Do Golden Gate Park, my favorite city park. While there, get a map and find Lloyd Lake, which has “Portals to the Past,” the only memorial to the '06 earthquake. It’s a front doorway from an old Nob Hill mansion, set up eerily on the shore of the small lake. Nice place to sit for lunch.
Also, go to . . . oh damn, what’s the neighborhood with all the gorgeous Edwardian “Painted Lady” houses? Very hilly, but gorgeous for a stroll and picture-taking…
I think our city has to most restaturants per capita of any US city. I could be wrong but I dare you to prove it! You can eat out every day for three years and not hit the same place twice!! Be sure to make reservations at the “fine dining” type places, they are always packed these days.
Don’t eat at Fisherman’s Wharf (exept a quick snak), but look up some of the 4 star places in North Beach, Downtown, Opera Zone, and Mission. If you liek good food there’s plenty. Nightlife too - lots-o-clubs and fun stuff if that’s your bag. Try the South of Market scene.
The outdoors in this area is also amazing as many have posted here already. One nice activity that does not reaquire much time (only as much as you want) is a drive down the coast from the Cliff House, through Pacifica, and down to Half Moon Bay. If you have time, keep going to Santa Cruz. This is one of the most breathtaking areas in the world.
Have fun, and don’t forget that jacket!
Sili
How 'bout dropping by the Beach Chalet outside Golden Gate Park and picking up a t-shirt for me.
I’ve ordered one twice, and those weasels have yet to send one. (At least they haven’t charged me.)
Drop in some of the markets in Chinatown to see baskets of $100/lb oysters. (OK, they’re actually abalone.)
Alcatraz might be worth it. I can’t say for sure. When I was there, you had to schedule a week in advance, since it gets so booked up.
There’s some bar that has a reference to the Maltese Falcon. Don’t recall whether a scene was filmed there, or what. One of the locals might know more about it.
Walk out on the Golden Gate Bridge. But bundle up! I was there in July, and with those whipping winds shorts and t-shirt (my normal garb) would not have cut it.
For geology geeks–as you go up the hill on the north side of the Bridge, notice the deformed stratifcation in the rocks, and you get a pretty good idea of the violent geologic nature of the Bay area.
For a day trip, visit Bodega Bay, an hour or so north of The City. That’s where some of “The Birds” was filmed. Since that is such a classic movie, I was expecting signs leading into the town showing flocks of marauding birds. Not the case. The schoolhouse in the nearby town of Bodega is still standing, I think.
That’d be John’s Grill, at 63 Ellis Street between Powell and Stockton.
In the novel, Spade drops into John’s just before his wild goose chase to 26 Ancho in Burlingame. He orders chops and baked potato with sliced tomatoes, then smokes a cigarette with his coffee while waiting for the hired car to arrive.
There’s LOADS of Hammett things to do in Frisco if you have a turn for that sort of thing. Joel Cairo had tickets to the Geary Theater (to see The Merchant of Venice)…it’s still there, at 415 Geary. Burritt Street is where Miles Archer took Brigid O’Shaughnessy’s bullet. A plaque commemorating the event was placed on the Burritt side of the Matabelle Apartments (corner of Bush) in 1974.
There’s a great Itallian restaraunt called “The Stinking Rose”, I forget where it is, but it’s worth looking up.
Mjollnir, what size do you take?
The Stincking Rose is in Northbeach, just off Columbus (The main drag in Northbeach). Also nearby are The Fior De Italia, and the Northbeach Restaurant, and Moose’s. All great in their own way.
Sili
Yes, of COURSE. We’re having a get-together on June 3/4, and have a couple other plans for the summer, such as a barbeque and a wine-tasting tour in Sonoma. I don’t think we have any definite dates, so if someone is visiting and wants to have the fun stuff arranged around their schedule, it’s not impossible.
I would recommend just walking around. San Fran is a very small city geographically, so it’s totally doable, just wear your hiking shoes. All of the neighborhoods have very different atmospheres, and most of them are pretty enjoyable, especially the Castro, the Mission, Chinatown, and North Beach (IMO). Methinks you’ll be disappointed in the Haight - there’s a Gap on one corner of Haight & Ashbury, and a Ben & Jerry’s on another. Wear several layers of clothing, as July in the City is often cold, windy, and foggy in the morning, but sunny in afternoon. That’s how you can tell the natives from the tourists - the natives are wearing three shirts tied around their waists, and the tourists are freezing in shorts.
July isn’t really a good time to come to see theater, most of the big theaters are closed for the season, but I think BBB runs all the time.
Depending on when in July, Gay pride is always entertaining. Or is that June? Goddamnit I can never remember. Anyway, SF museum of modern art is always good. There should be a margritte show still up in july. The asian art museum is one of the best museums dedicated to asia in the west. It’s in golden gate park and is a must see. The japanese tea gardens are somewhat cutesy too. Depending on where you are from, SF might have a better selection of art house movies. Try to go to the CAstro thearer, they have a wonderfull theater and if you get there early you can hear the live wurlitzer performance. I agree with others that one of the best things to do is just start walking. After about 20 minutes in any direction you will have passed through two o three interesting places. Sonoma and pt. Reyes are nice up north. If you like oysters drive up to hog island oyster farm. Last I checked it was aboout $.50 per oyster for amazing fresh oysters. The restuaraunts here are second to none. Post what kind of food you lkike, and I’ll thow out suggestions. There are some great bars too. I always enjoy C bobby’s owl tree. More owls in it than you will ever seee again in your life.
You should post more of your specific interests and I,m sure some natives or near natives can help out with more suggestions.
It’s a great city for shopping too. Tons of great musci, used clothes, and used book stores.
Inky: XL or XXL. I actually wasn’t joking. If you’re serious, email me privately, and I can give you details.
Gay Pride is in June. Which reminds me of an MPSTIMS (t=thing). After spending my junior year abroad, my plane landed in LA, where I hung out for a couple days with my aunt and uncle. From there I flew to Oakland, where my parents were supposed to pick me up. Oops, no one seemed to be paying attention, and that day happily coincided with Gay Pride, the X-Games, and some NASCAR race. Needless to say, traffic was not so good, and my parents were about 45 minutes late picking me up at the airport. I was so hurt! I don’t see them for eleven months, and they can’t even make it to the airport on time?
btw they have the Stinking Rose also in Hollywood.
its a cool place, but pretty expensive!