San Francisco Days, San Francisco Nights
funnymoney
Recent trip & friend who lives there
Nov 29, 2006
based on 4 votes
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Explore locations featured in this goList:
San Francisco, Bolinas, Berkeley
- Category: Recent trip
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Never been before, Repeat visitors
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Students, Budget travelers, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: photo op, San francisco, tourist, bridge, budget
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Ave price:
$182
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I've already left a positive review of this location and will continue to recommend this place to friends & family. This is a great location in Russian hill, between Van Ness & Polk, with FREE (covered) parking. Free parking in the city is certainly a rarity, but even better, the rooms are clean and comfy. The actual hotel itself is no frills, but I was only there to sleep so it worked for me. The room had it's own mini fridge/freezer, microwave, hair dryer and coffee maker.
The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful - they'll provide you with a list of the muni lines to the popular locations and a handy map. Varsa & Cy are the best and make you feel like you're visiting family. There is a complimentary continental breakfast, but if that does not suit you, there are plenty of restaurants & coffee shops in the area within walking distance. |
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| Home of the Castle Inn (see above). Restaurants, shops and galleries within walking distance of the Castle Inn. Almost every ethnic group is represented here in food, so take your pick and get eatin'! |
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| This is a down and dirty rock & roll bar on the coner of Polk & Clay in Russian Hill. No pretentious wannabe celebs or dress codes, just locals who want to have a good time and see some solid bands. It is on the small side and it WILL get hot, so take advantage of their secured coat check up front and get ready for some fun. Buy tickets in advance online or at the box (if not sold out). |
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| Take home a not so generic souvenir (read: not tacky) from this gallery featuring local artists. A couple of blocks away from the Castle Inn in Russian Hill. |
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| A must do while in SF! Buy a MUNI pass for 1, 3 or 7 days and take advantage of the savings! A one way trip on the cable cars will cost you $5/person now! My 3 day MUNI pass cost $18 for unlimited rides on the cars and buses. Of course I made it a point to ride the cable cars as many times as possible, but it is a great experience you probably will not come across often. Stand out on the outside if it's sunny and have a companion take your photo. |
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If you're on the 49 mile scenic drive, it'll take you through the park. Stop a while and enjoy the bounty! If you're relying on public transportation (highly recommended) take the #5 Fulton bus to the park as it stops along the north side of the park. The de Young museum is around 10th, so exit there. Upon a recent revisit, I'd have to say this is a pretty good place to see collections for African & Oceanic art. The cafe has good salads, but a bit pricey for what you get (typical for museum cafes) and is slightly chaotic with tourists crowds. Be prepare to share your table with other patrons. This is a good way, however, to meet some interesting people and to see what or who inspires their love for art. Seating is available indoor and outdoor. If you're lucky and it's sunny out, I suggest the patio!
Hop back on the #5 and head to the Bison enclosure (exit at 36th, I think). They are held here as a part of a conservation program. They were penned up when I got there, but should be a site to see when they're roaming the fields as you're strolling through the park!
Another popular attraction is the Japanese Tea Garden, but they do charge admission for this part. I didn't go in, but it was quite hopping when I passed by. |
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An icon to appreciate for both locals & tourists, especially if the day is clear or at least partly cloudly. Building this bridge was no small task! Take a moment to observe the breathtaking views of the city, Alcatraz & the bridge itself if it's clear enough. Can't take enough photos here, as far as I'm concerned.
From Powell station, take the #5 Bus to Golden gate park, and hop on the northbound #28 at Park Presidio Blvd. This bus will take you straight to the bridge (and back to the park). Restrooms are a mess at the bridge, so if you can, just go back to the GG park. Also, for those who collect them, there is a penny smooshing machine inside the gift shop. |
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8. Sutro Baths & Cliff house
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| Bath ruins from early last century; Great photo ops of the coastline and of course the ruins. There are designated areas to take photos with the water in background, but don't forget to explore the caves and trails. Wear comfy and sturdy shoes! |
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| San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art. Great collection and right across the way from Yerba Buena art center. Perfect destination for those rainy days |
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10. Ferry Building Marketplace
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Beautifully restored building and a heaven for foodies. Specialty shops and restaurants now inhabit the building. Saturdays and Tuesdays are farmer market days and packed! Taste the samples and re-energize!
The building itself is awfully beautiful and striking once inside. While the food is appealing, don't forget to look up and around to admire the architecture! |
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| Heaven for shopaholics, but always be aware of the pick pocketers et al. It's packed with tourists, so be ready for street performers, homeless, picketers and such. Great photo op during the holidays with the huge Christmas tree lit up at night. |
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| Now known as AT & T Park, this is the home of the San Francisco Giants. The worst seat in the house won't be bad - you'll still get views of the marina and Bay Bridge. You can see a game for free from right field on ground level. Granted you will have to stand behind a barricade and see through a chain link fence, but if you are on the go and do not want to spend an entire day at the stadium, this is a FREE option. The pens are cleared every three innings. The entrance is along the port walk, near McCovey Cove. |
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A trip to SF is incomplete if you do not immerse yourself in this historic neighborhood. Have some dim sum while you're here.... when in Rome... er, Chinatown...
We ate at Y Ben House Restaurant (Stockton St & Pacific Ave). Packed with locals, be ready to share a table and have patience if language seems to be a barrier (or be like me and travel with a friend who speaks Cantonese!) The decor is no frills, quite worn in fact, but the food is authentic & cheap.
Stockton St. is packed with shops and can make you feel like you've been beaten up by the time you leave. Follow your nose to the bakeries and pick up some freshly made fortune cookies (an American invention). Of course, there are various boba shops for those craving some chewy tapioca balls! |
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| This is a great place to relax, read a book and take in some air in the North Beach neighborhood. There are locals playing games here - volleyball, a little bocce and a little free form football. I also recommend picking up some pastries and/or coffee from a local patry shop or having a picnic with your s/o. |
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| One of three remaining Japantowns in the state of California, this is the home of the Japanese Peace Pagoda and the historic Kabuki Theatre. There are several malls to explore, especially interesting for those looking for antique furniture and maybe some vintage kimonos. No fear, not everything is old here. There are many a shops for the young as well. |
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16. Sundance Kabuki Theatre
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| For the movie buffs, there is the historic Kabuki 8 theater, apparently San Francisco's first multiplex. The Kabuki Theatre was intended for roadshow type Kabuki presentations, but with few companies to keep the business going, it was eventually rented out for plays, music concerts and revues. Today, it is the home to the San Francisco International Film Festival and is known as "Sundance Kabuki" (located at 881 Post Street). When I was here in June '07, it looked they were still under a bit of renovation and the restaurant had just opened up. |
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| A nice hippie surf town off a beautiful, but windy drive on Highway 1. I didn't have a chance to shop or eat here, but spent most of the time relaxing on the beach. As I stated in my review, the locals try to discourage toursts from taking over and polluting the beach and lagoon, so the signs from the highway are often removed. I don't think, though, that any of the shop owners would be outwardly rude to tourists. |
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Highly suggest to make reservations for a factory tour (phone or web) and see where Scharffen Berger makes all of their chocoloate for worldwide consumption! Very educational and free samples of chocolate to boot. Great gifts to pick up (I suggest getting there before the tour and buying to avoid the crowds), but a bit pricey. However, in my opinion, worth the price when you realize the amount of work put into making their bars. One of the few that use old techniques to make their own chocolate from the actual beans to the bars. Talk about quality control!
There is also a cafe next door that features the chocolates made in the factory in some entrees, desserts. Prices are moderate, service so-so. |
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Compliment funnymoney
