How I love San Francisco
 

I have booked a honeymoon for later this year, starting in SF, and having never been there, reading the post 'How I love San Francisco' made damn depressing reading. So how about a thread highlighting it's good points to cheer me up?<BR><BR>All those who hate the place, just post on the other thread, don't bother here.

I was there recently and loved San Francisco- can't wait to go back. The homeless problem was no where near as evident (that I saw) as I was led to believe. There are tons of fun things to do in the city-- cable car ride, just walking around and experiencing the hills, Palace of the Fine Arts is beautiful, going to Alcatraz etc. Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County- it was beautiful. Head up to Muir Woods to see the redwood trees, go to Tiburon or Sausalito. Wine country is not a far drive from San Francisco either. There are too many great things list!

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world. I was just there last week and had a delightful visit. The city is scenic and offers the best dining on the West Coast of the U.S.<BR><BR>Be sure to take in areas like Sausalito, Napa, Carmel

Chris,<BR>you will have a great time in San Francisco. My husband and I spent a wonderful honeymoon there in Feb 84 and are starting to think about returning for our 20th anniv in Feb 04. I would recommend taking at least a day trip to Napa/Sonoma and taking the ferry to Sausalito. So much to do. Congratulations and have fun.

Chris, We were there last month for a long weekend and are going back this Sat. to bar hop the NFL Draft with a Steeler buddy of mine while our wives come down later to shop.<BR><BR>Good points? Restaurants,shopping, views, history.<BR>Try a sunset from Coit Tower. A sunrise walk down the Embacradero. <BR>Cocktails at the Carnelian Room, Top of the Mark or Cityscapes.<BR>We're trying Cobalt (The old "WashBAG") for the first time. Heard some good revus from local restaurant critics.<BR><BR>As for the homeless, when we were down there last month, we seemed to get more hassle from other visitors than from the street people. <BR><BR>A side trip up to Stinson's Beach, Bodega or over to Napa/Sonoma.<BR>Ahhh...Can't wait for Sat. We may swing by Cakebread on the way home...outta Chard. :-(<BR>Congrats and good luck.<BR>Kal

I live 44 miles south of SF so am there quite often. My son lives in the city and I envy him! It's such a small area (I remember 49 square miles or so) and yet so incredibly diverse. There are strong Asian influences as well as strong Hispanic influences along with the long standing Anglo, Italian, Portugese, Russian etc. Culturally, we have great symphony, opera, ballet, museums and SF has a wonderful, somewhat rowdy history. Be sure you read a bit about the history before you come--it will explain the ongoing philosophy of the residents of the city. Public transportation is sticky but certainly will get you where you want to go. For a honeymoon there are wonderfully romantic destinations with fantastic views and great restaurants. A most beautiful place to wander if you have the time is Pt. Reyes Seashore, just over the GG bridge--peaceful, quiet, birds and open space. Yes, we have homeless but they won't eat you up like the big bad troll and yes, we have bad traffic--just don't rent a car until you want to leave the city. Congratulations and hope you'll get a lot of good posts here. I don't respond to the haters of SF--figure that's their loss.

Thanks to all who've started this thread off with some great answers! In case anyone asks for a later post, we're stayind at Fisherman's Wharf (the Sheraton).<BR><BR>A further question: what's a good website for finding out about concerts etc that might be on while we're there?

Chris, for concerts check out sfx.com. Also, pollstar.com lets you search by artist, venue and city. <BR><BR>You've made a great choice for a honeymoon. I also live near San Francisco and my heart jumps when I am driving into the city and see the skyline. You'll enjoy a walk across the Golden Gate bridge, a ferry ride on the bay, many different neighborhoods to spend your days, Chinatown, Mission, Haight, Union Street, Golden Gate park. Be sure to hit the Ferry Plaza farmer's market if you are there on a Saturday. You'll get a taste of all the great Northern California products, great sights and smells. Visit the Mad Dog in the Fog pub if you get homesick or need to catch a football game!

We've stayed at the FW Sher. Nice hotel.<BR>Good FW location.<BR><BR>Try:http://www.bestofsanfrancisco.net/<BR><BR>or: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/<BR><BR>Kal

Is it worth going on an organised city tour (we'll be doing Alcatraz anyway), or just making our own way about? Some I've seen do take you across the bridge and to great vantage points for views etc. We've got effectively 3 days (and a bit) there - enough time to just mooch round and see all the good bits?

Chris, it depends on how long you will be here, if only few days then yes, take a city tour, if long enough to explore on your own then go for it. Alcatras tour is great - usually sold out few days in advance so make reservations. You may like fire engine tours taking you in a fire truck over the Golden Gate bridge, they loan you real fire fighters clothes for this tour, remember to bring your camera. If you are into bus tours mood there are tours to Monterey, wine country, Yosemite, Muir Woods, Reno (gambling tours - Lucky Tour Bus)

Also www.sfgate.com and restaurant reservations can be done through www.opentable.com. The only tour that I really like is the wokwiz tour of Chinatown that ends with a dim sum lunch www. wokwiz.com. You can also pick up free walking tours at the library or, I think, at the main tourist info center at Market and Powell. check with www.sfvisitor.org for more info.

San Francisco would not be the first place on my list for a honeymoon. Someplace with clean and sunny beaches such as Hawaii would be my favorite place. In California the Central Coast (Monterey and Carmel are also nice). The problem with San Francisco, in addition to the homeless issue, is that the weather, especially in the summer is quite cold. Not too romantic to be sitting outside on the beach in a parka in windy 60 degree weather and having to avoid glass and hypodermic needles in the sand. San Francisco does have some positive attributes, including the fact that it is a small city with a more quiet and laid back atmosphere without the hustle and bustle of New York City or Los Angeles.

Chris:<BR>Tell us about any special interets you'd like to explore while visiting the S.F. area - architecture, food, gardens, etc. It would be my pleasure (and that of the many Northern California experts on this board, I'm sure) to give you some insider's tips so that your journey will be unique!

get in good shape before you go and prepare to do some hills- it's really fun! I just got back from there and loved it. Union St is great fun, I loved Chinatown. Could I suggest skipping Napa and going to Sonoma Valley instead? Better drive...much prettier, quieter and romantic place.Napa is too crowded, loud traffic. There are some beautiful, romantic B&Bs and Inns in Sonoma Valley that ooze charm and romance- maybe you could spend a couple nights there. I would!

Great idea chris! Here are my thoughts on a few of the reasons I love SF:<BR><BR>Bay cruises at sunset...<BR><BR>Dinner at Scoma's on the Wharf...<BR><BR>Drinks At The Carnelian Room (is it still open?) at sunset...<BR><BR>The Muir woods...<BR><BR>Staying at The Mark...<BR><BR>Staying at the Hotel Monaco...<BR><BR>Palace of Fne Arts...<BR><BR>Riding the cable cars...<BR><BR>Renting a ford mustang and recreating the chase from "Bullitt"...:)<BR><BR>Walking...everywhere!...<BR> <BR>Irish Coffee at Buena Vista...<BR><BR>Lunch at La Coupole...<BR><BR>Chinatown...<BR><BR>Japantown... <BR><BR>The whole town...<BR><BR>David<BR><BR>

Thanks for all the help so far!<BR><BR>Kris - SF is only part of our honeymoon - from there we're flying on for a week in Hawaii!<BR><BR>Lizbeth - we're both fans of good Italian and Chinese food - any places that are particularly good/to be avoided? There's obviously Chinatown, but there we'll be almost overwhelmed by choice, and it's often be impossible to distinguish good from bad from the menu etc. Some of the best food I've had is in the places that don't look great from the outside as they've spent the money on a superb interior! Also, we're looking for places that will give us a great view of the bay and/or city area - is around the bridge the best place for that?

After going to SF, I can truly say that I left my heart there. :) It is totally different than any other city. I would move there in a second, if it weren't so expensive. You will just love it! Go to Lombard Street-the crookedist street in the world, and to Alamo Square...and to the other famous spots-Fishermans Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, etc.

Far East restaurant in Chinatown is WONDERFUL- atmosphere- old building with big Chinese gate and chandeliers....they even have about 6 tiny private rooms with shutter doors in the restaurant. Very romantic and sweet! Food is awesome.

Chris,<BR>If you are taking the Alcatraz cruise, you'll definitely get a wonderful view of the city from the water. Ditto if you take the ferry to Sausalito and walk around Sausalito. The vista point at the north end of the GG bridge is great, but it does get awfully crowded.<BR><BR>In San Francisco itself:<BR><BR>Twin Peaks - terrific on a clear day, miserable in the fog! Take a streetcar to Castro & Market and then grab a taxi to the top of Twin Peaks. You could then walk back down the hill.<BR><BR>Legion of Honor - great location, out in the western end of the city. You'll get dramatic views of the Marin headlands and the bridge. Take the #2 Clement Street bus to its western terminal, then walk.<BR><BR>The Carnelian room, as mentioned by another poster, is a superb place to have a drink in the late afternoon or evening. The views from up there are dizzying!<BR><BR>Walk up a hill anywhere in San Francisco and you'll be rewarded with a view. The hills are pretty serious here - bring comfortable, supportive shoes.<BR><BR>I'll reply again tomorrow with some ideas on dining.<BR><BR><BR>

Chris: The wife & I are visiting San Francisco in early May then Yosemite afterward. I also got sick of the negative comments in the "hated" post. If you want fantasyland go to Disney World. I'm been reading a considerable amount of good suggestions for the area. My wife has a relative who lives in the city. We will be staying near the Alamo Square area & we basically are open to anything. Everybody has been very helpful with places to go & see. Thanks!

Hi,<BR><BR>I think you've chosen a wonderful city to start your honeymoon. I just spent 4 nites there and had a great time. I didn't see many homeless people altho, like any major city, I'm sure they're there. We took one of those Gray Line city tours and had a very informative and fun 4 hours exploring the city. Some tours apparently are audiotape only. We had a guide (Melvin) and I wholeheatedly recommend him! If the weather is nice, I hear that Angel Island is a great place to hike and enjoy the out of doors. Like you, I was getting depressed reading the negative stuff but rest assured it's a wonderful city.

What about taking the chinatown tour - people on this site rave about it - I plan on going on it next trip. <BR><BR>I love San Francisco - take in the museums, eat...eat..eat...eat. See a show. Have a drink at the bar in the lobby of the Westin St Francis on union Square. Don't miss Alcatraz - I've heard the night tour is fabulous (only been during the day).<BR><BR>We rarely make it out of the city since there is so much to do within.<BR><BR>Have a fabulous honeymoon.

reading all the replys to Chris. My husband & I are spening a week in San Francisco in June, cant'wait! Could someone tell me the Carnelian Room is??<BR>Thanks!

Samm,<BR><BR>It is a 5 star restaurant on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America Building.

reading all the replys to Chris. My husband & I are spending a week in San Francisco in June, can't wait! Could someone tell me where the Carnelian Room is??<BR>Thanks!

The Carnelian Room is at 555 California Street

I live in the Bay Area and my wife and I travel a lot. All over the US and Europe. <BR><BR>We both still get excited returning from an overseas trip to the Bay Area and still love it as much today as when we moved here. <BR><BR>It has a few problems, every city does. But for day in and day out living, you cannot beat this area. Period. No snow to shovel and no heavy coats to wear to work and plenty to do east, west, north or south of the City.<BR><BR>We were in the City of SF on Saturday night for the first time in a few months and again commented on how great the location, the restaurants and the ambiance is. It was a perfect night. <BR><BR>Enjoy your trip here. You will return. We made the mistake of vacationing here one time and then trying to figure out how to actually live in this area. Finally pulled it off with no regrets.

Chris, where are you from? I think a lot of people like San Francisco because of the eclectic people there. You get a wide range of cultures & lifestyles, like New York, but the people are so much more mellow in San Francisco.<BR><BR>I love Union Square and wandering around Chinatown. I love jogging in Golden Gate Park and tripping around the Haight Ashbury. (My brother, a hippie like the dad on 'Dharma & Greg,' ABSOLUTELY LOVED LOVED LOVED the Haight.) <BR><BR>I love eating: Menora's Thai Cuisine, Crustacean, Thanh Long, Real Food, A.G. Ferrari Foods, Yank Sing, the Stinking Rose and the lighthouse. <BR><BR>San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. Enjoy your honeymoon! And enjoy Hawaii too!!

Have 2 questions, please!! Would we really be missing something if we didn't take the Alcatrez tour? We would like to take a boat ride around the Bay & see Alcatrez but neither my husband or I have a real desire to tour the island? Also, what is the Fire Truck tour, this is the first I've heard of it? <BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Author: Faina ([email protected])<BR>Date: 04/17/2002, 01:20 pm<BR>Message: Chris, it depends on how long you will be here, if only few days then yes, take a city tour, if long enough to explore on your own then go for it. Alcatras tour is great - usually sold out few days in advance so make reservations. You may like fire engine tours taking you in a fire truck over the Golden Gate bridge, they loan you real fire fighters clothes for this tour, remember to bring your camera. <BR>

To the top for info on a Fire Truck Tour. More details, please.

Lived here all my life and have never taken the Alcatraz tour. My husband and I travel all over the world, and always love coming home. Don't miss a visit to the Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park. Some of the best views of the Bay are in Sausalito/Tiburon; you might take the ferry over for lunch/dinner one day. Have fun and Happy Anniversary!

Hi Chris - I live here and you will have a wonderful time in our City by the Bay. Here is my list of romantic stuff to do!<BR>1. If you have a car drive to the very top of Twin Peaks on a clear day and you can see forever!<BR>2. Have lunch or dinner at Boulevard at Mission and the Embarcadero. Totaly awesome food and atmosphere. <BR>3. If you are here on Saturday go to the Farmer's Market at Green and Embarcadero. Very gourmet!<BR>4. Go have drinks at Harry Denton's Starlight Room right on Powell at Union Square.<BR>5. Go to the Oh So Very Elegant San Francisco Symphony. They have a website. Plus the part of town around the Symphony Hayes street is very eclectic and nice. Go have a great drink and dinner at Absinthe within walking distance of the Symphony on Hayes street.<BR>6. The Marina on Chestnut street makes for great walking and noshing. Close by is Crissy Field and you can walk along the Bay out to the Golden Gate Bridge.<BR>7. Union St is also a fun place to hang out.<BR>Unfortunately, the Union Square area is a little run down and dirty. Golden Gate park is wonderful and the Irving St in the inner sunset has a fun safe local flavor. The Haight is nasty. The wine country is not to be missed.<BR>Have a Great Time

Oh Yeah - see a Giants game in the new stadium -- Fun

I live in SF and I love it! As many have said, it is a city and does have it's problems. However...<BR><BR>I love the Alcatraz tour! I really don't like doing most of the touristy things here, but whenever someone comes to visit I always go with them to Alcatraz. The audio tour is actually really interesting and the view of SF from the island is beautiful.<BR><BR>I too love Stinson Beach, and the drive there is really beautiful and fun. The view when you come around the final curve is breathtaking!<BR><BR>There's a pretty cool place near Half Moon Bay south of the city. It's called Moss Beach Distillery. It's an old house turned restaurant that overlooks the Pacific and is supposedly haunted. ;) Upstairs is a pricey restaurant, but downstairs is a very casual spot that serves mussels, oysters, etc. and has a patio. You can bring your own bottle of wine, order a bucket of mussels and curl up in one of the big chairs on the patio to watch the sunset. They even provide big comfy blankets!<BR><BR>Having a dinner at sunset in Sausalito is quite nice, especially at Scoma's or Horizons. Right on the water, you can see the twinkling lights of the city across the Bay.<BR><BR>Another fun thing to do is to rent bikes and ride them to Tiburon across the GG Bridge, have lunch on the outdoor patio of Sam's on the water and take the ferry back.<BR><BR>I prefer Sonoma to Napa because it is smaller and most of the wineries there do not charge for sampling the wine. Not to be missed is Viansa... not only a winery but an Italian marketplace where you can sample olive oils, dips, chocolates, etc. A very yummy and sobering end to a day of wine tasting!<BR><BR>In the city, I love North Beach for the endless choices of restaurants (mostly Italian) and the electric energy of the people in the streets. One of my favorite places is the Bocce Cafe. The food is only so-so and the wait is usually pretty long, but the ambiance is great and the food is really cheap. Or you can just stroll around North Beach and wander into somewhere that strikes your eye.<BR><BR>Well, I'll stop now... could go on forever. But if Nude Sunbathing is your idea of fun, check out Baker Beach under the bridge!<BR><BR><BR><BR>

San Francisco is nothing but an overrated tourist trap living on its past laurels. There are many cities with a more reputable cultural and culinary scene than that so called city err town by the bay. In addition, the crime rate has steadily been on the rise, to the point where cab drivers are afraid to work. Add to that the downright frigid weather in the summer, overpriced restaurants, homeless, hookers, and trash in the streets, and what you get is the armpit or better yet, crotch of Northern California. Hardly a place for people to waste their hard earned money. San Francisco should take a look at a real city such as New York, with over 10 times the population and virtually no homeless people to be seen, as well as clean streets and the best culture and culinary establishments. Obviously there are some ignorant people who have an agenda to turn this travel forum into some San Francisco love fest and misleadingly promote San Francisco. Those who are so in love with such a trashy town should start by takingm their blinders off. Even then, it may be too difficult to see through the fog.

Kathy, you are right....I don't know how I could have forgotten the Farmer's Market at the Embarcadero. I was so, so sad that I didn't have enough arms to carry everything that I wanted to buy!!

It's obvious "XYZ" has some issues with SF. Maybe his wife left him for the "SF lifestyle"? Don't hold it against "The City", XYZ, look in the mirror.

I agree with XYZ, in substance, if not in intensity. San Francisco is sleazy by US urban standards. <BR><BR>People are fleeing San Francisco and its suburban counties. The San Francisco counties lost population last year, according to the US Census Bureau. <BR><BR>The figures, (April 2000 to July 2001) are:<BR><BR>San Francisco: -6,010 -0.8% LOSS<BR>San Mateo: -5,141 -0.7% LOSS<BR>Santa Clara: -14,276 -0.8% LOSS<BR><BR>How wonderful is the SF Bay Area, if it can't even keep its own people?

And as long as I'm The Gov. and I continue to screw up the energy crisis here in California, those counties will continue to lose jobs and it's population. I wish Enron didn't go bankrupt because I'll lose my boogieman to blame it all on.<BR>Vote foe me!