Where to stay and what should we do in San Francisco?

I have to make a work appearance on a Monday morning in October in the Mid-Market neighborhood. My wife and I are hicks from Montana, and neither of us have ever been to San Francisco, so we roped the grandparents into watching the kids and are going to spend the preceding weekend there.

Where should we stay and what should we do? We will be flying in Saturday morning and out Monday evening--I am assuming we don't need and shouldn't bother with a car but if I am wrong please let me know. There way is too much general internets info for me to wade through and I know several of you live there or have spent a lot of time there.

Any advice appreciated, either specific neighborhoods to stay or specific hotels. We don't really care about gimmicky touristy shit but do want to eat good food and I am guessing I should already be thinking about a dinner reservation on Saturday night if we want to go somewhere fancy?

Thanks.

Depends a little on what you mean by mid market. I’d say just stay in Union Sq. That gives you a good base to launch tourist stuff from and still be able to walk to your work thing. Alcatraz is a great activity and good deal given the boat ride plus cool history on the island and views. I’d vote for the St Francis Hotel just cause it’s nice with a great location and history

49ers game if you like sports and if they're playing at home

Fishermans wharf is also cool.. but I'm sure those who live/visit SF more often will have better recommendations

If you are going to be there october 4-6 go to Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park.
Otherwise, for a first time visitor the standard tourist stuff is what I would recommend. The park and the Japanese Tea Garden. The museums and arboretum in the park. Fisherman's wharf. Take a boat trip around the bay. Walk around the neighborhoods.

I wish I could remember the places I've stayed, but most recently we've stayed fairly near the whart. You don't need a car. Take BART from the airport (get the Clipper app on your phone ahead of time). Otherwise walk, Uber, or bus. If you do rent a car chances are you won't find any place to park besides your hotel.

Union Square is a good spot. Lots of restaurants in walking distance. Try Sam’s Grill, on Bush about 2 blocks.


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Originally Posted by bearcub69

49ers game if you like sports and if they're playing at home

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Wrong city. They’re the San Jose 49ers now

Download the Waymo app so you can ride in a fucking ROBOT CAR. Uber is so 2004

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Originally Posted by bearcub69

49ers game if you like sports and if they're playing at home

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Thats nowhere near SF. It would be a real PITA to get down to Santa clara and back.


IMO, depends on the weather. If weather is good, Id reccomend a picnic lunch at Chrissy Field, going to one of the great taquerias in the Mission, walking through the upper Haight (tourisy but still cool) and then into Golden Gate park to see all the museums, lakes, etc.


too many good restaurants, so just google around for James Beard nominees, etc and pick a couple places for reservations.


Rent a Zipcar and go up to Wine Country for an afternoon (sonoma is cheaper than napa). Etc.


youre going at a great time of the year- that right around when the Indian Summer is hitting and you likely arent dealing with the cold marine layer you get during the summer so often. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by mcski

Depends a little on what you mean by mid market. I’d say just stay in Union Sq. That gives you a good base to launch tourist stuff from and still be able to walk to your work thing.

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James R. Browning courthouse, and I'll be wearing a suit etc. So getting a ride to the courthouse is fine, no need to be in walking distance, if it matters.

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Originally Posted by mcski

Wrong city. They’re the San Jose 49ers now

Download the Waymo app so you can ride in a fucking ROBOT CAR. Uber is so 2004

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true but its just down the road if they're interested.. also some decent surfing down that way if that tickles their fancy as well

In addition to what's been recommended, I think a ferry ride over to Sausalito is worth consideration. However, I'd probably just stick to the city and do all you can.

You guys are recommending day trips to leave on the of the greatest cities in the US, and he is only there for 3 days?

If you get a car, the The 49-Mile Scenic drive is awesome. Someone here I think recommended it years ago, thank you forgotten dude. https://www.sftodo.com/sanfrancisco/...49-mile-drive/ Hits all the cool parts of SF and lets you get to know the city well with lots of killer viewpoints too, feel free to skip the southern section though.

I rented a car from Sixt last week in SF and it was about $50/day for a BMW 4 series, just a fyi. The overnight parking fees in a garage will be about $50/day though! And don't leave anything in the car if you are doing the 49-Mile Scenic drive.

If you don't get a car, that's fine too and a lot less stress of figuring where to park. I found the hotels around Union Square surprisingly affordable, lots of good bars and restaurants nearby (and Chinatown is a short walk which I love) and the horror stories of homeless camps did not exist in that general are and didn't north of there. They do exist elsewhere of course.

Fishermans Wharf is not great IMO unless you want to see a huge bunch of seals barking, which is of course cool. All the other recs posted here about where to go in SF are great.

La Taqueria is the famous burrito place for mission style burritos. City Lights is a famous bookstore you probably know and the bar next door is great. I know some dive bars around the Union area if you care about that, also The Mark is served by the Trolley and has amazing 360 views of the city, it's an old school bar for mixed drinks. The hotel rooms are a bit dated, I wouldn't stay there, and it's a few very steeps blocks form the action of SF. Across the street is the trippiest Tiki Bar I've been to beyond the Sip and Dip, The Tonga Bar, that has a floating stage. For coffee in the Union area try blue bottle. Coffee Movement is great if you don't mind a scenic morning walk.

Early October is usually Fleet Week and the Blue Angels perform. Get bikes and ride over the GG Bridge to Sausalito and/or around the Embarcadero.

SF has a good music scene. Check out Eventbrite, Another Planet, etc. Also, you’re just missing Portola Festival, which is last weekend in Sept.


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Originally Posted by RootSkier

James R. Browning courthouse, and I'll be wearing a suit etc. So getting a ride to the courthouse is fine, no need to be in walking distance, if it matters.

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Ya, in that case, I’d say it’s a good opportunity to robot car or Uber. Walking in that area is still less than optimum sight seeing ;) Your not gonna die, but it’s not very desirable hanging out close to the courthouse either

I’d still say Union Sq for a first timer is optimal. If you want to up your game pick an old school hotel up the hill a little like the Fairmont or the Mark Hopkins if you want true curb appeal to wow the wifey

Stick to the city. Period. You’re only here 3 days. The hop on/hop off bus is a great way to check out the area. Highly recommend and it’s easy. I still recommend Alcatraz. Ticket reservations are recommended. It sells out. Oct weather is our summer. It’s the best. Usually. If your trip coincides w the Blue Angels or Hardly Strictly, both are great shows. Cable car to Ghirardelli is a good ride. Check out Lombard on the way.

I’d do game time decisions on food and greatly depends on what you like.

If you have more specific questions on stuff to do/places to go, lemme know.

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Originally Posted by mcski

Depends a little on what you mean by mid market. I’d say just stay in Union Sq. That gives you a good base to launch tourist stuff from and still be able to walk to your work thing. Alcatraz is a great activity and good deal given the boat ride plus cool history on the island and views.

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Definitely. Alcatraz was definitely the highlight of my last trip there! Well worth it.

Also, GOTTA hit up China Town for some kick ass food! As far as a good dinner goes, somebody here suggested Zuni Cafe on Market St. It was indeed fantastic.

When we visit a city, we usually check out a museum or something, then use that excursion to get a meal nearby, and/or visit that area. For example, in SF you could go visit the Legion of Honor, then eat at the Beach House. Or see the De Young, Exploratorium, or Academy of Sciences, and check out the Haight, (or whatever you like). Typically that takes up a good portion of the day, then we’ll get back and clean up and then do something that is on the way to the dinner location or after (depending on if it’s a show we’re gonna see etc.)
SF museums: https://www.visitcalifornia.com/best...N2cUFkit1nY_K8
Last time we did a Banksy exhibit, W’s game and Tactile Dome.

The Morris looks nice.

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Originally Posted by mcski

the Blue Angels

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Unpopular opinion- the blue angels are pretty meh. If fleetweek brings out the one-off F35s or F22s and the B2, or the F18s/15s youll get some pilots more interested in putting on a show than sticking to the script like the blue angels. That was the coolest part about the fleet week airshows for me was sitting on Chrissy field with a view of the GG bridge and watching the "other" planes (including random airline jets) make close passes and do some badass climbs/turns/cobras/etc.

I was in town last week for work and we did a work dinner at a restaurant called The Morris. Great service and their smoked duck entree is pretty damn amazing.

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Originally Posted by californiagrown

Unpopular opinion- the blue angels are pretty meh. If fleetweek brings out the one-off F35s or F22s and the B2, or the F18s/15s youll get some pilots more interested in putting on a show than sticking to the script like the blue angels. That was the coolest part about the fleet week airshows for me was sitting on Chrissy field with a view of the GG bridge and watching the "other" planes (including random airline jets) make close passes and do some badass climbs/turns/cobras/etc.

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Sacrilege. And Chrissy Field is a terrible location to watch the air show. The wow factor is located in front of aquatic park. That’s were all the maneuvers are centered. Vantage point makes a huge difference.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condor_Club

First topless place in America. While in north beach see my friend Jeremy Fish's art gallery/shop.

The cliff house out on the ocean at the end of geary..

Pick up free needles and cheap fentanyl and shit all over the place for a day.

Mt Tam, Muir woods is beautiful across the golden gate.

Smash car windows and steal shit. It's free and no one cares.

Take the streetcar to Castro.

It's a pretty k00l and fun area. Lot's of funky looking restored houses along the neighborhood streets.

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Originally Posted by MontuckyFried

Definitely. Alcatraz was definitely the highlight of my last trip there! Well worth it.

Also, GOTTA hit up China Town for some kick ass food! As far as a good dinner goes, somebody here suggested Zuni Cafe on Market St. It was indeed fantastic.

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I was just about to mention. Friend of ours started the place, though it's been in other hands for a long time.

Since you’re downtown go to the MOMA, have lunch at the Taddich Grill and walk over to North Beach and get your drink on at the Savoy. Take the BART across the Bay and eat at Olivetto’s in Rockridge, it’s adjacent to the BART station, great Italian. On Sunday take MUNI to the Haight and just wander around in GG Park. Maybe just walk over to the Marina and wander around the neighborhood and The Presidio.

Don’t waste your time getting food in Chinatown, all the best Chinese restaurants are in Millbrae and Fremont. That’s where my ex’s Chinese family eats.

These recommendations for touristy stuff are funny given you said you weren’t interested in that and they’re a waste of time.

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Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn

<snip> Take the BART across the Bay and eat at Olivetto’s in Rockridge, it’s adjacent to the BART station, great Italian.

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Attachment 498326

From the condor club Wikipedia entry...
A bizarre death occurred at the Condor Club in November 1983. Bouncer Jimmy Ferrozzo and his girlfriend, exotic dancer Theresa Hill, decided after hours to have sexual intercourse on the famous white piano on which Carol Doda made her entrance, being lowered from the ceiling by cables. They accidentally hit the "on" switch, and the piano rapidly rose to the ceiling, trapping the couple. Ferrozzo was asphyxiated, while Hill survived only because she was thinner than her companion.