San Francisco tips needed

[brickmark]

Hi all,

Was just reading the post by so Jasecoop re Hong Kong trip. What a great idea – why not get some travel tips from the contributors to Aus Frequent Flyer.

My wife and I have 4 days in San Francisco (1/2 a day of business). This is our second time in San Fran and last time we ticked off the mandatory tourist list – Alcatraz, Fisherman Wharf, Cable car, crocked road etc. Staying at The Westin St Francis, Union Sq.

Does anyone have any experiences/tips or great eating places from San Francisco they could suggest? We are thinking about hiring a car or Harley for a day and doing the Napa Valley. Also when travelling we enjoy, when possible hanging with the locals – ie parks, markets, local shopping streets, neighbourhoods.

Thanks in advance.

P.S I love this forum, I am not a big posters as most of you cover all answers fairly rapidly.

 

[LAH]

got a restaurant for you :

Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, California 94709

Café Reservations: (510) 548-5049
Restaurant Reservations: (510) 548-5525

I love this place for its seasonal, fresh ingredients. I drove there and found it quite well.

Love San Francisco and hope to get back there one day.

(touristy, but I do like the crab and seafood and italian dishes at Scomas on Fishermans wharf!)

... and have a great trip!

ps some great farmers markets as well, you'll find them on the web. San Francisco has it all!!!

 

[scaredeycat]

My favorite memory of San Francisco is hiring a bike with my daughter in town then riding across the Golden Gate bridge to Sausolito, where the ferry has about a hundred bike racks on the lower deck for all the other cyclists doing the same thing. I hadn't ridden a bike for many years and thought I was going to die on the approaches to the bridge, but the view was worth it and it was a great bonding exercise.

 

[dfcatch]

Sausalito - thumbs up for that one - quick and easy - especially just to pop over to for lunch.

Favourite restaurant is the Salt House on Mission St (between 1st and 2nd).

The Castro is always great to check out - although my old favourite cafe is no longer there.

Berkeley is great - as LAH said. Also - the Claremont Hotel is an icon and definitely worth a night there (especially for a special occasion), restaurants are superb as is the evening view of the Bay and SF skyline.

Alameda is also nice and close by to check-out. (especially nice as not part of the tourist circuit).

Also - if you have a half-day to spare - check out the California Academy of Sciences. Is much better than it sounds - you'll be impressed.

Napa - of course. Don't forget about Monterey and Carmel as a great day trip too.

 

[JohnM]

got a restaurant for you :

Chez Panisse
1517 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, California 94709

Café Reservations: (510) 548-5049
Restaurant Reservations: (510) 548-5525

I love this place for its seasonal, fresh ingredients. I drove there and found it quite well.

Love San Francisco and hope to get back there one day.

(touristy, but I do like the crab and seafood and italian dishes at Scomas on Fishermans wharf!)

... and have a great trip!

ps some great farmers markets as well, you'll find them on the web. San Francisco has it all!!!

I've been to Chez Panisse a couple of times. I felt that it had lost its Mojo the last time I was there (and overheard people on an adjacent table saying the same.) It had become very expensive and seemed to think it was better than it was. Maybe that's the problem when you're a 40 year old institution.

A favourite of mine is Gary Danko: Welcome to Restaurant Gary Danko. It's near Fisherman's Wharf but far enough to be away from the tourist trap. Pure class food, excellent wine list and surprisingly reasobaly priced. Very hard to get a booking. Hit their site at excatly two months ahead when it opens - if you have that much time up your sleeve.

From what I read Zuni Cafe is quintessentail SFO: Zuni Café :: San Francisco. The roast chicken is the specialty. It was closed the day I tried to tried to go.

Go to Sausalito and have a lunchtime sandwich at the Italian deli on the waterfront while looking back over the bay to the city.

Enjoy!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Get the BART to the Powell street exit and get a cab and stay up at the Mark Hopkins IC, grand old dame at a reasonable price.Take a few days to do the Napa, you will surprised at the breadth and quality there.

 

[AdMEL]

I enjoyed the following in San Francisco last July:

The Slanted Door - modern vietnamese restaurant in the Ferry Building on the waterfront. slanteddoor.com

Duckhorn Vineyard, Napa Valley - good wine (although expensive), in a very picturescque setting. You may need to make an appointment. It costs approx. US$20 to taste about 5 wines, but I thought it was worth it. They actually sit you down and provide water and nibbles. On a warm day, it was very nice sitting out on the verandah drinking their wine! duckhorn.com

 

[JohnM]

I enjoyed the following in San Francisco last July:

The Slanted Door - modern vietnamese restaurant in the Ferry Building on the waterfront. slanteddoor.com

Duckhorn Vineyard, Napa Valley - good wine (although expensive), in a very picturescque setting. You may need to make an appointment. It costs approx. US$20 to taste about 5 wines, but I thought it was worth it. They actually sit you down and provide water and nibbles. On a warm day, it was very nice sitting out on the verandah drinking their wine! duckhorn.com

It's standard procedure at US wineries to charge for tasting.

 

[LAH]

I've been to Chez Panisse a couple of times. I felt that it had lost its Mojo the last time I was there (and overheard people on an adjacent table saying the same.) It had become very expensive and seemed to think it was better than it was. Maybe that's the problem when you're a 40 year old institution.

A favourite of mine is Gary Danko: Welcome to Restaurant Gary Danko. It's near Fisherman's Wharf but far enough to be away from the tourist trap. Pure class food, excellent wine list and surprisingly reasobaly priced. Very hard to get a booking. Hit their site at excatly two months ahead when it opens - if you have that much time up your sleeve.

From what I read Zuni Cafe is quintessentail SFO: Zuni Café :: San Francisco. The roast chicken is the specialty. It was closed the day I tried to tried to go.

Go to Sausalito and have a lunchtime sandwich at the Italian deli on the waterfront while looking back over the bay to the city.

Enjoy!

It has been quite a few years since I've been in San Francisco as well - sad to hear about Chez Panisse. But so glad someone has started this thread, because next time I travel for business, I am going to make sure that I have a day or two in San Francisco. Thank you so much for the recommendation of the Restaurant Gary Danko - hope I can get a reservation; I'll let you know! And someone mentioned the California Academy of Sciences - haven't been there but will go next time! Thanks to whoever started this thread and thanks to those contributing!

 

[brickmark]

Thanks for all the tips. I knew I could count on you all.

Round trip: breakfast at Sausalito, lunch in the Napa and dinner at Berkeley sounds like a plan. That will also give my wife's credit card a few hours rest from the shops.

Thanks again

P.S has anyone been to the The Haight? Suppose to be the "Hippie" neighborhood of SF. I was born in the 70's but it still sounds ok.

 

[dfcatch]

Thanks for all the tips. I knew I could count on you all.

Round trip: breakfast at Sausalito, lunch in the Napa and dinner at Berkeley sounds like a plan. That will also give my wife's credit card a few hours rest from the shops.

Thanks again

P.S has anyone been to the The Haight? Suppose to be the "Hippie" neighborhood of SF. I was born in the 70's but it still sounds ok.

The Haight is fine.

Even if you're not a hippie at heart, there are some nice cafes in the Haight. The names of my favorites escape me right now.

 

[Madam Mina]

I was actually going to suggest the Haight it's a great place for a wander and a people watch and there is all sorts of interesting cafes and shops (maybe not so good for your wife's credit card ). Its also quite close to the painted ladies houses and some nice parks and things. Before you go to the area it is probably having a read up on it's history as it has been the scene of some very interesting events. One thing that my sister and I did notice about this area though is that as we wandered up Haight st it very quickly changed from cool bohemian vibe to dodgy drug dealing vibe as soon as we got close to the end of the street near the big park (forgotten the name of the park sorry) one minute we were wandering amongst interesting shops cafes and people next it was all scary homeless types who were quite obviously organising there next fix. So do keep your eyes open to be careful not to wander into an unsafe situation.

I will also second the Slanted Door yum! You can also order from a limited menu in their bar if you just want a quick bite rather than the full restaurant.

Having a wander and a graze through the stalls in the Ferry Terminal is also highly recommended lots of great food in there including a shop that makes excellent macaroons.

I know you said you planned to go up to Napa and in which case this might not be necessary but we couldn't make it up the the wineries. In lieu of this we had a fun night in a place called the Press Club which is quite close to the big Westfield. It has seven or so wineries who each have a bar where you can do tastings. You can also order cheese plates and the like to go with your wine and there is a lounge area too to sit and enjoy a particular bottle you might take a fancy to.

 

[kpc]

P.S has anyone been to the The Haight? Suppose to be the "Hippie" neighborhood of SF. I was born in the 70's but it still sounds ok.

We wandered through the Haight for a couple hours in Feb this year, and had a nice lunch in a quaint cafe whilst people watching Definitely worth a visit IMHO

Sent from my GT-I9000 using AustFreqFly App

 

[Timba-Jet]

One thing that my sister and I did notice about this area though is that as we wandered up Haight st it very quickly changed from cool bohemian vibe to dodgy drug dealing vibe as soon as we got close to the end of the street near the big park (forgotten the name of the park sorry) one minute we were wandering amongst interesting shops cafes and people next it was all scary homeless types who were quite obviously organising there next fix. So do keep your eyes open to be careful not to wander into an unsafe situation.

That's Golden Gate park, you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring this giant park, it stretches all the way to the coast, lots of museums as well.

In my first visit to San Fran a few years ago, I visited a friend who was living in the Mission District, a hub of the latin/Mexican community, plus some nice shops, cafes, bars etc. I came back on my own a few days later to walk around the area, Valencia St has some nice cafes, bars, and their are great murals to admire in the neighbourhood. Ended up walking from the Mission to the Castro with a stop at Mission Delores Park in between watching the locals, with views back to the city area.

 

[Blackadder]

If doing the cable car, don't join the queues at Union Square , but walk up one block (room is kept for those getting on there)

 

[Keith009]

Some restaurant suggestions:
NoPa - Progressive American (nopa)
One Market - Progressive American (One Market Restaurant | Michelin Star Dining at the San Francisco Embarcadero)
Perbacco - Italian (http://www.perbacco.com/)
Absinthe - French/Italian (Absinthe Brasserie & Bar. Hayes Valley, San Francisco, Calfornia.)
La Folie - French (La Folie)
Papalote - Mexican, go there for the awesome burritos (Papalote Mexican Grill - Voted the Best Burrito in San Francisco!)
Tres Agave - Mexican, fab fab margaritas (Tres San Francisco « Tres)
PLANT Cafe - Great brunch spot on the Embarcadero (Welcome to THE PLANT cafe organic)

Also try heading to the Marina, possibly my fave neighbourhood in SF. Very clean streets (none of the urine smell or hippie element that afflict the rest of SF... doesn't feel like you're in SF at all in fact), with plenty of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants to people watch in.

For some decent (by US standards) coffee, look out for Blue Bottle coffee shops or places that serve Blue Bottle coffee.

 

[Willie]

The Pork Store Cafe 1451 Haight Street is an institution. HUGE honest 'roadhouse' style breakfasts and lunches... $11 including tip for breakfast should see you well in to the day. It is no oil painting of a joint but it pings along. Sit at the counter and watch your corn beef hash, eggs and hash browns get put together.

There is a funky reptile store along the road that used to be worth a look - not sure whether it is still there!

 

[brickmark]

I was actually going to suggest the Haight it's a great place for a wander and a people watch and there is all sorts of interesting cafes and shops (maybe not so good for your wife's credit card ). Its also quite close to the painted ladies houses and some nice parks and things. Before you go to the area it is probably having a read up on it's history as it has been the scene of some very interesting events. One thing that my sister and I did notice about this area though is that as we wandered up Haight st it very quickly changed from cool bohemian vibe to dodgy drug dealing vibe as soon as we got close to the end of the street near the big park (forgotten the name of the park sorry) one minute we were wandering amongst interesting shops cafes and people next it was all scary homeless types who were quite obviously organising there next fix. So do keep your eyes open to be careful not to wander into an unsafe situation.

I will also second the Slanted Door yum! You can also order from a limited menu in their bar if you just want a quick bite rather than the full restaurant.

Having a wander and a graze through the stalls in the Ferry Terminal is also highly recommended lots of great food in there including a shop that makes excellent macaroons.

I know you said you planned to go up to Napa and in which case this might not be necessary but we couldn't make it up the the wineries. In lieu of this we had a fun night in a place called the Press Club which is quite close to the big Westfield. It has seven or so wineries who each have a bar where you can do tastings. You can also order cheese plates and the like to go with your wine and there is a lounge area too to sit and enjoy a particular bottle you might take a fancy to.

Thanks for the great tips Madam Mina - this will be very helpful

 

[brickmark]

Some restaurant suggestions:

Also try heading to the Marina, possibly my fave neighbourhood in SF. Very clean streets (none of the urine smell or hippie element that afflict the rest of SF... doesn't feel like you're in SF at all in fact), with plenty of trendy bars, cafes and restaurants to people watch in.

For some decent (by US standards) coffee, look out for Blue Bottle coffee shops or places that serve Blue Bottle coffee.

Thanks QF009: I looked up some of the restaurants - they look great. Espically keen on visiting the Tres kitchen / Teqelia Bar. Marina district also looks like ok.

I am actually thinking that I may skip the drive to Napa and surrounds and just hang with the locals for a few days.