It makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Much of the time I adorn tacos with a cabbage-based relish that is effectively a non-fermented kimchi. If I were smart enough to figure out how to ferment the stuff I'd try that, too.

But I DO know where to get kimchi around here, now that I think about it. I was hipped to a fruteria that has all sorts of asian products tucked away in the back. It's in a heavily jewish part of town with several kosher markets. I never would have suspected all the awesome asian stuff they have in there. I'm planning to go tomorrow and will absolutely get some kimchi with a view towards making some tacos.

more than that, the bulgogi/carne asada parallels are so profound i'm shocked these two ethnicities didn't meet up sooner.

[subnuclear]

Didn't some anthropologist discover Korean symbols in Native American writing?

My boss told me I'll be going to Livermore, CA once a month for the next 8 months. Hopefully, I'll get free to put some of this list to use.

[BizidyDizidy]

If you're looking for Livermore recs - I ate once at an On The Border there (or maybe in Dublin) - it was fucking terrible.

[subnuclear]

If you're looking for Livermore recs - I ate once at an On The Border there (or maybe in Dublin) - it was fucking terrible.

Hopefully, I'll have car.

[drew corleone]

Well it seems that She doesn't want to eat in Chinatown. We're supposedly eating somewhere in north beach.

We're doing a bus tour to wine country so outside of lunch, which is part of it, we'll be back before dinner.

[chuck]

If you're looking for Livermore recs - I ate once at an On The Border there (or maybe in Dublin) - it was fucking terrible.

And bear in mind that this is from the fellow who once famously declared Pappasito's the best Mexican food in Houston so given the orientation of the scale we're working with here I literally cannot imagine how bad On The Border must be.

[subnuclear]

And bear in mind that this is from the fellow who once famously declared Pappasito's the best Mexican food in Houston so given the orientation of the scale we're working with here I literally cannot imagine how bad On The Border must be.

There used to be one on Rockville Pike. I thought they had good chips and salsa and a color TV.

[BizidyDizidy]

I still like pappasitos

[Ron Brand]

And bear in mind that this is from the fellow who once famously declared Pappasito's the best Mexican food in Houston so given the orientation of the scale we're working with here I literally cannot imagine how bad On The Border must be.

Ate at one in College Station yesterday. It's what you think it is, Chili's or Applebee's or whatever. I was expecting flair but it was a half step up from the Denny's of Mexican Food. Didn't kill me.

[chuck]

There used to be one on Rockville Pike. I thought they had good chips and salsa and a color TV.

They do have color TV.

Do you ever go to the Austin Grill?

[subnuclear]

They do have color TV.

Do you ever go to the Austin Grill?

I've been there a couple of times mainly because my sister likes it. It wasn't bad, but I much prefer the Asian food around here when I go out.

[Navin R Johnson]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

My wife and I are headed to SF this weekend too, get in Thursday afternoon.  Going to the Astros game Thursday and Friday.  If you figure out where to predrink on Thursday, let me know.

[chuck]

I've been there a couple of times mainly because my sister likes it. It wasn't bad, but I much prefer the Asian food around here when I go out.

I used to go there out of sheer desperation sometimes. It's not TERRIBLE, but it's certainly no place you'd go if you had better options. Although now, fuck, the entire area is so different from what I left 15 years ago or more. For all I know there's an authentic Oaxacan mole joint on Veirs Mill Road.

You know, I lived in Seven Corners for a year. There were a couple of Vietnamese places in Clarendon at that time, none worth a shit. Now that one strip center has mushroomed and there are Vietnamese places everywhere.

[Navin R Johnson]

So any heads up on transportation?  We are staying near 5th and Market.  Is public transportation to places like the Wharf, AT&T Park or North Beach the way to go or is it just better to cab it?  What about getting to the Golden Gate Bridge?

[NeilT]

So any heads up on transportation?  We are staying near 5th and Market.  Is public transportation to places like the Wharf, AT&T Park or North Beach the way to go or is it just better to cab it?  What about getting to the Golden Gate Bridge?

There's public transportation everywhere in San Francisco.

[HudsonHawk]

There's public transportation everywhere in San Francisco.

My experience, perhaps not typical, is that while there is public transportation, it can take an hour or more to get 10 blocks down the street.  Exruciatingly long lines, especially around places like the Wharf, ATT Park and North Beach. 

[headhunter]

I'm going to the Bay Area Aug 1-3.  I'll be going to the Sunday Giants v. Phillies game.  Any recommendations on what to do, where to eat, etc?  Thanks in advance!

new orelans, s.f.--you do get around mr. gizzmonic. if you like garlic then I can't recommend the stinking rose enough. http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

[drew corleone]

21st Amendment Brewpub looks intriguing for pregame. They seem to have a lot of choices, and the Yelp reviews are positive. Any firsthand experience?

[Rebel Jew]

21st Amendment Brewpub looks intriguing for pregame. They seem to have a lot of choices, and the Yelp reviews are positive. Any firsthand experience?

don't drink the watermelon beer! it's as gross as it sounds.

i think i'm going to be at this game as well, if anybody wants to try and do a pre-game meet-up i should be able to.

[EasTexAstro]

don't drink the watermelon beer! it's as gross as it sounds.

i think i'm going to be at this game as well, if anybody wants to try and do a pre-game meet-up i should be able to.

You changed your name. I don't know you anymore.

[Navin R Johnson]

don't drink the watermelon beer! it's as gross as it sounds.

i think i'm going to be at this game as well, if anybody wants to try and do a pre-game meet-up i should be able to.

I am game as well, doesn't matter to me where we meet as long as they have beer, food doesn't matter since we will probably being trying out the ballpark stuff.  That 21st Amendment looks interesting.

[Navin R Johnson]

FYI, Footer just announced Sosa is pitching on Thursday, Happ on Friday.

[drew corleone]

Good. I've had the misfortune of seeing happ pitch in 2 of the 3 games I've attended this year.

[Mr. Happy]

don't drink the watermelon beer! it's as gross as it sounds.

i think i'm going to be at this game as well, if anybody wants to try and do a pre-game meet-up i should be able to.

What day is the game in question?

[Noe]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

R and G Lounge in Chinatown is pretty awesome, but the wait is very long.  Next time I am in SF, I swear I am going to attack one of those Pepper Crabs (entire crab brought to your table) they serve.  I can't forgive myself for wimping out and not trying it!  BTW - I really enjoyed the Sonoma Valley much more than the Napa Valley, but that was just my personal perference.  The cut across the mountain drive from Sonoma to Napa was really sweet.  My wife and I rented an SUV and really enjoyed the day touring the valley.  Next time, we plan to stay in the Valley (I know, need to take out a loan to do this) and take the wine train up and down the Napa Valley.

[Noe]

So any heads up on transportation?  We are staying near 5th and Market.  Is public transportation to places like the Wharf, AT&T Park or North Beach the way to go or is it just better to cab it?  What about getting to the Golden Gate Bridge?

You'll be in the epicenter (pun intended) of public transportation for SF.  Cab drivers galore too and the first cab ride from the airport to the Hotel for my wife (who was on her first trip with me to SF, she'd never been) was entirely too eventful for her.  These cabbie's kind of know what they are doing, but they will scare you with the way they will drive around town.  My wife swore she would not get into another cab the rest of the weekend.  That night, after dinner and a show, we hailed a cab and the guy could not have been nicer and an excellent driver.  Cured my wife of the fear of SF cabbies right away.  I never told her of my cab right one time from my hotel to Giardelli Square.  The cabbie re-created most of the car chase scenes from Bullit for me.

[Navin R Johnson]

Thanks for the transportation tips.  Our hotel is less than a block from a BART station, any thoughts on taking the BART from SFO instead of cabbing it?   I saw you can buy a 3 day Muni pass for $21, I was thinking that might be the way to go, especially to get to and from AT&T and the northern part of the city.

Tried to book Alcatraz tix yesterday after reading this thread but it was already sold out.  Are their scalpers for this kinda thing?

[JimR]

Thanks for the transportation tips.  Our hotel is less than a block from a BART station, any thoughts on taking the BART from SFO instead of cabbing it?   I saw you can buy a 3 day Muni pass for $21, I was thinking that might be the way to go, especially to get to and from AT&T and the northern part of the city.

Tried to book Alcatraz tix yesterday after reading this thread but it was already sold out.  Are their scalpers for this kinda thing?

did you try the night tour? that is really great.

[Navin R Johnson]

I did, but no luck..... well just went back by the site and 2 tix for Saturday morning opened up.   

[jnh]

Thanks for the transportation tips.  Our hotel is less than a block from a BART station, any thoughts on taking the BART from SFO instead of cabbing it?   I saw you can buy a 3 day Muni pass for $21, I was thinking that might be the way to go, especially to get to and from AT&T and the northern part of the city.

Tried to book Alcatraz tix yesterday after reading this thread but it was already sold out.  Are their scalpers for this kinda thing?

BART to SFO is pretty convenient if you are not lugging a lot of bags.  One concern, though, is that lately there have been rolling closures of downtown BART stations due to protests - typically around rush hour. 

I don't know all the muni buses that go to the GGB, but 28 is one that runs  north-south on 19th avenue, and that intersects a number of the muni light rail trains which share Stations with BART downtown.

When I travel for work, the touristy thing I like to do is take public transportation to get a closeup of the locals, but may or may not be your cup of tea.

Traffic to the bridge can be pretty bad on weekend late mornings and afternoons in the summer.

[jnh]

Apologies for the necro-bump, but the lady and I are headed to SF on Thursday and I thought I'd see if anyone has some recent thoughts besides ones mentioned here.

Right now our plans include: Astros-Giants Thursday night, Alcatraz Friday morning, and Napa/Sonoma on Sunday, followed by dinner at the Slanted Door.

Before we head down to pregame on Thursday (suggestions for that?), I know she wants to do lunch and some shopping in Chinatown, so restaurant recs there would be appreciated, too.

If you aren't absolutely committed to eating in Chinatown, but are looking for decent dim sum, might try Yank Sing.  http://yanksing.com/locations/index.html. We had a pretty decent lunch at their Rincon Center location last week.

[Navin R Johnson]

thanks jnh.  We get in around 1:30, I think we are gonna try the BART.

So did anyone wanna meet up pregame?  I think we are gonna head to the 21st Amendment.

[drew corleone]

Navin, since my gf may bail on 21st Amendment, I'm down. I'm hoping to get there by 4 at the latest. I'm guessing there won't be too many Astros fans in red pullover windbreakers.

[Navin R Johnson]

DC. Just boarding now. I will likely be wearing a red astros pullover as well. We will shoot for 4ish but I'm guessing it is closer 430

[Rebel Jew]

DC. Just boarding now. I will likely be wearing a red astros pullover as well. We will shoot for 4ish but I'm guessing it is closer 430

I can't make the game, but I'll try to hit the meet-up. Not sure what I'll wear, but I have hella short hair now.

[Limey]

I think we are gonna head to the 21st Amendment.

Oooh!!  I want to try that Black IPA!

[Bench]

Oooh!!  I want to try that Black IPA!

That's the 14th Amendment. 

[JimR]

That's the 14th Amendment. 

13th

[drew corleone]

Ah. You avoided waking up at 5 and laying over along the way. Having a late lunch at Mario's right now and then going in search of Pliny the Elder.

[94CougarGrad]

Move to retitle the forum Beer and Orbitz.

I would much rather heed the travel advice of this bunch than of the most of the people I know in "real life."

[strosrays]

You changed your name. I don't know you anymore.

I hadn't noticed this.

What the fuck, Trum?

[BatGirl]

I hadn't noticed this.

What the fuck, Trum?

i blame it on the economy

[drew corleone]

Found a great bar with graT beerssnd a pretty badass bartender. They don't gave Pliny, but they have List Abbey. Es schmeckt Mir gut.

I may be drunk. Fuck the Giants.

[drew corleone]

Yeah, I was drunk.

[94CougarGrad]

Yeah, I was drunk.

Wouldn't be the first time someone drunk-posted on this very forum.

[Navin R Johnson]

Joey and Drew, was nice to meet you guys on Thursday, wife and I had a great time in SF.  Getting out of the Houston heat for a couple days was much needed.

AT&T park lived up to the hype, great ballpark and setting.  Getting a cab out of there was almost impossible though.   It was a lot of fun to be in a packed stadium where people are excited about the team.  Miss those days.  No wave from the fans either.

 I liked their in game entertainment, simple and not contrived. Played a couple sing along songs, kiss cam, guess the attendance and that was about it.  No blaring music non-stop, no sauce packet races, no Goya Gift baskets.  They let fans create most of the atmosphere.  The folks at MMPUS could take some lessons from the AT&T folks.

Food was very good and the beer selection was nice.   One thing I did notice is they don't have beer vendors coming up and down the aisles.  Never been to a stadium where they didn't do that.

[94CougarGrad]

Isn't San Fran where they have the woman doing the P.A. announcing? 'Cause I think that's kinda cool.

[Astroholic]

Isn't San Fran where they have the woman doing the P.A. announcing? 'Cause I think that's kinda cool.

Racist.

[drew corleone]

Yes, Cougar. Nice to meet you as well, Navin (and Joey).  I liked AT&T, but I was disappointed in my seats. The lack of an OF deck creates deeper baseline sections, and I was near the top, which put me under the overhang. It felt claustrophobic.

Overall, great city, great beer and wonderful, cool weather. My legs really hurt from all the (oftentimes uphill) walking.

[94CougarGrad]

Racist.

Nah. Feminist.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

My wife and I just returned from SF.  A quick run down of our eats:

Tadich Grill.  Probably my best meal of the trip ("True Cod" something or other).  Waiters looked to all be over 50, dressed in white coats.  Good bar scene too.

Firenze by Night.  On Stockton Street (at the Chinatown/North Beach transition).  Excellent meal/service. 

Lefty O'Doul's.  Biggest culinary regret.  Its buffet style carving stations (turkey, roast, etc).  Very cool baseball pics on the walls, bar looked good.  Dinner mediocre.  Apple pie was ok.  We were tired and wanted a quick meal and not fast food, but I left there in a bad mood.

Scoma's.  Turned out to be our most expensive meal (probably by the margin of my 16 year Glenlivet with desert).  I had Halibut done up Sicilian style; it was solid but I liked my Tadich Grill cod better.   

Mama's.  Got there early as the initial line was getting into place orders/get seated (they open at 830; if you're still on Texas time take advantage and get there around then; otherwise expect to wait).  French Toast sampler for me, cinnamon french toast for the wife.  Both of us were very pleased with our choices.  If you decide to go 2 important reminders: CASH only and CLOSED MONDAYS.  Can't recomend this place enough.

Did the usual tourist stuff and enjoyed it all.  Highlights were whale watching trip, Sunday in Golden Gate Park, and Muir Woods.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Highlights were whale watching trip, Sunday in Golden Gate Park, and Muir Woods.

My favorite place in the city is Golden Gate Park. I also love the Muir Woods, the drive from Sebastopol to Bodega Bay, drinking any of 300 beers choices at the Warehouse in Port Costa, driving out to Mount Diablo, the sunset at Tilden Regional Park... I'm not much on the dining scene there because I'm always visiting friends who live in the area and they're always taking me to their favorite mom and pop holes in the wall places. I like visiting the East Bay area or driving down to Santa Cruz as much as hanging out in the city or going to wine country. But my next trip there I might force my hand as the guest and demand to dine at one or more of the many recommendations in this thread.

[Rebel Jew]

drinking any of 300 beers choices at the Warehouse in Port Costa,

i had to organize a bachelor party at this place just a few weeks ago (for a friend who doesn't drink and who loves playing the card game UNO at parties). as i'm sure you know, you make this place sound way more hip than it really is. anyway, let's just say that strippers don't really like having to drive out to the middle of nowhere and play naked UNO in a haunted hotel.