My husband and I are taking a weekend trip to San Francisco in early June for our 1 year anniversary. We will be staying in Pleasanton because he is on business the following week. About how long will it take us to get into the city each day? Also, I have read that parking in the city is a nightmare. We will have a rental car, but I was wondering if there is an easy way to get into the city from the outlying areas. If not, what is the best place to find daytime parking?

Also, can you recommend some nice restaurants for our special occasion? We live in NYC, so atmosphere is a must, but we don't want to pay an arm and a leg for bad food. Say dinner entrees less that $25 a piece.

Thanks for your help!

JP,

Have you thought about a trip to the Wine Country instead? There is some great scenery and excellent restaurants up there. Lately, San Francisco has really been on the decline, and I am not sure that it is really worth your time. The best thing I could compare it to is New Yrok City when it was at its lowest point befor Giuliani came into office, but a thousand times worse. Monterey and Carmel might also be considerations for a sidetrip.

Oops, that's New York, not Yrok. Sorry about that.

Geri bashes SF under different screen names so consider the source.

X is promoting SF under a different screen name, so consider the source.

Actually, I've never promoted San Francisco as I don't live there. I do visit once or twice a year, though. I do think it's amusing how the same person (same writing style even!) bashes SF under different screen names. Funny thing is that EVERYONE sees through it and, like I said, considers the source.

At least he/she is no longer comparing the city to an armpit like San Jose.

Jennifer: Any chance you could spend the weekend in SF before moving to Pleasanton for business? It would be worth the move for the experience. I suggest the Arch Bishop's Mansion for lodging, and then you can go to a nice dinner at Jardinere. But I may be biased, that's what we did for our fifth year anniversary! Don't drive the car into SF, it will ruin your trip. We tried going to Chinatown on one of the days, drove around so much looking for parking we might as well have driven home (San Jose). NOT WORTH IT.

Monica,

I guess you work for the SF visitor's bureau. I suggest you move from the city up to SF if you like that homeless/drug addict trash infested town so much.

You know, this troll sounds a lot like Willy from the Key West postings!

samegoon,

Your the troll.

Actually, it's "you're." You really shouldn't be on a travel board for adults. Or are you getting nervous because you're being exposed as a troll?

Carl,

We all make spelling mistakes. How low class of you to be so picky.

Sutter Stockton garage is a good place to leave the car for the day. It's right near Union Square. It does fill early though, especially on weekends.

Jennifer,

One year anniversary!! If you stay in SFO for the weekend do. Then head over to pleasanton. If not. Yes, take the car and park at a zillion good lots. Don't drive your self crazy looking for the spot that will never open.

Two good and cheap lots are - on O'Farrell opposite Macy's. Or on Geary on Union Square - oppposite Macy's.

I feel your best bet is to head to Napa and stay at a Bed and Breakfast in St. Helena. There are dozens and wine taste, eat at the incredibly cool and not too expensive restaurants there. Tra Vigne in St. Helena. Cinnamon Bear B&B. Or Vintage Country Inn.

This would be cause for celebration and fun. Forget Sfo. It is my favorite city. But, Napa is just to cool to pass up. And you can get to Pleasanton without toooo much difficulty.

If interested. Post note and I'll Come up with some more ideas. If not SFO is great too.

Sutter Stockton garage is a great place to leave your care if you want it to be vandalized or stolen.

X,

If you think San Jose is an armpit, San Francisco is a crotch! If you think San Jose is that bad, why is is the biggest city in Northern California with one of the most expensive real estate markets in the country? A desirable place will always be an expensive place to live.

Thanks everyone for the honest advice. I don't really appriciate those picking fights online- find another chat please.

Jennifer,
I posted an answer to you, but under another heading b/c I didn't want to get involved w/ the arguing bunch. Please look for it under Answers to JP's Questions RE: SF.

Visiting San Francisco after 10 years was appalling. I felt very sad seeing the city again. San Francisco had always been one of my very favorite cities. It isn't any more. It is filthy, dirtier even than Philadelphia. There are many, many homeless on the streets as well as beggars. By these I don't mean your garden variety panhandlers although there are plenty of those too. By beggars I mean people who don't even have the energy to ask, they just sit huddled up on the sidewalk with a cup in front of them and don't look up when you pass, they just stare at the ground hoping someone will throw something in there. Seeing San Francisco was for me like seeing an old friend after a long time. This friend used to be a very pretty woman but then you see her 20 years later and she is suffering some terrible illness, an illness which causes her to forget the most basic hygiene, she doesn't wash or brush her hair, her teeth are rotten and there is dirt under her fingernails.
And of course San Francisco has and is suffering an illness, it is a city devastated by AIDS.
When you pass people on the street, no one looks at each other, no one looks happy, they don't smile at each other as they pass.

You can take BART from Pleasanton to SF in about 40 minutes I think. It's about $5.00 each way. Otherwise, when I park in SF I park at the Embarcadero lot. If you buy something they validate and it might even be free. Then take public transportation within the city. Not tough at all.

From the Embarcadero, I recommend the California St. Cable car for the experience, a drink at the Equinox (the revolving restaurant on top of the Hyatt Regency) for the view, and walking through North Beach for a dinner find.

Take the ferry from the Embarcadero to Sausalito for great bay views of the city. Stroll around Sausalito and have lunch there.

If you want a fun evening event, check out Teatro Zinzanni.