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Going to San Francisco: What Should I See?
Quid
Definitely not a bananaRegistered User regular
Definitely not a bananaRegistered User regular
The wife and I are planning on spending Columbus Day weekend in SF. We'll be there Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday. We're already planning to go to China Town and the Exploratorium but were wondering what else we should see. Recommendations on restaurants, particularly vegetarian since my wife doesn't eat meat, though it's hardly a requirement. Just know that SF's BBQ hot spot probably wouldn't get our business. Possible hotel recommendations, packages, or travel agencies anyone might have experience with when they visited are appreciated too though we're definitely trying to keep the trip under about $800.
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Columbus Day weekend just happens to be the weekend of Decompression, the post-Burning-Man street event on Indiana St. People bring out their art cars and installations and put them up on the street.
Regarding restaurants, my favorite Indian place is called Metro Kathmandu, it's on Divisidero; and there's an Eritrean place called Massawa on Haight that I really like. Both have plenty of vegetarian options.
I don't know Chinatown or the area around the Exploratorium (Marina / North Beach) that well, unfortunately.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Ignore it. It's overpriced and overrated.
However! Directly across the street is Sheba Piano Lounge, which does a combination of ethiopian and American entrees, lots of fish and vegetarian stuff (I dunno if you guys are pesco), also with live music, and a full bar.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
I have got the best suggestion that may seem ominous at first glance, but I did it myself last time I was in town, and I assure it is well worth the little effort involved and it lets you experience China Town in a wholly unique way.
The first step, should you feel an adequate urging in your heart, is to familiarize yourself with this website. It's ok to be curious, and it's perfectly safe.
The next step is to visit their office when you get into the city. Their office is found here, downtown on the edge of both the Financial district and China Town, nestle solemnly between the two. Look for the building with the three, winged statues up top and you'll know you've found it.
The last step is to follow the instructions given to you in the office and be on your way to nonchalance, experiencing both the city and China Town in a completely unique experience.
Don't worry, it costs absolutely nothing and your soul will still be yours when you are through. The only change you might find after undergoing this task is that your eyes are finally open.
Also, apparently we're going to the California Academy of Sciences and not the Exploratorium.
25 miles out. So... Millbrae?
Just use BART. Go to transit.511.org to get a public transit plan for getting from your hotel to... well, just about anywhere in the bay area.
The Exploratorium is cool, too, you should do it sometime.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Have you done Alcatraz? I don't usually like, uh, places, that much, but I really ended up thinking the tour was pretty cool.
Pier 39 is a place I'd actually avoid, frankly, unless you have kids between, I don't know, 6 and 14? It's loud, it's overpriced, it's crowded, and the food tends to suck for vegetarians (seafood and grease). And most of their interesting attractions are like tiny dinky museums -- and if you're in Monterey, you've got a museum that's about a zillion times more interesting right there. Do a flyby if you absolutely must, but spend time someplace else.
If you're feeling like walking around and window shopping, I like Ghiradelli Square. It's got some fantastic weird art places, not to mention, you know, chocolate. Chinatown is great as well.
Golden Gate Park is great for wandering as well, and it's got more of a nature vibe, which might be a nice counterpart to the crowds.
If you're feeling like being a bit naughty, you could check out Good Vibes, which is a female owned and operated and couples-friendly adult shop. My wife and I checked it out, and it has that stereotypical happy healthy sexuality vibe that SF is known for. If nothing else, might be fun to see and get a pin, just to tweak people.
And I have no idea what's playing in terms of shows or symphonies and suchlike, or if that'd be something you'd like, but there may be nosebleed tickets still available for something if you walk up.
Across the bridge to the north, you've got Sausolito, which is now a distant enough memory (I've been away from California for a few years) that I'm likely misspelling. It has a fantastic long sidewalk of stores and restaurants -- a gentler and quieter Pier 39 with better food. If you're doing Chinatown and something else, though, this isn't a requirement.
Food:
If money isn't a big concern or you're good with this being one of the big meals, try a dinner at Greens Restaurant. It's vegetarian and generally pretty fantastic, and it offers a wonderful view of the Golden Gate unless there's fog (in which case it offers a pretty cool view of fog).
Less expensive but very good in its own crazy way, the Stinking Rose is a garlic-themed restaurant. I've eaten there several times and enjoyed the veggie dishes (I'm plain ol' veggie and eat eggs and drink milk, for what it's worth), which I recall are along the lines of pasta. Make sure to get the garlic mashed potatoes as well.
If you do see a show, Max's Opera Cafe is probably a short walk from whatever you see. You may have been to one before (I don't remember if they're in Monterey, but they're around the Bay Area). The one in the theater district is one of the ones where the waitstaff will do musical numbers. I don't remember what they have veggiewise, but I do remember that my wife and I both left very very full (she's veggie, too). Probably one of us got a salad (the pear salad with the walnuts and balsamic raspberry dressing) and the other got a cheese-and-veggie-stuffed baked potato.
(On the No end, avoid Millennium, if it's still in business. It's trying to be Greens, vegetarian and overpriced, but they go too many crazy places and are making food that's more about them showing off than about tasting good.)
Hope that helps! Sorry, I'm crap on places to stay. We almost always just drove in. Since you're going to be driving around, expect to pay a lot for parking. I know you're in California and used to it, but I just thought I'd throw it out there. It sucks, and it can be expensive.