San Francisco travel

Parent Cafe
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<p>H & I are taking a 5 day trip to San Francisco from Seattle at end of August.
This is a huge deal- we have never flown anywhere together and virtually all our vacations have involved kids/college/family.</p>

<p>Friday, we will be attending the Outsidelands festival at Golden Gate park & I want a relatively near by hotel, because I want to explore the gardens <B at the park on a separate day.
The 33rd ( !) anniversary of when we met( yes- I was a baby) will also occur during this time, and looking for suggestions for a romantic restaurant ( more on the quiet- not necessarily expensive side)- all I know is probably not in the Castro. ;)</p>

<p>(OMG I have been reading the names of some of the clubs in the Lonely Planet guide- I guess they want to be * very clear* naive tourists do not accidentally wander in)</p>

<p>H also wants to go to Chinatown ( which sounds awfully unPC to me, in Seattle our Chinatown, is called * the International District* ), and I am sure there are lots of great restaurants- but would love any recommendations/</p>

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<p>San Francisco is my favorite city ever! Yes, I do live here :smiley: There are so many amazing and wonderful places to visit. I am a student, but I thought I might be of help… </p>

<p>*Chinatown is definitely a nice place to visit. I don’t think it would be the place for a quiet, romantic dinner, but it’s fun to walk around and go in the shops and stuff. I also love Japantown. It’s smaller, so there’s not as much to do, but I think it’s worth a visit.</p>

<p>*Another place I really like in SF just to walk around is the upper part of Fillmore St. There are lots of cute little stores…the whole area is just very…cute. So I guess if you’re not into that, it might not be so great :wink: There are very nice views of the water, however, and lot’s of great and sort of more ‘trendy’ restaurants - i.e. lots of families, young couples, etc. </p>

<p>*It’s also fun to go down to the Marina and see Crissy Field, the Palace of Fine Arts, and maybe check out the Exploratorium. </p>

<p><em>The Japanese Tea Garden is absolutely *gorgeous</em>, even though the cherry blossoms won’t be in full bloom. The Academy of Sciences, the DeYoung Museum, and the Asian Art Museum are all right next door, if that is of any interest. I don’t know where exactly you are, but if you’re by Golden Gate Park, you should be pretty close. </p>

<p>*Haight St / the Haight Ashbury area is always fun and I think it’s pretty uniquely San Francisco. It’s a nice mix of tourist and locals. </p>

<p>*Ghiradelli Square is also something fun to do, though there’s not a whole lot to do there. But they have a soda fountain and stuff like that and it’s fun to walk around.</p>

<p>*Dowtown (Union Square, 5th and Market) is fun if you’re into shopping and bustling city scenes. You can get the Powell St. cable car from there (though every morning as I get onto Muni Metro, I laugh at the hour long lines tourists wait in for the cable car). If you really want to ride the cable cars, I actually suggest a different line and a less popular stop. </p>

<p>I definitely have more suggestions if you need stuff to do, which you probably don’t, but I love to go on and on and on about San Francisco… ;)</p>

<p>Regarding Restaurants:</p>

<p>*I have to say, restaurants are not really my area of expertise, but I definitely think I know of a decent amount. I have to say that inexpensive and quiet is not something I know a lot about. I can think of a lot of nice inexpensive restaurants, but a lot of them are not that quiet.</p>

<p>*Here are the names of some restaurants and their locations. I fear some of them are not as quite as you might like, but I’ve tried my best, and I think I came up with some good ones :slight_smile: :

  • Incanto in Noe Valley (one of the better thoughts I had, I think…definitely quieter)
  • Fringale - downtown/SoMa (my dad likes it)
  • S.P.Q.R. on Fillmore St.
  • Chez Papa Resto - downtown/SoMa (may be more expensive? my parents love it, though)
  • A 16 in the Marina
  • Delfina in Noe Valley
  • The Slanted Door (my personal favorite, and very well-known, but can be a little loud)
  • A La Turca on Geary (quite cheap, but you might want something fancier)</p>

<p>If you’re interested in Asian or other ethnic food, there’s a lot more… I might be back with more restaurants, I seem to be drawing a blank!</p>

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<p>wow thanks for all the suggestions
I was looking at the Exploratorium, that sounded interesting, especially since I think the Pacific Science center in Seattle is kinda lame unless you are 7.
I haven’t been to San Francisco since I was 13 so I am really excited.
:)</p>

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<p>Love San Francisco - I live about 3 hours south of there but love to come up and visit…</p>

<p>A few favorite restaurants in the somewhat moderate range:</p>

<p>Greens at Fort Mason is somewhat near where you will be staying. This might work for your quiet evening out. It is a vegetarian restaurant but love the food anyway. </p>

<p>Trattoria Contadina - Incredible Italian food in the North Beach area</p>

<p>I second the recommendation for the Slanted Door - great food - and they also have a to go menu. I’d suggest this for an early lunch but not for your dinner as you will not be able to hear your husband speak (REALLY REALLY Noisy)</p>

<p>Up a notch or two in price, is One Market right at the beginning of Market Street</p>

<p>For other restaurants, see [SF</a> Gate — Food & Wine — Recipes, Restaurant Reviews, Bay Area Dining Guide, Wine & Spirits](<a href=“http://www.sfgate.com/food/]SF”>http://www.sfgate.com/food/) top 100 list</p>

<p>Other activities in SF:</p>

<p>AT&T Park, home of the Giants is one of the most beautiful baseball fields. Enjoyable even for non fans - especially a 6 PM start time. Decent food in the park - and even better food at Momo’s or Acme Chop House as a pre game special.</p>

<p>Exploratorium</p>

<p>Palace of Fine Arts </p>

<p>Union Square for shopping</p>

<p>Tell us more about what you want to do - love to play tour guide.</p>

<p>P.S. You do NOT need a car in SF - and it will cost you a fortune to park. Lots of cabs and public transit - plus it is a very walkable city.</p>

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<p>^Agreed about not needing the car. Muni is awesome (although their fares just went up) and you certainly can walk to many places. </p>

<p>Also, I meant to mention before: If you happen to be in the Union Square area, there is a place called Out the Door at the Westfield Mall. It is basically the carryout version of The Slanted Door, but it’s cheaper, and they have basically the same food. Don’t be deceived by the fact that it’s in a mall! It’s really great, but again, noisy. If you go to Out the Door, rather than The Slanted Door, get the boba drinks :wink: Sort of like bubble tea but they don’t really use tea for the fruit flavors…it’s very good, though.</p>

<p>That reminded me - San Francisco is the place for bubble tea. I highly recommend Quickly’s if you’re at all into bubble tea!</p>

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<p>My choir in HS used to take yearly trips to SF. We always stayed at The Handlery hotel, which was in Union Square. Very nice, well-decorated, and quiet. (for these reasons, he only took the “best” choir from our high school, because we were very well-behaved and responsible students. I don’t think we ever got complaints filed against us from the other guests.)</p>

<p>I agree with Ghirardelli Square…if you go into the store they’ll almost always give you free samples!</p>

<p>I love Fisherman’s Wharf, especially the guy that does the awesome spray-paint paintings. Some great places to take pictures there, too.</p>

<p>As for restaurants…the trip we took was Friday to Sunday. Saturday we would go to a choir “competition” (it wasn’t really a competition, but that’s really the only word to describe it, as we were very competitive with each other) at San Francisco State University. Saturday night, our director would take the whole group of 18-20 kids, himself, our accompanist, and the female chaperone to a very nice dinner at Rue LePic. See their [web</a> site](<a href=“http://www.ruelepicsf.com/]web”>http://www.ruelepicsf.com/).</p>

<p>It’s very quiet and the food is absolutely excellent (the filet mignon is one of the best I’ve ever had, if not the best)…although it might be a little too pricey for what you want. It was always fun for us as high schoolers to get dressed up and go have a really nice dinner…it was even several courses! (including the place settings with the several forks/knives/spoons!)</p>

<p>Of course, we would end up “singing for our supper”…literally. Our director knew the owners, so they knew we were a choir, and they would always ask us to sing for them and the fellow patrons. The best was when we sang an a capella arrangement of “under the boardwalk” and received a standing ovation from the other patrons. :D</p>

<p>Those trips (I was lucky enough to get to go twice) were what made me fall in love with northern California, and I have so many fond memories of SF from them.</p>

<p>But I digress.</p>

<p>Union Square is tons of fun, as is Haight Ashbury.</p>

<p>If you’re in Union Square, try Lori’s Diner. Another place that we frequented as a group. Loud, but cheap and excellent food.</p>

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<p>Cheap eats:</p>

<p>King of Thai Noodle</p>

<p>Boudin (sour dough bread and the best chocolate croissants)</p>

<p>In and Out Burger</p>

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<p>It’s a great city for walking:</p>

<p>[San</a> Francisco Walking Tours | City Guides](<a href=“http://www.sfcityguides.org/]San”>http://www.sfcityguides.org/)</p>

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<p>OK…if you are a music person…there is a huge church somewhere in or near the Tenderloin district that has a fabulous Sunday service with a ton of music. Apparently the church is also well worth seeing…I’m sorry…I’ve not been there and don’t know the name, but I’ll bet one of the other San Fran FF’s will know!!</p>

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<p>Emerald…
Hotels: not really anything within walk of GGPark, so I’d stay somewhere fun…Hotel Vitale or Harbor Court Hotels are nice, boutiquey near Bay, Embarcadero, Ferry Bldg, Cable Car line…and I THINK all the Joie de Vivre hotels offering 25% discount during Outsidelands…</p>

<p>You won’t be driving to GGPark anyway, so these hotels are close to transit…</p>

<p>Those hotels also near Slanted Door, Boulevard, Waterbar, Americano, One Market, Aqua restaurants…but if you are looking for romantic…my faves are</p>

<p>-Acquerello…intimate, sophisticated Italian<br>
-Cliff House…dangles over Pacific…get a reservation around sunset…great food…</p>

<p>Chinatown: so…Union Square (shopping) on one end; North Beach (Italian) on the other…but I usually find something fun and interesting to look at in Chinatown; and while I’ve not done, there are walking tours of Chinatown.</p>

<p>GGPark gardens are beautiful, but it will be packed that weekend. If you can get in the new Academy of Sciences or the DeYoung, you won’t be disappointed. Also, the King Tut exhibition recently opened at the DeYoung to rave reviews…I think you can get tickets online. </p>

<p>As mentioned above, the Presidio and Chrissy field are beautiful and historic. Rent a bike and ride thru there to the GG Bridge and to Sausalito and take the ferry back to City. Or a Segue or Gocar tour…and for a true taste of San Francisco, get tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon–30 years strong!</p>

<p>August starts some of the best weather months in SF…enjoy & Happy Anniversary!</p>

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<p>Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, or walking halfway and then turning around.</p>

<p>The Alcatraz tour has been redone, and is really interesting if you’re interested in the city’s history.</p>

<p>Musee Mechanique is a collection of old-style mechanical amusements (think Zoltan from “Big”). </p>

<p>Take the ferry to Angel Island and spend the day hiking.</p>

<p>I’ll enthusiastically second Greens restaurant. chowhound is a great resource for getting restaurant recommendations to fit your tastes and budget. Especially for a foodie town like San Francisco.</p>

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<p>Don’t need the car but the hotels get crazy during Outsidelands. Last year I booked for DS at the last minute and got a hotel in the Tenderloin district (NOT where you want to stay). It was that or a place that had reviews which mentioned bed bugs complete with pictures of someone’s red arm! eew.
You can take a cab from the festival back to your hotel. They also run some buses but I think (?) not if you want to stay til the bitter end (and I’m guessing you do :slight_smile: ).
I like to stay at the Donatello in Union Square mostly because the rooms are bigger than most in the city and the elevator isn’t tiny. (I’m slightly claustrophobic.). Union Square is pretty central with cable cars, etc.
I’ve never stayed near the park. Definitely book soon and go to trip advisor to read reviews before booking.</p>

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<p>OK…I think it’s Glide Memorial Methodist Church…supposedly has an outrageous music service on Sunday mornings.</p>

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<p>We always go to out the door and take food back to our hotel. Great stuff.</p>

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<p>Take a ferry ride from San Francisco to Sausalito (in the upscale & lovely Marin County, on the other side of Golden Gate bridge.) Take a walk around town, stop by for lunch in a hilltop restaurant. Great views! Ocean breezes! A real Bay Area experience.</p>

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<p>Jazz Church in SF. This article is from Dec 2007…so I would give them a call just to check on times, and to make sure they’re still around.</p>

<p>St. John Will-I-Am Coltrane African Orthodox Church</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/us/01religion.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jazz%20at%20San%20Francisco%20church&st=cse[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/us/01religion.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jazz%20at%20San%20Francisco%20church&st=cse&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Dont miss the Ferry Plaza, especially the Saturday farmers market. Another vote for Boulavards , not far from the ferry beuilding and VERY romantic if you can get a table with a view of the bridge. Also seconding the great public transportation, the great weather in August, chowhound.com, and also Opentable.com, for reservations, reviews, and menus. If there is time, consider a day trip to Napa. NOT reccomending restaurants in Chinatown, but it is fun to visit.</p>

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<p>first time I have gotten on the internet today- thanks for all the suggestions
one more question- how cold is it going to be at the end of august?
70s? 80s? 60?</p>

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<p>The answer to your last question is all of the above plus the 50s and 90s. Seriously, our weather is very erratic. It is not all that unusual for the temperature to drop 40 degrees within a day or two when the heat in the Central Valley sucks the fog through the Golden Gate. Think layers.</p>

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<p>oh & I was hoping I wouldn’t have to bring my TNF jacket so I wouldn’t look like a tourist from Seattle
;)</p>