As far as dim sum goes, there are lots of good places. As far as the big places goes, I would recommend Koi Palace in Daly City and Yank Sing (though Yank Sing is a bit of a tourist trap and expensive, but good), and also HK East Ocean In Emeryville which has great views of the SF and Oakland skylines. Also, Grand Harbor by the SFO airport. My favorites are Mayflower and Koi Palace in Dublin.
The hole-in-the-wall places give you better bang for the buck but I’ll save that for another time, when @psychmomma decides to move out here lol.
It will be -12 for a high here on Wednesday, with a low of -21 overnight. Once I get out west, I may never get on a flight back here! I hate winter with a passion!
As for dirty cities, I lived and worked in Chicago for years, so am not deterred by a city being dirty and having issues. I am sad about those issues though, and wish there were adequate solutions, focused on compassion for humanity.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the sunset on the west coast! I’ve vacationed in Florida and South Carolina, so have witnessed many spectacular sunrises.
I can’t decide if I should bother bringing my DSLR or stick with iPhone photos. If we are doing a lot walking and sightseeing, it may be easier to use my phone and spend my time just focusing on enjoying the moments. I tend to spend too much time playing around getting good shots when I have my camera. Maybe I’ll save that for a future trip.
wow, did I read that Chicago is going to go down to -20 degrees in the next 36 hours? I don’t miss those days one bit.
BTW it’s going to be a chilly 57 degrees in San Francisco on Wednesday. Just sayin…
Yes, tonight is expected to reach -22, with a high of -16 tomorrow, and a low of -25 tomorrow night. The windchill factor is expected to reach -25 to -50. We are hunkered down inside until Friday. I am so excited for our trip at the end of February! The temps, even with rain, will be a pleasant improvement!
Many of the things I was going to suggest ( farmers market at the ferry bldg, beach blanket babylon) have been mentioned. If it hasn’t been mentioned, go see the wall murals not eh buildings in the Castro/Upper Market district, wald up valencia st (the pirate store, the bookstores, the people watching, Paxton Gate, etc) are fun. If you are a runner, park near the zoo and run along the trail along the coast up to the park. When you go up to Napa, check which wineries require reservations for tastings. When you are int he East Bay, walk around Berkeley/Rock Ridge. The shops are fun. Enjoy!
I see many here have recommended visiting the Ferry Building, and I do not disagree. Here’s an insider tip: If you like oysters, dine at the Hog Island Oyster Company and get there when it opens as it does not take reservations.
If you are used to larger farmers markets, the one at the Ferry Building may disappoint you. We love the Presidio. You can catch the express bus just a few steps down from the Hyatt Embarcadero. On or after 9:30 AM, it is FREE in both directions, after the peak commute times in the morning and before the commuters return from work in the evening. Once at the Presidio, you can catch the free movie orientation and take the free shuttle loop that stops at the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts (vicinity), Crissy Field, and others, before returning back at the Presidio. There are lots of good dining choices in the Presidio. Thursdays in the Spring they have live music out on the green with a party atmosphere but March may still be a tad early for the festivities. There is a new hotel in the Presidio that opened last July-August that is a comparative bargain. We like eating at The Slanted Door but our favorite Embarcadero restaurant is Boulevard. For lunch it can be priced comparatively. If you are out in the Richmond District (kind of between the Presidio and Golden Gate Park, we like Pacific Cafe. They don’t take reservations but they’ll give you free house wine while you wait! If you are in North Beach, we love Tony’s Napolitana Pizza. They do their pizzas several different ways, including in an 800 degree oven. No res, but you can put your name in when in route on the Yelp App. If you are in Chinatown, we love eating at China Live— but is is very noisy!
(PS: Our son lives in the North Beach Russian Hill area so I rendezvous with him fairly often.)
When we went to the Ferry Bldg farmers market, it was huge! Rows and rows on the side and in the back. DS said he had no clue that was all back there. In past times he and his wife only went in the front part.
@jshain, as you are normally spot on with your SF comments, I was surprised when you said Ferry Farmers Market was smaller. @jym626 is correct…There are rows in front of Ferry Bldg…and in the back (by the ferries), it is a huge market…and food from about every cuisine on earth.
Presidio is lots of fun as well. Take a tour if you have time, either walking or shuttle tour. Arguello restaurant is delicious Mexican restaurant; Presidio Social Club and Commissary are good as well. Sessions is good for local brews…
Enjoy @psychmomma ! And report back afterwards!
My wife just minutes ago reminded me that we have been to the rear of the farmers market… but it was several years ago. A light went off in my head as soon as she mentioned Sur La Table Embarcadero, where we shopped when we were finished. Senior moment…
One less dim sum restaurant to go to: one of the better places in SF had extensive fire damage to it after a huge explosion nearby yesterday. Hong Kong Lounge II was a really nice place, probably more of a place you would take on a date as opposed to just going to eat.
So - when the forecast for San Francisco is rain for many days in a row, does it mean periodic sprinkles, showers, downpours? As I look ahead to the middle/end of next week and weekend, it looks like most of our visit will include rain. We have jackets and don’t mind rain, but I’m curious about a regional difference. Like in Florida, where it might rain every day, but usually just a shower in the afternoon.)
