Tonga room was nice. Went for my wifes bday. She likes all that Hawaiin jazz and stuff tho.
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Originally Posted by Derek Sutton
Where did you stay and how was it? Where would be a good place to stay? Looking at possibly going in November but only for three days. One day wine tour, one day to Alcatraz, Pier 39, one day Chinatown and such.
We stayed at the Marriott Marquis. There was another Marriot fairly close by, but this one had a pool so we paid the few extra dollars. I remember when we were looking at places it was more money to stay near Fishermans Wharf. I liked the Union square area because it was close to their Airport public transit line. Its call BART. Its also real easy and quick to get to the Wharf anyways. We had to go towards the wharf area for the Alcatraz tour as well as the Wine tour. 20mins maybe each way. $2 a person each way. Actually we went that way a 3rd day, when we spent time taking the cable cars.
Alcatraz and Pier 39 are a good pairing for one day. Once your done the tour just walk over to the pier. Alcatraz takes about 2 hours, it took us longer because my wife is a picture taking whore. Pier 39 is not much longer then off to dinner we went.
My wife had to ride the cable cars, if that interests your party then you can do that and get off at the china town stop and walk all around that area. I found the Cable car museum to be cool because I like to know how stuff works. The wife found it boring as she really couldn't give a rats ass about how it works. The museum was about a block, maybe 2 away from the Chinatown stop. Cable cars go right by it. Should also add that the cable car turn around station was really close to the hotel we stayed at, So it all seemed very central.
So how in did you go? Did you drove or did you flew?
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Originally Posted by BEANZ
That hurt my Brian...
It's a Sid Dithers (Eugene Levy on SCTV) reference.
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Didn't know this thread existed, going in November.
Any recommendations for a nice restaurant in the Union Square/Downtown area for the g/f's birthday?
There is an Italian one that is just AWESOME a block north of Union Square. Scala's is one of the best in the city by far. I went with colleagues after a conference, and it was great.
Kuleto's just down the street (Powell and O'Farrell) is a personal favourite of mine. It's been around for at least 20 years and always impresses me with good Italian fare.
I was also just down in San Francisco and I would highly recommend Platypus Tours for wine tours of Napa & Sonoma. They took us to 4 small vineyards, the tour guide was incredible and they limit the amount of people on each tour (ours was a 'big' group and we only had 11 people).
The vineyards we went to were small and most only sold their wines directly from the vineyard. It was great!
I would recommend Pier 39 and the best place to eat at is The Stinking Rose. Everything is made from garlic including their vanilla ice cream one of the best restaurants I've been to, that is if you like garlic.
Don't know if anyone cares, just got back home from a week end in San Francisco, tried to see as much as possible. Got there Friday around 2, checked in (Hilton at Union Square) and started of on a walking tour of the downtown area out of the AMA tour book. Walked a bunch of streets, through China Town, Washinton Park, Coit tower, down to Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39 and all that. Ate supper and road the Cable car back up to the hotel.
Got up and went on 9:10 Alcatraz tour was back by around noon, really great tour. Ate lunch then biked across the GG bridge to Sausalito, waited.....for two ferrys, rode ferry back to Pier 39 got back around 6:00. Walked to Hyde cable car to take back to hotel but cable broke and line was shut down. So walked back to Mason cable car and waited in line for 30mins or so to get back to hotel. Asked at hotel about eating and the Ferry Building but were told we wouldn't get into anything till about 9:00 or so. so we searched about a nearby reastraunt. Everything was booked up and busy. Didn't realize it would be such an issue for supper no tables avaiable till 9- 9:30. Went to a Mexican restraunt and got to sit at the bar we had a great meal there.
Got up early Sunday and took the bus to see the Painted Ladies, Pacific Ocean/ beach, walked about 1/2 of Golden Gate Park. Rode the bus and got off to go to the Mission area, toured the Basilica (built in 1776). Rode the bus back through Ashbury area and took street car/train to the Ferry building, quickly went through there and took the street car to the Hyde cable car line. Walked through the Ghalard Deli(?) and waited an hour to ride the Hyde cable car to Lombard Street, went up and down and hopped back on the cable car and got off to go check out Grace Cathedral. Walked back to Powell and took the Cable car back to Union Square area. Wife went shopping for a bit, found some supper at a Diner and headed back to hotel to get up at 3am to catch the plane.
All in all a good yet busy trip, I would be happ to answer any questions for anyone headed there. Lots of tourists and waiting in lines.
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Tell me some better places to go then please - my wife is running a half marathon there and she'd love some ideas of things to do.
Don't listen to him, that's such a pretentious hipster attitude.
Yes, there are a million things to do in San Francisco and the warf is very touristy. But that's because it's meant for tourists.
I've been to San Francisco a dozen times and without a doubt I'd recommend the warf if you've never been to the city.
One of my favourite things was taking the $20 ferry tour of the bay that leaves from the warf and give you stunning views of the entire bay, north SF, goes under the Golden Gate bridge and then swings back around alcatraz.
The views alone are worth it and there's a great audio track that gives some informative history of the city and the bay.
Lets you see the north coast of the city, the piers, alcatraz, and the Golden Gate all in one swoop.
No need to hang out there exclusively and pay double for every meal, but it is without a dout worth seeing.
Head down there, and then take a streetcar.. walk around Columbus to the City Lights Book store, wander around China Town, trolly it up to Union Square and down town.
Catching a Giants game is great with the atmosphere and location of the stadium but of course it's seasonal and tougher to get tickets the last few years.
Another great day trip can be spent checking out Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate park (can spend days there)...
Alcatraz makes a great day or night trip (plan and get tickets in advance though).
And of course wine tours north of the city etc. All can be arranged by your hotel or for local pickup where you're staying.
You definitely don't need a car in San Francisco as it's very easy to get around and parking is difficult and costs a fortune, but I have rented a convertible for six hours a few times to drive over the bridge, up Lombard etc.
A lot to do, but if you've never been there's no shame in doing tourist things. That's why they're called that.
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I have been to he Wharf numerous times and leave less and less impressed with each visit. Really it is just a bunch of dirty junk for sale. It is hard to understand why this is the biggest tourist attraction in California. You shouldn't need more than 2 hours to look around and work your way up and down the street. Surely this is the Calgary Stampede of San Francisco to the locals. Better options that are within day trip range. Drive up to route 49 to see why all these 49ers game to San Francisco in the first place. Wine country close by Napa, Sonoma or even Modesto. Closer to the city and just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge is Muir Woods in Marin County http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_Wo...ional_Monument The birthplace of mountain biking and amazing hiking all around. Also for the Northern California beach scene Santa Cruz is also not that far away and more Redwoods there also. There are likely 10-15 amazing day trips within a 2 hour radius from San Francisco that would all offer something completely unique and there is always a reason to go back to this area. For kids.....Jelly Belly, Six Flags, Waterworld etc.
^ Not sure why you'd go back numerous times over several visits. Granted it is not a good idea to stay there, eat and shop there exclusively, but it is without a doubt worth a visit for a first timer, for the views alone.
Not buying trinkets, staying in over priced hotels and eating at over-priced restaurants, I get... but to act like that isn't a place a first time tourist should go is just silly.
It's a really just about a must for a first time visitor. Not sure why someone would go for the first time and spend all their time taking trips out of the city.
If you're a frequent visitor absolutely, but there's a reason those tourist places are popular for first time tourists.
Has anyone stayed at the newer intercontinental hotel? (floor to ceiling windows) I say newer because I believe there are 2.
Also, any advice on scalping vs buying in advance for raiders and niners games?
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^ Not sure why you'd go back numerous times over several visits. Granted it is not a good idea to stay there, eat and shop there exclusively, but it is without a doubt worth a visit for a first timer, for the views alone.
Not buying trinkets, staying in over priced hotels and eating at over-priced restaurants, I get... but to act like that isn't a place a first time tourist should go is just silly.
It's a really just about a must for a first time visitor. Not sure why someone would go for the first time and spend all their time taking trips out of the city.
If you're a frequent visitor absolutely, but there's a reason those tourist places are popular for first time tourists.
A couple times had to pass along to get to the Alcatraz tour on the east end and other times because some of the better restaurants are close by so you just kind of end up there. Does anybody ever buy the junk they sell in those shops? People watching you have a point though. If you are going for a week or more then absolutely you should be making day trips around the Bay Area, why limit yourself to San Francisco alone when there is so much to see in the greater area.
Tell me some better places to go then please - my wife is running a half marathon there and she'd love some ideas of things to do.
I would say check out the Farmers Market (Tues/Thurs/Sat)... Union square, PM me for a few secret ways of getting scenic views (I always take people to these, but I don't want it to get too known and they close them down)... Mission is a little more of a gritty culture... I would recommend seeing a show there... the 2 best panaramic views, though not accessible really without a car, is on treasure island (night) and N of GG Bridge at Mt Tamalpias. GG Bridge is really crowded with tourests getting pictures, but Crissy Field is always open and you can get great pics without the crowds. If you have a car, I can recommend a lot more, ask for details.
I kind of agree on Fisherman's Wharf, at best its worth passing by but I don't think its that great of a destination. SF is more of a city of culture, which isn't really defined by any real singular place, shop or tourist attraction (I think)... and if you are looking for more "local" culture... The Ferry Building is more "local" culture and a pretty neat. But if you go, the arcade there is really cool (bring quarters)... if you plan on biking across GG Bridge, you could probably tag Ferry building in the morning, pass through FW and then bike across GG Bridge.
(side note: I live in San Francisco Bay area.... so I head up to the city a lot)
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A couple times had to pass along to get to the Alcatraz tour on the east end and other times because some of the better restaurants are close by so you just kind of end up there. Does anybody ever buy the junk they sell in those shops? People watching you have a point though. If you are going for a week or more then absolutely you should be making day trips around the Bay Area, why limit yourself to San Francisco alone when there is so much to see in the greater area.
I have been all over the bay area and I agree there's a lot to see.
But again, I was referring to someone who's never been before. There is more than enough to do in the city if it's your first visit, unless it's a long one as you suggest.
I don't think anyone in their right mind would buy the crap they sell in the warf, but again, I wasn't talking about that, people watching or over priced hotels / restaurants. I was strictly referring to the piers and the tour around the bay by ferry. Being on the water and looking back on north San Francisco is one of the more picturesque things in the area.
I actually took that ferry tour again last June after I bought my iphone 4s and put together this little clip of 48 hours in SF when I was passing through town:
Tell me some better places to go then please - my wife is running a half marathon there and she'd love some ideas of things to do.
It depends what you are interested in, and the best thing about SF is that is compact enough to explore on foot (mostly). I like the Lonely Planet guide book for SF.
The Science Center in Golden Gate Park is world class. Go to a Taqueria for Mission Burritos. Ride bikes across Golden Gate bridge, dine in Sausalito, and take the ferry back. Go to Chez Panisse in Berkley for the birthplace of California cuisine. See a show at the Fillmore. Stroll the Embarcadero and watch the fisherman, and enjoy fine restaurants. Stroll through the Presidio. Go up Coit Tower for great views. Ocean Beach is nice. Sample the shopping and night life in the Marina District. See the gospel choir at Glide Church. The Wharf is interesting only for the sea lions (and I admit a fondess for Clam Chowder in a Sourdough bowl).
Further away, I recommend a day or two at Napa, or Point Reyes. Go for oysters nearby at Tomales Bay.
Has anyone stayed at the newer intercontinental hotel? (floor to ceiling windows) I say newer because I believe there are 2.
Also, any advice on scalping vs buying in advance for raiders and niners games?
I have, and thought it was very good. The concierge staff especially was at the level of a much higher end property. Excellent restaurant recommendations to fairly specific requests, advice on where to sit for an A's game, and great advice for self-guided tours. I've stayed other places in SF (Westins, Le Meridien) but this place was my favourite so far.
It's close to the Moscone Centre just off Market Street, and there are lots of good restaurants nearby. You're also very close to Union Square and the cable car, both of which are must do. You can take the BART from the airport to the hotel, and then it's about a 1 block walk.
Rooms were clean and functional (the hotel is pretty new), and there is a small swimming pool, which we enjoyed.
Wherever you stay, eat at Maya.
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