alcatraz and public transportation passes
 

I will be spending a romantic 3 day weekend in San fran with my partner on Sunday sept 6-8th. Any suggestions of great things to you..places to see....places to eat..etc. We are trying to remain on a budget of course. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

also...is alcatraz worth seeing? What about getting a 3 day travel pass for the transportation? i heard that might be a good way to go

There are scads of detailed, excellent threads on this forum about San Francisco. I would especially trust anything poster StuDudley has had to say. A board search is a must.

I enjoyed Alcatraz, myself, and would recommend it.

Would highly recommend Alcatraz and feel its a must for SF. Look into doing a night tour as that gets you more access to the island. I have been to the island twice and really enjoyed it.

3 day muni pass is well worth the $$. A one way ride on cable car is $5, bus, trolley ride is $2.

Alcatracz is worth the time and money too. Try to book a night tour, it is better - you get to see parts not open during the day. Labor Day weekend is busy, better get reservations NOW!

Deb

Perhaps you might want to define what is "romantic" because the hotel you have chosen is in an area of San Francisco that has the following statistics:

<i>"8) There are roughly 6,000 homeless that pass through or stay in the Tenderloin every day.

10) The Tenderloin has the highest crime rate of any district in San Francisco. The annual crime rate has an average of 2 crimes per resident and 3 major crimes per hour."</i>

http://sfcityacademy.com/index.php?nid=37257&s=au

<i>"The officers of Tenderloin Station patrol an area with the highest concentration of parolees in the city"</i>

http://www.sfgov.org/site/police_index.asp?id=19970

OTOH, Alcatraz Island is quite safe to visit. Try and get your tickets ahead of time as it is near impossible to get them on the day that you plan to visit Alcatraz.

The three-day transportation pass is well worth it.

Is it really necessary to strike fear into first time visitors (?) to the wonderful city of San Francisco?

Please.

thereyet

Not at all. Just giving the OP my opinion that the Tenderloin doesn't exactly fit his description of "romantic".

How sweet of you to take time during work hours and using your employer's computer to come and comment on this thread. You really shouldn't have!

Work hours? Have you taken a look outside?

thereyet

LOL, clifbob, I would personally ignore the negative poster regarding your lodging choice at the Monaco. That poster's thinking as you probably have noticed is quite in the minority.

I have never taken the night time tour of Alcatraz, just the day time tour but many who have taken the night time tour are so pleased they did. I agree, do make your reservations ASAP.

If for some reason you don't tour Alcatraz you two might enjoy taking the ferry to Sausalito, enjoy lunch there and look around and take the ferry back to San Francisco.

I believe on another thread of yours that it was suggested that you type Stu Dudley's name into the search box. That is a good idea as his thread will give you a wealth of information. Some of us refer to him as our "Mr. San Francisco". Best regards.

Stu Dudley gives good advice. Hope he updates his list from time to time.

OTOH, posters who send innocent visitors to the area of a city with the highest crime rate for a romantic weekend - well, it kind of speaks for itself.

You don't have to believe any one of us here on Fodors but can do some research yourself on the internet. Here's one source, see how often the Tenderloin is mentioned as an area to avoid, especially after dark. Romantic? Hardly. :)

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...id-BR-1.html#5

easytraveler, for about the 10th time (on two threads), talking about "what the Tenderloin is" has almost nothing to do with someone staying at the above mentioned Monaco. But you know that don't you? I guess you also tell people that under no circumstances should they attend theatre in that area. Going to Wicked is like taking your life in your hands. Visiting the ACT is like a trip to murderer's row? Give me a break. There are MAJOR tourist attractions within the Tenderloin, and unless someone had been scared silly by the rantings of a fanatic, they'd go, enjoy, and never know they had visited such a "dangerous" and "horrible" place. For that matter, by your definition, even the San Francisco Opera and the Philharmonic are right across the street from that DANGEROUS Tenderloin area. Do you seek out posts and warn people that under no circumstances should they attend any of those things, particularly the major theatre events which are right IN the Tenderloin?

Oh, you might also read the link that you yourself posted. When you actually READ the posts, you'll find that most of them clearly exclude the actual area of the Monaco from any discussion about the "seediness" of the area. And most of the posts simply say to be aware and use the usual caution and alertness as in any city, even in the seedier areas of the Tenderloin, which once again does NOT include the location of the Monaco. I'm honestly trying to figure out what your agenda is here. Especially posting your rant again on a thread that wasn't even about that issue.

Is there a need to cross contaminate threads? The other one was cleaned up, to leave info for OP to consider. This thread was about a different subject, yet it turns to a repeat drone about other thread. Really, give it a rest and let this person ask his questions and get answers that pertain to the matter at hand.

I am really disappointed that people can't ask questions here and get info they seek on the subject the are asking about.

Deb

And I'm disappointed that I'm not allowed to have a separate opinion from other "experts" on San Francisco, especially those who rarely travel here or have been here only once or twice in the last year.

At every turn I have linked to other sites to back up what I've said. None of the rest of you have done that. It's because the Tenderloin IS the area with the highest crime rate and you can't prove otherwise. It's also because the Monaco is physically within the Tenderloin and you can't prove otherwise.

Neopatrick: stop putting words in my mouth and giving out false impressions. On the other thread, I said specifically that the SF theater district is located within the Tenderloin and that there are many small hotels that have been revamped to cater mainly to the theater crowd. I've also said that the Tenderloin is ethnically the most diverse and that this fact along with the theater district being there makes for good choices in dining. I never said any of the junk that you implied in your post.

What I DID say is that I don't consider the Tenderloin an especially good choice for visitors with children nor for the OP who is seeking a "romantic" weekend. What I DID say was that the choice is entirely up to the OP, but that he should know which area of town his hotel is in. I don't know his tastes, he may love being in a sketchy area and gets a big jolt out of it. What choice hotel is not mine to make, it's his.

Are you saying that there aren't better locations in SF for OP's romantic weekend than the Tenderloin? Then you have a really bizarre interpretation of "romantic".


You know, if I were ever to come to Florida where you live, Neopatrick, or to Colorado, where you live, DebitN, I'd expect to get good travel information from you.

But, maybe not, since you won't want to tell me which are the crime-ridden areas to help me make a good decision.

<<<What I DID say was that the choice is entirely up to the OP, but that he should know which area of town his hotel is in. I don't know his tastes, he may love being in a sketchy area and gets a big jolt out of it. >>>

I repeat (for the third time, I think), I DO live and work here and have done so <u>since 1973</u>. Whether or not the Monaco is technically in the Tenderloin, it is NOT in a sketchy area AT ALL.

I have been to Alcatraz and am taking my 16 year old stepdaughter there - I really enjoyed it as well and recommend it. Very interesting.

I have been advised that the 3 day muni pass is well worth it. I will get one.

I am going a few weeks before you and am happy to report back. There is a great recent trip report by lowcountry islander - good read.

Hello clifbob, here are some very current reviews of the Monaco by guests that have recently stayed there. Just scroll down the page for the Monaco. Best regards.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...ia-Hotels.html

ClifBob, I apologize on behalf of all of us who live in SF, love the city, and/or visit it often. Obviosly one of the posters who does not live here can only trash it.

Alcatraz is part of the country's history. Yes, worth seeing.

When you buy a 3-day pass also buy a MUNI map - this is the best map with all bus routes in different colors. Something in the area of $3.

If you want something romantic, take a ferry boat to Sausalito - it's a picturesque village north of the city.

http://goldengateferry.org/schedules/Sausalito.php

wow...lurker who finally joined to defend my beloved city of San Francisco.

Monaco is a great hotel (we've stayed there several times for nights away in the city) and it is in a perfectly safe area (as multiple other people have said)

Pretty soon, SF7307 and the others will say that the Tenderloin is the MOST romantic neighborhood of San Francisco and keep urging the OP to stay at the Monaco. :)

sf7307: did you know that I dropped starrs off at the Monaco one day? I still say it's a sketchy neighborhood. :)

Dayenu: I know just how you feel. Sorry about "trashing" your neighborhood. BTW: you've broadstroked to an absurd degree, I'm not "trashing" all of SF, which I love. But if pointing out its warts is trashing it, then so be it.

The only SF neighborhood that's worse than the Tenderloin is Bayview-Hunter's Point, but still the Tenderloin comes in as having a higher crime rate. Betcha all of you lovers of the Tenderloin avoid Bayview-Hunter's Point like the plague. :)

"Neopatrick: stop putting words in my mouth and giving out false impressions. On the other thread, I said specifically that the SF theater district is located within the Tenderloin and that there are many small hotels that have been revamped to cater mainly to the theater crowd. I've also said that the Tenderloin is ethnically the most diverse and that this fact along with the theater district being there makes for good choices in dining. I never said any of the junk that you implied in your post."

Yes, you did. You have made it VERY clear that the Tenderloin is a horrible and dangerous area. The theatres I mentioned are in the Tenderloin. Therefore by YOUR definition they are in a horrible and dangerous neighborhood. One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to follow basic logic. If the hotel is in a dangerous neighborhood, then the theatres in that same neighborhood are obviously in a dangerous neighborhood. Don't you HAVE to agree with that basic logic?

What you said on the other hand about some hotels catering to the theatre crowd, etc. and seemingly exempting them from being in a dangerous part of the Tenderloin ALSO applies to the Monaco. Duh!

Neopatrick, oh, come, come! Stop embellishing what I had to say, otherwise I'll accuse you of being an old lady - constantly embroidering on my posts! :)

My WHOLE point is that I don't consider the Tenderloin a very ROMANTIC neighborhood, which is what the OP wants. And it's funny that he hasn't come back to give us more clues as to budget and atmosphere so that we can give him better information.

I said that the Monaco is in the Tenderloin, which is true, even SF7307 isn't disputing that now.

I said that the Tenderloin has the highest crime rate in San Francisco, which is also true and no one has come in with any data to disprove this.

The reason why the Tenderloin has such a high crime rate is because of the presence of prostitutes, drug dealers, drug users, and other sundry "types".

Ergo, I personally don't believe this is such a ROMANTIC atmosphere.

For stating this, the whole thing has exploded, with Dayenu carrying the fiction to the moon and back by claiming that I am "trashing" all of San Francisco. Meanwhile, you all choose to ignore the "ROMANTIC" part of my posts.

<i>"Therefore by YOUR definition they are in a horrible and dangerous neighborhood."</i>

Nothing of the sort. I never said it's a "horrible and dangerous" place. Never used those words. You're the one using those words. You're embellishing.

I just don't consider a neighborhood of prostitutes, drugs, and homeless, with some blocks downright depressing, to be very "romantic".

I have posted for the OP and it's his decision whether he wants to stay at the Monaco or not. He asked for an "opinion" and I gave him one.

Too bad "you lot" are so unromantic. :)

"My WHOLE point is that I don't consider the Tenderloin a very ROMANTIC neighborhood, which is what the OP wants." - I am seeing some slow progress already! No mentioning of children traveling with the OP.

"And it's funny that he hasn't come back to give us more clues as to budget and atmosphere so that we can give him better information." - no, it's not funny. My guess would be that he's fed up and went elsewhere.

Maybe even on TTG.

<<<I said that the Monaco is in the Tenderloin, which is true, even SF7307 isn't disputing that now.>>>

Well, not exactly. All I said was, "even if it IS" in the Tenderloin -- not agreeing nor disagreeing with the assertion that it is.

Sorry, "even if it IS" - yawn

Come'on easytravler, you clearly have a problem here, not the rest of us. Give it up. We get it. YOU wouldn't stay there. Others have and would again. Now can someone discuss VALUABLE travel tips that answer the OP's question instead of obsessive rants that have nothing to do with the question being asked? No further opinion was asked in this thread for more rants about their hotel choice!

By the way, many people would consider the most romantic part of their weekend what goes on within their hotel room. What's happening outside on the streets has little or nothing to do with their "romantic" weekend.

You said it Neo!

neopatrick: you still don't get it.

It has NOTHING to do with what I would like or not like.

It has everything to do with how I read WHAT THE OP WANTS.

<b>ROMANTIC</b>

It appears you can't perceive what the OP wants and can only detail ad nauseum your own preferences and where YOU would like to stay.

Happens pretty often here. The OP's request is ignored or worse, when another poster posts in direct response to the query but it's not in accord with the dominant species' opinion, then all H*LL breaks loose.

<i>"By the way, many people would consider the most romantic part of their weekend what goes on within their hotel room."</i>

Yes, but witnessed by a goldfish borrowed from the front desk????? The goldfish might blab, ye know.

Such a victim.

thereyet

And here comes the irrelevant and off-base personal attacks.

What a nut!

Like I said...

Yes?

Must be terrible to want to say something and not be able to get it out.

I apologize for my apparent lack of ability to read. I still am unable to see where in this thread's original post the OP said anything about wanting a hotel in a ROMANTIC area of the city. You seem to see where she said that. That's ALL that is important -- how you feel about what she's NOT asking. She's simply asking for some activities and you are still focused on a previous post that has NOTHING to do with this thread. Obsess much?

My other point was that some people don't judge or base a romantic weekend on what may or may not happen on the street outside their hotel or what "type" or "class" of people they happen to pass.

Clearly YOUR idea of romantic IS based on that. Good for you. A phrase to keep in mind -- "to each his own".

But this one really makes me laugh if you were actually saying it to me:
"It appears you can't perceive what the OP wants and can only detail ad nauseum your own preferences and where YOU would like to stay."

Did you mean to say that into a mirror? I have actually never once mentioned ANYTHING in the world about my own preferences, nor have I even suggested where I would like to stay. Read my posts if you don't believe me.

Clifbob....we just returned from SF recently. YES, it is worth seeing Alcatraz. It's an amazingly intriguing place. We did not take the night tour because it was full. Be sure you reserve tickets a week or two before your visit. FYI, we stayed in the Cow Hollow area; very trendy and hip. We did have a rental van, and took it out a few times. for the most part, we walked everywhere or took the bus. I wish we had purchased a MUNI pass. We ate at some neat places too. I think walking is the best way to see a city because there are a lot of little shops, etc you can visit. Be sure you take sweatshirts, sweaters or light jackets, especially for your visit to Alcatraz. Have fun!

angelize,


Can you tell me some of the m=neat places you ate?