Quick weekend trip to SF report
 

Aloha all,<BR>Just returned from spending Sat & Sun nights in SF.<BR><BR>Stayed at the Fisherman's Wharf Hyatt that we got thru Hotwire at $92/night. $30/day parking, tho. <BR>Great location for us since Mrs Kal was running the Team in Training's Houlihan's 12k run from Sausaltio to SF's Aquatic Park The shuttle bus picked her up at the AqPark, about 4 blocks away. <BR>The other 2 TNTers who ran with her got rooms at the Westin St Francis for $75/night thru Priceleine.com and the Park Hyatt near the TranAm Pyramid for $52/night thru Hotwire.com<BR><BR>No great whoops on the Hyatt. Standard, nice Hyatt property. Great service from the Parking attendants (boy, do they hustle), bell scv, check in and housekeeping.<BR><BR>Ate dinner Sat night at Fog City Diner, a Kuleto restaurant. Great food in a funky diner setting. Mrs Kal downed her lucky <BR>pre-run burger and extra fries while I had a great piece of mahi mahi seved over spinach, carrots, roasted scarlet emperor beans in a miso glaze.<BR>Had the warm bread combo plate which was sourdough with garlic/asiago cheese, jalapeno cornbread and a baked s'dough cheese bread. Good service.<BR>Nice walk back to the Hyatt along the Embaradero. Beautiful night.<BR><BR>Got up early the next morning w/ Mrs Kal and went off towards Pier 39 (the arcade is closed!) to get some sunrise pics of GG Bridge, Alcatraz, Bay Bridge and the snoozin' sea lions only to find the ol' Pentax finally gave up the ghost. Of course everything was perfect for photos!<BR><BR>After the run, we walked down the Embarcadero to Gordon Biersch's for lunch.<BR>Beautiful view. Located almost directly below the Bay Bridge.<BR>Great "bar food". Meatloaf in tomato/mustard gravy with garlic mash potatoes that I couldn't finish. Mrs Kal had the SoWestern Chicken sandwich. Ditto for her on the finishing. GOOD BEER! <BR><BR>Walked to Union Sq and Nordstrom's. Absolutely gorgeous day!<BR><BR>Dinner last night at McCormick & Kuleto's (I sense a theme in our didning habits?). TOURING TIP: After running a 12k, do not attempt to walk 5 blocks, uphill in boots with 3inch heels. ;^D<BR>Another great view restaurant. Seafood stew was great as was my halibut. The doz. variety pack of half-shell oyster appetizers really hit the spot.<BR>Excellent service.<BR><BR>Great trip and Mrs Kal cut about 6 mins off of last year's time. I finished the Sunday SF Chronicle around 2 mins less than it took me last year while waiting for her.<BR>An added boon, the Chron's travel section highlighted trips to Kauai and Molokai, my 2 fave islands. <BR>Any Qs, feel free.<BR>Kal

Is this the same restaurant chain as McCormick and Schmick's in the Portland area? We will be in San Francisco this summer and will be needing other restaurant and hotel suggestions.<BR><BR>

Kal,<BR><BR>If you were out of town I hope that doesn't mean you missed the article in the insect about much needed transport to a fave place coming to an "international" airport nearby!

"The Insect"...I like it!<BR>Nope. It's probably sitting in the Boy Scouts' recycling bin.<BR><BR>A direct flight from Sac to Yountville or Sonoma??????<BR><BR>I need the scoop!<BR>Kal

Very funny! Better. Hawaiian Air beginning in June!!!!!!

Wonder,<BR>And yes, I believe the McCormick & Kuleto's is part of the M&S chain as well as the Kuleto chain.<BR><BR>A very well done collaborative effort.<BR>There is another "Kuleto's" Italian restaurant on Powell near the St Francis/Union Sq area and it is pretty darn good. Great breakfast. <BR>As for other good SF restaurants, try doing a text search and you'll find plenty.<BR>Kal

I love McCormick and Scmicks when I lived in Portland for one dry summer. The meal there is still remembered today these many years later!!!

Portland....Jake's...both of 'em!<BR><BR>What day in "The Insect"?<BR>Sacto to Honolulu?<BR><BR>Sonoma...<BR>I need some "Nonna's Gnochi" at Della Santina's for lunch.<BR>Prob. get a burger at Mandango's instead. :-(<BR>Kal

Friday Here's the scoop...<BR><BR>Hawaiian Airlines will begin nonstop service between Sacramento and Honolulu in June, marking the first time any airline has offered regular service between California's capital and Hawaii.<BR><BR>The Honolulu-based carrier hopes to capitalize on the growing population of the Central Valley, whose vacationers want to avoid driving to Oakland or San Francisco for nonstop flights across the Pacific.<BR><BR>Travel experts predict the service, which begins June 7, will prove very successful since Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations for Sacramento vacationers.<BR><BR>

Thanks for the info Kal. We're going there next week. Hope we get the nice weather you mentioned.

Suuuz,<BR>Thx for the good news! Decision time. Direct from SF to Lihue (if UAL is still doing it in Dec) or Sac to Hon to Lihue so Mrs Kal can have her dbl mai tai at Stinger Ray's?<BR><BR>Blake, Me too! <BR>It was wonderful weather and me with a broken camera and no stores open.<BR><BR>Kal

Kal,<BR>Go with the Stop in Hon just for the Drink. Since we went right after 9/11 our travel was all rearranged and during the long layover we did have a very fine time at Stinger Rays with multiple double Mai Tais. Can't decide what was more entertaining, laughing at the size of the drinks or watching the southern boys at the next table squirming and complaining about smoking restrictions!!!!