Deb, I couldn't find this thread, posted more advices on your other thread here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35182669

Wow, Deb - this sounds like a great start to your trip! Am envious of your "Wicked" score!

A rainy forecast had us change some of our San Fran plans -

we went to the Wells Fargo History Museum on Montgomery Street. Not large or time consuming, but a wild, wild west look at WellsFargo banking; a coach on display too

Hey Deb, you should win a prize for the number of activities you packed in yesterday and today. I didn't realize you were getting to SF before the weekend.

We changed our weekend plans until later this month because of the forboding weather forecast, so we won't be dining in SF Friday night, but I'm hoping we can get a GTG off the ground the next time you and Mr. Debit come to SF.

Here's the link to a Gourmet Chocolate Tour in SF on Saturday at 10:30 and 2:00. If the weather clears maybe you can indulge your inner chocoholic!

www.gourmetwalks.com

Deb, will you post the procedure for possibly scoring same-day tickets for Wicked? Did you show up at the box office just before the performance or what? Lucky you!

The lottery for WICKED tickets is pretty simple. They do it for ever performance, but the number of available tickets varies depending on what is left unsold. They also don't tell you ahead of time how many they will sell at this price, so it is a shot.

You show up 2.5 hours before show time. You fill out a form that has your name on it and circle either 1 or 2 [depending on how many tickets you want]. Each member of your party can fill out a form, thereby increasing your odds of getting drawn. You must have ID and cash. They check your name and ID and the form goes into a container.

At 2 hours before, they start pulling forms. You then have to buy the tickets immediately and show your ID again. Our seats were together, they may not all be together. You then spend your next 2 hours off and doing whatever[our was lunch at Zuni] and come back for show.

As we were leaving, after we bought the tickets --MY name was called; I was the 4th name called. So of course, we didn't need those and someone else got them.

Tonight, we went to SF MoMA and got in the line to buy our tickets. We weren't in line for more than a minute, when a man walked over to the couple in front of us and handed them 2 tickets and then us 2 tickets; said "have a nice time" !!

We were amazed!

We love San Francisco

Deb

http://www.shnsf.com/tickets/index.asp?key=536

For the official details of lottery.

Deb

Thanks a bunch, Deb. We'll definitely try to get lucky on our visit to SF later this month.

Though the weather report is calling for mucho rain later, it's bright and shiny down here on the Peninsula this morning. Hoping it's the same in the City.

The sun is out now! Water dripping off the roof of my building.

Reading this thread with interest. I'm headed to the Bay Area tomorrow for a week. We had planned to take two days and drive down to Big Sur, but I'm rethinking the plans. Doesn't sound like much fun in the rain. I'm copying this rainy day San Francisco information.

The sun was out at 9, but it definitely isn't out at 10!

We did the 10am tour of City Hall. It was excellent. We were the only 2 people and we had a very knowledgeable guide. We were in the Supervisors Chambers and it was beautiful.

We had Dim Sum at City Views [went last year too] and it was just as good. As we did before, we got there just before Noon and sat right down. We were near the door to kitchen so we were the first to be offered food and it was excellent and hot. Total bill was $36 and we were stuffed. We walked a bit, got some custard tarts at a bakery and some mandarin oranges for 59 cents a lb.

We then went on a City Guide tour offered through the library.

We did the City Scapes tour which is in Financial District and goes through several buildings and gardens. The weather held up for almost the entire walk.

We got pretty wet walking back to hotel, but it was a great day.

Deb

Nikki, if you can be flexible with your plans you may still be able to do BIg Sur. The thing is at this time of year one never knows. My sister has been in Carmel all week and even though the forecast was for rain and showers, they have had fairly clear skies; whereas here in the City (SF) it has rained more.

My sister followed my rule for our weather--if it looks nice, get out and enjoy it, because you can't count on it being nice the next day.

Take your umbrella this time! We have a saying here "The storm door is open". There are some big rains on the horizon. SF has many,many movie theaters and you can really just about have your pic of things to see. That being said, you can also link movie "dates" with some parts of town as: The Clay(art house movies) on Fillmore Street which has some pretty good places to eat. Take the Geary Bus to Fillmore Street and then take the 22 heading towards the Bay.

The Kabuki Theater movies(comfy!) and one of the locations for the SF Film Festival. You can grab a bowl of steaming Japanese Noodles in the Kabuki Mall and/or sign yourselves up for some really good Japanese baths at Kabuki Hot Springs.

The Castro Theater (in the Castro-Harvey Milk's part of town) often shows some vintage films and the entertainment during same from the
audience is great! (Example: during "Stella Dallas" lots of hissing at the daughter etc).

I actually think taking the car across the GG Bridge and having lunch at Cavallo Point could be fun(pricey but fun).

I think driving to Wine Country would be fine in the rain as long as it's not rainy too hard. I do recommend checking out the wineries on Silverado Trail and doing so during the week might be the best option. We just (call for appointment) did a tasting at Failla Winery..it was some damned good stuff. It's a comfy place as well.

Since you have considered heading up to wine country, also consider going a tad more to Calistoga and taking spa treatments at Indian Springs Resort and Spa. If you have even one spa appointment (try a mud bath and blanket wrap or $$ massages and the like) you can use the large heated and oh so lovely mineral water pool all day until 6 pm. My absolutely favorite time to be there is in the rain. Consider a small plates dinner at La Jolie and do not leave the premises without having a slice of their coconut cream pie.

Check out The Hunan Restaurant on Sansome for some bowls of hot steaming dumplings. Spicy and good.

Now..back to the umbrella idea. Our favorite umbrellas (travel sizes) have been purchased while on trips. We have one from the Clark Museum (says so) and one of the NY SUbway system bought at the Transit Museum in Grand Central. Both recall for us great trips! SF MOMA is bound to have one.


One more thing..being from New Mexico, you simply must have some Dungeness crab while you are here.it's in season now and SWEET.
You can(very simple) try some at Swan's Oyster Depot on Polk. Or, get more adventurous and see if you can find Than Long(in the Sunset-I am not certain they are still open) and go for hot garlic crab and garlic noodles.

Agree with Kal about doffee at the Buena Vista.

And, one of the most beautiful temples is in Pacific Hgts. You might be able to see Temple Emmanuel.

Come to Berkeley and check out Afikomen(Jewish Renewal Book and gift store). Or, take BART and the Shattuck bus up to Chez Panisse for lunch.

Thahn Long is still open! Check them out on Yelp.com(you will almost be to the beach when you take the bus out in their direction!)

Thahn Long
4101 Judah
SF

(415)665-1146

OOOOh you big luckies!

So what'cha doing for dinner tonight, Deb? Tell all!

We went to Tadich Grill. It was one of 3 places I "allowed" ourselves to repeat from last years' trip to SF. {Zuni Cafe and City Views were the other 2].

We walked over and got there around 6:30 pm. We were able to get a table in less than 10 minutes. I am not sure if it was due to the rain, or that it's a 3 day weekend, or that tomorrow is V Day or it's just the economy or it was early to eat but the place was not busy. Last year, it was very crowded on a Thursday night. We ate at the counter last year, this time we decided to wait for table.

DH had their excellent cioppino and I had sand dabs, which were tender and so sweet.

We walked back to hotel and had a few mandarin oranges for dessert.

So far, we really have only had to be in heavy rain for less than 30 minutes. I am glad that we decided against going to Big Sur or even up to wine country. We can still do that if the weather seems ok, but I think this is simply a city visit.

Ferry Building Farmer's market tomorrow morning and then a CityGuide Tour of Palace Hotel, at 10am. Rest of the day is still undecided.

Deb

Hi Deb. Hoping your found a warm, cozy spot for your SF Sunday. Bring us up to date, OK?

Also, would you describe what you had for lunch at the Zuni Cafe? We're coming to the City a little later in February and plan to toss our names into the pot for Wicked tickets at noon, then head to Zuni for lunch while we await our fate. Thanks!

betsy,
zuni is known for their roast chicken and fries which i can definitely vouch for. yummmm!
it is just amazing.
i have heard that the burgers are also very good.
don't eat them so can't say first hand.