Joe Tro's San Francisco trip report
 

Thanks for the all the trip planning help. This will be short, as the trip is mostly for work, but here's the report so far.

Arrived SFO Saturday at 10:30 am, and got to JW Union Square on BART around 11:30-11:40 or so. I'd forgotten the step to take the shuttle to BART station, and I'd also forgotten that BART could be pretty dingy and cramped. Nonetheless, it was a good value option. My friends picked me up to go to Sausalito, which was nice to not only spend more time with them but also to be able to drive over Golden Gate Bridge. We all had a lovely lunch at Le Garage. I walked back into town itself for a bit of exploring, ice cream, and drinking in the amazing views near the water and all the rocks. Just stunning. I'm glad I took the ferry back, and also glad that I followed everyone's advice. The weather really was much better on the Saturday. I was stuffed, so I made dinner out of the meager executive lounge offers and dessert.

Sunday was the hiking day (accidentally hiking, as it turns out). I took the 38 bus to Legion of Honor, with a half mile walk. The bus seemed to take forever, and I wished I had just used Uberx. I loved the museum - about 90 minutes of really high quality art, and I found some of the paintings I don't see as often other places (neo-classical, academic) to be great, in addition to the impressionist room. I then walked through trails and mud and such to Louie's and Cliff House. I waited 20 minutes for a counter seat at Louie's and had a nice BLT. I was disappointed not to get a view table, but I didn't want to keep waiting. I loved being so close to the water and passing Ocean Beach. I then walked to the Dutch Windmill/Wilhelmina garden and into the Golden Gate Park. I waited about 40 minutes for a park shuttle, only to be told that they weren't going in that direction anyway at the stop. When a bus came, it was standing room only, so I really didn't get to see much. Got off at the Conservatory of Flowers, which I found rather disappointing. The free flowers outside were much prettier. Friends then picked me up, and we had a nice chat and meal at the local Burmese place. I took uberX back, and relaxed the night away.

Monday:

Pretty chill day, mostly at my convention/conference. Had a lovely dinner at Cafe Claude, and I enjoyed walking a little around Union Square and through the lanes. Found a gem of a wine bar, Eos, right next to the Westin Union Square. Highly recommend.

Tuesday:

This was my day of value. After the conference, I grabbed a drink at Hyatt's One Up for $4. I'm usually a Marriott guy but am really loving Hyatt's decor and style (if only the rooms were on par with Marriott in terms of price). I enjoyed walking around the cute lobby. I then did some shopping in Union Square for around an hour, mostly in the Macy's men's store, where I got a killer deal on a shirt. I had a 7:45 reservation at Fino, and when I arrived at 7:50, I kept being told it would only be a few more minutes. Flash forward to 8:15-8:20. I was finally offered at table at the bar (you know, the one I could have gotten immediately upon arriving) so as to not wait any further. The bartender very quickly got word of this somehow, was kindly apologetic, and offered to buy me a glass of wine. I thought that was a very nice gesture. I had a lovely simple pomodoro pasta for $15, a great value in this neighborhood. When I asked for the bill, he told me that the full meal was on the house. Really amazing service, and I left a nice tip. I highly recommend this place, although I hope they figure out the reservation system better. It's apparently one of the top Italian places in town ...

Last night tonight, leaving tomorrow late afternoon. Kinda wished I had explored more of the speakeasys in this neighborhood like Bourbon or Wilson's, but that's for next time! Also heard good things about Jones.

I'd forgotten the step to take the shuttle to BART station, and I'd also forgotten that BART could be pretty dingy and cramped

Are you sure you didn't arrive at Oakland? There's no shuttle to the BART station at SFO, unless you mean the airtrain to another terminal (unlike Oakland, where you actually have to get on a bus to an off-site BART station).

Also, what do you mean by "cramped"? It's like any other subway/metro train I've ever been on.

Yes, the airtrain from the Terminal to the BART station. I'd forgotten that step. I guess it's just cramped in terms of limited space for luggage, unlike some cities with subways dedicated to the airport. I was speaking more from a baggage storage perspective, I guess.

Today was straightforward; conference all day, uberx to airport, flight delay, just chilling at SFO. Hopefully I get home!

The first 1 or 2 cars closest to the airport get cramped, this is true. You can have much more space in the 3rd car.

You went to Burma Superstar on Clement? Great food, always busy.

Thanks for the report. I'll be at the JW Marriott in September and made notes of the restaurants you mention.

BART can indeed be dirty--especially if you get one of the cars with the old cloth seats and--horrors--worn carpets. (Who thought those would ever be a good idea??) The good news is that the cars are all scheduled to be replaced by 2017, and in the meantime the filthy old cloth seats on the current cars are being replaced by vinyl seats that are easier to clean. Meanwhile, we're stuck with what we get. It's still the cheapest and usually fastest way to get into the city from the airport. (The new cars are also supposed to have more room for baggage.)