San Francisco July 4th weekend
 

My husband and I will be taking a trip to San Francisco over a long July 4th weekend. Any special events happening we should plan on attending...firework shows, etc? Any thoughts on Beach Blanket Babylon? We have 2 small boys and NEVER get away by ourselves so this is a very special treat...any ideas for not too expensive romantic restaurants? Any hotel recommendations for Union Square?

There is always all-day celebration with rock concerts and fireworks along the watefronts. Check out bayarea.com and sfgate.com for all events.

For the young ones, check out the Metreon Center's "Where the Wild Things Are" located around Mission and 4th. Really fun for kids!

Try to book tickets immediately for Beach Blanket Babylon and then have dinner before (early) at Moose's in Washington Square. Have tea or a drink at the Garden Court of the Palace Hotel or the Top of the Mark (Hopkins) I like Antica Trattoria for a small, fairly romantic Italian restaurant. Most of the ones in the city are very loud and busy. Chapeau is another little French one but it's a bit out of the way in the Inner Richmond Distrist. A ferry over to Sausalito or Tiburon and lunch over there is rather romantic. Beautiful views back to the city.So much to recommend for Union Square hotels---the St. Francis is the classic, the Prescott is very nice, as is the Kensington Park (have a drink at the bar of Farallon if you're there---wouldn't pay the price for dinner though) Go to www.sfgate.com for lots of info and have fun.

The fireworks show is good... if it's not foggy. Be aware that SF in the summer tends to be cold and windy and foggy, especially at night. Many years the fireworks explode above the fog so you can't see much -- but when you can see them, they are good. <BR><BR>However, within a few miles of the city it's warm and even hot. Napa and Sonoma will be in the 80s or low 90s while it's in the low 50s and windy in the city. <BR><BR>I didn't like Beach Blanket Babylon myself. I thought it was dated and sort of tacky and schmaltzy... but many people have enjoyed it. <BR><BR>Have fun!

C,<BR><BR>I agree with Kate's assessment of the fireworks in San Francisco. More often that not you can't even see them due to the thick fog. I would suggest going to the fireworks display at the San Jose America Festival(www.americafestival.com) whre there will be no problem with the fog. They are on July 4th at 9:30 PM in Downtown San Jose. It is one of the best displays in northern California.

You'll be lucky to see the fireworks in San Jose due to the very serious air pollution problem they have. Go to Napa and Sonoma. More family and community oriented and less crime than San Jose.

C,<BR><BR>Please disregard uncle's sarcastic comment. <BR><BR>I also would suggest that you get there early because the fireworks display usually attracts crowds of about 200,000 to the downtown area. There are many notable restaurants in the area.

I was in San Fran last 4th of July. We were staying in the Holiday Inn in China Town--sneak up to the top floor--there is also a pool there (open during the day). Anyway, we were able to see fire works--it was great & free. You can even bring champagne, etc

200,000 people show up and around 100,000 leave without their wallets or cars. Be careful when in San <BR>Jose. Napa Valley is much cleaner and safer if you do not stay in San Francisco for fireworks.

uncle sam,<BR><BR>Please, give it up. It seems as if you are bored now that school is out.

Uncle Sam,<BR>According to the statistics, San Jose seems quite safe indeed.<BR><BR>Most recent data from City Crime Rankings, 8th edition, 2001<BR><BR>Safest Cities pop. 500,000 or greater: <BR>1 San Jose, CA <BR>2 Honolulu, HI <BR>3 El Paso, TX <BR>4 San Diego, CA <BR>5 Austin, TX 5 <BR>6 San Antonio, TX <BR>7 New York, NY <BR>8 Denver, CO<BR><BR><BR>

My my. Quite defensive aren't we? And to have the "statistics" so readily available. Do I smell SJ C of C working the boards again? Nice to see that San Jose may have finally did something about their crime problem. Now if they can only start working on the pollution and traffic problems.<BR>I believe the original question was about San Francisco. <BR>Here's an idea. Start a "101 reasons to come to San Jose for the 4th of July".<BR>If it comes down to picking between Sonoma or Napa Valley and San Jose, other than San Francisco, guess where I'm going?

Uncle Sam,<BR><BR>To accuse me of working for the SJ Chamber of Commerce is really lame. Can't you come up with a better line than that. Oh, I guess you should go back and get your high school diploma first.<BR><BR>San Jose's pollution problem is no different than that of San Francicso or any other city in northern California.<BR><BR>If you don't like the San Jose, that is your perogative. Many people like the city and can do without narrow minded people like yourself.<BR><BR>

Can I just tell you how tired I am of your constant San Francisco vs. San Jose childish bickering!?! SHUT UP!!!!!!

Amen, Al!

Al, He started it!<BR><BR>xxx@"org",("org", eh?)<BR>"Air pollution is the same in SF as it is in SJ?" What are you breathin'?<BR>That's not fog in SJ like SF, it's pollution! You can't see the mountains half the time in the summer. And lord konws you have enought time to look as you're stuck in all the traffic.<BR>I have to admit it. You're right about my education. I'm a San Jose St graduate which is about the equivilent to being a grade school grad.<BR>San Jose was a dump 15 yrs ago and it's nice to know some things never change.<BR>Having said that, Al, I'm done. Back to travel.<BR>SF or Napa will be better for fireworks.

uncle sam,<BR><BR>From your post you sound like you definitely went to San Francisco State.<BR><BR>San Jose State is one of the top universities in the CSU system.<BR><BR>U.S. News and World Report 2002 Rankings:<BR><BR>San Jose State University<BR>Engineering program rank = 7<BR><BR><BR>San Francisco State University<BR>Engineering program rank = 50

<BR>Best Places Northern California<BR><BR>Nowadays, the answer to Dionne Warwick's question, "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" might well be, "Dionne, honey, you've been away too long."<BR><BR>The rolling fields and orchards and the small-town spirit of San Jose memorialized in Warwick's '60s hit song are gone. With skyscrapers and stadiums springing up in unlikely places over the past few years. There are a few undeveloped spots (Kelley Park and Guadalupe River Park , for starters), rare and strangely beautiful against the backdrop of chrome and glass. And many of the ethnic neighborhoods-vibrant and alive with Latin rhythms or Asian austerity-remain intact.<BR><BR>[The Tech Museum of Innovation] While some San Jose residents seem puffed up with understandable pride at the city's energetic new look and feel. First-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art light rail system, a flourishing arts scene, bustling shopping districts, innovative museums, and a dazzling sports arena have all contributed to the city's revitalization. All work together seamlessly to further San Jose's emergence as a world class city<BR>

Robert Bob, Big deal. Anybody can be an engineer! Those things drive themselves nowadays. But who wants to be an engineer with Amtrak going on strike?<BR>USF is much better that California State University, San Jose any day of the week.<BR>Where does SJ rank in pollution? Have they overtaken Los Angeles or Houston yet?

If you're going to do some wine tasting over a short weekend, I'd recommend that you go to Livermore over Napa or Sonoma. It's about as far, but with only a fraction of the traffic. Granted, the towns aren't built up on the shoulders of tourists, but the wineries are top notch. I'd recommend Thomas Coyne for red wines any day of the week. You can also catch concerts out at Wente if someone you like is playing. I'd rather go over there any day compared to sitting in beep and creep with everyone else.

There's no traffic on the way to Livermore? Huh?<BR><BR>And, I don't understand why someone would go watch fireworks in San Jose because the college has a higher rank for engineers. Are these engineers responsible for the fireworks display?

Engineers who majored in lighting sparklers Rankings:<BR><BR>San Jose St: #3<BR>SF State: #123<BR><BR>Looks like SF loses again.

Hey Sparky, what's your source? And what's the ranking on engineers lighting bottle rockets?

What silly postings here---it really confirms for the rest of the world that California is the land of fruits and nuts. Are we now going to argue about fireworks? I suggest the poster go to www. sfgate.com and find out what's going on in SF next week. Be aware, though, often the fog will blot out our fireworks shows. But, hey, that's SF.

Hey Lady! Can we have our ball back?

Ok, why the rift between SF and San Jose? I'm from the east coast and will be in SF (not San Jose) July 4 week; I see all these posts and am amazed at the banter and downright anger about this. What gives?

yyy,<BR><BR>You just confirmed how absolutely stupid you are. You think the engineering department at San Jose State University is for engineers that drive trains? HA HA HA, that is too funny. That just confirms to me that you don't know your a-- from a hole in the ground!<BR><BR>Traveling man,<BR><BR>The fireworks at San Jose's America Festival are spectacular. That is why people would go to San Jose to see them. They are being put on by a pyrotechnic company that has done fireworks shows at the olympics, as well as super bowls, and Disney World. They are sure to be a great show. www.americafestival.com has more information. Also, there is never a problem with the fog obscuring the show.

Uhhhh, Bob Robert. Do I have to use those cutesy little internet faces to show you that was sarcasm? I was "dumbing down" in an attempt to relate to you, an obvious victim of San Jose public schools and it's pollution. As for knowing an "a#@" from a "hole in the ground", the entire SJ region is a hole in the ground and I think we all know who the a@# is. <BR>;-D &lt;-----Is this better?

yyy,<BR><BR>Admit it, you have a severe lack of cereberal neurons.

yyy,<BR><BR>Actually San Francisco is the ass. Which is quite appropriate considering the population of the castro.

For your information yyy, I did not go to SJ public schools. Obviously you went to San Francisco public schools.

xxx and Bob Robert-I better stop before you guys come up with yet another original, witty comeback like "nah nah nah nah nahhhhhh" and really hurt my feelings. Now open that window and breath in some of that air you can actually see!

I've grown so weary of the San Jose cheeleaders. They have even resorted to starting their own threads with things like "I'm going to San Jose on business what are the must sees?" While the rest of us would post things like "The best thing to see in San Jose is the inside of your eyelids" the cheerleaders come up with their standard stuff. I've tired of warning people from San Jose by trying to balance the cheerleader responses but the cheeleaders will have none of that. Now my attitude is, if people want to believe that San Jose is, or ever will be, a place to go to spend any vacation time then they get what they deserve. A visit to the Winchester mystery house and lungs full of hot smoggy air. And now a word from our cheerleaders.....

X, yyy, Traveling man, Sparky,<BR><BR>Don't you have anything better to do. It is obvious that you are doing nothing but bashing San Jose. Anyone with half a brain will completely overlook your useless and sarcastic comments. So don't waste your time. To say that someone would start a thread about a business trip to San Jose just to promote the city points to just how ignorant you are. There are many business travellers and tourists alike who would disagree with your false assessments of San Jose.

Ok I give up, you ask a simple question on this post and still cant get an adult answer due the childlike banter i am reading. Whats up with you guys, or is this really a kiddie site disguised as a "travel post". I intercepted a recent letter from my 8 year-old daughter that made more intelligent sense than you people. I am on the east coast and was SUPPOSED to be in San Francisco Week of July 4th but am seriously considering to change my mind to a water park and go kart track near here for a week; at least the level of conversation will be far more civil and mature. Good Luck Bay area residents, maybe a jolt of an earthquake will jar some sense into ya!

Robert bob-Anbody with a half a brain IS ALREADY LIVING IN SAN JOSE!!!<BR>That was too easy. NEXT!<BR>And Roger, having lived through many California and Bay Area earthquakes, especially the '89 earthquake, that remark was totally uncalled for and I'm sure even my pen pals in SJ would even agree on that!<BR>What next, jokes about hurricanes to people in Florida? OK. I'm finished.

I think your damn statement "anybody with half a brain" is uncalled for! I have an uncle who was in the war and is now in a mental institution you idiot, so use YOUR brain for something besides high school barbs!

I think this guy said it well...<BR><BR>http://www.jwz.org/gruntle/cesspool.html<BR>

You probably know some good war jokes too?<BR>Bob Robert should not have used comments like that.