i love SF. did not want to leave!! did some new stuff this time and returned to some favorite places....
new: Tru Spa in the Holiday Inn in Chinatown is unbelievable! very modern, very cool...had one of the best massages ever and a treatment in the fabulous "rainforest room". in between treatments you can sit in the little lounge/relaxation suite and eat brownies and sip champagne! i can't wait to return.
Zuni Cafe for lunch afterwards. had never been and it was a nice cozy experience. the bread is heavenly!
Conservatory of Flowers: what an exquisite little jewelbox!
Underwater World on Pier 39 (okay, touristy, but our 10 and 5 year olds dug it and so did we. it helped that there weren't many people there on that particular afternoon).
Savor (on 24th street: ginger pancakes for breakfast) and Park Chow twice it was that good for lunch (on Irving)....a few hours checking out the tidepools at Fitzgerald State Park/Moss Beach...
Had a blast at a Giants/Padres day game (even though the Giants lost and Barry had the day off) and afterwards walked through the Ferry Building: one store sells only mushrooms, another only caviar, another only olive oil.....why can't we have one of these places in my town please?!
stuff i've done before but happily did again: Eric's Chinese restaurant in Noe Valley (walnut prawns to die for!!) going to the Strybing Arboreteum and watching my son hand feed unshelled peanuts to the squirrels, paddleboating on Stow Lake (and this time seeing lots of ducklings learning the ropes)....
the week flew by, but every minute of it was great. i love SF! did i mention that already?!!

Glad you had such a great time. I always wonder what people who visit here really enjoy doing. You gave me some great ideas - I think I might need to check out that spa myself!
Hope you can return soon.

Thanks for the report! I love SF, too, and will be making my third trip there in two weeks time--since reading about it, have been looking forward to experiencing the market in the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero. Glad you enjoyed a great trip and thanks for the fresh ideas!!

What a nice trip report! I should go to those places!

What a nice report! I should go to those places!

i am still missing SF!!
Kathryn: you MUST go to Tru Spa. take a look at their website (truspa.com) and check out the treatments. i had something called "Jungle Love" that took place in a private "rainforest" room complete with "rain" and a "waterfall": why don't i have one of these in my house?!! answer: i would never leave!! even the sinks in the ladies changing room are something special: the faucets are steel half pipes that come down from the ceiling. you press a button and water cascades down them....too cool for words!

hi Faina: well i consider you to be one of the SF experts, so i thank you!!
i can't believe how much there is to see and do in this great city each and every time. have you ever been to Cotton Basics on 24th street and (?? not sure what corner this is on) ?? i could have bought one of everything in that store. wish they had a website...well, maybe it's a good thing they don't....i had to be dragged out of there!

dcespedes: hope you write a trip report when you return. i could have moved right into the Ferry Building!