San Francisco questions

[wondergirl9847]

I am taking this tour (5 hours!) on Sunday. http://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/ Hope it is worth $55. Couldn't get the 2nd day tour...sold out. :( Ah well, I plan on getting a MUNI passport so I can go to Haight-Ashbury and also see Ghirardelli Square and whatever I don't see on the tour.

Am getting into SF on Saturday afternoon. Where are the best places to shop for like...touristy stuff and also really unique items? Also, I don't like seafood, but I do like fish...where is the best place for good fish at Fisherman's Wharf?

[sara1998]

Aw man... I wish I could remember the name of that restaraunt we ate at. It's on the Wharf... kinda expensive... I know that don't help. I'm not a seafood person either, but that was an awesome dining experience. Best seafood I've had anywhere. You can get all the touristy stuff down Pier 39. Can't miss it. Hope you have a great time! I want to go back someday.

[Rickypt]

I am taking this tour (5 hours!) on Sunday. http://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/ Hope it is worth $55. Couldn't get the 2nd day tour...sold out. :( Ah well, I plan on getting a MUNI passport so I can go to Haight-Ashbury and also see Ghirardelli Square and whatever I don't see on the tour.

Am getting into SF on Saturday afternoon. Where are the best places to shop for like...touristy stuff and also really unique items? Also, I don't like seafood, but I do like fish...where is the best place for good fish at Fisherman's Wharf?

Christy, this is a good tour, but please PM me. I would like to make sure you see everything you want. I've lived here for a long time.

[sara1998]

Christy, this is a good tour, but please PM me. I would like to make sure you see everything you want. I've lived here for a long time.

ha.. do you know the name of that great restraunt I'm talking about?? :lol:

[Rickypt]

ha.. do you know the name of that great restraunt I'm talking about?? :lol:

Probably, but I need a little more info. :lol:

[Livia]

Are you making any time to go to Alcatraz or Sausalito (birthplace of Rumours)? If you do go to Alcatraz, pay the extra $ for the audio tour.

[wondergirl9847]

Not going to Alcatraz this time. I told my dad I'd wait until he could go with me. :) Sausalito is actually a stop on that tour I'm taking!!!!!!

Ryan...I will PM you.

[sara1998]

Not going to Alcatraz this time. I told my dad I'd wait until he could go with me. :) Sausalito is actually a stop on that tour I'm taking!!!!!!

Ryan...I will PM you.

Audio tour is a must when you go. Great stop, but it gave me the creeps. I was ready to go when the audio tour ended.

[sara1998]

Probably, but I need a little more info. :lol:

I know it's on Pier 39, and I know you can sit out on the deck and eat... damn, I wish I could remember the name of it. Honestly, that's all I can remember of it. I suppose I had too much wine while there! :p

[irishgrl]

was it Alioto's?

just a tip: anyplace thats CROWDED is a good place to eat! seriously, those places are crowded for a reason.

I went to the Wharf and had an awesome bowl of clam chowder and it was like a glorified sidewalk stand and you sit on bar stools and man! was that place CROWDED! but the chowder was sooooooo yummy, and you get crusty french bread and its just the best :nod:
I think this is a picture of the place, sorry its not color:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAB-8564.jpg


another tip: the "walkaway" stands give you food that is every bit as good as the sit down restaurants, and for less $$$

[irishgrl]

PS: remember to feed the seagulls. Seriously. I have a pet seagull there I've named Homer. He's kinda spoiled. :nod: And he has 50 thousandmillion twin brothers/sisters, so make sure you're getting the REAL Homer. he looks like this:

http://eecue.com/img/images_pic-medium-23679-seagull.jpg

[Rickypt]

PS: remember to feed the seagulls.

Aw.

You're making me want to go down there, which I never do because it's touristy. But fun touristy. Maybe I'll go in the next couple of days and try to figure out what restaurant sara1998 is talking about. Alioto's is good, though. I think there's one called the Franciscan that people like.

Christy, I'll send some other SF ideas through PM and can help with MUNI tips.

[sara1998]

was it Alioto's?

just a tip: anyplace thats CROWDED is a good place to eat! seriously, those places are crowded for a reason.

I went to the Wharf and had an awesome bowl of clam chowder and it was like a glorified sidewalk stand and you sit on bar stools and man! was that place CROWDED! but the chowder was sooooooo yummy, and you get crusty french bread and its just the best :nod:
I think this is a picture of the place, sorry its not color:

http://webbie1.sfpl.org/multimedia/sfphotos/AAB-8564.jpg


another tip: the "walkaway" stands give you food that is every bit as good as the sit down restaurants, and for less $$$

OMG! Yes! That is the name of the place. And the chowder stand is to die for, because when you're done eatin' ya chowdah, you can eat tha bowl! Aw... I hope you have fun, Christy. I'm envious!

[Rickypt]

I looked at this tour website and I think you picked a great one, Christy! The ferry/bay cruise is a must, so great that it is included. I hope it's a clear and sunny day. I love Chinatown; the guided walk will be very interesting. You'll see the best Victorians at Alamo Square. And the crookedest street, Nob Hill, Grace Cathedral, all great sights.

When you get to the cable car barn museum, you will be two blocks from my house and across the street from my cafe hangout.

[wondergirl9847]

Thanks everyone for the info! Ryan, I PMed you back. I leave here at 12:30PM (central time) for Phoenix, and I'll be back home sometime tomorrow afternoon. I leave Saturday afternoon for San Francisco.

I'm so excited to see this city! I keep checking the weather and there is some rain forecasted, but on Sunday, it says party cloudy...so I hope it stays that way for my tour. :)

[jadegypsy]

Alioto's is a great place. Another tip, if you go to Ghiradelli (sp?) for hot chocolate go to the back of the center where they have a small stand that just serves coca instead of waiting in the extra long line.

If you go to union squar and have time for lunch or dinner Johns Grill is a great place for food and local feel, it looks like a hole in the wall but is a great place pricey though. (For movie buffs, the Maltese Falcon resided here for years).

Oh and if you are on the Embarcadero the Equinox is the best place for drinks because of the view, the resturant revolves so you get a full view of the city.

The Haight if really neat, but also a bit pricey, although Ameoba is awesome.

Enjoy the trip!

[irishgrl]

Alioto's is a great place. Another tip, if you go to Ghiradelli (sp?) for hot chocolate go to the back of the center where they have a small stand that just serves coca instead of waiting in the extra long line.

If you go to union squar and have time for lunch or dinner Johns Grill is a great place for food and local feel, it looks like a hole in the wall but is a great place pricey though. (For movie buffs, the Maltese Falcon resided here for years).

Oh and if you are on the Embarcadero the Equinox is the best place for drinks because of the view, the resturant revolves so you get a full view of the city.

The Haight if really neat, but also a bit pricey, although Ameoba is awesome.

Enjoy the trip!
When I was in High School, a bunch of us got together and did the "HOTEL" thing, that is we went to all the fancy Hotels and we also ate at the Equinox. even a slice of pie was pricey so we were kinda bummed about that but the VIEW was to DIE for!

[BTFLCHLD]

call me crazy...I kind of want to take in the sbarb and frisco shows too and I haven't even taken in the first one which is tomorrow :] Christy, how many shows have you gone to?

[wondergirl9847]

I've only been to the 2 Chicago shows so far. I'm leaving for Phoenix in one hour.

[Rickypt]

call me crazy...I kind of want to take in the sbarb and frisco shows

What is frisco? :eek:

:p

[BTFLCHLD]

I've only been to the 2 Chicago shows so far. I'm leaving for Phoenix in one hour. really...it seemed like more...cool you are going to AZ...my bro will be at the show...he lives in tucson...and a friend of mine from scottsdale will be there. Have you ever been to AZ? christy, I have to tell you that the gyow closeup on youtube you posted is totally orgasmic...thank you somuch for capturing Lindsey like that. major hugs, kisses and high-5s for doing that. I hope you can take pics and talk to him on the rest of them.

[ragandbone]

I lived in the City for 16 years(my old neighborhoods: The Haight, The Mission, Lower Haight) but have been in Santa Cruz area for the last 3, so I know things are already changed, but here are a few more suggestions.

The Slanted Door (amazing) opened a restaurant at the Ferry Market, so if you end up over there, maybe you should check it out.
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/slanted_door.php

I always liked to take my visitors to the Conservatory of Flowers, in GGPark, especially if it is cold outside:
http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/

My other favorite, weird place to take visitors was to the Musee mechanique, which used to be under the Cliff House, but is now located at Pier 45. This would only be worth it, if you like antique peep shows, nickelodeons, and mechanical wonders.

Amoeba is really worth a visit, as Ryan mentioned, and they often have good in-store performances. You might not be able to leave, though: it is record mecca.

[wondergirl9847]

Have you ever been to AZ? christy, I have to tell you that the gyow closeup on youtube you posted is totally orgasmic...thank you somuch for capturing Lindsey like that. major hugs, kisses and high-5s for doing that. I hope you can take pics and talk to him on the rest of them.

I have been to AZ before...back in 1998. My parents and I went to the Grand Canyon. I love it there. It's a great state. Didn't get to see any of it yesterday...super quick trip.

No problem on the close up....glad you liked it. ;)

The Slanted Door (amazing) opened a restaurant at the Ferry Market, so if you end up over there, maybe you should check it out.
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/slanted_door.php

I always liked to take my visitors to the Conservatory of Flowers, in GGPark, especially if it is cold outside:
http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/

My other favorite, weird place to take visitors was to the Musee mechanique, which used to be under the Cliff House, but is now located at Pier 45. This would only be worth it, if you like antique peep shows, nickelodeons, and mechanical wonders.

Amoeba is really worth a visit, as Ryan mentioned, and they often have good in-store performances. You might not be able to leave, though: it is record mecca.

Records?! Oh crap..you shouldn't have told me that. LOL

Thanks for the suggestions!

[LukeA]

My other favorite, weird place to take visitors was to the Musee mechanique, which used to be under the Cliff House, but is now located at Pier 45. This would only be worth it, if you like antique peep shows, nickelodeons, and mechanical wonders.

Completely agree. This is the ONLY thing I enjoy about the Wharf area... and it's free, too! Alioto's is okay, but nothing spectacular. Scoma's is my favorite in the Wharf neighborhood, but it's more formal than someplace just for a quick lunch- the outdoor covered cafe outside Alioto's is good. The new Boudin building (and the Bistro Boudin) isn't bad either. Pier 39... scares the sh*t out of me- it's more obnoxious than Chicago's Navy Pier and NYC's South Street Seaport put together. But, if your idea of an SF seafood experience is "Bubba Gump's"...

No one in this entire thread has mentioned North Beach! Or Chinatown! Two of the best "genuine" tourist experiences/genuine neighborhoods in the city. Tons of history and excellent restaurants and bars, and right down the block from all the great shopping down around Union Square. And, for what it's worth, Mr Bing's at Columbus/Kearny/Pacific is the only bar I've ever been to that has "Thrown Down" on the jukebox.

[irishgrl]

Personally, I miss that Human Juke Box guy.

[Rickypt]

Christy, check your PM. :wavey:

And Luke is right, North Beach is a great place to visit. If you go to Fisherman's Wharf (which I personally think is a nice place for tourists because of the views), you can go from there into North Beach. And you can go from North Beach to Chinatown, and then to Union Square.

[wondergirl9847]

Thanks, Ryan. PMed ya back.