OK, so I am going to San Fran (been there before, but on business) for a mini-vacation Thursday. I got a helluva deal on Hotwire.com. $391.00 for round trip airfare and 5 nights in a 4 star hotel. Anyway, anyone that is well-versed in the ways of San Fran, please let me know any recommendations you have. Please, no Rice-A-Roni jokes.....I am already planning on riding the trolley and singing the jingle. No worries. I am also going to spend a day and drive up to Napa Valley again and get hammered at wine tastings. Any recommendations?
Damn...no Rice-A-Roni jokes and Oski already whipped a gay joke.... Well, you can always go to a Warriors Game. They've been a joke for about a decade now....
if you want to see some real redwoods check our muir woods. north of s.f. along the coast. get some chowder in one of those bread bowls - you can eat the bowl and its delicious! after you eat some chower do the alcatraz tour - its cliched, but pretty cool.
Have dinner at Michelangelo Cafe. It's in North Beach 2-3 blocks from City Lights Bookstore. They only have a dozen or so tables and only take cash. There might be a wait for a table but it is damn worth it! Great Italian food.
My two favorite wineries to visit (and their wines are really good as well) are Simi and Caymus. Make sure you go into Oakville grocery while in Napa. San Fran/Napa/Sonoma all are known for great restaurants. What are you looking for with regards to dining, and what's the budget?
HOOP-T, that's a terrific deal! I wish my wife and I could get away for a few days and take advantage. Here's a great show to see when you're there that's absolutely hilarious... Beach Blanket Babylon. If you've ever been to Esther's Follies on 6th Street in Austin, just imagine something in the same vein, but 100 times better, with Broadway quality singers, dancers and comedy... mostly political satire. If you want to go, make reservations in advance, before you leave Houston. (if that's where you are) We had a blast. You sit at a table and have drinks while you try not to spill them cracking up. Get a table on the floor level in the middle and as close as you can manage. http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/ Man, I'm jealous. I love that city!
The best breakfast I ever had was at a restaurant named something like Mama's Cafe, it was sorta near the street where they have the Italian Festival in the Summer, maybe Columbus. I actually went back every day I was there last...somebody must have the actual info on this cause it was awesome. Plan for your final stop in Nappa to be at the Mum's Sparkling Winery (Champagne). Their is an outdoor service area overlooking a little lake..a sweet place to top off your buzz. Be aware though, all the wine tasting places close early , like 3 o'clock. I guess it's so you can nap it off before starting over at dinner. A little touristy but you have to have a drink in the bar at the Top of the Mark. The last time we were there we watched Courtney Cox's wedding at the big cathederal across the steet and 30 story's below. The the wedding reception was at a club next door to our hotel (The Columbus?) all the guest were hustled in through the private entrance in the alley but we sat out on the fire escape to watch the celeb parade.
HOOP-T, My quick thoughts. Go to Sonoma instead of Napa for wine tasting. I'm very serious about this one. In particular, head for Dry Creek Valley. No entrance fees, no traffic, an absolutely beautiful setting. You'll have a great time, and the red wines (zinfandels in particular) are incredibly good. If you enjoy museums at all, you should check out the Asian Art Museum. You can just walk there from your hotel. I love that place. Good food there too, surprisingly. A few good place's to eat... * Azi (fantastic fusion, south of market area, not far from the Museum of Modern Art) * Timo's (best tapas in town, and very affordable... in the Mission district) * Alfred's (steak house, SF style. great interior and comfort food. a little pricy). Head for North Beach for some Italian food. Literally too many places to recommend. You don't have to visit the fancy, expensive places for good food there though. I really like the simple sandwiches you can get at Mario's. On Columbus. And it's right next to a park. Do NOT try to eat MEXICAN food in San Francisco. EVER. It does not come close to Texas standards in any way. Also, do NOT order margaritas in this town! Get yourself a fancy-ass drink, like a mojito, a dirty martini, or a lemon drop. That's what the town does well. If you like bars, I can recommend a bunch. Enjoy it! PS -- do not listen to Rocketman95. Santa Cruz is full of hackey-sack playing hippies, and "Pizza My Ass" is overrated.
If you go to a church to get married, give a courtesy reach down under to make sure your bride isn't packing. DD
First, don't call it 'San Fran' while you're there. If you do happen to 'do' Napa, you can rent bikes and ride from one winery to the next. Eat at Mustard's. yum yum.
I like Big Basin Redwoods State Park better than Muir woods for Redwood gazing. It's to the south, west of San Jose.
I second the motion. Santa Cruz is gorgeous. My advice is to rent a car, and drive down HWY1 from the city to Santa Cruz. You'll have a difficult time focusing on the road, as you'll constantly be watching the ocean. I remember having to stop multiple times on the side of the cliff, look at the ocean, and watch the whales. But around 5-6PM on HWY1 north, the fog rolls in, and you can't see anything. Pizza My Heart is a No Cal joint that has some good, cheap slices. As far as the city goes, you'll never run out of things to do. There's an awesome pub called Vesuvia, which is like 150 years old. It's located right off of Columbus in the North Beach district. North Beach has some good clubs. The Velvet Lounge was pretty good, so I recommend that. The Marina district is also a good place to party. As far as restaurants go, you can hit up Fisherman's Wharf for some sourdough and clam chowder. The crab there is the specialty. Yes, it's touristy, but something you need to do. Little Italy has tons of restaurants, or you can walk over to Chinatown. Check out the barking seals at Ghiradelli square too. If you can, pay the $5 to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, then get out at the the end, and take in the view. Keep going north to Sausalito for some good views too. You should also check out Union Square if you like to shop.
