Relaxing Weekend in San Francisco
Jul 7th, 2006, 03:08 PM
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Relaxing Weekend in San Francisco
Two months until our wedding day my fiancée and I decided to spend a relaxing weekend in San Francisco. Okay to be honest…I lost a bet on the latest season of Survivor (why couldn’t Danielle have won!!!) so I had to pay up big time. The bet was dinner at a restaurant of the winner’s choice. We live in Livermore, California, home to wine, cowboys, and nuclear weapons so I decided to turn it into a weekend in the big city.
Off we went…
Saturday afternoon we filled up the SUV with $3.17/gallon gas and headed to San Francisco. After running over a few Mini Coopers and brightly colored VW Bugs we arrived in the city by the bay.
We stayed at newly (2005) opened Hotel Vitale www.hotelvitale.com. The hotel’s theme is zen and peace and this was not the case as the doorman opened the lobby door for us. We apparently arrived at the same time as a wedding party of 20 was doing a late checkout. There were lots of tuxedos, dresses and frantic mothers. It was a bit crazy but was over quick because the bus was leaving with or without them. We stayed in a Deluxe Waterview Room and it was very comfortable. We had a view of the Ferry Building, Bay Bridge and Justin Herman Plaza. The bathroom had a rainforest shower and this was fun to try out but I wouldn’t want one in my home (just doesn’t get ‘everything’ clean). The bathroom had a bunch of lotions and soaps for sale which I thought was a bit tacky because when my fiancée saw them she started drooling…what am I supposed to do???
We headed off to dinner at First Crush www.firstcrush.com. It is a wine bar and restaurant just a few blocks from Union Square. We love this restaurant because the food is great, the wine is delicious (all CA), and the price is right! We had a glass of wine in their lower lounge area (cool vibe) and then headed upstairs for dinner. I had the ribeye steak and it was perfectly done. We enjoyed a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay before heading back to the hotel.
Turndown service was quite nice as the hotel staff left soft music playing, bottled water and slippers at the bedside. Moving right along…
The next morning we got up and headed over to the Ferry Building and spent some time wandering through the shops. Apparently everybody in SF sells lavender. My fiancée has lived in the Bay Area her whole life and has never visited Alcatraz so I booked us some tickets using the www.blueandgoldfleet.com website and we headed out to the Rock. It was fun, cold, and windy. I suggested opening a restaurant on the island that serves authentic prison food. My idea was quickly squashed by my better half. After driving through Chinatown to look at how many people can actually fit on a city bus we headed home.
Mission accomplished – I paid off my bet and my future bride and I had a wonderful relaxing weekend in San Francisco.
Off we went…
Saturday afternoon we filled up the SUV with $3.17/gallon gas and headed to San Francisco. After running over a few Mini Coopers and brightly colored VW Bugs we arrived in the city by the bay.
We stayed at newly (2005) opened Hotel Vitale www.hotelvitale.com. The hotel’s theme is zen and peace and this was not the case as the doorman opened the lobby door for us. We apparently arrived at the same time as a wedding party of 20 was doing a late checkout. There were lots of tuxedos, dresses and frantic mothers. It was a bit crazy but was over quick because the bus was leaving with or without them. We stayed in a Deluxe Waterview Room and it was very comfortable. We had a view of the Ferry Building, Bay Bridge and Justin Herman Plaza. The bathroom had a rainforest shower and this was fun to try out but I wouldn’t want one in my home (just doesn’t get ‘everything’ clean). The bathroom had a bunch of lotions and soaps for sale which I thought was a bit tacky because when my fiancée saw them she started drooling…what am I supposed to do???
We headed off to dinner at First Crush www.firstcrush.com. It is a wine bar and restaurant just a few blocks from Union Square. We love this restaurant because the food is great, the wine is delicious (all CA), and the price is right! We had a glass of wine in their lower lounge area (cool vibe) and then headed upstairs for dinner. I had the ribeye steak and it was perfectly done. We enjoyed a bottle of Rombauer Chardonnay before heading back to the hotel.
Turndown service was quite nice as the hotel staff left soft music playing, bottled water and slippers at the bedside. Moving right along…
The next morning we got up and headed over to the Ferry Building and spent some time wandering through the shops. Apparently everybody in SF sells lavender. My fiancée has lived in the Bay Area her whole life and has never visited Alcatraz so I booked us some tickets using the www.blueandgoldfleet.com website and we headed out to the Rock. It was fun, cold, and windy. I suggested opening a restaurant on the island that serves authentic prison food. My idea was quickly squashed by my better half. After driving through Chinatown to look at how many people can actually fit on a city bus we headed home.
Mission accomplished – I paid off my bet and my future bride and I had a wonderful relaxing weekend in San Francisco.
Jul 7th, 2006, 03:31 PM
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Oh, Saps, your visit is not complete! You must ride line 1 to 33rd ave at peak time to see how many people fit in!
And what is it about lotions for sale? Only the mini-bar items are not tacky, huh? Sure I'm a female
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
And what is it about lotions for sale? Only the mini-bar items are not tacky, huh? Sure I'm a female
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Jul 7th, 2006, 03:40 PM
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saps, you crack me up. I love the "hotel is themed on zen and peace and frantic bridal parties". I think it is funny how many hotel chains are trying the zen buzz and those are the ones that I have the most mind-buzzing problems with (eg. the W Westwood hotel where I walked into my room into an intimate session btwn a couple who had been given my room after the hotel moved my stuff out into another room in my absence! No zen in that one!)
Your report makes me miss San Fransisco.
Your report makes me miss San Fransisco.
Jul 17th, 2006, 10:45 AM
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Ahh...I'm recuperating from my bachelor party this past Saturday in the city...No trip report to follow.
First Crush is great. It is a bit cozy (small room and tables are close). Request to be on the street level for dinner as I think the lower area is a bit "too small".
You definitely don't need a car in SF. Parking is very expensive at most hotels ($30-40/day). Where are you staying?
Don't try to cram everything into 2 days. Pick a couple of things to do each day and then relax and enjoy the city.
Of course there are the typical touristy things (Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown) but here are a few more:
- Walk the Filbert Steps up to Coit Tower in the early evening.
- Walk the Marina up to the Golden Gate Bridge or Fort Point(fairly long walk up & back)
- Enjoy the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building on Saturday Morning (End of Market Street on the Embarcadero)
- Have cocktails at a ritzy lounge with a view (Top of the Mark, Carnelian Room, Harry Denton's Starlight Room)
First Crush is great. It is a bit cozy (small room and tables are close). Request to be on the street level for dinner as I think the lower area is a bit "too small".
You definitely don't need a car in SF. Parking is very expensive at most hotels ($30-40/day). Where are you staying?
Don't try to cram everything into 2 days. Pick a couple of things to do each day and then relax and enjoy the city.
Of course there are the typical touristy things (Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown) but here are a few more:
- Walk the Filbert Steps up to Coit Tower in the early evening.
- Walk the Marina up to the Golden Gate Bridge or Fort Point(fairly long walk up & back)
- Enjoy the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building on Saturday Morning (End of Market Street on the Embarcadero)
- Have cocktails at a ritzy lounge with a view (Top of the Mark, Carnelian Room, Harry Denton's Starlight Room)
Jul 17th, 2006, 12:28 PM
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I just went to First Crush too (10th anniversary pre-dinner drinks). I totally agree about the quality and good prices! And if you're ever in the market for estate jewelery, Dianne's Old and New in Cow Hollow is the place.
Jul 17th, 2006, 12:35 PM
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Thanks, saps, for the ideas. I'm planning to use Priceline for a hotel and still trying to figure out what zone to bid. Research on this board suggests Union Square East. I want to be in the "middle" of things but since I've only been to SF twice, I'm not sure.
Jul 17th, 2006, 01:37 PM
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While I've never used priceline I agree that Union Square East is probably the best region. West of Union Square gets real seedy real fast.
For a quick weekend the Union Square area is the most central & convenient.
Good luck!
For a quick weekend the Union Square area is the most central & convenient.
Good luck!
Jul 18th, 2006, 06:59 AM
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Saps, hope you are recovered from your weekend and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Through Priceline, I got a boutique hotel located on Powell in Union Square East. With that as a base, we should be able to easily enjoy First Crush and some of your other great suggestions.
Thanks again -- your post was perfect timing for my trip, and I don't have to clutter up Fodors with another thread.
Through Priceline, I got a boutique hotel located on Powell in Union Square East. With that as a base, we should be able to easily enjoy First Crush and some of your other great suggestions.
Thanks again -- your post was perfect timing for my trip, and I don't have to clutter up Fodors with another thread.
