Weekend in SF - hotel questions and more
Feb 28th, 2009, 09:37 AM
#21
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of my 5 favorite restaurants (when I have to pay) was written up in Wednesday's Chron - with "raves".
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...sn=001&sc=1000
The article says it's Moroccan - but it seems more like Calif/Moroccan to me. It is out on Geary, so you will have to take a taxi, 38 Geary, or drive. Street parking is difficult, but they have valet parking.
Another favorite is Firefly in the Noe Valley
http://www.fireflyrestaurant.com/index.html
Take the J-Church Muni Metro there and sit on the left side (side you enter on from downtown), to get a good view of the City from Dolores Park. Get off at 24th st, and walk about 6 blocks west (towards the huge tower), and past all the cute shops, cafes, restaurants, etc on 24th st. Best side of 24th is the south side.
Someone mentioned South SF as a priceline location. Be aware that there is a seperate city called South San Francisco - which would not be a good place to stay.
Here is my "post" of recommendations:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049
Not sure I've ever visited Muir Woods - if we have, it was many years ago. I have 3 huge redwood trees growing in my back yard, and another 50 in the immediate neighborhood. They create a mess & I have a difficult time keeping annuals alive because of all the needles that the redwoods drop with high acid content. I consider them large (but beautiful) weeds.
Stu Dudley
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...sn=001&sc=1000
The article says it's Moroccan - but it seems more like Calif/Moroccan to me. It is out on Geary, so you will have to take a taxi, 38 Geary, or drive. Street parking is difficult, but they have valet parking.
Another favorite is Firefly in the Noe Valley
http://www.fireflyrestaurant.com/index.html
Take the J-Church Muni Metro there and sit on the left side (side you enter on from downtown), to get a good view of the City from Dolores Park. Get off at 24th st, and walk about 6 blocks west (towards the huge tower), and past all the cute shops, cafes, restaurants, etc on 24th st. Best side of 24th is the south side.
Someone mentioned South SF as a priceline location. Be aware that there is a seperate city called South San Francisco - which would not be a good place to stay.
Here is my "post" of recommendations:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049
Not sure I've ever visited Muir Woods - if we have, it was many years ago. I have 3 huge redwood trees growing in my back yard, and another 50 in the immediate neighborhood. They create a mess & I have a difficult time keeping annuals alive because of all the needles that the redwoods drop with high acid content. I consider them large (but beautiful) weeds.
Stu Dudley
Feb 28th, 2009, 10:43 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Could you try to see Muir Woods at another time? If you do go on Saturday afternoon,make certain you leave SF well before 1 pm or the traffic will dampen your joy! If you are going that far, I recommend you also spend time in Point Reyes(nothin' like it).
Feb 28th, 2009, 05:16 PM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all for the info and good suggestions.
I think I will have to pass on Priceline because of the bed issue. I wish someone had stayed at one of the hotels. The Orchard is at Bush and Powell and Hotel480 is on Sutter and Powell - I think both locations are good. Is Powell a very noisy street because of the cable cars?
My plan is to try to get to Muir Woods Fri afternoon. If traffic is bad, then we'll just go across the GG and follow Stu's route for the great views and come back.
Butterfly's happy hour sounds like it might work for dinner Fri because I think we'll be tired and want to eat early.
We'll do the Ferry Bldg Sat am for breakfast,etc. And the Sci Academy Sunday morning. The rest will be figured out.
Is there anything we should absolutely see in Palo Alto on Monday and can anyone suggest some options for dinner there or in that area? Also, when driving from SF to Palo Alto, is there a route that's scenic that you could suggest?
I think I will have to pass on Priceline because of the bed issue. I wish someone had stayed at one of the hotels. The Orchard is at Bush and Powell and Hotel480 is on Sutter and Powell - I think both locations are good. Is Powell a very noisy street because of the cable cars?
My plan is to try to get to Muir Woods Fri afternoon. If traffic is bad, then we'll just go across the GG and follow Stu's route for the great views and come back.
Butterfly's happy hour sounds like it might work for dinner Fri because I think we'll be tired and want to eat early.
We'll do the Ferry Bldg Sat am for breakfast,etc. And the Sci Academy Sunday morning. The rest will be figured out.
Is there anything we should absolutely see in Palo Alto on Monday and can anyone suggest some options for dinner there or in that area? Also, when driving from SF to Palo Alto, is there a route that's scenic that you could suggest?
Feb 28th, 2009, 10:14 PM
#25
I second Starr's rec of Hotel Monaco -- in the theater district of downtown SF -- and a GREAT restaurant, Grande Cafe; a beautiful large art deco room and bistro food, usually a happenin' place, especially before the theater/symphony.
Let us know where you end up and maybe we can suggest restaurants.
In Palo Alto I like La Strada on University Ave downtown. California Cafe, adjacent to Stanford Shopping Center, is also generally good "California cuisine."
Let us know where you end up and maybe we can suggest restaurants.
In Palo Alto I like La Strada on University Ave downtown. California Cafe, adjacent to Stanford Shopping Center, is also generally good "California cuisine."
Feb 28th, 2009, 11:57 PM
#27
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Centralparkgirl, I just popped on to the US Forum for a minute and saw your thread. I haven't stayed at either hotel you are thinking of but in answer to your question yes Powell is noisy. It never bothers me but it does some people. But staying around Union Square one tends to hear noise. I would suggest you call whichever hotel you decide to stay at and ask them if they have any quiet rooms. And since you will be in SF next weekend it will be chilly so you will probably keep the windows to your room closed so that should help somewhat. Wishing you and you son a delightful trip!
Mar 1st, 2009, 04:53 AM
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stu - I know how crowded it can be. I was there in Oct. I am planning on becoming a member online. It's tax deductible and it will allow us to enter an hour earlier on Sun - and it's for a good cause. I'm also gambling that ds will decide to go to school nearby and I'll be back to visit and able to use the membership again.
starrs and annw - the Hotel Monaco looks great, but it will run over $900 - I'll look into it when I'm back with dh.
LoveItaly - thanks for the heads up. Calling the hotel is an excellent idea.
annw - I also would like to take a tour of Stanford which they offer daily.
starrs and annw - the Hotel Monaco looks great, but it will run over $900 - I'll look into it when I'm back with dh.
LoveItaly - thanks for the heads up. Calling the hotel is an excellent idea.
annw - I also would like to take a tour of Stanford which they offer daily.
Mar 1st, 2009, 07:34 AM
#29
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The hour early must only be on Sunday.
If we visited again, we would time things a little diferently. Last time we entered as soon as they opened - 9:30 I think. We immediatly got a pass for the 10:30 planetarium show, & they told us to get in line at 10:10. We then went down to the aquarium. Then we saw the show at 10:30. When it was finished around 11:15 we went back to the aquarium - and it was mobbed. Not enjoyable!! If we had to do it again, we would have watched the 11:30 planetarium show and spent the first 1 3/4 hrs only visiting the aquarium. We never got to the rain forrest - the line was too long.
Stu Dudley
If we visited again, we would time things a little diferently. Last time we entered as soon as they opened - 9:30 I think. We immediatly got a pass for the 10:30 planetarium show, & they told us to get in line at 10:10. We then went down to the aquarium. Then we saw the show at 10:30. When it was finished around 11:15 we went back to the aquarium - and it was mobbed. Not enjoyable!! If we had to do it again, we would have watched the 11:30 planetarium show and spent the first 1 3/4 hrs only visiting the aquarium. We never got to the rain forrest - the line was too long.
Stu Dudley
Mar 1st, 2009, 11:31 AM
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stu - yes, I am planning to visit on Sunday; I think it opens at 10 for members. I think I had a pass for the planetarium at 11:30 last Oct. The aquarium got mobbed before then too (this was on a Fri). Did you see the 1/2 hour film, 'Bugs?' It was great. We also didn't get into the Rain Forest and I think I read that it will be closed while I'm there next week. What did you do for lunch? Any suggestions? We ended up in the Moss Room because the lines to the cafeteria were so long.
Mar 1st, 2009, 06:17 PM
#32
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are two ways to get to Stanford, same amount of time, one is a scenic route, the other is mostly commericial/industrial. If you want to take the scenic route, get on 101 South heading out of San Francisco (to get to 101 from Union Square, go east on Stockton, at Market you zig and it becomes Fourth Street, and the 2nd and 3rd lanes bear right onto 101 South). Then from 101 South, take the Highway 280 South turnoff. It becomes scenic around Millbrae, and is postively gorgeous as you get into San Mateo and south. It's got signs calling it "America's Most Beautiful Highway".
Get off at San Hill Road headed east. In a few miles, you turn right on Alpine, which immediately becomes Junipero Serra, then bear left onto Campus Drive. (If you miss Alpine, no problem, you can turn into campus on any of the following streets before you hit Stanford Shopping Center. Even the street between Nordstrom and the shopping center (Arboretum) actually ends up on campus. Look at google maps. Then you'll just have to find your way to where you're going. Do not park in permit parking, and be sure to get a parking ticket, or you will get a "real" parking ticket!
Get off at San Hill Road headed east. In a few miles, you turn right on Alpine, which immediately becomes Junipero Serra, then bear left onto Campus Drive. (If you miss Alpine, no problem, you can turn into campus on any of the following streets before you hit Stanford Shopping Center. Even the street between Nordstrom and the shopping center (Arboretum) actually ends up on campus. Look at google maps. Then you'll just have to find your way to where you're going. Do not park in permit parking, and be sure to get a parking ticket, or you will get a "real" parking ticket!
Mar 2nd, 2009, 07:08 AM
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks sf - sounds great - I will type up the scenic directions.
I'm now worrying about the weather on Fri for NY and Boston departures as well as SF's continuing rain - will reread DebitNM's thread on rainy day activities!
I'm now worrying about the weather on Fri for NY and Boston departures as well as SF's continuing rain - will reread DebitNM's thread on rainy day activities!
Mar 2nd, 2009, 08:14 AM
#35
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like I mentioned on DebitNMs question about rainy day activities, there are several City Guides Walks that are good for rainy days. The Palace Hotel walk is entirely indoors. The City Scapes & Public Places walk (Deb went on this), has some indoor places.
www.SFCityGuides.org
Stu Dudley
www.SFCityGuides.org
Stu Dudley
Mar 2nd, 2009, 09:39 AM
#36
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just spent one night last week at the Larkspur Union Square Hotel and was incredibly impressed with how nice it was for the unbelievab le price of $86 a night. The room was a bit small but very clean, comfortable and well-appointed. We had a queen room, but they also have a twin-twin option. They had wine available in their lounge from 5:30-6:30 and coffe in the morning (as well as a coffemaker in the room). The hotel is located on Sutter near Powell(the street with the cable car line), so it's just a block north of Union Square - a really great location.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 10:13 AM
#37
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 20,647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CPG, don't worry about the weather! Saturday and Sunday is dry on the forecast, it means Friday will be dry in the city, and probably the rains are over.
Orchard on Bush @ Powell - OK location, safe, but on a hill - do you have good knees?
Hotel 480 - which is that? Google didn't pull it up.
Orchard on Bush @ Powell - OK location, safe, but on a hill - do you have good knees?
Hotel 480 - which is that? Google didn't pull it up.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 10:18 AM
#39
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just found the 480's website. The hotel is at the corner of Sutter and Powell. Was that the old Westbury/Holiday Inn? It appears to be a very large, but newly-remodeled hotel. CPG, note that the website says the room remodeling is done, but the hotel is still being renovated, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. May not matter to you, though, if that doesn't include weekends.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 10:25 AM
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dayenu (why is it every time I see your name I start to sing?)
It used to be the Crowne Plaza - see link - I think they're still renovating the exterior or the lobby, but if the rooms are new and pristine, the construction won't bother me. Maybe that's why the rate was good. Weather.com is showing rain now until 3/09.
http://www.hotel480.com/index.html
hazel1 - I will take a look - thanks!
It used to be the Crowne Plaza - see link - I think they're still renovating the exterior or the lobby, but if the rooms are new and pristine, the construction won't bother me. Maybe that's why the rate was good. Weather.com is showing rain now until 3/09.
http://www.hotel480.com/index.html
hazel1 - I will take a look - thanks!
