Hi, all,

I know this is a very broad question, but I wanted to get your thoughts on any special or interesting places (be they restaurants, cafes, shops, sights, things to do) that are off the beaten tourist trail in or around SF that you might recommend to a couple that is visiting for the third time.

Also, any ideas on where to shop for "vintage" clothing?

This is a request for friends of mine (a couple in theoir 40s). I cannot be any more specific than the above. Nonetheless, any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

John H

do the play "Beach Blanket Babylon" in the North Beach area of SF---it is soooooooo funny!

For vintage clothing, go to the large Salvation Army store that is near Army (Cesar Chavez) and Guerrero. They have wonderful things.

I love Beach Blanket Babylon..absolutely hysterical..check out their website..and you can order tickets in advance, which is often a must. Great places to eat nearby, also, for before or after the show.

Here's another vote for Beach Blanket Babylon. We made our reservations on line about a month in advance.

There's a nice Italian restaurant up the street that was highly recommended on this board. It looked good, but we couldn't get in because we did not have reservations.

Had dinner at an Irish Pub up the street which was an excellent alternative.

If you haven't yet taken a walking tour of the Victorian houses, I would recommend that. Good insight into the city's history, and interesting even if you aren't all that into architechure.

Thanks for all the replies to date. Will definitely look into these ideas. Any more suggestions?

Also, what would you say are good/great (especially great value) seafood restaurants in SF?

Thanks.

John H.

Take the F Market light rail from the wharf area to The Castro. Transfer to the 37 Corbett bus and get out at Buena Vista Park - an excellent place to take a relaxing hike. You'll feel as if you've left the city. Spectacular views of downtown.

A few blocks away is Corona Heights park that has even broader views since there are fewer trees. Favorite dog-friendly park in the city.

The 37 Corbett bus stops at both locations.

topping

If you have a car -- Go to Fort Funston, where hang gliders take off from cliffs overlooking the beach, and soar near the Pacific ocean. This is a beautiful area, and there are trails both along the cliffs and down to the beach, but it can be foggy and windy, so take a jacket. Popular with dog walkers.

Also pleasant is strolling/hanging out at the new-ish Golden Gate Promenade which follows the water between the Presidio's Fort Point beneath the Golden Gate Bridge (a pre-Civil War fortress with National Historic Site status, and Aquatic Park. The footpath follows the bay for 3.5 miles by way of Crissy beach, the Marina Green and yacht harbor and Fort Mason to Hyde Street Pier.

Get a copy of the wonderful book "Hidden Walks in the East Bay and Marin" by Stephen Alschuler, and do one or more of the stairway walks in Sausalito --see the "real" Sausalito, away from the tourist clammer.

Have fun!

I found these pages fun to read:
http://www.jdvhospitality.com/thingstodo/guides.php
One is called The Hidden Treasures.

They must go to the Haight for vintage clothes. The 5 blocks of Haight Street, heading east from GG Park are the best. Also, they should shop & eat on Valencia Street in the Mission district. For some other ideas, you might want to check out some recent issues of San Francisco Magazine, published by our local PBS station. their site is:

http://www.sanfran.com/

Thanks again for the great recommendations.

john

* If you have a car, drive out to Baker's Beach (at the end of the Presidio) for a picnic.
* Go on a tour of the Anchor Steam Brewery in Potrero Hill (http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and then walk over to Klein's Deli on 20th and Connecticut for a (fantastic) sandwich.
* Have breakfast at the Crossroads Cafe on Delancey St/Embarcadero and then wander back along the Embarcadero towards downtown and the newly fixed up Ferry Bdg or towards the Ball Park and beyond, to 3rd St (yes, it's a huge construction site in parts, but a great urban hike if you like that sort of thing...)
* Take a ferry to Angel Island.
* Go to Dolores Park, wander along Valencia and/or 16th Sts, go to a movie at the Roxie on 16th and Valencia, and get dinner at Ti-Couz.
* Take bikes on BART to Rockridge, grab food along College St, and bike down to and around Lake Merritt. Or take BART to Oakland and walk over to the Oakland Museum of California. Some of the exhibits are a bit old, but it's a great starting point to find out more about local history.
* Drive over to Tilden Park, on the way pick up a Cheese Board pizza in North Berkeley, and have a picnic at Lake Ansa.


Most of these activities are all *very* much off the beaten track--more local than touristy--but they're also all things we've done with friends and family who've visited San Francisco many times and are still looking to experience the city (and Bay Area) from a new perspective. I hope your friends enjoy their stay!

-Emily

Take the bus to the rose garden in golden gate park. walk to height asbury, go to ben and gerry's for an ice cream cone. check out the thrift store for a neat an unusual momento.

Walk around Mt. Sutro (up near the UC Med Center) for the views, then walk down to Cole Street for dinner at any of the restaurants there (Eos wine bar is my favorite). Great little neighborhood, very mellow, at the edge of the Haight-Ashbury without being right down on congested Haight Street.

Take a cab to the top of Twin Peaks, then walk down to the Castro. Admire views and Victorians/Edwardians, have dinner or coffee on Castro Stret or Market Street (Chow at Market and Church is casual, good atmosphere and homey food).

I've taken visitors on both these excursions and they loved the exposure to a more residential, "local's" San Francisco.

On my last visit to SF I saw a great show called "Twisted Cabaret". It's no longer playing but I'm on the mailing list for the Climate Theater productions and they usually have at least a couple shows that are definitely not mainstream but generally very entertaining. The current schedule is at

http://www.kabaretstore.com/index.php?cPath=22