San Francisco - mid October
 

I am headed to SF with my husband for two nights in mid - October.

I have not been to SF since around 2009 - we don't have a choice on where we are staying - at the Pickwick.

Basically I am "flying solo" for the most part as he is very busy with work.

Looking for suggestions on lunch places, window shopping, any solo type activity - won't have a car so need public transportation or walking.

I do fairly well with just meandering but am always up for an adventure!

When my husband was in meetings, I did 3 of the free tours offered by the library:

http://www.sfcityguides.org

Really liked the Chinatown, Palace Hotel and Fairmont Hotel tours. Ferry Building was Good. Did not care for the Naughty and Baudy(don't think this is offered any longer).

Union Square has a lot of everything for shopping.

My favorite area to walk around SF when I am solo is Hayes Valley - lots of really cute shops and restaurants. I like drinks at Boxing Room there, fun vibe, good food. Also a really yummy bakery there - La Boulange de Hayes. Aside from that area, there is the Black Horse London Bar, smallest bar west of the Mississippi. It fits like 8 people. Put your toes in the ocean in Baker Beach. The Velo Rouge Cafe was my morning breakfast spot, then took a quick bus to Hayes Valley. There's Lefty O'Douls in Union Square which is fun.

October is the BEST time to be in SF, we try to go every year. We LOVE the City Guide Tours! We have done nearly 3 dozen of them!

Shopping around union Square, Westfield mall and all the little streets around it go into Gumps! Lovely store.

Take BART to Berkeley and have lunch at Chez Panisse and walk around the campus.

So much to see and do ,so little time.

(We were set to be there mid October till the Europe trip came up, would have been a great GTG)

You won't have rain, but:

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

Thanks all!

Michelle - I hope you are doing okay up there?

Oh I have never been to the Berkley campus that might be fun. I know I was wishing you were going to be there Deb! Thanks for the TR I will check it out :-)

I don't think I have ever been to Baker Beach - will have to see exactly what that is.

Momdd- we are fine but felt the quake here in the Delta. One of the very small wineries we deal with lost all of their 2013 vintage in barrels. :(

If you do go to Hayes Valley might as well continue up the hill to Alamo Square and then down to Divisadero for an ice cream at Bi-Rite and some light window shopping, though there are just a few stores, no clothing. Perhaps try a $4 piece of toast at the Mill. I did and thought, "I don't get it. Guess I'm just not really a bread person."

You could conceivably continue on to GG Park (maybe getting on the bus) and go to the De Young or Cal Academy of Sciences or Conservatory of Flowers or???

Weather dependent, of course!

We have decided to go up early and spend a few days - as he needs to be there on Monday am. We are going to use points and I have the choice of these two hotels:

San Francisco Marriott Union Square
480 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94108
1 miles from San Francisco

Or

Courtyard San Francisco Downtown
299 2nd Street San Francisco, CA 94105
1.4 miles from San Francisco

Thoughts?

It was back in 2006, but we used the Courtyard as the base for our family trip to San Francisco--good location (but surely Union Square would be better?) as we didn't have a car (on purpose) and were able to walk or take public transit everywhere. Nice property, a little quieter than Union Square would be, in my opinion.

It must be a VERY busy time in SF - we can use points for those two properties but their rates are 600.00 - 700.00 a night - crazy!

Thanks for the feedback Musicfan. I think I stayed at one of the Marriotts in like 2006 myself but I don't have a great memory of it... other than it was in Union Square and the location was fine. I think my son and DIL stayed in that courtyard for their honeymoon...

I think that Courtyard is pretty nice. We sometimes have colleagues from out of town stay there. The Marriott is more centrally located for tourist stuff, I think--but not a huge difference. The Courtyard area will be quieter at night. There is a good restaurant right by: Zare at the Flytrap. I love the lamb there.

Thanks Leely! It is 5,000 less points - not a deal breaker but I will take it!

I just stayed last week at that Marriott. It;s nice and right in the middle of things! Has a Starbucks right across the street and also the Sir, Francis Drake hotel and Sears, if that helps orient you as to where it is exactly.

I thought their food in the hotel restaurant was excellent. ( I was there for a conference and ended up eating in the hotel twice during my stay.)

I glanced at TripAdvisor quickly re: the Courtyard and several mentioned the spacious rooms. Probably not a big deal for just the two of you, but for our trip it was nice.

We stayed at the Courtyard. It was a nice hotel, but it's a schelp to and from the areas you want to be in. Also, you may not like walking there on your own. It isn't bad, just not the bestest area.

Stay at the Marriott on Sutter, trust me, I know you. Is hubby going to meetings at the Moscone Center? Sutter location will be better for that, too.

yes he is at the Monscone - I have to switch hotel on Monday but we will stay at the marriott for two nights - it is a pain but I think worth it... (to have a weekend in SF and then he can work on Monday/Tuesday )

You *do know us :-)

I was there on my own and was very comfortable. I hope you have a wonderful time! I too, would check the DeYoung listing for exibits and also the matinee schedule for the theaters.

Trust me, stay at the Marriott on Sutter.

booked :-)

:o)

I've stayed at both Marriott properties, and I prefer the one on Sutter as it's more convenient.

When my mom, sister and daughter go to SF, we like to hit the thrift/consignment stores on Fillmore Street near Japantown. There are several cute little shops and cafes, too. :)

The one on Sutter is more convenient to "stuff", but there's absolutely nothing wrong with the neighborhood around the Courtyard. It's just a little deader than Union Square, being mostly offices in the area. (DebiT, for what its worth, the Courtyard is closer to Moscone than is the Marriott on Sutter St (it doesn't matter, because MomDD will be moving to the Pickwick).

No argument about there being nothing wrong with the Courtyard or it's location. It is just a long walk to even get to Market, 15 minutes at least, never mind anywhere beyond that. I won't argue about distance to Moscone, since it is moot for Dawns purposes.

Thanks for the feedback - we do have to move hotels (and I see the Pickwick does not get good reviews on Tripadvisor :-( ) Just hoping it is not too horrible...

I think I was to go to the Ferry building - I really love to walk - just walking through Madrid was one of my favorite things in Spain - walking in Central park on of my favorites in NYC - I really am happy to "meander" my way through a city. :-)

You find some really wonderful things just meandering.... :)

Interested in making dinner reservations - within walking distance (prefer) for Sat. evening - our 18 year anniversary is around that time and we would like to celebrate that weekend -
Up to 100 per person with drinks and tip - so around 200.00 for the meal top of budget.

We are open to all different kinds of food - love Italian, Sushi, seafood... you name it.

Why limit yourself to walking distance? Hop the "F" Market street car and spread your wings. Some great places a bit more than walking distance.

BUT - Honestly, take BART and go to Berkeley and eat at Chez Panisse. Really.

Saturday night you'll be at the Marriott on Sutter or the Pickwick?

If tou like Italian or Cal-Ital you could go to Perbacco or Cotogna. Not super-short walks, though.

Of the two I mentioned, I prefer Perbacco for food (pasta is phenomenal) and Cotogna for the room.

Love Perbacco.

I prefer Cotogna's food, but really do like both.

sf7307, I used to prefer Cotogna too but the last couple times I was there I was a little disappointed. I'm sure I'll try it again.

Nico is really good too but not walking distance and the food is very modern so you need to like that style. Not everyone does.

These are walkable:
One Market
Fifth Floor
Campton Place
These require public transit:
Frances Tavern
Rich Table
State Bird Provisions
Quince
Zuni Cafe

How about Boulevard at a table with bridge view?

Sadly, State Bird reservations are long gone for mid October. They take them 60 days out.

Thank you! I will check out all the suggestions and see where I can get reservations. I confess - neither my husband or I would be considered "foodies" we like a good meal and good service but I think Chez Panisse would be lost on us.

We will be at the Marriott on Shutter. The reason for walking distance (or short cab) is that we really like to keep it fairly simple when staying in a city. I know boring. :-)

Chef Panisse isn't frou frou. It is simple, good, local slow food.

Boulevard looks wonderful -

Deb - maybe I will go if I take the Bart out to Berkley? (lunch??) I doubt I can get dh, who travels extensively to fly to SF and then get on the BART to go to dinner when there are what he would find to be good places to eat in SF (I hear ya though!) ((F))

looking at Cotogna and Perbacco and all the ones you listed Deb! You all are fabulous!

Barbacco, Perbacco's more casual sister restaurant is next door. Great also.