San Francisco for 3 days
 

Hi everyone, just looking for a little help, here and there.

My husband is going to a conference in March and I get to tag along (thank GOD for grandparents willing to babysit :D )

We will be arriving on the 9th, in the evening, and leaving in the morning on the 13th, so really just 3 days.

I believe the hotel his company is putting him up in is the Hyatt in/near Union Square. We don't want to rent a car. Flying from Seatac to SFO, then taking BART to the hotel and google tells me to get off on Powell - is this an OK walk from there? or is there a better stop?

We want a Muni Pass, is there a 3 day one? Is it a good deal? I know BART isn't included.

While my husband is busy, I need things to do. I haven't been in the city since I was a child. Where are safe places to go by myself? I'm not really worried, but I must reassure the husband ;)

I'll probably want to shop (though just mostly to look, I'm only bringing a carry-on), I love walking and taking pictures, so scenic views are a must.

I like pretty much every type of food, as long as its vegetarian. Where are some places I could eat lunch during the day? I don't eat alone often, so some place casual where I'd feel comfortable. I'd like to keep it $10 and under for lunch.

Where are some good places my husband and I could go for dinner? Evenings will be his only time to see the city, so something fun, but not too expensive (under $20 per person - though if its a must, we can go higher). He is not a vegetarian, so the restaurants must please us both!

I'm trying to be as specific as possible to help you help me, but I will be back here to clarify things as needed. All suggestions welcome :)
Thanks in advance!

Under $10 for lunch and $20 for dinner is a bit tough in SF. I would search

http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/search/advanced/

and enter the lowest $

Another good resource is www.yelp.com

The SF MOMA is a must see and near the convention center. It's easy to catch the cable car from Powell Street to Fisherman's wharf. Don't spend much time there since it's mostly a tourist trap but the cable car is scenic and fun.

I personally like Noe Valley and the Haight for shopping. There are a lot of unusual shops and not so many chain stores there. It's easy to catch the N Judah to the Haight and the J Church to Noe Valley.

Thank you RBCal! Great suggestions. The $10 and $20 was per person, not total bill, I should clarify. Also that's just for an entree, not with drink, tax, and tip, if that helps ;)

Hi, I'm a vegetarian too, and most of my meals are under the $10 range in SF.

I really like La Mediterannée, as I get their Filo Plate, with choice of spanikopita, tiropita, dolmas, delicious potato salad, served with fruit. There are two locations in SF, both in fun neighborhoods (Fillmore and the Castro). http://www.cafelamed.com/

I recently went to a very good (cheap) Brazilian restaurant. $6 for a big plate of vegetables and rice. Canto Do Brazil http://www.cantodobrazilrestaurant.com/ in Hayes Valley, also a fun area. I also like Stelline Italian in Hayes Valley.

We always grab burritos in the Mission when looking at murals http://www.balmyalley.com/, or the Dave Eggars Pirate Shop http://www.826valencia.org/store/, or an exhibit. That area is a bit dicey, so I'm more comfortable with a friend. Many places have tofu burritos (yum).

There is an African restaurant and nightclub in the mission that I like, with several vegetarian choices. http://www.bissapbaobab.com/

In North Beach, I like the Mona Lisa http://www.monalisasf.com/ . I think you can eat there during off hours.

Mario's cigar shop in North Beach http://www.northbeachshop.com/pages/marios.html, Spec's Bar across from City Lights, coffee and sandwiches at Vesuvius or many other cafés.

I like the Butler and the Chef, with good vegetarian soup, delicious French toast, vegetarian quiche. That's in the South of Market area on South Park, near the Ball Park.

I often eat at the museum cafés, especially the Modern Art, the Legion of Honor, and the DeYoung. The café at the new science museum is quite interesting. These all emphasize healthy California style meals with several vegetarian choices.

Green's is the best vegetarian, and it's in an interesting warehouse type area with theater and museums, and is along the wharf. http://www.greensrestaurant.com/

Asqew seems to be closing locations, but they had a delicious, inexpensive tofu dish. http://www.asqewgrill.com/menu.php

The Ferry Building is something you'll enjoy both on your own and with your husband, and people really like the Slanted Door, but there are some other good fast food (Mexican and others) in the complex. That would be an easy place to eat by yourself as you watch the ferries come and go, and the seagulls. http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/ Also, Taylor's Refresher is a possibility http://taylorsautomaticrefresher.com/.

Another idea in that area along the bay is the restaurant and café run by the Delancey Foundation. One is in a bookstore, and the other is on the sidewalk outside, and quite relaxed and informal. http://www.delanceystreetfoundation....restaurant.php

Around Union Square I've enjoyed Colibri Mexican, http://www.colibrimexicanbistro.com/ , The Grand Café at the Monaco (French Toast), and Max's Opera Café, which although it is a chain has lots of vegetarian choices http://www.maxsworld.com/home.html.

My husband is a carnivore as well, so other than Green's, most places will be fine.

In general those are places I'd feel comfortable by myself. There are tons of much better known restaurants, these are just some I like.

Here are a couple of vegetarian restaurants, kind of uniquely San Franciscan, Café Gratitude and Ananda Fuara. At Café Gratitude you must order with an affirmation, instead of lemonade, you ask for "I am refreshing" (for example).

http://www.cafegratitude.com/

http://www.anandafuara.com/

As for pictures, try to get one of the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. http://www.wildparrotsfilm.com/

The Palace of Fine Arts http://www.sfnpc.org/palaceoffineartshistory is a good place for photographs.

I like Open Table for San Francisco restaurants because you can sort by neighborhood and check out menus and ratings online.

Sorry for being so disjointed, and have a wonderful time!

Thank you Kailani! This is SO helpful, I'm going to write these all down and get addresses so I know places to drop in when I'm hungry :)

I just got back from annual week in San Francisco; I am writing a trip report and there are already lots of pictures.

I strongly recommend SF Library City Guides walking tours; there are LOTS of them and they are free, save for a voluntary donation to keep program running.

Which Hyatt are you staying at; there are 2: Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency. It will impact which BART stop to exit.

There is a 3 day Muni Pass; it is well worth the price. A cable car ride alone is $5 for each ride,no on and offs allowed without the pass.$20 for the 3 days, unlimited bus, light rail and cable car rides.

A night tour of Alcatraz is great and your hubby can join you.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-francisco.cfm

We love SF, you will too!

[$20 for entree at dinner is going to be a bit difficult.]

Thank you DebitNM for all the info. I will check out your Trip Report. I think it is the Grand Hyatt, I will check with my husband - he just said the Union Square one, so I assumed there was only one of those...

I guess I didn't realize there was a problem eating "cheaply" in the city. Thought there would be more casual cafes, hole-in-the-wall places, etc as apposed to just fine dining, etc.

Grand Hyatt is near Union Square, Hyatt Regency is close to but not as close and is in Embarcadero area.

DebitNM - it's the Grand Hyatt near Union Square.

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all your help. My babysitting plans fell through so I won't be able to go :(
BUT I have given my husband all the info I received here, so I'm sure he will have a great time :)

That's too bad, you try to make it another time - it is a great place to visit!

I thought of you as I had pesto pasta and vegetables for dinner ($12) at Rocco's in SOMA. We thought the food was delicious. http://www.roccoscafe.com/home.htm

Hope you can come another time!

I know you didn't ask, but if you want something unbelievably fun, see Beach Blanket Babylon. I never laughed so hard.
Also, the Grand Cafe at the Monaco, which I love, will set you back quite a bit more than the price range you indicated.
There is a fantastic place for dim sum at the embarcadero but i can't remember the name...anyone else know it?

Suite, there used to be a great dim sum place IN Embarcadero Four called Harbor Village, but it closed a few years ago. Could that be what you were thinking of?

sf7301
no, not Harbor Village. It's not in the Embarcadero but closeby. I think the main Post Office building near there. Very popular, very busy...dining room plus lots of tables in the atrium. Was just there in August. Going to drive me nuts... anyway...excellent. standby. I'll find out.

Don't want you to kill yourself thinking about it -- Yank Sing Rincon Center :-)