General San Francisco Thread

[Hornin04 261]

Any recs for a must-do SF activity/museum that isn't on the typical tourist list? I've done the big touristy stuff many times like the bridge, alcatraz, fisherman's wharf, chinatown, Lombard, etc.

I'm staying in Union Sq. and may have a few hours to kill next Saturday afternoon.  Museums, art, history etc are cool to me.

[ramirezut 63]

Any recs for a must-do SF activity/museum that isn't on the typical tourist list? I've done the big touristy stuff many times like the bridge, alcatraz, fisherman's wharf, chinatown, Lombard, etc.

I'm staying in Union Sq. and may have a few hours to kill next Saturday afternoon.  Museums, art, history etc are cool to me.

Museum of Craft and Design in dogpatch is pretty cool, and you could get through it in an hour or so.

Others are:

Walt Disney Family Museum.

Museum of African Diaspora.

&

Land's End for some cool walks along the coastline and light hiking.

[Macanudo 12,974]

I'll post some pics but I'm in SF this week.  Went out to Muir Woods and then Battery Spencer on the way back into town.  Had dinner at Barrel Head Brewing.  Overall a very good day.

[Macanudo 12,974]

Dammit.  Cant get some pictures to post. 

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by Macanudo

[zman13 178]

2 hours ago, ramirezut said:

Museum of Craft and Design in dogpatch is pretty cool, and you could get through it in an hour or so.

Others are:

Walt Disney Family Museum.

Museum of African Diaspora.

&

Land's End for some cool walks along the coastline and light hiking.

A few more ideas:

Wave organ - go around high tide

The SF City Guides - free walking tour. Lots of interesting topics and the guides are good: http://www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html

Ferry Building - Farmer's Market on Sat morning/early Sat afternoon - good food, good views (go the back of the Ferry Building)

[6th Street 6,389]

On 10/8/2019 at 1:51 PM, Horny04 said:

Any recs for a must-do SF activity/museum that isn't on the typical tourist list? I've done the big touristy stuff many times like the bridge, alcatraz, fisherman's wharf, chinatown, Lombard, etc.

I'm staying in Union Sq. and may have a few hours to kill next Saturday afternoon.  Museums, art, history etc are cool to me.

If you like museums, why not hit up Golden Gate Park for the deYoung fine arts museum or the Cal Academy of Sciences (natural history). They're right next to each other and the gardens around it are pristine. 

The other option is to hang out in the Presidio and check out the Walt Disney Museum. I think the food trucks are out on the Great Lawn there on Saturday's, but don't remember exactly. You can walk down to Crissy Field afterward, and all the way down to Fort Point to check out the swells under the GG Bridge. 

[Paco 1,934]

Hardly Strictly bluegrass festival is going on in Golden Gate Park this weekend. It's free and it's a blast. Especially if you partake in some of the local products.

[We’reTexas 1,473]

Hardly Strictly was last weekend. Fleet Week is this weekend, so the Marina area will be a shitshow. I mean, I’ll be there, but just a heads up.

[AnotherUTFan 9,723]

The last couple years HSB and Fleet Week were the same weekend. I remember smoking some herb last year and watching John Prine play with the Blue Angel's flying overhead. Pretty surreal and awesome.

[4th and 5 4,914]

On 10/9/2019 at 11:13 AM, zman13 said:

A few more ideas:

Wave organ - go around high tide

The SF City Guides - free walking tour. Lots of interesting topics and the guides are good: http://www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html

Ferry Building - Farmer's Market on Sat morning/early Sat afternoon - good food, good views (go the back of the Ferry Building)

Hog Island. Damn I love that place

[Paco 1,934]

The last couple years HSB and Fleet Week were the same weekend. I remember smoking some herb last year and watching John Prine play with the Blue Angel's flying overhead. Pretty surreal and awesome.

I was floating around on some fungus. It was pretty great. That's why I was thinking it was this weekend.

[Macanudo 12,974]

Let's see if I can do this now....

Golden Gate from Battery Spencer

 

 

Pic 2 from Battery Spencer

 

 

Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach

 

 

Pic 2 Lone Cypress in Black & White

 

 

Muir Woods Canopy Trail steps

 

 

Muir Woods Hillside Trail

 

 

[Macanudo 12,974]

The week went like this:

Muir Woods on Tuesday morning and then headed over to Muir Beach but it was completely socked in with fog.   Headed north to Stinson Beach and had lunch.   The fog had started to clear out so we headed back toward SF.   Less than a mile from Stinson Beach the rental car I was driving had major transmission issues and we were fortunate to be right at a turn out.   Had to get another rental sent out to us so most of the afternoon was shot sitting around at Stinson Beach.   Not the worst day ever because Muir Woods is always a treat.  We hit Battery Spencer on the way back and then went to Barrel Head Brewing for dinner.   Bee was cold (and good) and the food was very good.

Wednesday we farted around town and wasted a day IMO but someone on my group wanted to got a particular place in the Marina District for the potstickers (Dragon Well) and then talked everyone (except me) into walking to the Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown.    I drove and waited and waited and waited for them to get there.   When I tell someone "Sure, it's only around 2 miles but it's, uh, pretty hilly" and we're in SF, you should believe me.  For some reason, we ended up at Union Square after that so I just sat at the cafe in the Square and drank beer.   Ended up at Del Popolo for pizza.   Keep in mind, I was with teenagers who have a real hard time eating good food.  And I don't feel like wasting money on them.

Thursday we headed south to Big Sur for a scenic drive.   Lunch in 'Monterey at the Monterey Fish House.  It's near but not on Fisherman's Wharf which if you have never been is a complete tourist trap and really not worth wasting time at unless you want to spy some sea lions or seals.   We drove south past Carmel and took our time winding down the PCH ending up finally at Julia Burns Pfeiffer State Park to see McWay Falls.   It 's a gorgeous as ever but the trail is closed before the old house and where the condors nest.   Drove back to Pebble Beach and took the 17 Mile Road.   This is a must see.   I had never done this before and it is well worth it.   We only wished that we had more daylight.   The stone cairns at Moss Beach are very cool to see and make one of your own.  You wind by the Lone Cypress and then past some of those outrageous mansions all of us wish we had.   We drove back up to Santa Cruz and had dinner at the Lupulo Craft Beer House.   Maybe 15 beers on tap mostly from the Bay Area and from breweries that don't distribute very all over the country (for the most part.)

The plan Friday was to lunch somewhere on the Embarcadero (we ate at the Ferry Building) and then go over to Alacatraz.  I had timed this so we would get to the Island right before the Blue Angels would be flying over the Bay from 3:00-4:00.   We are 2 minutes from boarding the ferry when my youngest passes out cold.   She and I ended up at the ER for tests (all was well) and most likely she had dehydrated herself.  So I missed all of that.   I'd been to Alcatraz before but seeing the Blue Angels over the Bay was something I might not get to do again.   After we left the ER, she and I met up with the rest of the group in North Beach because someone didn't believe me that the area, although rich in restaurants, would be a mad house on a beautiful Friday evening especially if we hadn't made a reservation and it was pushing 8:00.  Ended up eating pizza by the slice from Tony's (meh) and then heading back o the house we rented.   

We stayed down in Pacifica across from Rockaway Beach and I really like both the location and the house.   3 bedroom, 2 bath with several living areas and lots of outdoor patio/deck space.  We weren't there a ton during the day but it was a nice place.  I've gotten to the point with the Bay Area where I'll spend my time either north (Marin/Sausalito/Sonoma) or south (Carmel).  Driving and parking in the city is a beating.   There were 6 of us so Uber was impractical most of the time.   Did it a couple of times as the group split up once or twice but overall, we were kind of stuck with the vehicle.   The one thing I have yet to spend any time doing is hanging out at the old Presidio and checking out Land's End, Fort Story, etc.   

[zman13 178]

On 10/12/2019 at 9:43 PM, Macanudo said:

The week went like this:

Muir Woods on Tuesday morning and then headed over to Muir Beach but it was completely socked in with fog.   Headed north to Stinson Beach and had lunch.   The fog had started to clear out so we headed back toward SF.   Less than a mile from Stinson Beach the rental car I was driving had major transmission issues and we were fortunate to be right at a turn out.   Had to get another rental sent out to us so most of the afternoon was shot sitting around at Stinson Beach.   Not the worst day ever because Muir Woods is always a treat.  We hit Battery Spencer on the way back and then went to Barrel Head Brewing for dinner.   Bee was cold (and good) and the food was very good.

Wednesday we farted around town and wasted a day IMO but someone on my group wanted to got a particular place in the Marina District for the potstickers (Dragon Well) and then talked everyone (except me) into walking to the Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown.    I drove and waited and waited and waited for them to get there.   When I tell someone "Sure, it's only around 2 miles but it's, uh, pretty hilly" and we're in SF, you should believe me.  For some reason, we ended up at Union Square after that so I just sat at the cafe in the Square and drank beer.   Ended up at Del Popolo for pizza.   Keep in mind, I was with teenagers who have a real hard time eating good food.  And I don't feel like wasting money on them.

Thursday we headed south to Big Sur for a scenic drive.   Lunch in 'Monterey at the Monterey Fish House.  It's near but not on Fisherman's Wharf which if you have never been is a complete tourist trap and really not worth wasting time at unless you want to spy some sea lions or seals.   We drove south past Carmel and took our time winding down the PCH ending up finally at Julia Burns Pfeiffer State Park to see McWay Falls.   It 's a gorgeous as ever but the trail is closed before the old house and where the condors nest.   Drove back to Pebble Beach and took the 17 Mile Road.   This is a must see.   I had never done this before and it is well worth it.   We only wished that we had more daylight.   The stone cairns at Moss Beach are very cool to see and make one of your own.  You wind by the Lone Cypress and then past some of those outrageous mansions all of us wish we had.   We drove back up to Santa Cruz and had dinner at the Lupulo Craft Beer House.   Maybe 15 beers on tap mostly from the Bay Area and from breweries that don't distribute very all over the country (for the most part.)

The plan Friday was to lunch somewhere on the Embarcadero (we ate at the Ferry Building) and then go over to Alacatraz.  I had timed this so we would get to the Island right before the Blue Angels would be flying over the Bay from 3:00-4:00.   We are 2 minutes from boarding the ferry when my youngest passes out cold.   She and I ended up at the ER for tests (all was well) and most likely she had dehydrated herself.  So I missed all of that.   I'd been to Alcatraz before but seeing the Blue Angels over the Bay was something I might not get to do again.   After we left the ER, she and I met up with the rest of the group in North Beach because someone didn't believe me that the area, although rich in restaurants, would be a mad house on a beautiful Friday evening especially if we hadn't made a reservation and it was pushing 8:00.  Ended up eating pizza by the slice from Tony's (meh) and then heading back o the house we rented.   

We stayed down in Pacifica across from Rockaway Beach and I really like both the location and the house.   3 bedroom, 2 bath with several living areas and lots of outdoor patio/deck space.  We weren't there a ton during the day but it was a nice place.  I've gotten to the point with the Bay Area where I'll spend my time either north (Marin/Sausalito/Sonoma) or south (Carmel).  Driving and parking in the city is a beating.   There were 6 of us so Uber was impractical most of the time.   Did it a couple of times as the group split up once or twice but overall, we were kind of stuck with the vehicle.   The one thing I have yet to spend any time doing is hanging out at the old Presidio and checking out Land's End, Fort Story, etc.   

Did you stop by the Taco Bell in Pacifica aka the best Taco Bell in the world? 

[Asithappens 974]

That's the Golden Gate Bridge. Not to be confused with the Golden Gate.

[Macanudo 12,974]

8 hours ago, zman13 said:

Did you stop by the Taco Bell in Pacifica aka the best Taco Bell in the world? 

Haha.  Drove by that on the way back from Big Sur and one of the kids in the car asked about eating Taco Bell on the beach.  No way.

[zman13 178]

18 hours ago, Macanudo said:

Haha.  Drove by that on the way back from Big Sur and one of the kids in the car asked about eating Taco Bell on the beach.  No way.

You deprived your kids:

https://www.tacobell.com/blog/Coolesttacobells

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/taco-bell-the-greatest-taco-bell-in-the-world-is-in-pacifica-ca

[workswithseed 2,086]

The girlfriend and I will be in San Francisco from 12am to 7am. What can we do that isn't just staying at the airport. On the cheap, please.

[AnotherUTFan 9,723]

That time of night,this is the only thing I can think of. Open 24 hrs and near the airport. I've never been but I used to drive past all te time.

Artichoke Joe's Casino
659 Huntington Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 589-8812
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxgBsT5hC4i5ck3h9

[AustinMT 952]

1 hour ago, workswithseed said:

The girlfriend and I will be in San Francisco from 12am to 7am. What can we do that isn't just staying at the airport. On the cheap, please.

I have flown in/out of SFO many times, but never looked for a restaurant nearby — it’s not exactly a prime area.

That time of night you could Uber downtown in about 20 minutes or so.  I’d look closer to downtown.

[workswithseed 2,086]

18 hours ago, AnotherUTFan said:

That time of night,this is the only thing I can think of. Open 24 hrs and near the airport. I've never been but I used to drive past all te time.

Artichoke Joe's Casino
659 Huntington Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 589-8812
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxgBsT5hC4i5ck3h9

Apparently cheap drinks, I don't know what that is in San Francisco. 

Also will let you know if it's any good, man. 

[workswithseed 2,086]

On 12/14/2019 at 3:01 PM, AnotherUTFan said:

That time of night,this is the only thing I can think of. Open 24 hrs and near the airport. I've never been but I used to drive past all te time.

Artichoke Joe's Casino
659 Huntington Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 589-8812
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QxgBsT5hC4i5ck3h9

Thanks for the rec. The girlfriend and I came in, got a drink, played, and doubled up our money. We don't know how the food was, and a dude named Abe gave us both a hundred each. 

Edited December 22, 2019 by workswithseed

[Jfoster 2]

Planning on spending a couple of nights in San Francisco with the family and trying to figure out where to stay.  There are four of us, both kids are teenagers.  A few of the hotels/neighborhoods I’m looking at are Hotel Zetta (SOMA), W (SOMA), Huntington Hotel (Nob Hill), Hotel Triton (Union Square/Chinatown), Argonaut Hotel (Fisherman’s Wharf), and Hotel Vitale (Embarcadero).  Anyone have any experience with any of these or any other suggestions? 

[zman13 178]

Don't stay in Nob Hill or Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf is a boring outdoor mall. Both are too far from most SF activities.

Stay in Union Square, SOMA or Embarcadero area. Close by transit, activities and easy to walk to neighborhoods

[We’reTexas 1,473]

Planning on spending a couple of nights in San Francisco with the family and trying to figure out where to stay.  There are four of us, both kids are teenagers.  A few of the hotels/neighborhoods I’m looking at are Hotel Zetta (SOMA), W (SOMA), Huntington Hotel (Nob Hill), Hotel Triton (Union Square/Chinatown), Argonaut Hotel (Fisherman’s Wharf), and Hotel Vitale (Embarcadero).  Anyone have any experience with any of these or any other suggestions? 

Highly recommend the Huntington. Big Four bar one of my favorites in town.

[HornPhD 1,368]

3 hours ago, Jfoster said:

Planning on spending a couple of nights in San Francisco with the family and trying to figure out where to stay.  There are four of us, both kids are teenagers.  A few of the hotels/neighborhoods I’m looking at are Hotel Zetta (SOMA), W (SOMA), Huntington Hotel (Nob Hill), Hotel Triton (Union Square/Chinatown), Argonaut Hotel (Fisherman’s Wharf), and Hotel Vitale (Embarcadero).  Anyone have any experience with any of these or any other suggestions? 

The W. Close to BART and Muni. Also, only a few blocks away from The Chieftan, which is a very cool Irish pub. 

Agree with not staying in Fishermman’s Wharf. 

[6th Street 6,389]

4 hours ago, Jfoster said:

Planning on spending a couple of nights in San Francisco with the family and trying to figure out where to stay.  There are four of us, both kids are teenagers.  A few of the hotels/neighborhoods I’m looking at are Hotel Zetta (SOMA), W (SOMA), Huntington Hotel (Nob Hill), Hotel Triton (Union Square/Chinatown), Argonaut Hotel (Fisherman’s Wharf), and Hotel Vitale (Embarcadero).  Anyone have any experience with any of these or any other suggestions? 

Hotel Vitale - classy place, close to the Ferry Building. Easy access to the Embarcadero, great Bay Bridge views. And most importantly far away from the homeless shit show of Union Square/SOMA. There's a nice bar there called Americanos as well, that has an outdoor patio that overlooks the Bridge.

Argonaut is also a damn solid choice as it's more Ghirardelli not Wharf. Basically right on the water and a short walk to Fort Mason, Marina Green, Palace of Fine Arts, and Crissy Field. Also near stuff like Crooked Street and North Beac and a good start off point for bike rentals if you want to head up across the bridge to Sausalito. 
 

Having worked in downtown SF for 8 years, I couldn't wait to get back to the Marina after work  given how filthy it was - I'm referring to Union Square/FiDi/Soma. 

[Jfoster 2]

I appreciate all the information.

[Txzen 498]

Agree with 6th - that's prime location.

Stay at the Huntington if you are just with your wife (the suites are relatively cheap, frankly). Big 4 is like stepping back in time - great space, good food, way off the tourist radar (relatively) for some reason. 

[Sandman 3,403]

Bumping this thread. The wife and I are thinking about heading to SF in October. Not sure how the covid situation is affecting travel to California at the moment. I checked the California Health Dept website and didn't see any restrictions but I could've missed it.

Not to be a dick but I'd like to stay someplace with fewer feces/bum problems. I do understand that every large city has these issues but SF seems to have more than their share. I read the posts above and think that Hotel Vital and The Huntington might be my top 2 choices but I'm open to recommendations.

[AnotherUTFan 9,723]

Honestly, there's no reason to come to San Francisco right now. All the tourist districts, (Fisherman's Warf, Chinatown, Union Sq, etc), are like ghost towns at the moment. Of the restaurants that are open, its all out door dining. Public transportation is running at the bare minimum.

On the other hand, October is probably the best time to come weather-wise. If you do it, I'd suggest a backup itinerary where you take a car up to the Lost Coast, and maybe visit the Avenue of Giants. Wine country seems set up for social distance, so that would be an option.

Its a really shitty time to be in the city. Maybe you'll be lucky and things will be opening up more. We were the 1st city to shut down and I'm pretty sure we'll be the last to open.

[Sandman 3,403]

9 hours ago, AnotherUTFan said:

Honestly, there's no reason to come to San Francisco right now. All the tourist districts, (Fisherman's Warf, Chinatown, Union Sq, etc), are like ghost towns at the moment. Of the restaurants that are open, its all out door dining. Public transportation is running at the bare minimum.

On the other hand, October is probably the best time to come weather-wise. If you do it, I'd suggest a backup itinerary where you take a car up to the Lost Coast, and maybe visit the Avenue of Giants. Wine country seems set up for social distance, so that would be an option.

Its a really shitty time to be in the city. Maybe you'll be lucky and things will be opening up more. We were the 1st city to shut down and I'm pretty sure we'll be the last to open.

Thanks for this info. I assumed that there were going to be various businesses or attractions that would be closed or running at the minimum but I guess I didn't think it would be as bad as that. Being in OK, you can lose perspective on what's happening in the larger population centers. Oh well, we'll see what's happening in the spring.

[We’reTexas 1,473]

10 hours ago, AnotherUTFan said:

Honestly, there's no reason to come to San Francisco right now. All the tourist districts, (Fisherman's Warf, Chinatown, Union Sq, etc), are like ghost towns at the moment. Of the restaurants that are open, its all out door dining. Public transportation is running at the bare minimum.

On the other hand, October is probably the best time to come weather-wise. If you do it, I'd suggest a backup itinerary where you take a car up to the Lost Coast, and maybe visit the Avenue of Giants. Wine country seems set up for social distance, so that would be an option.

Its a really shitty time to be in the city. Maybe you'll be lucky and things will be opening up more. We were the 1st city to shut down and I'm pretty sure we'll be the last to open.

Idk, I love being in SF right now. Whether I’d visit depends on how familiar I am with the city. First timers - not at all. But if you know the city well then experiencing things like Swan patio dining is a spectacle unto itself. Like you mentioned, it’s a good stop before heading north (though wine country towns are pretty locked down as well). 

[AnotherUTFan 9,723]

Idk, I love being in SF right now. Whether I’d visit depends on how familiar I am with the city. First timers - not at all. But if you know the city well then experiencing things like Swan patio dining is a spectacle unto itself. Like you mentioned, it’s a good stop before heading north (though wine country towns are pretty locked down as well). 

Ya, it's like Burning Man week every week; in the sense that you get the city minus the crowds to yourself for a minute. I just don't get the sense that most visitors are looking for that.

Personally, I struggle with all the music venues being closed down; but that's me and a big part of why I'm here.

In normal times it really is an incredible place.

[Txzen 498]

It depends what you want, and it probably dependent on how this Fall goes. Likely no indoor attractions are going to be operational, and as noted other than sporadic sidewalk seating fine dining is a no-go. Some of the 'big' touristy stuff may be open - i.e. Pier 39 recently reopened. Outdoor tastings are popping up in wine country as well

It could be a good time to do outdoorsy things, but the variable is you don't know if the parks will be open. For instance, some were closed to car traffic, but then access was pretty glorious by foot/bike. That said, San Mateo county was so fed up with people during the initial days of the lockdown they were stopping cars and asking for proof of residency in the area, and even cyclists were ticketed riding down from SF. In general, or at least at first, CA didn't suffer fools - we locked down. 

You certainly could still walk around the city, and some sites will always be accessible, but boy these are strange time - a lot of what makes SF the tourist draw is not open at the moment. As noted, great for us 'locals', though. 

[6th Street 6,389]

Better to straight up to Sonoma/Russian River/Mendocino or down to the Central Coast than to hang in the city right now.

Multiple friends have high tailed it from SF to Tahoe and Colorado during the pandemic. 

[Txzen 498]

Frankly, you might want to wait a bit - it's all on fire right now, from Santa Cruz to Healdsburg. Something like 1mil acres in a 100 mile radius of San Francisco. Air quality is unreal (except at the SF coast) all the way to Tahoe, there's no rain in the forecast until probably late October (if we're lucky). Most of our favorite wine spots in Healdsburg are closed now or had to evacuate.

We have reservations in Guernville for Labor Day, and seeing as how the entire town is evacuated I seriously doubt we're going. 

Looking at a two week rental in Oregon to try and escape the smoke. 

Fuck 2020.

[Scooter Monzingo 820]

The last time I was in Frisco I stayed at the Drake. Got in late and took a cab to the bar they filmed the Bogart scene in Maltese Falcon...started drinking...did my Bogart impression.....drank some more......did my Peter Lorre impression, realized wrong movie....drank some more. 

Somehow I make it back to the Drake, and passed out.....

Around 6:30am I wake up and hear the most amazing saxophone I have ever heard. Crawl to the window and look out on Sutter and I see an old brother on the corner with His pan out front looking for coin. There is absolutely no one else around, only me 6 floors up sitting on the window ledge listening to the most soulful sound. He was playing so each note sort of hung in the air. Some would drag on in almost agony before he would break them off ala Coltrane. For me it was a surreal experience the way the tone reverberated against all the stone and concrete. No cars or trolleys to fuck with the sound. Just that one cat blowing that horn.

I listened to him for about an hour before I threw some clothes on and went downstairs to throw him a $50. 

It was Frisco, and I love that fucking city.

[6th Street 6,389]

6 hours ago, Scooter Monzingo said:

The last time I was in Frisco I stayed at the Drake. Got in late and took a cab to the bar they filmed the Bogart scene in Maltese Falcon...started drinking...did my Bogart impression.....drank some more......did my Peter Lorre impression, realized wrong movie....drank some more. 

Somehow I make it back to the Drake, and passed out.....

Around 6:30am I wake up and hear the most amazing saxophone I have ever heard. Crawl to the window and look out on Sutter and I see an old brother on the corner with His pan out front looking for coin. There is absolutely no one else around, only me 6 floors up sitting on the window ledge listening to the most soulful sound. He was playing so each note sort of hung in the air. Some would drag on in almost agony before he would break them off ala Coltrane. For me it was a surreal experience the way the tone reverberated against all the stone and concrete. No cars or trolleys to fuck with the sound. Just that one cat blowing that horn.

I listened to him for about an hour before I threw some clothes on and went downstairs to throw him a $50. 

It was Frisco, and I love that fucking city.

If you love it so much, please don't call it "Frisco". Thanks 

[dingleberryswitzer 2,724]

He drunk, I think he was actually talking about Frisco tx.

[We’reTexas 1,473]

12 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

If you love it so much, please don't call it "Frisco". Thanks 

^^^Herb Caen is triggered in his grave 

[Ollie Slatt 289]

14 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

If you love it so much, please don't call it "Frisco". Thanks 

This.  Everyone knows the locals prefer "San Fran"

[Scooter Monzingo 820]

3 hours ago, dingleberryswitzer said:

He drunk, I think he was actually talking about Frisco tx.

They have a Drake in Frisco Texas?

[DDD Dad 14,323]

They have a Drake in Frisco Texas?

Yeah it’s right next to the Olive Garden.

[yoladu 4,090]

had a trip planned for SF with the family for Spring break back in March and had to cancelled it right as COVID was ramping up.

American Airlines allowed me to select new dates without penalty, and so we booked for the Thanksgiving Break. Wonderful.

Now, I am wondering if i am able/should change the dates again.

 

[closetojumping 62,506]

I find it pretty weird that the SF thread on Surly hasn't had a post in it in 2.5 years. Kind of crazy. I was looking for recs and stuff a few weeks ago without doing a search and was 4 pages deep on the Food & Travel board before giving up. 

Anyway, in case someone finds this interesting, and for future use, here are some thoughts. I have a daughter, SIL, and grandson now in Modesto, CA. The baby was born last summer and my wife and I plan on heading out 3-4 times a year to see them and they'll be down our way 2-3 times a year too, so we have a shot at having a relationship with the little guy. 

That considered, Modesto is an absolute beating. It is true armpit-of-the-state level bad. So this time around, we offered to pay for their room and such if they wanted to meet us in SF. They obliged, we had a hell of a time. 

We went to Boulevard on Thursday night. I don't see it mentioned in this thread and it's been around 30+ years and is well regarded, so that's an odd one. They had a prix fixe 3 course menu and it was terrific. Lobster bisque, slab pork chop, and sticky toffee pudding ftw.

On Friday we went to a breakfast place near GhirSquare called 8am. The menu didn't knock me out, but they didn't have a false note with the french toast, frittata or skillet potatoes. We got there early and when we left, they had a line around the corner and I understand why.

Then we rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate to Sausalito where we met up with our family. I know it is touristy, but that bike ride was a lot of fun. Almost got into a fight with a "serious" cyclist in the middle of the bridge as my wife slowed at a spot where folks, gasp!, were taking pics and we decided to do the same. The cyclist tailing her hit her bike and then screamed obscenities at her. She didn't say a word but I cussed him a blue streak and offered to take a photo of him plummeting on his bike towards the bay and he then rode off. Serious Cyclist Guy is the absolute worst form of outdoors person. I can't even think of a close second. Also, who the fuck tries to do a serious bike ride at a tourist trap like that?

We ate at some normal and fine sushi place that my daughter digs, but honestly, you can swing a dead cat and find excellent sushi in SF. Ozumo. Great fish and apps, boring rolls. 

Saturday, we woke up early and got to Alcatraz on one of the first ferries. I've been to San Francisco at least 50 times in my life and Alcatraz has never interested me. The females wanted to go. We went. It was a prison museum. Been to others, this one is just on a rock, it was fine but more for the experience than anything.

Ate and walked through the Ferry Building. Hog Island, which is awesome, had a 60 minute wait, so we sampled a bunch of things from various restaurants and markets and that's as fun as anything in that city for a lunch. 

Went to JCB Tasting Room at the Ritz on Saturday afternoon as the proprietor and my daughter/SIL are related and close. Given that the entire experience was comped, we had an awesome fucking time. Still, if you're ever there, the room is worth checking out and the wines you can taste there are basically impossible to find anywhere else. How that JCB dude is straight and makes things like that is beyond me. 

Went to House of Prime Rib on Saturday night, and that's probably the thing that motivated me to find this thread. It's the second time I have been there in my life. I know it is old school and really simple, but there is a reason it is almost impossible to get into. I've been to steakhouses all over the western world and, while HofPR may not qualify as a modern steakhouse, it's as good and fun as any of them for what it does and the experience you get. Anyone planning ahead on a visit to SF that doesn't give this one a shot is missing out, IMO. 

I've been to SF 4 times since the pandemic hit, from September 2020 to now. This was the cleanest I have seen the city, and the angry hobos were few and far between. In September of 2020, every silly trope imaginable was actually true about the place at that time. It's kind of shocking to see now in terms of how much improvement there is. Anywho, there's my stream of consciousness write-up of a weekend in San Francisco.

[closetojumping 62,506]

Also, if anyone has ever been to Epic Steakhouse or Bobo's, what are your thoughts? Thinking about one of them when we're back later this year. 

[HenryJames 66,031]

I summer in Modesto.

[AnotherUTFan 9,723]

I find it pretty weird that the SF thread on Surly hasn't had a post in it in 2.5 years. Kind of crazy. I was looking for recs and stuff a few weeks ago without doing a search and was 4 pages deep on the Food & Travel board before giving up. 
Anyway, in case someone finds this interesting, and for future use, here are some thoughts. I have a daughter, SIL, and grandson now in Modesto, CA. The baby was born last summer and my wife and I plan on heading out 3-4 times a year to see them and they'll be down our way 2-3 times a year too, so we have a shot at having a relationship with the little guy. 
That considered, Modesto is an absolute beating. It is true armpit-of-the-state level bad. So this time around, we offered to pay for their room and such if they wanted to meet us in SF. They obliged, we had a hell of a time. 
We went to Boulevard on Thursday night. I don't see it mentioned in this thread and it's been around 30+ years and is well regarded, so that's an odd one. They had a prix fixe 3 course menu and it was terrific. Lobster bisque, slab pork chop, and sticky toffee pudding ftw.
On Friday we went to a breakfast place near GhirSquare called 8am. The menu didn't knock me out, but they didn't have a false note with the french toast, frittata or skillet potatoes. We got there early and when we left, they had a line around the corner and I understand why.
Then we rented bikes and rode across the Golden Gate to Sausalito where we met up with our family. I know it is touristy, but that bike ride was a lot of fun. Almost got into a fight with a "serious" cyclist in the middle of the bridge as my wife slowed at a spot where folks, gasp!, were taking pics and we decided to do the same. The cyclist tailing her hit her bike and then screamed obscenities at her. She didn't say a word but I cussed him a blue streak and offered to take a photo of him plummeting on his bike towards the bay and he then rode off. Serious Cyclist Guy is the absolute worst form of outdoors person. I can't even think of a close second. Also, who the fuck tries to do a serious bike ride at a tourist trap like that?
We ate at some normal and fine sushi place that my daughter digs, but honestly, you can swing a dead cat and find excellent sushi in SF. Ozumo. Great fish and apps, boring rolls. 
Saturday, we woke up early and got to Alcatraz on one of the first ferries. I've been to San Francisco at least 50 times in my life and Alcatraz has never interested me. The females wanted to go. We went. It was a prison museum. Been to others, this one is just on a rock, it was fine but more for the experience than anything.
Ate and walked through the Ferry Building. Hog Island, which is awesome, had a 60 minute wait, so we sampled a bunch of things from various restaurants and markets and that's as fun as anything in that city for a lunch. 
Went to JCB Tasting Room at the Ritz on Saturday afternoon as the proprietor and my daughter/SIL are related and close. Given that the entire experience was comped, we had an awesome fucking time. Still, if you're ever there, the room is worth checking out and the wines you can taste there are basically impossible to find anywhere else. How that JCB dude is straight and makes things like that is beyond me. 
Went to House of Prime Rib on Saturday night, and that's probably the thing that motivated me to find this thread. It's the second time I have been there in my life. I know it is old school and really simple, but there is a reason it is almost impossible to get into. I've been to steakhouses all over the western world and, while HofPR may not qualify as a modern steakhouse, it's as good and fun as any of them for what it does and the experience you get. Anyone planning ahead on a visit to SF that doesn't give this one a shot is missing out, IMO. 
I've been to SF 4 times since the pandemic hit, from September 2020 to now. This was the cleanest I have seen the city, and the angry hobos were few and far between. In September of 2020, every silly trope imaginable was actually true about the place at that time. It's kind of shocking to see now in terms of how much improvement there is. Anywho, there's my stream of consciousness write-up of a weekend in San Francisco.

Glad you had a fun trip. I tell all the visitors to do the bike ride over to Sausalito and ferry back. They have that set up well and it's a good way to see a lot. Even if your in no shape for the bike, as my mom and aunt were recently, at least take the ferry over and back. Its a great way to spend some time on the bay with the views out to the Pacific.

I've been to Alcatraz twice now and both times have been impressed by the experience.

House of Prime Rib is a treasure. I eat there every year on my birthday and make the reservation for the following year before I leave. I make it for 8 and have a year to decide who's filling out the table.

Bobo's is great, but I think Harris' is the best of the more traditional steakhouses. I've only been once, it was within the last year and was very memorable.

[Hefeweizen 5,308]

Timely bump.  SF is about 2.5 hours away for me so we’re planning to visit some more, and having these recommendations is great.