Going on Vacation to San Francisco what to do? where to eat?

Kerouactivist

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2001
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I found a super cheap airfare to San Francisco from STL the other day (129.60 with taxes) so I decided to book a mini-vacation to San Francisco in mid-august....I'm flying in and taking the BART downtown to a hotel (haven't gotten a place yet...plan on doing a hotwire or a priceline)...

I'll be staying three nites and flying in really earlier and taking the redeye back on the last day to maximize time....
Any ideas on things I should definitely do?
I thought about going on a wine tour but are these expensive?
What about places to eat? I don't really dig fancy joints but I do consider myself a foodie on a budget and like to try new interesting dishes

Is it easy to get from downtown to Muir Woods without a rental car....how about Monterey for the aquarium?

Also, which of the travel books is best? The reviews seem to lean towards lonely planet....

One more thing I'm thinking about taking my DSLR is this a bad idea would I be better off finally biting the bullet and getting a small camera for the trip?


A preemptive thanks for any help or info.....

UPDATE...
Staying at Renaissance Stanford Court on Nob hill
 

Parasitic

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2002
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Castro district has some decent eats if you are not extremely homophobic.
There's always Pier 39 + fisherman's wharf. If you have AAA membership make sure you pick up a coupon book there.

Postrio is real nice and fancy.
Absinthe is also real nice French stuff.

Edit: also if you are going round town on public trnasit you can always hop over to Berkeley.
At the Powell St. BART Station there's a visitor's center that you can check out. Having AAA membership is always good.
 

homercles337

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: bthorny
Is it easy to get from downtown to Muir Woods without a rental car....how about Monterey for the aquarium?

No to both.

Check out the Tonga Room in the Fairmont. If only for the "theme." Go during happy hour.

The Great Wall in berkeley is a fantastic chinese restaurant. Go for lunch, the specials are CHEAP and tasty.
 

slpaulson

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2000
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Originally posted by: bthorny
Is it easy to get from downtown to Muir Woods without a rental car....how about Monterey for the aquarium?

I don't know if there's any shuttles or something to Muir woods, but I think Monterey is a couple hours away.

Alcatraz and Fisherman's wharf are a couple things worth seeing.
 

Parasitic

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Aug 17, 2002
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Maybe posting what you like to do? That'll be easier for us to help you.
There are tons of things to do in the Bay Area and it's easier to match things by you telling us.
 

Kerouactivist

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Parasitic
Castro district has some decent eats if you are not extremely homophobic.
There's always Pier 39 + fisherman's wharf. If you have AAA membership make sure you pick up a coupon book there.

Postrio is real nice and fancy.
Absinthe is also real nice French stuff.

Edit: also if you are going round town on public trnasit you can always hop over to Berkeley.
At the Powell St. BART Station there's a visitor's center that you can check out. Having AAA membership is always good.

Great suggestions thanks

 

Kaieye

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Stay at the Elements on Mission St almost half a mile from the BART station at 24th and Mission. http://www.elementshotel.com/

This area can be rough at night but it is fairly safe in the daytime. There is a great simple Chinese restaurant just around the corner from the Elements. PM if you need help or info. I have lived in SF for more than 50 years. Bring a light coat or sweater because it can be cool due to fog flowing into SF bay. Bring a cheap camera and leave the expensive stuff home.
 

geckojohn

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2000
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I would recommend going to Fisherman's Wharf for some great seafood and amazing clam chowder.... also see Giridelli Square - it's a nice place to walk around and see the Golden Gate bridge with nice views.

check out Little Italy for some great restaurants.
 

Demon-Xanth

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
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Honestly, I've never had bad food in SF. It's like there is some law stating that to serve food in the city it has to be good.
 

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
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Liverpool Lil's off of Lombard St. is a great pub for drinks and burgers. Make sure to hit up the Buena Vista for some irish coffee too.
 

scott916

Platinum Member
Mar 2, 2005
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Muir Woods isn't very far at all, and I believe they offer some short of shuttle service. Check the National Park Service website, I remember seeing something on there. BTW, that whole area is GORGEOUS. Stinson Beach is an awesome little beach town, SUPER small and homey. Just watch out for great whites, SB is famous for them. :D

As for food, go to a book store and browse through a Zagat guide to see if there's anything in there you might like. They're an awesome source of info.
 

xospec1alk

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Honestly, I've never had bad food in SF. It's like there is some law stating that to serve food in the city it has to be good.

I had some horrid indian food when i was there...it was highly rated in Zagat's, so i figured i'd give it a shot...

when we asked for spicy...they just threw some chilis on top of it and called it spice, there was nothing good about it
 

habib89

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
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you should try to get some vietnamese food or chinese food.. both relatively cheap (under $10 easily) and very tasty and delicious! if you're downtown, there's of course chinatown really close by, you can walk around there, it's pretty interesting.. and some good restaurants there too... the places that don't look too fancy are usually very cheap and still really good
 

anxi80

Lifer
Jul 7, 2002
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how funny, i leave 2 weeks from today. my main agenda is 'rock the bells' but since its my first trip there i have a few extra days beforehand to check out the sights and sounds. since ive always been interested in criminal law and administration of justice, ive already booked a trip to alcatraz. so i too will be watching this thread closely for food and other event recommendations. and thanks to those who have posted suggestions thus far, keep them comin'!
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
I recommend staying away from Pier 39 for dining. It's a tourist trap to the point of annoyance. And the last time I was there I ate at Neptune's Palace and the food and service were both terrible (and yet it is supposed to be the best on the pier, yeah whatever).

Monterey is a good 2-3 hours' drive away even in good traffic. The aquarium is one of the world's best and worth the trip IMO, if you have the time and means to get there. Monterey coastline is amazing as well.

My favorite place to eat in SF is Chinatown. There's this little lunch counter there that has some of the best Chinese I've ever tasted. It's called Snow Garden or something like that IIRC, and is inexpensive too so it would be perfect for a "foodie on a budget."
 

mitaiwan82

Platinum Member
Nov 29, 2000
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I'll be going at the end of the month...keep the suggestions coming!

which part of the Pacific Coast Highway is just jaw-dropping? I'm hoping to check out PCH...but not too far from the city.
 

Pheran

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2001
5,740
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Originally posted by: bthorny
I'll be staying three nites and flying in really earlier and taking the redeye back on the last day to maximize time....
Any ideas on things I should definitely do?
I thought about going on a wine tour but are these expensive?
What about places to eat? I don't really dig fancy joints but I do consider myself a foodie on a budget and like to try new interesting dishes

Is it easy to get from downtown to Muir Woods without a rental car....how about Monterey for the aquarium?
I went on a combo Muir Woods/wine tour from Extranomical Adventures that was pretty good. It's $69 if you book online.
 

Kerouactivist

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2001
4,665
0
76
Originally posted by: Pheran
Originally posted by: bthorny
I'll be staying three nites and flying in really earlier and taking the redeye back on the last day to maximize time....
Any ideas on things I should definitely do?
I thought about going on a wine tour but are these expensive?
What about places to eat? I don't really dig fancy joints but I do consider myself a foodie on a budget and like to try new interesting dishes

Is it easy to get from downtown to Muir Woods without a rental car....how about Monterey for the aquarium?
I went on a combo Muir Woods/wine tour from Extranomical Adventures that was pretty good. It's $69 if you book online.

WOW...that was pretty much exactly the kinda thing I was looking for....I'm thinking that might be a good thing to do on my last day in town before i catch the redeye....

I would guess, I could either leave my luggage at the hotel or maybe they have storage space on the shuttle....

So was it worth the $$$ in your opinion?