San Francisco Mystery Trip
 

I am helping my mom plan a trip to SanFran next year (October). They go every year to a different location with a group of 6 of our family members.

Next year is SanFran. I thought a mystery trip..sort of would be cool. Basically, they only know that they are in SanFrancisco. Daily things are a suprise.

I wanted to plan some really cool things...out of the ordinary. I would like some suggestions here...nothing too museumy though.

I already got some suggestion on a hotel....many have susggested the Sir Francis Drake.

Any ideas. They will be there for 5 nights.

Thanks

Hello tinathetoad. What a fun idea!
Regarding the Sir Francis Drake. In the past I have stayed there more then once but really do not like that hotel. Bad attitude on the part of the hotel staff, small and worn out rooms etc.

However recently the Kimpton Group was selling this hotel to a group of investors. However the Kimpton Group was evidently going to continue to manage it. Normally I love Kimpton hotels.

The Sir Francis Drake is supposed to be remodeled. I don't know if that has started yet or how long the remodeling is scheduled for. So I would suggest that when you make the reservations you call the hotel direct and ask this question as staying in a hotel going through a remodeling process is not usually very pleasant.

Attached to the hotel is Scala's Bistro which is a favorite restaurant of mine. And you probably know that Harry Denton's Starlight Room is on the top level of the hotel. A nice place for an afterdinner drink and even dancing if the group would enjoy that.

If this is a mystery trip, then a mystery dinner is appropriate!

http://www.theatrebayarea.org/whatsp...tl.jsp?id=2801

Don't know if this is anywhere near what you had in mind, but someone in SF (at a bar on Nob Hill) told us about a "Vampire Trip"? Anyone heard about that? Is is an "insider's" tour. You'll need to check internet if other Fodorites don't know about it.

Thanks...I like the ideas thus far...I will inquire about the Vampire and report back.

Tina, How about a Ghost Walk? www.sfghosthunt.com Also, if you have any history buffs, a trek on the Barbary Coast trail is really interesting. http://www.kqed.org/w/sinfiregold/map.html

For a fabulous dinner and show out, check out Teatro Zinzanni. Beach Blanket Babalon is a favorite as well.

If some of the members of your group are making a first visit to SF, please don't neglect the faves: Alcatraz, the GG Bridge,Fisherman's Wharf,Chinatown, a ride on the cable car, picnic in GG Park. Hey, they're faves for a reason!
How about a baseball game at China Basin?

the regualr faves are a must. That is defin. planned. What is the china basin?

http://www.sfvampiretour.com/

This is for the vampire tours...interesting? Not sure..

Anyone know of a tour of the City...NOT on a bus or other....something private and really, really different.

Limos are not that great as they are not that comfortable....

This has to be really neat.

There is a new tour, I saw it in the streets, "safari" something, you get on a jeep (you can rent the whole jeep just for your party) put on a safari hat, look silly, feel happy.

http://www.sfvisitor.org/memberdirec...Code=SIGHTSPEC

Also listed the fire track tour, the pictures will be priceless.

How about a guided Segway Tour?
www.sfelectrictour.com

Just saw that and it looks interesting. I will look at it more extensively.

We used Golden Gate Jeep Tours. It was great--only us and our guide. The jeep was able to go places larger vehicles were unable to go. No safari hats required!

You should go to the Winchester mystery house near Stanford.Paul

China Basin is the name of the area of the city where SBC Park is. It is a really great park and if baseball season is on when you are in town, I would really recommend adding a game to your itinerary. Even if everybody in your group isn't a baseball fan, it is still fun.

Oh - I forgot to comment on the Winchester Mystery House. I wouldn't make a trip all the way down to San Jose just for that. If you were going to be in the area, it might be worth it, but I wouldn't give up time in SF to tour it. Also, it isn't anywhere near Stanford, really. It is smack dab in the middle of San Jose.

sounds really neat...but you are right...too far for a short time in SF.

Still looking for hotels...should mention that a pool is preferred. Hotel price around $250 per night.

Take a free walking tour from SF City Guides - sponsored by the public library. There are over 30 different tours. Palace hotel, Chinatown, "bawdy & naughty", SF Victorians, North Beach, GG Bridge, Pacific Heights mansions, just to name a few. See the complete list at:
www.sfcityguides.org

We took the ghost walk (last halloweeen) that someone mentioned, and found it kinda boaring.

Stu Dudley

Thanks. i will look at that. a walking tour may be good.

We did the Chinatown walking tour a couple years ago and had a great time. I'd been to Chinatown gobs of times, but never taken a tour. Found it fascinating. And afterwards we got a list of recommended dim sum places. We still went to our favorite - New Asia on Pacific.

I've heard the Chinatown walking tours are great. I believe one company is called Wok Whiz (or something similar.)

Recently I've heard that a Duck Tour is operating here. I haven't been on it here yet but recently rode one in Boston which was great fun and definitely unusual. (You ride in an amphibious water vehicle on land and in the bay.)

Lastly, I think walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is fun.

Hope this helps. Have fun planning!

I agree with the previous posters and strongly suggest the Wok Wiz tour of Chinatown (WokWiz.com). We did it this June and had a wonderful time. It was a small group, our family of four, and I believe 5 other people. Very interesting tour of Chinatown and it included an incredible dim sum restuarant for lunch.

Graceann Walden, who writes a column in the San Francisco Chronicle, offers walking/tasting tours in North Beach called "Mangia!".
As to a hotel with pool: are you aware that the weather in SF is generally cool? There aren't a lot of hotels with pools. The Four Seasons has one but is an expensive property. Also, October is the wrong time of year to plan for a baseball game unless the Giants are in the World Series.

Okay, hotels.

I agree about thinking twice about the the Sir Francis Drake. It has a beautiful lobby and was supposedly renovated a few years ago...we used to love it....it's gone downhill.

Lately we have been staying at the Donatello, a block away from the theatre district, two from Union Square. Very large, nicely decorated rooms, with a chaise-type sofa, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave. Free breakfast in a nice lounge at the top of the hotel, with a terrace and a fireplace. Fitness center. Three times this year we got a room there, including parking (almost impossible in SF) for less than $200.

For booking, go to .... hotelres.com ...they specialize in discouunts for San Francisco and Silicon Valley hotels.

Another hotel I like, but it may be too expensive...unless you can get a deal...is the Nikko. My very favorite is the Pan Pacific. Look at a web site, you will love it. Very occasionally they have a special. Outstanding lobby with a fountain with statues dancing around it, glass elevators, marble bathrooms in the rooms to die for. Even a small TV.

Sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck.

Thanks for the hotel tips. I will check that out. I did look at the Nikko and the Pan Pac. Nikko good price, Pan Pac. too $$$

ttt

Crowne Plaza, near the Drake, is very nice. Nice roomy rooms and very comfortable. We stayed for 5 nights and really liked it. Cable car runs by the hotel. Across street from Sears For Breakfast.

Yes, the Crowne Plaza is fine. But I like the location and large rooms of the Donatello. However, it is probably a toss-up...price being the difference.

My mom prefers an indoor pool. The Crowne has one I believe, the Donatello does not.

I will try to convince her to forgo that option for a great hotel experience.

I'd rent a car for one of the Days and go to Sonoma. It's only 90 minutes away (driving slowly), and hey, the wine's good. In particular, check out "Valley of the Moon" and eat lunch at "The Girl and the Fig" in the Sonoma Town Plaza.

thanks jenjake. I think that rather than drive. Get a driver and car to take you around. Then you can really drink the wine. I love it thre it is so pretty. I will keep the restaurants in mind.

Another recommendation for visiting the Winchester Mystery House which would be quite appropriate for a mystery vacation. The have flashlight tours of the mansion around Halloween if you will be in California then. You could also combine the visit with a day trip to San Jose as well.


http://winchestermysteryhouse.com/


http://winchestermysteryhouse.com/events.html

I think that I will pass on the Wincherster. However I like the idea. Thanks again.

Christina

okay...now I have the dates and such. Still looking for ideas onad hotel. Want it near Union Square. Around $250 per night. We need an indoor pool.

If you are interested in being near the theatre district, I would suggest the following places:
Hotel Diva, Hotel Monaco, Hotel Adagio and Hotel Bijou. I've stayed at the Adiagio & Bijou and have also heard great things about the other two places from friends. Oh, and my cousin likes the St. Francis (still a Westin hotel I think).

Have you searched on hotels.com or similar for a hotel with an indoor pool? I don't think there are too many of them, although I haven't ever checked with that criteria.
Back to the Winchester Mystery House. If you all are shoppers, there is a great complex called Santana Row across Winchester from the Mystery House, with upscale shops and restaurants. Actually some of the dining is quite affordable. There's a big mall across Stevens Creek on the other side of Santa Row called Valley Fair with a Nordstrom's and Macy's among others. Just in case you decide on that day trip (it's about 45 miles one way).

Thanks. We would really like an indoor pool...Yes they are there, but lowers our options on where to stay.

definitly going to do the wok wiz tours It looks great!!!

Still looking for other ideas.

has anyone had lunch in the tea room in the Golden gate Park? Can you only do lunch or can you do dinner.

Do you mean Japanese Garden inside of the park? I heard it's tea only, maybe somebody else knows better.

So many posts, sorry, are you looking for a tea place? Cheesecake factory on top of Macy's (huuuge portions if you have lunch or dinner!), they have a balcony with those lamps to warm up the space. Also Garden Court at Palace hotel, tea on Saturday. There is also something on top of Nordstrom - all in the Union square area.