I've read so many great threads of advice on SF here. I am hoping you might be able to help me too.

We are 5 girlfriends (mums, 30s)traveling coming to SF at the end of the month from a Friday (arrive around 6 p.m.) to Monday (fly out at 4 p.m.). We are from Dallas, so are used to good shopping and restaurants.

This is a mystery trip where none of the others know our destination till we get to the airport, so I am in charge of figuring out a general itinerary that is somewhat flexible. I know they will be thrilled with SF. It is such a great city. I am assuming all 5 of us have been there, so we can skip the tourist spots.

On Friday, I think we'll just check into the hotel and then go out for dinner and drinks. We are staying at the Omni. Someone suggested the Carnelian Room as a good place for a drink with a view. any thoughts on dinner? Seafood is not a favorite for 2 so don't want to do a predominantly seafood place. I also don't want to go anywhere super expensive. These girls do like their wine though...

Saturday is our day to explore the city. Shopping/browsing is probably on the agenda. We have all the chains here, so boutiques and funky places are more appealing. We also have some foodies in the group. Places that have popped out to me are Haight-Asbury, Russian Hill, Chestnut, Fillmore, North Beach, Chinatown and the Ferry Building. I know we can't do much though, but can't figure out what would go together. If we end up near the Ferry Building at lunch, Slanted Door sounds really good.

Saturday night, I hope we can do dinner and maybe a show. Would love to do BBB, but can't buy the tickets ahead b/c want to give this as a choice. Will they be sold out by day of typically? Are there half price day of tickets that are any good? We are from Dallas (but do go to NY), so are fairly easily impressed with shows.

Thought we might eat in North Beach. Italian is so good with everyone. Last time I was in SF with dh, we ate at a great place: L'Osterio del Forno. Seems it was small, not expensive, delicious and had recently been written up in Bon Appetit, crowded. Is that still around? Too hard with a group of 5? Other suggestions for restaurants around there? Better to do dinner or the show first?

Sunday, we are doing a day long Napa/Sonoma wine bus tour w/supersightseeingtours.com. I have read some good reveiws on it. Decided to do that so none of us would have to miss the fun and we wouldn't have to worry about drinking and driving. Has anyone done this?

Any ideas for dinner and after on Sunday? We are not big into the club scene, but more into food and conversation. We could definitely go out for a drink though after.

On Monday, I thought I'd give the choice of doing spa treamtment (these are spa girls!) or a trip to Sausalito (I've never been so am hoping for this). Any ideas for the spa? I have heard good things about Nabuki Spa. How do you get to Sausalito? Suggestions for what to do and where to eat lunch?

And before we know it, we'll be back to the airport going home. I love SF and can't wait to share this trip with friends. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions!

Hi, travelisgreat. Sounds like a fun trip you're planning. You didn't say what kinds of food you like other than Italian, but I have a couple of suggestions for Chinese food which are good and not too expensive. Both specialize in dim sum. One is Yank Sing, not too far from the Omni and the other is one I love which is close to where I lived until recently, Tong Kiang. It's in the Richmond District, around 23rd Avenue on Geary. I am guessing that $20 or $25 a person would easily cover the food bill. Not a big wine selection, though.

Have a great time when you're out here.

When you're in Napa, go to Auberge du Soleil for lunch or dinner. http://aubergedusoleil.com/html/dining.shtml

Some of the best food and views anywhere in California. If you don't feel like taking the time to have a full lunch, the bar offers the same view, faster service and better prices.

What a fun trip! There is nothing better than traveling with a bunch of girlfriends! And, SF is a great city to have fun. Let's see, what to address first....

I think you meant the Kabuki spas in Japantown. I highly recommend them. Very clean, professional and excellent massages. I think you would all be very happy. If you want to spend a little more.....the best in the city is the spa at the Huntingdon hotel. http://www.huntingtonhotel.com/hunt_spa.cfm

It's been listed as one of the top ten spas in the country. I went there a year ago, and it was a dream experience. There is also a pool and hot tub, where you can relax as long as you want after/before your massage with glass walls with a view of the City. You can also order a light lunch of salads, etc. to be delivered to you pool side.

Re: shopping. Since you said you have many of the chains near you, you might want to check out Hayes Valley (it's only about 4 blocks long of shops, but very unique), Noe Valley and 24th street...again, unique shops...and if you go there, check out Savor for lunch....amazing food, huge portions, but I have to say, my favourite is their salads. They also have an outdoor patio. Chestnut and Fillmore are nice but will have a lot of chain stores you are used to. The Haight is good if you are into vintage clothing, tattoos, etc. Chinatown is fun, and if you want to bring back gifts for people, this is the place to do it! The further you go in from the Chinatown gate, the cheaper the prices are. Most of the shops carry the same things.

Check out Canton Bazaar on Grant if you want clothing....I just bought a GORGEOUS long, silk kimono with the long sleeves, for $40 there last week. But you can find small gifts for just a few dollars if you need to.

Let's see...>BBB. Don't MISS IT! The tickets sell out months in advance, so not sure if you can still get tickets! No luck with half price, etc as they are always sold out. But, if you can get it, it's worth it! My ex laughed so hard he literally fell off his chair!!!

Slanted Door is a must!!! (But CALL for reservations!!!!) You can't go wrong with almost anywhere in Northbeach for Italian food, except, stay away from "stinking rose" (garlic), it's more for tourists, and the food isn't that great. And Calzones, great location, but the food isn't that good. If you want the best Italian food you've had outside of Italy, check out E'Angelos (cash only) on Chestnut street just off Pierce. (I was just there tonight) It's amazing!

As far as Sunday night...if you like Thai food, go to the Richmond District (in the City) to Khan Toke. It's on Geary between 23rd and 24th ave. It's the first thai restaurant in the City, and the food is amazing. It's also very reasonably priced with a huge menu!!! (Something to please everyone) The atmosphere is great, it's a traditional thai house, you take off your shoes at the door, sit in tables on the floor (they have cut out floors to make you comfortable) and you sit on cushions. I HIGHLY recommend it. Also, another fun place for a "girlfriend" visit, is also in the Richmond District, on Clement between 31-32ave (I may be off a block) but it's called "El Mansour" and the food is fabulous, but also has a live belly dancer. (No, it's not cheezy, it's really fun with great food) It's middle eastern food, and everything is eaten with your fingers!! And, bring your camera, you can actually dance with her if you want and take your photos together.

My best friend flies out once (or twice) a year for our annual "Girlfriend" visits, so I'm trying to think of some fun places we've been that are not typical tourist restaurants.

Oh, there is also "Asia SF". It's South of Market Street. Your "waitresses" are all gorgeous men in drag! The food is good too. Then, during the evening, the "men"/"girls" get up on the bar and preform shows dressed in drag. It's a blast! I spent my 40th birthday there. Again, bring your camera!

Great idea to take a wine country tour since there are a group of you. You will really enjoy yourselves!

Oh, you mentioned the Carnelian Room,but also said don't want to go anywhere super expensive. The Carnelian room is VERY pricey! It's hard to say where to have a drink with a view, as our summer months bring in the fog in the evening, so you may not see much! Your hotel might offer some suggestions for a place with a view for cocktails.

Have a fabulous time and enjoy being girlfriends! Husbands/boyfriends come and go, but girlfriends are forever!!!!!

Post back if you have questions. But have a great time!!!

Andiamo

Oh,forget to respond to Sausalito. It's a cute little area, best part is the view of SF (if there isn't a lot of fog) You can catch a ferry there, but the ferry will take about 30 minutes (I think), so going to Sausalito will take about half a day. I, personally, would skip it, in favour of the other fun places in SF. The stores are geared towards tourists, and a lot of art galleries. I guess it depends on what you are into.

Given a spa treatment or Sausalito, my answer would be SPA everytime!!!!!

PS. Can I join in the fun?! Just kidding, but it sounds like you will all have a wonderful time together. I love that the destination is a surprise for your friends!

Oh, be warned.....you are used to HOT weather......summer in SF can be surprisingly cool. Anywhere from 65-75 depending on how close to the water you are. You almost always need to have a light jacket with you (or around your waist, just in case) We are also a windy city, surrounded by water. So, just an FYI, so you don't pack all tank tops and shorts!

Andiamo

>>>Oh, you mentioned the Carnelian Room,but also said don't want to go anywhere super expensive. The Carnelian room is VERY pricey!<<

And I think I read it's closed for renovations.

Stu Dudley

Your mystery trips sounds like fun!! We love BOULEVARD restaurant down near Embarcardo area (sp?). It's always packed (reservations a must)and has a nice bar area. We also love going for Dim Sum at Tong Kiang as mentioned above. Check out the ZAGAT restaurant guide for SF.
Have fun!

All the small restaurants on Belden Place are fun, lively atmosphere, good food. (Google Belden Place San Francisco there's lots of write-ups.)

For fun boutique shopping, I suggest Union St. (this is not Union Square). It is great street with a lot of boutiques and interesting shops (I believe the area is also called Cow's Hollow). We also had a wonderful lunch there at The Balboa Cafe.

Also, like Suze, recommend restaurants at Belden Place. Good food and a lively atmosphere!

On Belden Place, Plouf is known for its mussels. That stretch of street is very lively and fun.

andiamo has some good suggestions for the outer richmond district, which may be a bit far out to go without a car and given your short time frame in the city. I'd add Aziza (http://www.aziza-sf.com/) to that list if you do end up going out there. Belly dancing and middle eastern food - great for groups -it made the local newspaper's top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area.

In North Beach, I like Trattoria Contadina (corner of Mason and Union Street) for solid traditional italian food. L'Osterio del Forno is a favorite also (but you've been there) - don't know how it would be with a larger group. Mama's on Washington Square is great for brunch (get there early and be prepared to wait).

Also, go to www.chowhound.com and look at the SF Bay Area message board. You will get some great suggestions for food.

I think the Carnelian Room is closed for renovations. If you still want drinks with a view, you can go to Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins Hotel. It's just a few blocks up from the Omni (but it's uphill, fyi). The only downside is that there aren't too many great restaurants that fit your criteria right up there on Nob Hill where you could eat afterwards. Maybe it's better for after-dinner drinks before going back to the hotel.

Someone mentioned Yank Sing, for dim sum. It is a great choice, but if you are used to eating dim sum, it runs much more expensive than anything you would eat in chinatown, FYI.

If you go to Union Street, Rose's Cafe is great for brunch (be prepared to wait for a table on the weekend). You can do Union Street and Chestnut Street together (they are only blocks from each other). Have fun!

Travel, whatever you do, don't eat at Omni's restaurant, if I remember, Bob's steak house or some similar name. We were there for a business lunch and nobody liked it.

There is a ticket booth, cash only, on Union square sells 1/2 and full price tickets. Sometimes they have 1/2 price BBB so if you're a little flexible with date/time you'll get in. www.theatrebayarea.com

One of the cable car lines goes up California to Van Ness(last stop) this is where you can get onto Golden Gate transit bus to Sausalito, maybe bus #10? Or you can take the MUNI bus line #1 to Van Ness. And to go back take the ferry to Embarcadero. This way you'll make a round-trip riding on the bridge and get all kind of great views.