OT- Anyone know San Francisco?

[Detroit-Tigers]

I am looking at going there next week to interview with a leading search engine provider. I thought about taking the old lady and making a short vacation out of it. What do you recommend seeing/doing?

[Stoney18]

DT, only been there for work and not extensively so this is a limited perspective.

I like North Beach for the italian restaurants.

The Ferry Building on Embarcadero had some unique shops and The Slanted Door there was a pretty good restaurant.

A customer of mine there said to take a trip to Napa but I didn't have time. Wouldn't be crowded mid-week this time of year.

[ugrant]

Don't know what sort of tourist you are, but this is a great, cheap day:

Get a couple of bicycles (rent or bring them) and pack a bag lunch. Take your car down to the ferry building on the embarcadero and unload. Peddle along the embarcadero through Fisherman's Wharf, then up through the Presidio headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge. If you're a good cyclist a side trip down to Fort Point (underneath the GG Bridge) is worth it - also worth a drive to if you're not the physical labor type. Head over the Golden Gate on the bikes - they let you do that - and then down the other side through some really cool roads to Tiburon. Then take the Ferry (bikes ok) back to the embarcadero ferry building where your car is parked.

Take the time to head to the ocean front at Golden Gate Park. There's a really neat walk along the coast, if you head north, that will take you where the old Cliff House used to be. A little further is a walk down to the water's edge and the remains of the Mt Sutro Baths. The view there is worth it. There are a lot of really cool places within the Park itself - De Young Museum, Japanese Tea Gardens, a Planetarium and the Steinhart Aquarium.

In the middle-eastern part of the city is Coit Tower and that crazy winding road (I forget the name at the moment). Both worth the time to see.

[FRANKZAHN]

I like the Tai Chi Restaurant on Polk Street for Chinese food. Last time I was there, I saw Barry Bonds in there.

[wavygravy2k]

I haven't been here but hope to try it out soon.

Joe DiMaggio's Italian Chophouse
601 Union St (Cross Street: Stockton Street)
San Francisco, CA 94133View Map
(888) 632-4988

[Fish out of Florida]

Take a tour of AT&T park...

[url]http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sf/ballpark/sf_ballpark_tours.jsp[/url]

...then, after the tour, walk a few blocks to 21st Amendment...

[url]http://www.21st-amendment.com/[/url]

:D

[CATom]

lived there for 2 1/2 years SOOOOO - pier 39 (fisherman's wharf) - great place to start. Go to Alcatraz - entertaining :) Would also suggest the "bay tour" get to learn all about the golden gate. If you like tours take the "Big Red Shinny Mac Fire Engine" one its not only entertaining BUT educational ;) ---- Also would do the "city tour", lived ther for a year before we did it and really was amazed at what we had been missing. Napa is great BUT not the only wine area. Sonoma is also world reknown! The "VIANSA" winery in Napa and the "STERLING" winery in Napa are DO NOT MISS ONES - IMO. True about the NorthBeach restaurants, really great. Try the "stinking rose" specially if youy like GARLIC! My favorite steakhouse is in the marina district, called "IZZYS". a little pricey BUT very good. China town is a must see - great little inexpensive places to eat, ask locals and stay off the beaten track! Also gotta ride the "cable cars". Remember Rice a Roni. Copala (the director) has a great little restaurant in North Beach AND a great winery in Napa, also.

Hope this helps and if you want any more info JUST ASK :)

Tom.

oh yeah, the crazy winding road (known as the worlds crookedist street is Lombard! And don't forget Filmore, if you have the time!

[Detroit-Tigers]

Thanks for the great feedback- 10 years ago I did pier 39, Lombard street, Golden Gate bridge, etc.. so I was looking for other ideas to check out. My trip is rescheduled until the first week in January- I am really excited at the propsect of moving out there, but the housing prices are ridiculous!

AT&T park seems like a must- I like the idea of the bike trip (although I have a toddler and my wife is kind of lazy). I would love to run into Barry Bonds (I personally don't care whether or not baseball players use steroids, and man does he produce!). My wife and I rarely drink, but we may check out viansa and sterling anyways. CHinatown sounds good. Also, I think I have to take my wife to Ghirandelli or whatever.

[frog17]

If you're a reader, check out city lights bookstore (owned by Lawrence fehrlingetti). I forget the streets, but look it up on the net. I always get in there when I'm in SF.