Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

OOT,
I just arrived in San Francisco for a short course on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. The course runs from Monday until Thursday 8am - 5pm. However, I am staying until Sunday to do some touristy stuff... My girlfriend is flying into town on Wednesday night to join me.

Things that are already on my list of things to do:
-Alcatraz
-Looking around Union Square (is there anything to do there besides shopping?
-A maximum of 2 art galleries of my girlfriend's choosing.

What else is a "must see" in San Francisco?

Thanks.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

turn gay

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

[ QUOTE ]
turn gay

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm... Interesting thought, but I don't think my girlfriend would like that.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

In'n'out Burger

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Dim Sum. Go to Ton Kiang on Geary. Burritos in the Mission. Check out Chrissy Field. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge. Right now should be the best weather out of the year.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

go to the the Top of the Mark for a drink--great view

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Ghirardelli

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Also, I should add that I need at least one romantic evening planned for the girlfriend.

So a drink at the Top of the Mark sounds good for after dinner perhaps.

Thanks for the suggestions. Keep em coming!

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

How much are u willing to spend on dinner?

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Say something in the range of $50-90. Nothing too crazy, but should be relatively nice. Definitely no chain restaurants.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

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Say something in the range of $50-90. Nothing too crazy, but should be relatively nice. Definitely no chain restaurants.

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Globe

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

there's a little alley near the financial district--Belden Place that has a bunch of nice restaurants side by side that have outdoor and indoor seating. If the weather's nice..an earlier meal outside can be quite nice (reservations recc). I've only eaten at the Italian place--Cafe Tiramisu but have heard good things about some of the others

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

eat sushi the sushi is rel good her

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Yeah, Globe is an excellent suggestion.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Get some bubble tea so you can try it and realize halfway through how repulsed you are.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

This link kills two birds with one stone, encouraging you to check out the Exploratorium and the Wave Organ.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Falafel at Truly Med (16th and Valencia)

Bubble Room?

Alfreds for Steak.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

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Get some bubble tea so you can try it and realize halfway through how repulsed you are.

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This is just crazy talk. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

OP - Exploratorium is surprisingly fun, I used to live right by it.

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Dim Sum. Go to Ton Kiang on Geary. Burritos in the Mission. Check out Chrissy Field. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge. Right now should be the best weather out of the year.

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All definites except Ton Kiang - if you're a fan of Dim Sum you've definitely already had much better. And if you've never tried before they don't even have carts so you don't get the whole Dim Sum experience.

-Al

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

[ QUOTE ]
OP - Exploratorium is surprisingly fun, I used to live right by it.

[ QUOTE ]
Dim Sum. Go to Ton Kiang on Geary. Burritos in the Mission. Check out Chrissy Field. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge. Right now should be the best weather out of the year.

[/ QUOTE ]

All definites except Ton Kiang - if you're a fan of Dim Sum you've definitely already had much better. And if you've never tried before they don't even have carts so you don't get the whole Dim Sum experience.

-Al

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Wow. What dim sum in San Francisco is much better?

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

I don't know that there's that many "must see" things to do in SF. I would pick up a copy of the SFWeekly and browse through it looking for interesting things to do. I'm sure you'll find something.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

get pozz'd ... twice

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Dave - you know I've gotten really spoiled by the Dim Sum places here in LA. Definitely not saying Ton Kiang is terrible (and from the couple places I tried in SF, it was prolly the best IIRC).

More that if I had a couple days in SF, I don't think it's really awesome (and no old Chinese ladies pushing carts around [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]). and don't really consider Dim Sum one of the great SF food offerings, like, say Mission burritos or something, so personally wouldn't make a point of recommending for a short stay.

If I get Dim Sum in the Bay Area, I go to Koi Palace in Daly City.

-Al

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Cappuchino at the Cafe Trieste in North Beach

Dave

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Al, Next time in LA I'm going on a Dim Sum binge.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

IME Dim Sum in SF is overpriced. But maybe they gave me the wrong menu. SF is a great place to great food for relatively cheap bot not for dim sum, imo.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

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OP - Exploratorium is surprisingly fun, I used to live right by it.
...
-Al

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this was one of the few things I felt like I missed out on while in the area for 3 wks this summer. Its rated as one of the top-10 science museums in the country (don't recall exact ranking).


also as Brusier mentioned, sushi. I am running out the door, but there is the best sushi I have ever eaten a short drive south of the city in Santa Cruz. I'll post it when I get back from movies.

oh and preorder alcatraz tickets -- they will sell out a week in advance.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Perfect timing for visiting.
It's been freezing cold here pretty much until yesterday.

Alright, here's a few more...

- The Slanted Door (at the newly-refurbished ferry building. Great food, nice to be by the bay with the lights of the bridge in the background)

- Aqua has good food. Maybe a little pricey.

- The Beach Chalet is a bit more laid back. Great place to grab some dinner and watch the sunset over the ocean. Have a few beers in the garden then go for a nighttime stroll on the beach.

- lots of sushi options. I'll throw Blowfish in there cuz it's on the top of my head.


so much good food.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Dave - you will not be dissapointed. There are some ridiculously delicious (and cheap) places in San Gabriel Valley. PM me next time you're in LA, I have a good list with best dishes I can send to you that has been thorougly vetted by Taiwanese and Chinese people.

I want Dim Sum right now.

-Al

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

go to the castro for some sweet nightlife. they have the hottest chicks there.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Cable Cars, if you can get there before the crowds
SBC/ATT/PacBell Park
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Boris,

To pay the real prices, you gotta go w/ Chinese people to dim sum places in Chinatown, not to Yank Sing or Ton Kiang w/ me.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

its kind of funny when people say "the best sushi". How is sushi served in Houston?

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

not as fresh. the best sushi places i went to in MA can't compare with the fish here at mediocre places. that being said, the house specials, maki rolls, stuff that take the restaurant preperation to do i noticed was better in the good sushi restaurants back in MA, that stuff is not inherently better out here.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

dan,

im never leaving the east.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Sadly I have been to San Fran 5 times, and I just can't come up with anything that you might be interested in doing. Go Figure???

Big Steve [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

www.sfstation.com
www.yelp.com
http://beta.sf.flavorpill.net/

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Having a bowl of clam clowder out of a sourdough bread bowl on the Wharf is awesome.

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Boris,

To pay the real prices, you gotta go w/ Chinese people to dim sum places in Chinatown, not to Yank Sing or Ton Kiang w/ me.

[/ QUOTE ]

That cannot be stressed enough.

Wifey agrees [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Trip to San Francisco... Things to do?
 

Don't know what sort of things you are into, but (IMO) Alcatraz is waaaaay over-rated. If you guys like walking, hiking, or casual biking, you might like a trip to Angel Island more; it's the island next to Alcatraz. Angel Island is about twice the size of Alcatraz. It was never a prison, so you don't get that "this used to be a prison" experience, but it's a great place for picnics, has bike rentals, and offers sweeping views of the whole Bay Area, including three bridges (Golden Gate, Bay, and Richmond-San Rafael). With the great weather we've had this week, I imagine the views will be fantastic. The island has a fairly level perimeter road that's ~5 miles in circumference and very good for biking or walking. It also has some foot trails, including a trail to the top of Mt. Livermore (the island's peak) that, at 700+ feet, also offers incredible views of the Bay Area. There's a small cafe on the island, or you can bring a lunch. Only way on or off is via ferry, which leaves from Pier 41 (next to Pier 39, same ferry port as the ferry to Alcatraz). We spent Labor Day there with our kids and some friends and had a great time.

Also, another recommendation for the Exploratorium -- always a good time.