Bay Area

[6th Street 6390]

51 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

It doesn't look like it will be difficult to get reserved parking if I arrange it soon.

I'm wondering where we should spend the night of July 4th -- does SF have a big event, are there others out in the surrounding areas?  I'm thinking that Lodge at the Presidio would be a wise choice by that point.

Don't base any plans on July 4th. Yes they do fireworks on the Bay and some idiots spend all day camped out at the Marina Green and near Ghirardelli, but the whole thing turns into a shit show of traffic and crowds. Not to mention half the time it's cold and foggy and you can't see anything. 

If you must, Fort Mason and Crissy Field are ok I guess. 

[We’reTexas 1473]

56 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

It doesn't look like it will be difficult to get reserved parking if I arrange it soon.

I'm wondering where we should spend the night of July 4th -- does SF have a big event, are there others out in the surrounding areas?  I'm thinking that Lodge at the Presidio would be a wise choice by that point.

Everyone goes to Tahoe or the wine country. And yes, as mentioned you can’t see the fireworks through the fog. 

[Jerry Callo 8699]

We did SF in 2015 with our younger girls.  Stayed at a VRBO on the cable car line up the hill from Chinatown.  Did a combination tour of Alcatraz and Muir Woods.  Rented bikes and road around town and across the Golden Gate Bridge.  Other touristy stuff.

Wife and I went to Sonoma in 2016.  Rented road bikes and biked through the wine country during the morning and visited vinyards in the afternoons.  Healdsberg was great for dining.  We stayed at a B&B in Cloverdale and participated in that small town's 4th of July festivities.  Armstrong Woods was a great place to see tall trees.  As suggested above, spend a day hitting Armstrong and then out along the coast.  I would highly suggest taking Boehieman Highway from near Armstrong to Occidental and Coleman Valley Road from Occidental to the coast.  The views of the ocean are great.  

One of the best rides we did, twice, was south out of Healdsberg to Wohler Road (left), across the Russian River and back north to Healdsberg through the Dry Creek area.  Several really cool vineyards, including one in an old hop kiln.  It would be a great drive as well.

[Frank Drebin 5660]

I like Carmel and Big Sur more than Napa if you're going to hit some countryside for a day or two outside SF.  Really enjoyed lunch at Ventanas, which is right across PCH from Post Ranch Inn.  Spectacular views from a cliff above the Pacific.  And very reasonably priced.  Liked Clint's place for dinner or Happy Hour, Mission Ranch in Carmel.  And Le Biceclette for dinner in Carmel.  That entire area south of SF Bay is pretty awesome.

[Foosters 17841]

22 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

Recs for great restaurants in the area?  We aren't exactly high end diners -- The French Laundry ain't happening -- but Asian, seafood, bar food, Italian, other?

We'll be there on my birthday, so great pizza would not be a problem.  Cali-Mex (or whatever it's called), too.  Indian is a favorite of ours.  Tapas.  Whatever.

Nari

Lily

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/nari

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/lily

[royiv 9262]

If you want an awesome place to grab a glass of wine and some snacks and watch the world go by, I highly suggest Union Larder in Russian Hill. My wife and I kill a couple of hours there every time we’re in town. We love it so much that we bought it out and had our rehearsal dinner there when we got married. 

[Smax 3800]

[mention=140]mdmost[/mention] have you visited Sierra Nevada's brewery in Chico?  Again, their Pale Ale is one of my main brews.  Obviously it's super ubiquitous at this point but they still do a good job.

Sierra Nevada is one of my favorite breweries, I've been there several times as I also love the town of Chico. Sierra has amazing food too, I've never done the tour, just stopped in to eat and drink. I love how they have 3-5 acres next door where they grow experimental hops.

Lagunitas is good if you love their beer worth a stop. Henhouse brewing In Santa Rosa is incredible as well. Several ipas and if you can get your hands on Big Chicken, do it. I love their saisons as well

[EuroHorn 3256]

Rice a Roni is still considered a local treat…

[HenryJames 66038]

Chico isn't close to San Francisco.

[jimmyjazz 45890]

3 hours ago, HenryJames said:

Chico isn't close to San Francisco.

Yeah, I started to get a little map creep there.  It's very unlikely we'd go that far given the recs for places closer like Muir Woods.

[Longhorn94 2448]

If you go to Napa, make sure you go to Inglenook (Coppola's) and Peju.

Sausalito is an awesome place to chill and relax by the water with views of the golden gate and skyline. 

Angler, Water bar, and Perbacco are three of my favorite places to eat in town.

[Foosters 17841]

There's also "Fish" in Sausalito. Haven't been in a minute but remember it being a pretty great spot to grab some seafood on the water 

[Firemans4Horn 18034]

If you want a picture with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background make sure to stop at either the Dana Bowers rest area or Golden Gate View Point on the north end of the bridge. 

[South Austin 52454]

Re Sausalito, I stopped there for lunch and a stroll during my first trip to San Fran in 2002, and had what at that time was one of the best burgers in recent memory at this place, which is just called "Hamburgers."  No indoor seating, just grab it from the counter and find a park bench.

[mdmost 43000]

8 minutes ago, Firemans4Horn said:

If you want a picture with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background make sure to stop at either the Dana Bowers rest area or Golden Gate View Point on the north end of the bridge. 

I prefer the Moore Road pier just down the hill from that so you're getting an upwards shot of the bridge. Also Fort Baker is pretty cool. You can hit both on the way back from Sausalito. 

 

 

Edited May 21 by mdmost

[jimmyjazz 45890]

We're thinking about the rec for Lodge at The Presidio -- is that too far from the bridge for photo ops?

[We’reTexas 1473]

2 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

We're thinking about the rec for Lodge at The Presidio -- is that too far from the bridge for photo ops?

No, not at all. Presidio has some of the best views of the bridge, and the new Presidio tunnel tops has an incredible vista. You can walk down from them hotel and get coffee in the morning. 

Also, Tiburon > Sausalito. Specifically, Mai Tai’s at Sam’s. 

[HenryJames 66038]

If you go to Sausalito, go check out where the Record Plant used to be.

The Record Plant Sausalito - OurSausalito.com

[StassneyHorn 6574]

I got entirely too drunk in Sausalito and couldn’t stop laughing at the funny socks store called Soxalito.

Dont do that.

 

[Jerry Callo 8699]

1 hour ago, HenryJames said:

If you go to Sausalito, go check out where the Record Plant used to be.

The Record Plant Sausalito - OurSausalito.com

And make sure to pull up Otis Redding's The Dock of the Bay.

[jimmyjazz 45890]

41 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

And make sure to pull up Otis Redding's The Dock of the Bay.

Regular rotation, my man.  Regular rotation.

Scratch vocal track, too.  Otis died 3 days later.

[Longhorn94 2448]

Golden Gate Park is not to be missed. The museums are great, the park is beautiful, and the food around it is amazing. If you like Puerto Rican food, you have to go to Parada 22 in Haight Ashbury!

[Hefeweizen 5310]

6 hours ago, jimmyjazz said:

We're thinking about the rec for Lodge at The Presidio -- is that too far from the bridge for photo ops?

I can’t recommend the Inn enough.  We take our dog and the combination of the nearby trails and the view of the golden gate from the park is spectacular.  Staff is awesome and accommodating and their wine and cheese welcome in the evening is great.  I don’t stay anywhere else when I visit.  I’ve never stayed at the lodge but it’s a quarter mile away and in an arguably better location .

Edited May 21 by Hefeweizen

[cafe society 2860]

6 hours ago, HenryJames said:

If you go to Sausalito, go check out where the Record Plant used to be.

The Record Plant Sausalito - OurSausalito.com

Great rec tailor-made for Jimmy Jazz.  Well done.

[Paco 1934]

If you want a picture with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background make sure to stop at either the Dana Bowers rest area or Golden Gate View Point on the north end of the bridge. 

A few years ago I was working in Sonoma county for a couple months. My first weekend I drove to SF and I've always loved the Golden Gate bridge so I was pumped. Got this amazing pic from the Marin headlands.

[Firemans4Horn 18034]

2 hours ago, Longhorn94 said:

Golden Gate Park is not to be missed. The museums are great, the park is beautiful, and the food around it is amazing. If you like Puerto Rican food, you have to go to Parada 22 in Haight Ashbury!

Going to Haight Asbury for lunch and then walking over to Golden Gate Park for the rest of the afternoon is a life well lived. 

[mdleast 8289]

Going to Haight Asbury for lunch and then walking over to Golden Gate Park for the rest of the afternoon is a life well lived. 

If you’re in Haight Asbury and thirsty (for beer nerdy beer in particular), you certainly need to stop by my favorite bar: Toronado

[HenryJames 66038]

Go to Swan Oyster Depot, imo.

[TornACL 7698]

3 hours ago, mdleast said:

If you’re in Haight Asbury and thirsty (for beer nerdy beer in particular), you certainly need to stop by my favorite bar: Toronado

This is a must stop every time I go to SF. 

[Smax 3800]

Go to Swan Oyster Depot, imo.

Just know, seats like 20 people and they start lining up around 930-10 am.

[6th Street 6390]

Nobody got time to wait on Swan Oyster. Hog Island in the Ferry Building will suffice 

[jimmyjazz 45890]

A couple of additional questions:

-- anybody know anything about The Argonaut Hotel?  It's close to Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.  We'll still probably do a couple of nights at The Presidio (Lodge).  Argonaut

-- it looks like we might try to catch a night at Lake Tahoe.  All things equal, we'd prefer to stay on the California side.  Any recommendations for which towns are best to visit or stay in?

[jimmyjazz 45890]

Just got back from our trip -- it was outstanding.  We hit the 'heat wave" dead nuts on.  I was surprised at the different microclimates.  Downtown SF would be sunny and warm and the Golden Gate would be all fogged in and windy.  3 miles away.  Central CA was balls hot, I think it was 109 in Sacramento (although dry so not as bad as 109 in Austin can be).'

We stayed near Fisherman's Wharf (Hotel Zoe) for several days, then did a day/night in Napa (visited Cakebread winery), then a few nights in Olympic Valley just west of Lake Tahoe, followed by 2 final nights at The Lodge at the Presidio.  All lodging was great, and prices weren't bad at all.  We visited Alcatraz and Muir Woods, both of which were outstanding.  Honestly, Muir Woods might be one of my favorite places I've ever visited, and I've been all over Europe.  Absolutely beautiful.  Food was good and just a little pricey, but portions were typically huge.  A $12 burger in Austin was $20 in Cali, but typically 8-10 oz and more than filling.  My wife enjoyed some killer seafood.  Beers were phenomenal, I haven't had so many different local brews in a decade or more.  I didn't do much wine, as my wife doesn't drink, but what I had was pretty good (and local).

Thanks to all for the tips, most were spot on.  How's recruiting going?  Uh . . .

[mdmost 43000]

So it wasn't a shithole and you wished you had gone to San Diego instead?

Yeah, Muir Woods might be crowded now and the other options could be better but it's easily my favorite place in the continental United States. Maybe I need to get out more. It's very healing for the soul. Glad you have a good trip. No cable car ride? It's dumb but it makes me feel like a little kid every time I ride it. 

*favorite place is the crater on the top of Mt. Haleakala in Maui

Edited July 8 by mdmost

[Braff Zacklin 13553]

7 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Just got back from our trip -- it was outstanding.  We hit the 'heat wave" dead nuts on.  I was surprised at the different microclimates.  Downtown SF would be sunny and warm and the Golden Gate would be all fogged in and windy.  3 miles away.  Central CA was balls hot, I think it was 109 in Sacramento (although dry so not as bad as 109 in Austin can be).'

We stayed near Fisherman's Wharf (Hotel Zoe) for several days, then did a day/night in Napa (visited Cakebread winery), then a few nights in Olympic Valley just west of Lake Tahoe, followed by 2 final nights at The Lodge at the Presidio.  All lodging was great, and prices weren't bad at all.  We visited Alcatraz and Muir Woods, both of which were outstanding.  Honestly, Muir Woods might be one of my favorite places I've ever visited, and I've been all over Europe.  Absolutely beautiful.  Food was good and just a little pricey, but portions were typically huge.  A $12 burger in Austin was $20 in Cali, but typically 8-10 oz and more than filling.  My wife enjoyed some killer seafood.  Beers were phenomenal, I haven't had so many different local brews in a decade or more.  I didn't do much wine, as my wife doesn't drink, but what I had was pretty good (and local).

Thanks to all for the tips, most were spot on.  How's recruiting going?  Uh . . .

You defied imma's advice and went anyway? Consider yourself lucky to be alive, sir.

[jimmyjazz 45890]

16 minutes ago, mdmost said:

No cable car ride? It's dumb but it makes me feel like a little kid every time I ride it. 

We did a cable car.  They didn't check our tix so they're still virgin if anyone would like me to send a pair their way.  Good thru July.

[gmr548 16576]

On 7/8/2024 at 8:12 AM, jimmyjazz said:

Just got back from our trip -- it was outstanding.  We hit the 'heat wave" dead nuts on.  I was surprised at the different microclimates.  Downtown SF would be sunny and warm and the Golden Gate would be all fogged in and windy.  3 miles away.  Central CA was balls hot, I think it was 109 in Sacramento (although dry so not as bad as 109 in Austin can be).'

We stayed near Fisherman's Wharf (Hotel Zoe) for several days, then did a day/night in Napa (visited Cakebread winery), then a few nights in Olympic Valley just west of Lake Tahoe, followed by 2 final nights at The Lodge at the Presidio.  All lodging was great, and prices weren't bad at all.  We visited Alcatraz and Muir Woods, both of which were outstanding.  Honestly, Muir Woods might be one of my favorite places I've ever visited, and I've been all over Europe.  Absolutely beautiful.  Food was good and just a little pricey, but portions were typically huge.  A $12 burger in Austin was $20 in Cali, but typically 8-10 oz and more than filling.  My wife enjoyed some killer seafood.  Beers were phenomenal, I haven't had so many different local brews in a decade or more.  I didn't do much wine, as my wife doesn't drink, but what I had was pretty good (and local).

Thanks to all for the tips, most were spot on.  How's recruiting going?  Uh . . .

Even crazier example of the microclimates: 59 degrees in Sunset, 105 at Mt Tam like 3 miles away.

https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2024/07/unbelievable-change-in-temperature-in.html

[6th Street 6390]

Good times in SF for work this week. Dinner at Flour+Water on Mon and Pabu on Tue.  Beers at my old local dive Columbus Cafe in North Beach and Schroeders in Fidi. Karl the Fog kept temps nice and cool.

 

[royiv 9262]

2 hours ago, 6th Street said:

Good times in SF for work this week. Dinner at Flour+Water on Mon and Pabu on Tue.  Beers at my old local dive Columbus Cafe in North Beach and Schroeders in Fidi. Karl the Fog kept temps nice and cool.

 

What a shithole. Should have gone to San Diego.

[Chopper 17230]

22 hours ago, royiv said:

What a shithole. Should have gone to San Diego.

San Francisco is back https://sfstandard.com/2024/07/11/nudists-save-tourist-attack-castro/

[Surly Bevo 24908]

Just got back from trip for 25th anniversary.  Spent two nights in San Francisco at Argonaut on Fisherman's Wharf and then 4 nights in Sonoma/Napa.  Hit House of Nanking (great), some drinks at Vesuvio after following my wife all over Chinatown. Breakfast one day at a place called Eight AM was amazing.  Did Alcatraz, and putzed around Sausalito and Tiburon some.  Muir Woods is amazing.  We got there fairly early so not very crowded.  It's peaceful, cool and serene...maybe one of my favorite natural spots I have ever been to.  Ventured up to Santa Rosa for some Russian River beers. Did the whole wine tour thing on Tuesday.  If you ever want to do it in style I highly highly recommend this guy https://zenwinetours.com/.  He talked to us before the trip got what we were after, made recommendations, set it all up, drove us around all day, knows his wine (worked at vineyards before he started this us) got us lunch, etc etc etc.  Is it cheap?  No, is it the way to go in style....absolutely.  Ate at Auberge du Soleil on our actual anniversary, great food, and spectacular views.  There's a lot more but you get the point.

Weather was amazing all the way around.  Yea even Thursday when it got up to 107 for a bit in the valley...it was back down to 72 at 9pm and I was sitting outside drinking a glass of wine. 

Did I see some homeless in San Francisco?  Sure. Was it a big deal for me as a tourist?  Not at all.  

Edited July 13 by Surly Bevo

[closetojumping 62565]

1 hour ago, Surly Bevo said:

Just got back from trip for 25th anniversary.  Spent two nights in San Francisco at Argonaut on Fisherman's Wharf and then 4 nights in Sonoma/Napa.  Hit House of Nanking (great), some drinks at Vesuvio after following my wife all over Chinatown. Breakfast one day at a place called Eight AM was amazing.  Did Alcatraz, and putzed around Sausalito and Tiburon some.  Muir Woods is amazing.  We got there fairly early so not very crowded.  It's peaceful, cool and serene...maybe one of my favorite natural spots I have ever been to.  Ventured up to Santa Rosa for some Russian River beers. Did the whole wine tour thing on Tuesday.  If you ever want to do it in style I highly highly recommend this guy https://zenwinetours.com/.  He talked to us before the trip got what we were after, made recommendations, set it all up, drove us around all day, knows his wine (worked at vineyards before he started this us) got us lunch, etc etc etc.  Is it cheap?  No, is it the way to go in style....absolutely.  Ate at Auberge du Soleil on our actual anniversary, great food, and spectacular views.  There's a lot more but you get the point.

Weather was amazing all the way around.  Yea even Thursday when it got up to 107 for a bit in the valley...it was back down to 72 at 9pm and I was sitting outside drinking a glass of wine. 

Did I see some homeless in San Francisco?  Sure. Was it a big deal for me as a tourist?  Not at all.  

We like eight AM when we visit. Didn’t get a chance to go there on our most recent trip earlier this month as we had to spend most of the time in the metropolis of Modesto. The last day, though, I wound up sitting in the small park across from eight AM while letting my boys run off steam and my wife and youngest daughter were off buying stuff.  

SF never lacks for interesting contrasts. Sat there watching people come and go and enjoy brunch at a great brunch place as my children wrestled in the grass while a homeless guy 30 feet to my right dug a half eaten watermelon out of the trash, carried it over to the bench next to me and proceeded to scarf it down. He then tossed the rind on the bench, burped loudly, and wandered off singing something unrecognizable. I found it all somewhat amusing and absurd. 

[jimmyjazz 45890]

1 hour ago, Surly Bevo said:

Did I see some homeless in San Francisco?  Sure. Was it a big deal for me as a tourist?  Not at all.  

Yeah, that hysteria didn't pan out for us either.  We saw far fewer than we see in Austin, and in general they were more mellow.  Maybe they were stoned.

Sure wish I had gone to San Diego . . . said me, never.

[Surly Bevo 24908]

52 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

We saw far fewer than we see in Austin, and in general they were more mellow.  Maybe they were stoned.

 

Made that exact same comment.  Now I realize I likely wasn't venturing into the homeless hot spots but it wasn't anything more than I see when down in Austin.  I do know this; if I was homeless I know which place between the two I would prefer to be (not that homeless get a choice). Give me the place where sure it can get chilly but I am not ever likely to melt my face or freeze my nuts off.  

My other observation, and again realizing I tended to be at pretty nice places, but the service out there was a shit ton better than what you tend to find around here.  My waiter at Russian River, a brew pub, may have been one of the best waiters I have ever had.  The only one that was a bit chippy was the older Asian lady at House of Nanking but I get they are moving volume through that place.

Also one thing that will stick was Thursday when I sat down in a little local bar on the Sonoma Square and the only people in there besides me and my wife were Catherine the bartender, a woman in her early 60s who lives in a "retirement trailer park" in Sonoma, and Kevin, a Pennsylvanian born but almost life long San Franciscan/Sonoma Valley Vietnam Vet who was knocking down White Russians.  That 90 minutes was a trip.  One of the best things about traveling is stuff like that where you get to meet people from somewhere else and hear their stories.  

Edited July 13 by Surly Bevo

[jimmyjazz 45890]

Don't get me wrong, I like San Diego, too.  Apples and oranges.  Plus, having been to SD but never having been to SF, well . . .

[mdmost 43000]

19 hours ago, Surly Bevo said:

Made that exact same comment.  Now I realize I likely wasn't venturing into the homeless hot spots but it wasn't anything more than I see when down in Austin.  I do know this; if I was homeless I know which place between the two I would prefer to be (not that homeless get a choice). Give me the place where sure it can get chilly but I am not ever likely to melt my face or freeze my nuts off.  

It is really bad around Union Square though. mdleast and I stayed at hotel right near the Powell Street cable car roundabout. It's been fairly abandoned down in that area. Supposedly it's bad all the way over to the Tenderloin. I think any area with a giant mass transit hub is going to have issues there.

[We’reTexas 1473]

29 minutes ago, mdmost said:

It is really bad around Union Square though. mdleast and I stayed at hotel right near the Powell Street cable car roundabout. It's been fairly abandoned down in that area. Supposedly it's bad all the way over to the Tenderloin. I think any area with a giant mass transit hub is going to have issues there.

The Tenderloin is ground zero for it. It’s just a mystery why the city made it’s tourist hub like five blocks away. 

[Chico_SA 521]

Heading home from coaching Junior Olympic Water Polo in the area. Didn’t get to do anything outside of coaching, but really enjoyed seeing some of the area. One of the main things I was impressed with was the high schools in the area. Really nice, and their on campus pools are incredible. Would love to roll out of the classroom and onto the deck to coach. And of course, Stanford
 

 

[Carl Spackler 3479]

Scoreboard seems a little racist.

[Chico_SA 521]

2 hours ago, Carl Spackler said:

Scoreboard seems a little racist.

Hah. That was Newport Beach playing Mission B.  Mission B came back a little, but Newport Beach ended up winning the whole thing, beating Mission A in the final.