www.andrewshotel.com
Is where I've stayed 2 times. I don't necessarily *recommend* it but can say it is a funky cute old refurbished hotel in a comfortable location at a decent price with helpful staff & self-serve basic continental breakfast in the halls each morning, wine-bar downstairs off the lobby.

P_M and Paula,

I am getting in on Thursday afternoon and was wondering if you wouldn't mind having a gimp hang out with you Friday aftrenoon?

I haven't been th San Francisco since I was a wee lad. So I am basicaly a newbie to the city.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Sounds good to me. Please email me when you get a chance. thegreatpumpkin24 at yahoo.

Oh! I'm so jealous! You get to hang out with Tom :-( I'm still disappointed about Florence.

P_M, if you change your mind about hotels, my favorite hotel (just about anywhere) is the Monaco near Union Square. Check out their rates. I can't praise this hotel high enough - especially for a woman traveling alone. So much to see and do just steps outside the door. Location, location, location!

starrs,

I hear you about Florence. :(( Hard to believe, but the dinner at Dawns would have been last night. But I guess it was not meant to be.

Too bad you can't join all of us in San Francisco for the GTG. If you ever make it to Seattle, we can do dinner then. Or if you are up for a visitor late summer/early fall next year, I can make a swing through your area during my drive across the US.

Tom

P_M and Tom-Right now I am getting in early afternoon but am thinking about moving my flight up to an earlier one. Need to do it soon before the rates go up more!!

Did you guys have any idea what you want to do Friday afternoon? Tom, don't know how much you can walk but I am sure we can use public transportation to get around. I am very familiar with the city as I
have had it has part of my sales territory for the last 2 years. However I have always had a rental car so don't know much about the public transportation. I am sure Faina and others can give us hints.

I don't mind renting a car but don't want to have to pay for parking when it's on my own dime!! I may end up with a car anyway because I told LoveItaly I would drive her home Sat if she doesn't have a ride with others from her area.

Anyway let me know thoughts on what sights you want to see.

Paula, I have no concrete plans but how about a boat ride around the bay? That might be easy for Tom, and I really enjoyed doing that on my last visit to SF in 1996.

Paula - I will be hobbeling around with a cane. But if you guys are patient, I will keep up with you. I went through this 10 years ago when I broke my ankle and know what to expect.


P_M - I like the idea of taking a boat cruise around the bay. And if others are up for breakfast on Saturday, count me in. So my whole day is open. I would like to see Alcatraz, but feel that would be too much walking. So I will save that until the next SF GTG.

My flight out is at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. So I guess I am free until about 2 before I need to head out to the airport.

Tom

Am I going to freeze to death? LOL I am such a wimp! Anyway, that sounds good or if I end up with a car that leaves us open to lots more possibilities.

I am definitely going to change my ticket to get in earlier on Friday. I will let you the new arrival time.

Maybe we can catch one of these boat rides:

http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/Sigh.../baycruise.cfm

Tom, did you get my email? How about the show Saturday night?

P_M,

Yes I did get your email. The boat tour and the show Saturday night sound good to me. The boat tour will allow me to take tons of photos.

Tom

Nuthin'better than being on a boat in the bay! While your waiting for your boat at Pier 39, make sure to check out the Sea Lions !
http://tinyurl.com/64w224
Tom, definitely bring your camera.
((P))
R5

So is there a real plan for Friday? We'll be in SF starting Monday night and are open to most anything, but Lee's walking is a little toned down now -- so Tom, we should all get along fine. We're always up for a boat trip. And the weather looks to be warmer there than we had in Chicago last week! After our few days at Tahoe, it will probably seem like summer!

Patrick if you and Lee can join us on the boat ride that would be the icing on the cake. :-) Once we find out Paula's new arrival time we can decide what time to take our boat ride.

Sure. From the Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf? I know we've usually taken the boat to Sausalito from the Ferry Building -- and a great place to have lunch before hand. (note I never miss an opportunity to think about food).

That would be great if we all could go. I can try to get there close to P_M but I was going to fly into Oakland. I can check the times into SFO.

I usually try to avoid flying out of San Diego real early because traffic heading into San Diego from where I live is horrendous in the morning. But I can deal with that or I will check flights from Orange County.

Going over to Sausalito would be fun but I am up for anything.

Paula,

I'll go where ever the group decides upon. I can't speak for the others, but if you do end up renting a car, I wiil pitch in for the parking.

Tom

Since it's difficult for me to get up from San Jose for the evening (I don't drive, I have to take Cal Train/ a bus), I may be able to get up for a Friday activity. Would that be okay with you all? I have to see if my contract job will start on 10/20 or 10/27.

Of course you can join us. Also I apologize because I haven't emailed the Fodorite who lives in your area. I don't think she's been on this thread for awhile and I don't want to give out her name. If she can give you a ride especially in the evening, I am sure she will get on this thread.

I may know who you mean Paula. I think I have her email. Mine is [email protected].
Anyway, day may be better, though if i get a ride I'll do the evening. It's all contingent on when my new job starts.