yk's Trip Report - Frozen in San Francisco, May 2009
May 26th, 2009, 02:45 PM
#21
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We practically crossed paths a couple of times this weekend! We were at the farmer's market on Saturday and at the Legion of Honor on Sunday (although later in the afternoon--it was still crowded).
I think I was looking at the same advance weather reports you were. I packed for 60s and sunny and was way under-dressed.
Nice report! I'll have to get going on ours.
I think I was looking at the same advance weather reports you were. I packed for 60s and sunny and was way under-dressed.
Nice report! I'll have to get going on ours.
May 27th, 2009, 08:38 AM
#22
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YK - Thank you friend!! 
Humm... I am not over joyed with your review and have found your previous reviews to be consistent with my own experiences in cases. I am booking directly via the SPG website and it is a double queen room for 60.00 a night plus 4,000 spg award points.
I have only stayed in Union Square and FW - and I think one other area - I went once with dh on a business deal and we stayed at a Holiday Inn I think - it was a long time ago. The other time we went; he and I stayed at the Casa Madronna <sp> Inn which I loved but that is not for a trip with a 16 year old.
Humm... I am not over joyed with your review and have found your previous reviews to be consistent with my own experiences in cases. I am booking directly via the SPG website and it is a double queen room for 60.00 a night plus 4,000 spg award points.
I have only stayed in Union Square and FW - and I think one other area - I went once with dh on a business deal and we stayed at a Holiday Inn I think - it was a long time ago. The other time we went; he and I stayed at the Casa Madronna <sp> Inn which I loved but that is not for a trip with a 16 year old.
May 27th, 2009, 09:07 AM
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MomDD, ah, yum, we stayed at Casa Madrona back in the '70's when it only had a few rooms. We saw it again 10 years ago and it had GROWN. What a lovely view they had.
After reading her reviews above, I think 10 years ago we had one of those small, inner rooms at the Francis too. Ours viewed an airshaft and we were awakened at 4 a.m. by garbage trucks. And, the bathroom was tiny.
After reading her reviews above, I think 10 years ago we had one of those small, inner rooms at the Francis too. Ours viewed an airshaft and we were awakened at 4 a.m. by garbage trucks. And, the bathroom was tiny.
May 27th, 2009, 09:30 AM
#24
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hoping yikes on the st. Francis...
If I think about it I can remember when I stayed at the Casa Madrona... I believe it was about 9 years or so ago. It was lovely. One of our favorite vacations ever. We drove up the coast - stayed in Santa Barbara, Carmel, Sausalito <sp>, and the wine country.
If I think about it I can remember when I stayed at the Casa Madrona... I believe it was about 9 years or so ago. It was lovely. One of our favorite vacations ever. We drove up the coast - stayed in Santa Barbara, Carmel, Sausalito <sp>, and the wine country.
May 27th, 2009, 09:38 AM
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This is too funny - I was at the Farmer's Market on Saturday and the Legion of Honor on Sunday, as well! Looks like you, Ms_Go and I had the same idea...
And yk, at least you remembered to get gas for your rental. I took my vehicle back to Avis, drove up to the return section, turned off the car, and THEN remembered I hadn't refueled. I ended up racing back out of the rental lot to find the nearest gas station, which fortunately wasn't too far away (thought for sure I'd get pulled over for speeding...).
I'm glad you had a great trip and I loved reading your report - great job!!
And yk, at least you remembered to get gas for your rental. I took my vehicle back to Avis, drove up to the return section, turned off the car, and THEN remembered I hadn't refueled. I ended up racing back out of the rental lot to find the nearest gas station, which fortunately wasn't too far away (thought for sure I'd get pulled over for speeding...).
I'm glad you had a great trip and I loved reading your report - great job!!
May 27th, 2009, 09:58 AM
#26
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MomDDTravel - Since you have booked for a double Queen, you should not have to worry - as those rooms has got to be much larger, and probably with better soundproof! The rate you have sounds really good - I doubt you can find a better deal elsewhere. Apart from our small room, the rest of the hotel was totally fine. I think your daughter will like Union Sq; with lots of shops around, and the cable car line right in front of the hotel.
Mr & Ms Go; and Mscleo - Hehe... I'm probably the one who was elbowing you guys at the Farmers Market and at the Legion of Honor!
Mr & Ms Go; and Mscleo - Hehe... I'm probably the one who was elbowing you guys at the Farmers Market and at the Legion of Honor!
May 28th, 2009, 09:42 AM
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You can never rely on weather reports for SF. I visit quite oftn as my mom lives just south of there and she knows I always have to go into the City when I am there.
You were right to get the Muni pass as it does let you travel unretricted throughout the city and I feel the Muni & cable cars take you where ever you want to go. And if you don't have a route map the drivers are always very helpful getting you where you want to go.
Last time I was there (in Dec) when leaving downtown on the cable car they were not loading the cars to capacity & instead of waiting 1 1/2-2 hrs to catch one you could walk a couple of blocks and get on. But if they are packing the cars full this does not work and standing in line is the best thing to do.
You were right to get the Muni pass as it does let you travel unretricted throughout the city and I feel the Muni & cable cars take you where ever you want to go. And if you don't have a route map the drivers are always very helpful getting you where you want to go.
Last time I was there (in Dec) when leaving downtown on the cable car they were not loading the cars to capacity & instead of waiting 1 1/2-2 hrs to catch one you could walk a couple of blocks and get on. But if they are packing the cars full this does not work and standing in line is the best thing to do.
May 28th, 2009, 11:56 AM
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harleykaren - you're right about weather forecast. I usually take them with a grain of salt (that's why I packed 60sF clothes when the forecast predicted 70sF). What I didn't expect was the gusty, unrelenting winds.... A windbreaker would have been handy, though that wouldn't go well with my dress for the wedding!
cmcfong - thanks for your kind words, as usual!
cmcfong - thanks for your kind words, as usual!
May 29th, 2009, 08:58 AM
#31
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How come I missed this report???
Great report, yk, as all your reports!
Thanks for the kind words, but the pleasure was all mine, as you and your DH were the easiest people to escort around my favorite city! You were both so appreciative of everything!
You certainly covered a lot of ground for such a short visit!
I must say that the contrast between you freezing and your DH in short sleeves and shorts in that blowing wind was quite a contrast! He must be happy with the cold back in Boston! So glad you finally got a jacket!
A short note on the Westfield Shopping Center: when it was first built it was known as the Nordstrom Center. You will still find Nordstrom up on the topmost floors.
The best Shanghai restaurant in the Bay Area that Shanghainese and I have tested is the Shanghai House on Balboa in SF - and we've been to a few! She's from Shanghai, so she should know what's authentic! We had a GTG there a couple of years ago.
Come back soon!
Great report, yk, as all your reports!
Thanks for the kind words, but the pleasure was all mine, as you and your DH were the easiest people to escort around my favorite city! You were both so appreciative of everything!
You certainly covered a lot of ground for such a short visit!
I must say that the contrast between you freezing and your DH in short sleeves and shorts in that blowing wind was quite a contrast! He must be happy with the cold back in Boston! So glad you finally got a jacket!
A short note on the Westfield Shopping Center: when it was first built it was known as the Nordstrom Center. You will still find Nordstrom up on the topmost floors.
The best Shanghai restaurant in the Bay Area that Shanghainese and I have tested is the Shanghai House on Balboa in SF - and we've been to a few! She's from Shanghai, so she should know what's authentic! We had a GTG there a couple of years ago.
Come back soon!
May 29th, 2009, 12:44 PM
#32
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off topic--I loved that Nordstrom. We have a 3-story one up here, but not all those (lovely to look at/not buy) designer departments. I still have the blue suede strappy sandals I bought there at least 16 years ago!
May 29th, 2009, 12:53 PM
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Originally developed by Sheldon Gordon (co-developer of The Forum Shops at Caesars and Beverly Center) the center opened in October 1988 as San Francisco Shopping Centre with approximately 500,000 square feet (46,000 m2) of space, the then-largest Nordstrom store (350,000 square feet) on the top several floors, the first spiral escalators in the United States, and connecting through to the adjoining Emporium-Capwell flagship store.
I have lived here since 1973 and I was shocked (shocked, I tell ya) that that Nordstrom's has been open since 1988.
I have lived here since 1973 and I was shocked (shocked, I tell ya) that that Nordstrom's has been open since 1988.
May 29th, 2009, 01:04 PM
#34
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I think the first time I saw those spiral escalators, was in 1994. I thought that was the coolest thing ever!
BTW, I have to say, they've done a good job with the upkeeping of the mall. It definitely doesn't look like it's over 20 years' old...
BTW, I have to say, they've done a good job with the upkeeping of the mall. It definitely doesn't look like it's over 20 years' old...
May 29th, 2009, 05:14 PM
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sf7307: And your source is? Not to be nitpicky, but my long-time recollections are different from your source.
I remember going there a few days after it first opened just to see the circular escalator and the name "Nordstrom" was very prominent on the entrance door facing Fifth Street. Everyone called it the "Nordstrom Center". We would arrange to meet at the "Nordstrom Center". We've made at least one Christmas shopping trip there every year since it opened.
Even today the little'uns who shopped there in the initial years and have now grown and moved away, when they return they still refer to it as the "Nordstrom Center".
yk: when Westfield took over, they did their usual upgrade. Bristol Farms, for example, is a new Westfield addition.
I remember going there a few days after it first opened just to see the circular escalator and the name "Nordstrom" was very prominent on the entrance door facing Fifth Street. Everyone called it the "Nordstrom Center". We would arrange to meet at the "Nordstrom Center". We've made at least one Christmas shopping trip there every year since it opened.
Even today the little'uns who shopped there in the initial years and have now grown and moved away, when they return they still refer to it as the "Nordstrom Center".
yk: when Westfield took over, they did their usual upgrade. Bristol Farms, for example, is a new Westfield addition.
May 29th, 2009, 07:59 PM
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I remember going there a few days after it first opened just to see the circular escalator and the name "Nordstrom" was very prominent on the entrance door facing Fifth Street. Everyone called it the "Nordstrom Center".
Well, what I quoted above is from Wikipedia. But my recollection is the same (I couldn't remember the year, but the rest is clear). I don't recall EVER calling it Nordstrom Center.
Well, what I quoted above is from Wikipedia. But my recollection is the same (I couldn't remember the year, but the rest is clear). I don't recall EVER calling it Nordstrom Center.
