San Francisco Suggestions
 

San Francisco with two adults in early Dec - only have 2 days. Need a mid-range priced hotel and ideas on sights to see, including some shopping (not dept stores - more one of a kind funky shops) and dining optiions (just want good food, price not a factor). All help appreciated.

For shopping I would find a way to get to the Ashbury Haight area. They have funky little boutiques with great deals. Make sure to stay in the upper ashbury haight area as the lower part is a little rough around the edges. I live here so I might not be the best for hotel suggestions but I would look into places around Union Square, there are tons of hotels and restaurants and it is a good area. Stay away from seemingly lower priced hotels in the Tenderloin, you do not want to stay there.

If you want authentic italian dining go to Ristorante Milano. The best italian I have ever had. It is in the Russian Hill area.

For breakfast or brunch try out Buena Vista Cafe, very san francisco, great food (a little hectic) and great irish coffees.

SGBrou, a friend told me about boutiques in the North Beach area. What do you think about that area?

I just got back and we shopped around the Hays Street shops and found fun boutiques and good eats (Zuni Cafe- highly recommend).

My fave shopping places outside of Union Square:
Hayes Valley
Noe Valley
Polk Street (there's a lot of frenchy shops)
Union Street (not square)

If you like Thai food, I just have to tell you about this wonderful place that I go to every time I'm in SF.

The people are absolutely wonderful, and the food is among the best Thai I have ever had in my travels!

Super cute place, customers seem to be locals, and best yet the price is very reasonable.

It is called "Ar Roi Thai Cuisine" located at 643 Post Street. 94109

We were walking along late at night one evening and could not decide where to eat. We looked at the menu, and looked inside, and it just had this incredible warm welcoming feeling.

I had the red curry seafood..and it was absolutely incredible. Everything we ordered, the appetizers and soups were simply mind blowing. I think there was a Zagot rating on the window, but if ther is not...it sure as heck should be.

Another favorite of mine is the "Slanted Door" and "Gary Danko's" but that is getting up there in price.

I also enjoy going to the restaurant that is attached to the Van Drake hotel, but I cannot remember the name. The staff is absolutely wonderful and the food is very good. It is open late so it is a great place if you have left dinner until the end of the day.

In particular I found the pasta dishes excellent.

BeachGirl there are some boutiques around north beath, they are just not as concentrated and can be a little difficult to find. But north beach is my favorite place to just walk around. Washington Square is a great little park with all kinds of people watching.

Hayes street is also good and Zuni Cafe is delicious!!

Mark99 my hubby love thai so we will have to go find that place, it sounds amazing.

I like Melissa's list, and my new fave these days for shopping is Union Street (not Square). I like eating at Home restaurant there. Think California comfort food. We stayed on Lombard Street about three blocks from Union Street at the Coventry Motor Inn. Those hotels are good if you have a car (free parking). If you won't have a car, I'd stay near Union Square. My daughter and I like Hotel Diva.

For funky, one-of-a-kind shops, my favorite area is Valencia Street, roughly between 16th and 22nd or so. Little artisanal boutiques selling cool clothing, objets d'art, etc. Plus you are in the "hot belt" of some of San Francisco's most forward-thinking restaurants. I'm in the neighborhood mostly to pick up coffee at Ritual Coffeehouse (Val. near 21st-22nd) or have southern Indian food at Dosa (katty-corner from Ritual). If I were taking a date to dinner, I'd go to Bar Tartine or Range.

Hayes Valley has the same kind of mix of shops and restaurants. There is a wine bar called Hotel Biron in the area which is a great place for a stop. Restaurants include Zuni (a classic), Absinthe (French) and Citizen Cake, which started out as a bakery and still turns out some of the best desserts in town.

There's just one thing I do every trip to San Francisco... and that's ride a street car from the beginning (Market/Powell) down thru Chinatown to Fisherman's Wharf and back.

Belden Place is my favorite for several restaurants located there, they have a website.

I suggest bidding on priceline for hotel, bid for union square east, union square west, nob hill areas only. It should be very easy to get a 4 star hotel for around $70 at that time of year. I just stayed for $75 a night at the parc 55 in large corner room with 4 very large bay windows with city views 1 block from union square. Cable car ride a must, walking tour through chinatown, many great italian rest. any guide book should have this. Golden Gate park is very nice with a good museum. Skip pier 39, and fishermans wharf I don't like these areas at all. will you have a car?