<p>Accidentally posted this in the “Parents” forum so I thought I’d move it to the correct Forum:</p>
<p>DD, DS, and I will be in San Francisco for DS’s 21st birthday. Where is a good place to buy him a drink? Dinner? I am also open to suggestions on places to stay that are reasonably price.</p>
<p>Well, for the drink, San Francisco is famous for its Irish Coffee - served at Buena Vista Cafe or other similar spots.</p>
<p>The original Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista, also a full bar so you can have a drink and a history lesson. Where in SF will you be?</p>
<p>EDIT: kind of like going to Philly and skipping the cheesesteaks. There are quite a few really cool spots in SF.</p>
<p>I haven’t done this, but it’s probably the most traditional place to “have a drink in San Francisco”: [Top</a> Of The Mark Lounge](<a href=“San Francisco Hotels | Official Site | InterContinental Mark Hopkins”>San Francisco Hotels | Official Site | InterContinental Mark Hopkins)</p>
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<p>Reasonably priced and San Francisco rarely appear in the same sentence. In July and August, you can expect to have to spend between 250 and 300 dollars for a very decent hotel. Unless you are willing to lower your standards to just above The Fleabag Inn, you might have to look at outside San Francisco proper. Also remember that having a car in the city is mostly an expensive proposal.</p>
<p>For a better value, you might check hotels next to the airport and be willing to use shuttles and the Bart. That would help you save about 100 dollars a day on the hotel room. Then it becomes a balance between the cost of transportation.</p>
<p>As far as places for drinks, San Francisco is not about to run out of places that range from tourist traps to great new places. Just as everything related to drinks, it is highly subjective. This list might help --perhaps. </p>
<p>[Inside</a> Scoop SF 100 fun facts about the Top 100 Bars](<a href=“http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/07/03/100-fun-facts-about-the-top-100-bars/]Inside”>http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/07/03/100-fun-facts-about-the-top-100-bars/)</p>
<p>The Tonga Room.</p>
<p>tptshorty took my recommendation…love the Tonga.</p>
<p>When H & I were in San Francisco, we didn’t do lots of touristy things, but we did have lunch at Harvey’s in the Castro, and saw the musical revue Beach Blanket Babylon. Both recommended.
We stayed at the Sheraton at the Wharf, but we booked through Priceline.</p>
<p>Staying in Oakland or Berkeley off the BART is also an affordable option, and gives you an excuse to check out 4th Street in Berkeley or take a boat from Jack London Square in Oakland.</p>
<p>As for bars, I practically lived at Zeitgeist in my 20s but I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone not covered in leather and tattoos.
To combine tourist fun with a drink, check out North Beach for Vesuvio or Tony Nik’s. Plenty of great Italian food or Chinese is a block or two away in Chinatown.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions/recommendations. We plan on checking out Golden Gate Park, Muir Woods, and not sure what else. Never really thought I would go to San Francisco so we are in a rush to figure out what we want to see during our 3-day visit. Figure we have to see Lombardi Street and the giant redwoods. Other than that, we’re still trying to figure it out. </p>
<p>DS has, apparently, not imbibed, yet, so this will truly be his first drink. I want it to be fun and relaxed - a moment to remember. </p>
<p>What sections of the city should be avoid/are unsafe?</p>
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If that’s truly the case, then it could also be a very short evening.</p>
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<p>Yep. So it better be a good one!</p>
<p>Top of the Mark</p>
<p>I loved Top of the Mark. Then again, I was also staying at the Mark Hopkins, which had some incredible deal. Check out priceline or expedia, sometimes you can find amazing things.</p>
<p>It was a number of years ago, but I could swear it was the Mariott a friend and I went up to the lounge at the top for a drink and to take in the view of the city around 9 o’clock. The view was fantastic, we each got a beer, and it really wasn’t that expensive (this coming from a grad student having to travel to a conference in SF on his own dime).</p>
<p>As far as unsafe areas, avoid the Tenderloin district, which abuts Union Square. There are a lot of trendy restaurants geared toward the 20-something crowd in the South of Market area. But if the Giants are playing on the night you want to go out, skip that area - it’s a zoo. The top of the Marc is pretty special - it’s on Nob Hill, which is classic SF. You’ve heard this a million times but believe it - bring your winter coat, you might need it. When I lived in the city, I would see my breath on August mornings while waiting for the bus.</p>
<p>mom483 - Thanks for the tip.</p>
<p>I think Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista is going to be a “for sure”, at least for one drinking establishment we will check out. Had dinner with a friend last night who grew up in the area, and she made me promise to have one for her. </p>
<p>Sounds like there are a lot of good bars to choose from in San Francisco. Perhaps I should let DS pick a place that looks good to him. </p>
<p>I am really looking forward to this visit. Anyone have more favorite restaurant suggestions?</p>