i'll be in SF next week .. i've been once but was really just breezing through town. what are some must eat / do sort of things from locals (or anyone!)? :)
I was there back in '02. Not going to be LOTS of help here, but I remember seeing Alcatraz from the top of some parking ramp or something. Went to the Ghiradelli chocolate place, drove through Golden Gate Park and across the bridge, some bands were playing in this square by one of the cable car stations, walked up a street with lots of street performers/artists, had some excellent chilli in a sourdough bread bowl, and rode the cable cars! That was the highlight for me I think. Only got about half a day there...
the locals and frequent visitors can give you the local scoop, but get to Muir Woods (about 15 miles north of SF) and see the redwoods. You have to see the redwoods!
Eat burritos in the Mission District; eat dim sum in China Town; eat a clam & garlic pizza at North Shore Pizza (geez, is that even still open?); see a show at the Fillmore; go to the Museum Mechanique (awesome) and the Sutro Baths (also, awesome)...oh so many things to do. I also (still) like the happy hour at the Fairmount Hotel, what's the name of that bar i there... It rains in the lagoon there. Or at least it used to. Some Hawaiian themed thing.
Walk a lot, it's a small place. Have a great time. Who doens't love SF???
8)
Quote from: br00ke on Mar 15, 2011, 01:33 PM
i'll be in SF next week .. i've been once but was really just breezing through town. what are some must eat / do sort of things from locals (or anyone!)? :)
i've been a few times but i've never taken the alcatraz tour (at night)...it's seasonal so hopefully they're in season again.
Quote from: Tracy 2 :o :o112 on Mar 15, 2011, 01:43 PM
the locals and frequent visitors can give you the local scoop, but get to Muir Woods (about 15 miles north of SF) and see the redwoods. You have to see the redwoods!
what he just said....for real...it's mind blowing... :o
PIER 39 SEA LION RESIDENCE!!! :o :o
(http://images.travelpod.com/users/missmizon/1.1254618804.sea-lions-at-pier-39.jpg)
Is that a weird suggestion?? ;D
If you like pancakes!
http://www.searsfinefood.com/ (http://www.searsfinefood.com/)
We stayed next door on our honeymoon. And it's on Powell, the cable cars run right in front of it (near Union Square)
I went in 1998 and did all of the touristy things, and loved every minute of it. here were my highlights, not in any particular order:
muir woods
tour of alcatraz with the little audio tour thingy
cable cars (kodak moment)
ghirardelli square in the evening
harvey's in the castro for brunch http://www.harveyssf.com/Eat-brunch.html (http://www.harveyssf.com/Eat-brunch.html) (named in memory of harvey milk)
bus tour of napa (we visited three wineries and woooooo hoooo was that fun)
bus trip to carmel/monterey (we had a week, and this was a perfect way for me to split off from the group for a day to myself, and this was magical. technically not SF, but in the region. BONUS: you get to drive down through the 17 mile drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, Lone Cypress Tree etc) BREATHTAKING. Do this if you can.
sea lions
haight Ashbury to check out the shops
Visit to Berkely campus (we had a friend there so we toured the campus and had a lunch)
if you have a car, drive lombard street
if you have a flat stanley, don't lose it on the golden gate bridge :)
bring your sneakers...the hills are no joke! have a wonderful trip! :thumbsup:
thanks guys & gals ... i won't have a car except for a going down to big sur for a cabin stay (with friends who are heading out from south bay area) but i do have a a friend's corpo. code for 50% off a car rental, things to consider!!
on my list thus far:
- big sur stay
- lunch @ chez panisse / checking out berkley
- in-n-out burger!!!
- eats @ the ferry building
- the haight of course and generally just walking all over creation (to warrent all that yummy eating!)
- i have a friend that is a wine-maker in sonoma .. i want to go up there and stay but not sure if that will work out. the same person also works part time at lagunitas so it'd be great to do both
- tacos .. chinese .. indian .. nom nom!
i'll be out there monday - sunday .. the friend i'm staying with works monday - wednesday so i'll be sorta trolling the city on my own during the day .. which i'm sorta stoked about.
don't forget amoeba records!
Danz!
Hey Brooke
I will see you before you go but incase I forget:
just walk around a lot...always the best
defo on the museum de macanic..one of the only touristy things I would definiltey do, I think I had mentioned it to you before
drink lots of coffee and if you make it to Outer Sunset make sure to stop at Trouble Coffee for cinnamon toast and some coffee that's like cocaine (also a walk to the Pacific!!!)
I'm psyched that you are going to Big Sur, it's on my list!!!! :D
Oh my god In-N-Out Burger. Had one in LA and either I was really hungry or it was THAT good. Nom! (Can we get a drooling emoticon?)
Have a great time, Brooke!
Quote from: br00ke on Mar 15, 2011, 03:25 PM
thanks guys & gals ... i won't have a car except for a going down to big sur for a cabin stay (with friends who are heading out from south bay area) but i do have a a friend's corpo. code for 50% off a car rental, things to consider!!
on my list thus far:
- big sur stay
- lunch @ chez panisse / checking out berkley
- in-n-out burger!!!
- eats @ the ferry building
- the haight of course and generally just walking all over creation (to warrent all that yummy eating!)
- i have a friend that is a wine-maker in sonoma .. i want to go up there and stay but not sure if that will work out. the same person also works part time at lagunitas so it'd be great to do both
- tacos .. chinese .. indian .. nom nom!
i'll be out there monday - sunday .. the friend i'm staying with works monday - wednesday so i'll be sorta trolling the city on my own during the day .. which i'm sorta stoked about.
Big Sur has redwoods!
And check out Monterey and Carmel-by-the-sea (if you want to feel rich!). They're both on the way, sort of the "last stop" on Hwy. 1 before the Pacific opens up to your right (or west)
Quote from: kydiddle on Mar 15, 2011, 04:49 PM
Oh my god In-N-Out Burger. Had one in LA and either I was really hungry or it was THAT good. Nom! (Can we get a drooling emoticon?)
Have a great time, Brooke!
how would you compare In & Out to Five Guys?
I had my first Five Guys burger this year and it ALMOST compared...
You rang? Unfortunately, I am out of town until the 31st but I'm sure I can be of some assistance even remotely ;)
So far pretty much everything you guys have said is true.
Off the top of my head, here are my favorite cheap eats:
El Matate
Papa Lote
Yamo
Henry's Hunan
Paguloc
Genki
Burma Superstar
Manora's
There is also so really great coffee, tons of music venues, a handful of breweries and a plethora of unique parks I can tell you about.
Brooke, what else you lookin' to do? You can pm me or post - sorry my phone is off as I'm out of the country.
Quote from: Penny Lane on Mar 15, 2011, 05:03 PM
Quote from: kydiddle on Mar 15, 2011, 04:49 PM
Oh my god In-N-Out Burger. Had one in LA and either I was really hungry or it was THAT good. Nom! (Can we get a drooling emoticon?)
Have a great time, Brooke!
how would you compare In & Out to Five Guys?
I had my first Five Guys burger this year and it ALMOST compared...
Oooooh, tough question I love Five Guys, too. Different, but equal in their awesomeness. :P
Muir Woods is great but can sometimes be a zoo. Definitely visit Big Sur if you can swing it. Great call on chez panisse. I'd highly recommend The Cheeseboard Collective in Berkeley. Also in the east bay...pizzaiolo or boot and shoe service. If you like beer definitely go check out The Toronado on Haight St. (great sausages next door too) or The Trappist in Oakland.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
just don't be too stoned on that SF weed or you'll get lost in there ;D
Quote from: Penny Lane on Mar 15, 2011, 03:41 PM
don't forget amoeba records!
Quote from: bluesky on Mar 15, 2011, 08:31 PM
just don't be too stoned on that SF weed or you'll get lost in there ;D
Quote from: Penny Lane on Mar 15, 2011, 03:41 PM
don't forget amoeba records!
(http://www.pic4ever.com/images/hippie7.gif) (http://www.pic4ever.com/images/rainbowf.gif)
One of my favorite things about San Francisco is just walking in it. Here are some of my favorite walks:
-Russian Hill: Between Polk and Jones, from the Bay, up and over to Broadway. Nice views of the northern half of the city and the bay, places to eat and drink on Polk and Hyde, and cool little alleys and stairways to explore.
-Mission Delores Park, and surrounding neighborhoods: great walking in any direction, with the Mission and Castro neighborhoods surrounding.
-Fillmore St, up and over Pacific Heights to the Presidio: Tony neighborhoods, into a wooded, former military base.
-Haight Ashbury > Cole Valley > Golden Gate Park: Find your way to the National AIDS Memorial Grove in the park.
-Sutro Baths > Lands End: Northwest corner of the city, cliffs above the Pacific.
Lots of good food recommendations already! Other less expensive options I'd highly recommend would be Chow, Ted's Market Deli (on Howard), El Farolito and Saigon Sandwich. Manora's was already mentioned, and it's REAL good. If the El Toyanese taco truck is still around, get some pastor tacos from there!
See a show at the Great American Music Hall if you can. Go for scotch and Japanese food at Nihon. Take the elevator to the top of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and walk out to the glass corridor for a view. I really like the SFMOMA and the Cartoon Art Museum. If you can make it to Alameda, go do a tasting at St. George Spirits. Hopefully the rain is gone by the time you get here!
If you get a car and want some ideas on where to go, just pm me. :)
great rec's on the cheap eats & the walks too :thumbsup: perfect!!! i am definitely hitting up saigon sandwich .. i read an article siting it as the best bánh mì :)
:dankk2: :dankk2: :dankk2:
oh and yeah the rain ... the extended forecast has rain for every.single.damn.day. rain rain go away !!!!!
reading all these suggestions has me pining for the bay area!
i second Chow! (was that you, walterfredo?) for burritos outside of the mission, Gordo's is terrific! there are at least two of them. rad rad rad.
blue bottle is a s.f. coffee roaster. if you see that somewhere, try it! great stuff.
if you do go to muir woods, or any point north of s.f. on the peninsula you get the added bonus of driving back to the city. you come thru that tunnel that opens up on a tremendous view of the GG Bridge, bay, city. *swoon* but you may want to save your redwoods experience for big sur. again: *swoon*
i am making note of the bahn mi shop: i am a fan!
have a great time, brooke!
Great call on Muir Woods :o getting HECTIC...was when I was there....it's NOT to be missed if all possible that is...humbling,surreal beautiful,magical place...trees that big :oone of the top three life changing events in my meager existence....not necessarily a WORLD traveler....anyway pointbeing,check in advance ,maybe a day or two before....good luck...we want pics :)
well shit ....
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC49nDRC9_M)
ack! :o
Quote from: br00ke on Mar 17, 2011, 06:03 PM
well shit ....
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC49nDRC9_M)
indeed
Quote from: br00ke on Mar 17, 2011, 06:03 PM
well shit ....
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC49nDRC9_M)
Oh snap........... :-\
i have a question .. any good rec's on a place to watch march madness (with good beers/food)
What've you been up to, Br00ke? Hopefully all this rain hasn't held you back too much!
Love SF...its my home away from home......
I would eat at Fisherman's Wharf Pizza, check out Gordon Bierch's, and they have some amazing seafood right down by Pier 39.
What I love about the city is that for me it's not too big but just the right size. I walked from the Mission District down to the wharf no problem.
When you are around the wharf, make sure you checkout the Bush guy, lol!
CHIMMJFAN
to be honest .. the rain has been an absolute drag. the trip has turned more into hanging out with my friends and less sight-seeing. i'm not a big sight-seeing type anyway but it would'ev been nice. i've had some good meals (chez panisse was amaze-balls), good walks, soggy walks & great beers (mmm i'm having a pliny right now). we were going to go to the mystery spot near santa cruz today (in lieu of other things b/c of weather) and the damn road is closed b/c of flooding and we can't get there ;D we did end up finding some nice spots and did a little coastal hiking :thumbsup: tomorrow afternoon i fly back east. oh and i went up to visit a friend in petaluma who works at lagunitas .. we went to there and had an absolute blast. maybe too much fun ... tons of magnificent beer (and at 50% off with employee discount) *and* march madness was on ... we spent a good 5 hours there 8)
(http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3773/photouus.jpg)
(http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/1466/photo1oa.jpg)
(http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/7859/photo2yt.jpg)
Awww...how lovely! Hope you're having a blast, Brooke...I miss it there! :thumbsup: :-\
Quote from: CHIMMJFAN on Mar 26, 2011, 04:04 PM
When you are around the wharf, make sure you checkout the Bush guy, lol!
Bush Man in San Francisco near Fishermans Wharf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZXgKvB7Y7s#)
Ok, I admit the Bush Man got me my first trip out there, now I get all of my friends when I go out there! lol
CHIMMJFAN
Did Frank "12 Galaxies" Chu get ya?
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_qZIDnwjPihI/RkKFnBTa98I/AAAAAAAABD0/qCwUItaVnH0/DSC01357.JPG)
woah .. is that amy j. behind the 12 galaxies guy ?
thats awesome you went to lagunitas. had the opportunity to hang out there last year. great beer and great crew.
Quote from: br00ke on Mar 29, 2011, 10:05 AM
woah .. is that amy j. behind the 12 galaxies guy ?
No, that's Willie Mays! ;)
ha, i mean the girl in the sunglasses & making the face .. directly behind mister 12 galaxies. i've known her for almost 9 years :thumbsup:
Hey guys,
Can any of you recommend some good camping spots in the Bay area or Big Sur?
Thanks in advance :)
Quote from: ALady on May 19, 2011, 02:55 PM
Hey guys,
Can any of you recommend some good camping spots in the Bay area or Big Sur?
Thanks in advance :)
I hear great things about Point Reyes.
Quote from: ALady on May 19, 2011, 02:55 PM
Hey guys,
Can any of you recommend some good camping spots in the Bay area or Big Sur?
Thanks in advance :)
I camped at Big Basin Redwoods State Park (http://www.bigbasin.org/) when I was there last year. It was great, but LOTS of people.
Quote from: Crispy on May 19, 2011, 03:44 PM
Quote from: ALady on May 19, 2011, 02:55 PM
Hey guys,
Can any of you recommend some good camping spots in the Bay area or Big Sur?
Thanks in advance :)
I camped at Big Basin Redwoods State Park (http://www.bigbasin.org/) when I was there last year. It was great, but LOTS of people.
Crispy!! Seriously how in the hell did we miss eachother!!! Hahahahhah I totally camped there last year too!! Gorgeous park.... def. lots of peeple...
I found a really neat little trail that wound just outside of the campground, and upon turning a sharp switchback, I rounded on a COYOTE! (The 2nd out of 3 total that I encountered on that trip....) Don't let that deter you though! They're everywhere out there, but they stay away from people (as long as you don't go tromping on them!) And Big Basin truly is beautiful!
The Santa Cruz KOA was pricey but conveniently close to Santa Cruz and offers clean showers/laundry & wi-fi :)
If you're going with company though, I'd highly recommend checking out a more rugged, less populated spot (sadly I don't have any suggestions!)
On a quick search though, I did just find this! http://www.bigsurcamp.com/index.html (http://www.bigsurcamp.com/index.html) Looks nice!! And this! http://www.riversidecampground.com/ (http://www.riversidecampground.com/)
Not sure what either is like, but thought I'd throw 'em out there! When ya headin that way??
Woody, what the WHAT??? You were at Big Basin too?! Now if you tell me you were there on Sunday the 8th, I'm gonna freak. I'm sure you weren't, that was almost a week before the Outside Lands thingy.
Lady, I also enjoyed the Pescadero area, and it looks like there are several campgrounds up into the hills from there, of county and state variety, that would probably have less traffic. Still, Big Basin's great, and has those trees...
Thanks, guys - keep 'em coming! I'm taking notes. :thumbsup:
You coming out for Phish?
Alright...the recommendations already given have been great! Big Basin is outstanding, and so is Pt. Reyes (though I think that there are only backpack camps at Pt. Reyes). Tomales Bay is right near Pt. Reyes, and has a small campground that I really like. Butano State Park is near Pescadero, and is also a really cool spot, much smaller than Big Basin.
Seacliff is a nice campground right south of Santa Cruz. It's a busy place, not much privacy, but it's convenient and has a nice beach. In Big Sur, I'd really recommend Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
The Marin Headlands is just north of San Francisco, and also has a few backpack camps. It's very close to the city.
Have fun! Pack warm clothes!
Quote from: Crispy on May 19, 2011, 05:12 PM
Woody, what the WHAT??? You were at Big Basin too?! Now if you tell me you were there on Sunday the 8th, I'm gonna freak. I'm sure you weren't, that was almost a week before the Outside Lands thingy.
Lady, I also enjoyed the Pescadero area, and it looks like there are several campgrounds up into the hills from there, of county and state variety, that would probably have less traffic. Still, Big Basin's great, and has those trees...
:o :o I was actually at Big Basin after Outside Lands (so more like the 16th or 17th :P) Hahahahah crazy parallel trips we had though! ;D
Quote from: bbill on May 19, 2011, 06:21 PM
In Big Sur, I'd really recommend Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.
I second this notion.
Big Basin is awesome, but you really need to hike back a ways to get out of the crowds. At Juia Pfeiffer, you're going to be around people no matter what, but you have easy access to tons of hikes and trails where you won't be around crowds. I really love Big Sur.
Quote from: tdb810 on Mar 15, 2011, 03:00 PM
I went in 1998 and did all of the touristy things, and loved every minute of it. here were my highlights, not in any particular order:
muir woods
tour of alcatraz with the little audio tour thingy
cable cars (kodak moment)
ghirardelli square in the evening
harvey's in the castro for brunch http://www.harveyssf.com/Eat-brunch.html (http://www.harveyssf.com/Eat-brunch.html) (named in memory of harvey milk)
bus tour of napa (we visited three wineries and woooooo hoooo was that fun)
bus trip to carmel/monterey (we had a week, and this was a perfect way for me to split off from the group for a day to myself, and this was magical. technically not SF, but in the region. BONUS: you get to drive down through the 17 mile drive from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, Lone Cypress Tree etc) BREATHTAKING. Do this if you can.
sea lions
haight Ashbury to check out the shops
Visit to Berkely campus (we had a friend there so we toured the campus and had a lunch)
if you have a car, drive lombard street
if you have a flat stanley, don't lose it on the golden gate bridge :)
bring your sneakers...the hills are no joke! have a wonderful trip! :thumbsup:
The sneaker advice was spot on! Whew! My legs and feet were so sore from those hills! Some seem to go straight up. But your calves will get a great workout. Enjoy the city and have a beautiful time!
Thanks for all the suggestions, you guys! The trip is coming together, bit by bit. My best friend and I are hoping to go out there for a week or so late September/early October, hit up Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, do some camping, some beer/wine tasting, etc. :)
Quote from: ALady on May 25, 2011, 06:14 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions, you guys! The trip is coming together, bit by bit. My best friend and I are hoping to go out there for a week or so late September/early October, hit up Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, do some camping, some beer/wine tasting, etc. :)
That sounds like a wonderful time all the way around!! Enjoy and soak it all in. :bath:
I shall try :) I've only ever spent about 36 hours there, right after T5 last year...so I don't remember much, only that I liked it. A lot. ;D
Quote from: ALady on May 25, 2011, 06:25 PM
I shall try :) I've only ever spent about 36 hours there, right after T5 last year...so I don't remember much, only that I liked it. A lot. ;D
And why is your memory so hazy ALady?? ::)
Honestly just lack of sleep from the T5 week + cross country flight. I was running on fumes at that point ;D
Hey all,
So after a few fits and starts....looks like it won't be Hardly Strictly, but rather Ryan Adams at the Henry Miller that brings me back to the Bay Area :)
I don't think the camping is going to work out, but can anyone recommend hotels and/or hiking around Big Sur? Also, Google Maps says I can take public transport out there...is that crazy, or am I gonna have to learn to drive again?
Thanks all. Excited to hear your suggestions! :)
If you come across any extra tickets for Ryan Adams let me know, I completely spaced the on sale for several hours.
We just attended a wedding at the big sur river inn, didn't stay there but peeked in a room and they looked decent. There are some extrely nice, high end resorts/hotels in the area, but they come with a hefty price tag, and most are a 2 night minimum stay. Not sure about the public transport, I suppose theres a bus that goes down there. But if you want to explore a car would be your best bet.
If you're in big sur on a weekend go to the Fernwood tavern, they usually have a bunch of local old dudes on stage tearing up really bad cover songs.
It's looking like I may have an extra, fredo...my friend bailed and I'm trying to talk my brother into going, but I can't seem to give this thing away :P
I checked out the River Inn, it looked pretty cool. Glen Oaks Big Sur and Deetjens look good too. It looks like the bus is a seasonal thing and haven't driven in about 12 years...and all my friends out there tell me this is not the trip/route to relearn how to drive ;D So I'll be at the mercy of whichever of them I catch a ride with. I hope they'll want to stop and smell the flowers, but who knows...
The Fernwood looks awesome, thanks for the heads up! I'll likely be back in SF that weekend for Treasure Island fest, but I'm just gonna take this thing as it comes.
12 years, yeah...you don't want to be driving Hwy 1 if you haven't been behind the wheel in 12 years!
(http://www.dougmeek.com/Landscapes/California-Coast/i-RgRRcGW/2/L/MG0279dxo-edit-smugmug-L.jpg)
Deetjens is very cool, never stayed there either but we did get a quick tour and looked in several rooms a few years back, many have shared bathroom, some have fire places I believe...no TVs, etc. Very rustic, and very cool. I have eaten at the restaurant there and it's very good, and I think they have a very good wine list.
If you want to go big.... http://www.ventanainn.com/ (http://www.ventanainn.com/)
Seriously, someone showed me a picture of Bixby Bridge and I was like "yeah....no." ;D
(http://webpages.charter.net/g.vassilakos/oscb/bixby6.JPG)
Deetjens is right next to the venue and it's cheap, so...we'll see. Love the midcentury modern look at Glen Oaks, though.
I just realized that you are going to the big sur Ryan Adams show. (Yeah, I'm slow.) I was wanting to get tix to the Herbst Theatre in SF, definitely can't make the big sur show. Have a blast!
7 weeks til I hit sunny San Francisco! Can't wait...