jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
My wife and I are going to SF in early October for a long weekend. I'd welcome any suggestions on things to do/see. We basically just plan on walking around, seeing the city and taking it easy. We definietly plan on eating some good (we hope) sushi, Chinese food and sourdough bread!
And we'd like to do a one day trip to wine country. Only the smaller wineries - no big CA Cabs, Pinots or Zins. More old-world style wine (I personally hate the big in-your-face style of wine that many CA wines seem to possess).
Any suggestions are welcomed.
Jan
And we'd like to do a one day trip to wine country. Only the smaller wineries - no big CA Cabs, Pinots or Zins. More old-world style wine (I personally hate the big in-your-face style of wine that many CA wines seem to possess).
Any suggestions are welcomed.
Jan
Keyne
Established
Walking around is great for photos (street, architecture, etc.). North Beach, Coit Tower, South of Market, Along the water, etc. Really cant go wrong almost anywhere in SF.
Regarding Chinese food... SF has a very active and interesting China town with open markets, good food, etc. Also, one of my favorite Chinese restaurants of all time is "House of NanKing" it is on the edge of China Town across the street from the copper triangle building that has the Francis Ford Coppola offices. The fun part is that every time I go there I don't use the menu.... they typically just ask if you are hungry (for how many dishes) and what you like and don't like... then they just provide what ever is fresh. Had some of the best calamari ever there. Its fun and even better if you go back and bring people that have never been there before. Also, it has been renovated but used to look pretty rough... but don't be deterred. Great place. Also it is close to some good photo opportunities like the building I mentioned and the area in general is great for street photography. Have fun!!
Also Slanted Door in the Ferry building has always been good but expensive. Unfortunately I haven't had sushi in SF.
Link to restaurant:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-nanking-san-francisco
Regarding Chinese food... SF has a very active and interesting China town with open markets, good food, etc. Also, one of my favorite Chinese restaurants of all time is "House of NanKing" it is on the edge of China Town across the street from the copper triangle building that has the Francis Ford Coppola offices. The fun part is that every time I go there I don't use the menu.... they typically just ask if you are hungry (for how many dishes) and what you like and don't like... then they just provide what ever is fresh. Had some of the best calamari ever there. Its fun and even better if you go back and bring people that have never been there before. Also, it has been renovated but used to look pretty rough... but don't be deterred. Great place. Also it is close to some good photo opportunities like the building I mentioned and the area in general is great for street photography. Have fun!!
Also Slanted Door in the Ferry building has always been good but expensive. Unfortunately I haven't had sushi in SF.
Link to restaurant:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/house-of-nanking-san-francisco
thirtyfivefifty
Noctilust survivor
Can't really go wrong heading on foot in SF. Heading west from Union Square through Chinatown, you'll quickly find yourself in Washington Square, Little Italy. Or may head north on Market in Downtown towards the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings, stroll along the piers.
When ever I show people around SF I take them to the outer limits of the city, mostly the north, north west, and west ends, but it requires a car. Baker Beach/Presidio (Fort Point, Crissy), Take a nice drive down Highway 1, or cross the Golden Gate Bridge and experience everything up north like Muir Woods.
Gotta look for ice cream shops, hole in the walls, and streets with independent business. There's always foot traffic and places to take a peek, or eat at. The mid-price food culture is excellent.
When ever I show people around SF I take them to the outer limits of the city, mostly the north, north west, and west ends, but it requires a car. Baker Beach/Presidio (Fort Point, Crissy), Take a nice drive down Highway 1, or cross the Golden Gate Bridge and experience everything up north like Muir Woods.
Gotta look for ice cream shops, hole in the walls, and streets with independent business. There's always foot traffic and places to take a peek, or eat at. The mid-price food culture is excellent.
agi
Well-known
Check out this thread with lots of recs on SF...
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124123
I'm not a fan of House of Nanking as I feel it's become a tourist trap. If you want really good Chinese go to Mission Chinese Food in the Mission District for sure. For Dim Sum go to Tom Kiang in the Richmond District or Yank Sing if you're in downtown.
Sushi one of my favorites is Kabuto in the Richmond District or Ozumo if you have lots of cash
.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124123
I'm not a fan of House of Nanking as I feel it's become a tourist trap. If you want really good Chinese go to Mission Chinese Food in the Mission District for sure. For Dim Sum go to Tom Kiang in the Richmond District or Yank Sing if you're in downtown.
Sushi one of my favorites is Kabuto in the Richmond District or Ozumo if you have lots of cash
.Dan Daniel
Well-known
As you can see above, people can take restaurants seriously here in SF. For example, Mission Chinese isn't real Chinese food, it's American designer Chinese food (so there, John!
Suhsi- Sushi Zone, off of Market Street near Buchanan. Seats about fifteen, plan on signing the list and killing an hour (sign up early, walk down to Zuni Cafe for a glass of wine and a great Caesar Salad as an appetizer). Quality, good prices, relaxed neighborhood place.
There are two great walks I'd recommend in SF. One is from Cliff House/Sutro Baths to China Beach. You can stop at the Palace of the Legion of Honour museum along the way. This will lead along the shore of the Golden Gate, looking out to Marin and the Farallons and the Bridge. You can keep going to Baker Beach for a postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge (beach becomes clothing optional as you head toward the bridge).
Oh, October is gray whale migration time.
The other walk would be from Fisherman's Wharf (just keep walking, do not stop) to the Hyde Street Pier boat collection, along the Aquatic Park (Maritime Museum in the middle), through Fort Mason- go up the side stairs to the lower battery and back of the youth hostel, then through the community garden. Down another stair to the piers at Fort Mason and to the restaurant Greens for brunch and wonderful views of a marina and the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the Marina Green and through Crissy Field to Fort Point, directly under the bridge. Then uphill to the bridge itself, out on the bridge, back to the parking lot to get a bus.
Oh, transit is pretty good in SF. A car isn't needed to get most any place; a little patience might be needed, though, as 'schedules' are a thing of the past.
Well, lots of other possibilities, which I am sure others will offer.
Suhsi- Sushi Zone, off of Market Street near Buchanan. Seats about fifteen, plan on signing the list and killing an hour (sign up early, walk down to Zuni Cafe for a glass of wine and a great Caesar Salad as an appetizer). Quality, good prices, relaxed neighborhood place.
There are two great walks I'd recommend in SF. One is from Cliff House/Sutro Baths to China Beach. You can stop at the Palace of the Legion of Honour museum along the way. This will lead along the shore of the Golden Gate, looking out to Marin and the Farallons and the Bridge. You can keep going to Baker Beach for a postcard view of the Golden Gate Bridge (beach becomes clothing optional as you head toward the bridge).
Oh, October is gray whale migration time.
The other walk would be from Fisherman's Wharf (just keep walking, do not stop) to the Hyde Street Pier boat collection, along the Aquatic Park (Maritime Museum in the middle), through Fort Mason- go up the side stairs to the lower battery and back of the youth hostel, then through the community garden. Down another stair to the piers at Fort Mason and to the restaurant Greens for brunch and wonderful views of a marina and the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the Marina Green and through Crissy Field to Fort Point, directly under the bridge. Then uphill to the bridge itself, out on the bridge, back to the parking lot to get a bus.
Oh, transit is pretty good in SF. A car isn't needed to get most any place; a little patience might be needed, though, as 'schedules' are a thing of the past.
Well, lots of other possibilities, which I am sure others will offer.
agi
Well-known
Lol..yes you're correct Dan . Ok ok real Chinese go to Sun Kwong....where the cable car drivers make quick stops to pick up their lunches and make all the tourists wait . Just don't go to U Lee. Ha!
. Ok ok real Chinese go to Sun Kwong....where the cable car drivers make quick stops to pick up their lunches and make all the tourists wait . Just don't go to U Lee. Ha!
GaryLH
Veteran
If u got the time take a drive south to point lobos, Carmel, Monterey aquarium.
Definitely if it is a nice sunny day, take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
In the wharf area, have lunch at Scoma's.
Farmers market on Saturday, roam around, take a walk from there up to pier 39, little farther u will hit Scoma's. on the way back down to ferry building, you will pass Levi plaza. Behind the plaza is this steep stairway. Shortcut to coit tower if u are so inclined. If u want go back down in opposite direction and u will end up at edge of little Italy. Head toward transamerican building and u will come across edge of china town around broadway and Columbus area.
Sushi in San Francisco, can't help u. Since we normally eat Japanese food in other parts of Bay Area.
Looking for European style wines in Sonoma or napa valley best bet maybe to go into a wine bar and ask about winery they recommend while u take a load off your feet during all that walking around San Francisco or the wine steward at dinner. These days a number of wineries are owned by European wineries.
Enjoy
Gary
Definitely if it is a nice sunny day, take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
In the wharf area, have lunch at Scoma's.
Farmers market on Saturday, roam around, take a walk from there up to pier 39, little farther u will hit Scoma's. on the way back down to ferry building, you will pass Levi plaza. Behind the plaza is this steep stairway. Shortcut to coit tower if u are so inclined. If u want go back down in opposite direction and u will end up at edge of little Italy. Head toward transamerican building and u will come across edge of china town around broadway and Columbus area.
Sushi in San Francisco, can't help u. Since we normally eat Japanese food in other parts of Bay Area.
Looking for European style wines in Sonoma or napa valley best bet maybe to go into a wine bar and ask about winery they recommend while u take a load off your feet during all that walking around San Francisco or the wine steward at dinner. These days a number of wineries are owned by European wineries.
Enjoy
Gary
GaryLH
Veteran
Btw.
Real Chinese food.. Look for a place where it crowded w/ nothing but Asians and lots of Chinese writing on the wall with price and hope they speak decent English
Gary
Real Chinese food.. Look for a place where it crowded w/ nothing but Asians and lots of Chinese writing on the wall with price and hope they speak decent English
Gary
thirtyfivefifty
Noctilust survivor
LOL! Gary so true! Just look for a bunch of Asians in an Asian restaurant, then you know it's decent. If there's a bunch of non-Asians, then the food is obviously for a different pallet.
And I also never eat sushi in San Francisco. Maybe a couple times in Japantown, but my friends and I normally eat elsewhere.
And I also never eat sushi in San Francisco. Maybe a couple times in Japantown, but my friends and I normally eat elsewhere.
GaryLH
Veteran
Its kind of be careful what u wish for though. It is the real deal.. But most waitresses/waiters are going to steer them away from something like stinky tofu or chicken feet and such.
Same holds true looking for a good Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian, etc. look for how crowded and the mix of the customer base..
Use yelp otherwise..
Gary
Same holds true looking for a good Mexican, Vietnamese, Indian, etc. look for how crowded and the mix of the customer base..
Use yelp otherwise..
Gary
wayneb
Established
Make a reservation for... http://pier24.org/
MikeL
Go Fish
My family calls it House of White-folks-standing-in-line.
Btw.
Real Chinese food.. Look for a place where it crowded w/ nothing but Asians and lots of Chinese writing on the wall with price and hope they speak decent English
Gary
And I can't speak for others, but if my family is in the Chinese restaurant, it may have nothing to do with it being the 'real deal', and more to do with that sucker being cheap.
EvilTed
Member
As street photographer in San Francisco, I'd recommend you take the BART out from downtown to 24th and Mission.
Walk down 24th Street towards Bryant and there are lots of cool murals, some the whole sides of 4 story buildings
You can walk down Bryant to around 18th and then head back up to Mission Street.
Between 17th and 16th, there is a very famous alley called Clarion that is wall to wall street art and murals.
There are lots of photo opportunities in this neighborhood, being once the home of bohemians and artists and lots of Latinas and in the past couple of years, filled with young tech workers who bus down to Silicon Valley to work for Google, Facebook and Apple and the like.
There's a lot of churn going on in the neighborhood at the moment and lots of great food from fresh seafood and oysters to hole in the wall Mexican joints.
PM me if you have any questions...
ET
Walk down 24th Street towards Bryant and there are lots of cool murals, some the whole sides of 4 story buildings
You can walk down Bryant to around 18th and then head back up to Mission Street.
Between 17th and 16th, there is a very famous alley called Clarion that is wall to wall street art and murals.
There are lots of photo opportunities in this neighborhood, being once the home of bohemians and artists and lots of Latinas and in the past couple of years, filled with young tech workers who bus down to Silicon Valley to work for Google, Facebook and Apple and the like.
There's a lot of churn going on in the neighborhood at the moment and lots of great food from fresh seafood and oysters to hole in the wall Mexican joints.
PM me if you have any questions...
ET
GaryLH
Veteran
Lol.. But it is the real deal..
it is what the everyday family goes out to eat at. Whether u are walking into one of the places w/ the roast pork, duck and stuff hanging in the window, or the dumpling place or the place that seves dim sum or one that has all the live seafood in the tank. Some are dirt cheap hole in the walls some are not. Gary
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
A lot of great suggestions! Getting a bit excited to go! Thanks everybody (and thanks for the other thread link, agi). Feel free to keep the suggestions coming!
TheFlyingCamera
Well-known
Another vote for Pier 24. An absolutely not-miss experience. Food, hmm.... There are a couple little neighborhood hole-in-the-wall Russian restaurants out along Geary Boulevard near Park Presidio that are quite good.
Just my luck, some of my favorite eateries out there have closed. There was this place on Market Street a couple blocks from Castro called Tin Pan that did the most awesome Asian Fusion cuisine - I particularly liked their take on cha siu bao, but alas, they are no longer there.
There are several good tapas places in the Mission around the area of 16th-18th, Mission to Valencia, and of course taquerias too.
A really good Indian place (and cheap, for SF!) is Kasa up in the Castro, at 18th and Noe.
Also out in that Russia Town area off Geary and Park Presidio is Green Apple Bookstore on Clement Street - huge used bookstore with a great photography department. And don't forget to check out Glass Key Photo at 442 Haight, inside Rooky Ricardo's record shop.
Just my luck, some of my favorite eateries out there have closed. There was this place on Market Street a couple blocks from Castro called Tin Pan that did the most awesome Asian Fusion cuisine - I particularly liked their take on cha siu bao, but alas, they are no longer there.
There are several good tapas places in the Mission around the area of 16th-18th, Mission to Valencia, and of course taquerias too.
A really good Indian place (and cheap, for SF!) is Kasa up in the Castro, at 18th and Noe.
Also out in that Russia Town area off Geary and Park Presidio is Green Apple Bookstore on Clement Street - huge used bookstore with a great photography department. And don't forget to check out Glass Key Photo at 442 Haight, inside Rooky Ricardo's record shop.
Bingley
Veteran
Lots of good suggestions above on food and walks in SF. I'd add the Crissy Field walk out to Fort Point for great views of the Golden Gate, sailboats, and of course The Bridge. You can hike up the hill and walk across the Bridge if you want.
I'll address the day in the country/wineries part of your question. If you're looking for smaller wineries w/ a less touristy feel, I would avoid the Napa Valley entirely and head in one of four directions:
(1) Sonoma County/Anderson Valley. This will be a long day trip, but it may be worth the drive. The Anderson Valley is west of Hwy 101 and close to the coast, so the weather is cooler and wineries there have excellent success with varieties such as Pinot Noir, rieslings, gewurztraminer, as well as sparkling wines. I've been buying wine for years from Navarro Vineyards. (An alternative to the Anderson Valley, and less of a trek, is the Sonoma Co area around Calistoga and Geyserville, but I'm less familiar with the wineries there).
(2) Amador County/Plymouth: In the Sierra foothills. Small wineries doing very interesting things with Rhone-style, Italian, and Spanish varietals (e.g., Tempranillo, Syrah, Albarino, Viognier, Barbera). A lot of the wineries up above Plymouth are small-scale, family run operations, much like the Napa Valley was in the 1960s and '70s but is no longer. Buy picnic fixings at the Plymouth Market and then head up to the "Shenandoah Valley" to visit the wineries there.
(3) Calaveras County/Murphys: Also in the Sierra foothills. Less well established than the Amador Co wine region but expanding rapidly and interesting things happening, again with varietals associated with Spain, Italy, and the south of France. I strongly recommend Hovey Winery, which opened a tasting room on Main Street in Murphys about a year ago. There are also good places to eat in Murphys (I recommend Mineral, and Alchemy).
(4) I am not that familiar with the wineries of the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco, but if you don't want to do a lot of driving I strongly recommend going to Ridge, on Montebello Road in Cupertino. Spectucular location. Legendary wines.
I understand and sympathize w/ your desire to avoid big in-your-face (and high alcohol level) wines. I've been complaining about this trend in California winemaking for a number of years. It's hard to avoid them entirely, however, since the hot, dry climate in many wine growing areas tends to concentrate sugars in the grapes. But you can find wineries that produce wines with finesse and subtlety. I'd suggest picking a destination spot for your day trip and then reading up on the producers there. Enjoy!
I'll address the day in the country/wineries part of your question. If you're looking for smaller wineries w/ a less touristy feel, I would avoid the Napa Valley entirely and head in one of four directions:
(1) Sonoma County/Anderson Valley. This will be a long day trip, but it may be worth the drive. The Anderson Valley is west of Hwy 101 and close to the coast, so the weather is cooler and wineries there have excellent success with varieties such as Pinot Noir, rieslings, gewurztraminer, as well as sparkling wines. I've been buying wine for years from Navarro Vineyards. (An alternative to the Anderson Valley, and less of a trek, is the Sonoma Co area around Calistoga and Geyserville, but I'm less familiar with the wineries there).
(2) Amador County/Plymouth: In the Sierra foothills. Small wineries doing very interesting things with Rhone-style, Italian, and Spanish varietals (e.g., Tempranillo, Syrah, Albarino, Viognier, Barbera). A lot of the wineries up above Plymouth are small-scale, family run operations, much like the Napa Valley was in the 1960s and '70s but is no longer. Buy picnic fixings at the Plymouth Market and then head up to the "Shenandoah Valley" to visit the wineries there.
(3) Calaveras County/Murphys: Also in the Sierra foothills. Less well established than the Amador Co wine region but expanding rapidly and interesting things happening, again with varietals associated with Spain, Italy, and the south of France. I strongly recommend Hovey Winery, which opened a tasting room on Main Street in Murphys about a year ago. There are also good places to eat in Murphys (I recommend Mineral, and Alchemy).
(4) I am not that familiar with the wineries of the Santa Cruz mountains south of San Francisco, but if you don't want to do a lot of driving I strongly recommend going to Ridge, on Montebello Road in Cupertino. Spectucular location. Legendary wines.
I understand and sympathize w/ your desire to avoid big in-your-face (and high alcohol level) wines. I've been complaining about this trend in California winemaking for a number of years. It's hard to avoid them entirely, however, since the hot, dry climate in many wine growing areas tends to concentrate sugars in the grapes. But you can find wineries that produce wines with finesse and subtlety. I'd suggest picking a destination spot for your day trip and then reading up on the producers there. Enjoy!
bdeyes
Established
Since you will probably end up near the Golden Gate Bridge, be sure to pay a visit to nearby Fort Point (south end of GGB, north of Crissy field)....not only is the Fort itself interesting, but you will also get an iconic view of the bottom of the GGB. Unfortunately you won't be able to stand at the spot where Kim Novak jumped into the water in "Vertigo"...that portion is fenced off. Or maybe it's too stop copycats?
icebear
Veteran
If you are up for a little exercise and nature trip:
Go to Fisher Men's Warf, rent bicycles and cross the Golden Gate by bike. Along the bay to Sausalito and then up the hill over top and down the other side into Muir Woods Park. Back to Sausalito and take the ferry back to SF.
A wonderful day trip just don't miss the last ferry. I did the Muir Woods thing, my better half stayed in a cafe in Sausalito.
Go to Fisher Men's Warf, rent bicycles and cross the Golden Gate by bike. Along the bay to Sausalito and then up the hill over top and down the other side into Muir Woods Park. Back to Sausalito and take the ferry back to SF.
A wonderful day trip just don't miss the last ferry. I did the Muir Woods thing, my better half stayed in a cafe in Sausalito
.jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
Bingley,
Thanks for the great suggestions! Just what the doctor ordered. You and I must share tastes in wine! I really miss the old Zins that used to have a lot less alcohol and a lot more finesse than most do today.
Thanks for the great suggestions! Just what the doctor ordered. You and I must share tastes in wine! I really miss the old Zins that used to have a lot less alcohol and a lot more finesse than most do today.