In SF: Trying to understand the city by the bay

[JHZR2]

Hi,

Im in SF this week for a conference. I got in this afternoon, to a beautiful, cool, sunny Sunday.

After checking into my hotel, I got in my car and drove to the city, thinking that maybe Id try to get to Fisherman's wharf. I was on 101 north, got to 280, and got to King St. I went up on 3rd street, and then it turned into Kearney St.

In the end all, I was in the 'red light' district, which reminded me of 42nd st in NY 10 years ago... I'd never seen so many adult bookstores. I was starving and had an inkling for Indian food, so I went to the Tandoor Mahal (I think that is what it was called), which had great food, and had a parking spot nearby.

But what I saw was this:
-Lots of weird people
-Lots of adult shops and oriental massage parlors
-beggars on every corner
-a nearly perpetual chinatown
-VERY steep hills

-Difficult navigation
-very LOUSY drivers

So, I need a primer... where to go, what to see, where to eat, how to get around best, where to find the best parking, etc., etc.

What do you reccomend? What is the best way for a guy on his own to see San Fransisco without being robbed, ripped off, etc.

I'd really love to drive down Lombard St on the windy part, go to the beach, see thosefamous townhouses on the hill (across the street from the park, like in the theme song to full house), ride a cable car up a really steep hill, go over the golden gate bridge, check out Oakland, and eat some good food of various sorts. I only have a few hours each evening after the conference, but I figure I ought to be able to see a lot in that time.

So any ideas or suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

JMH

 

[Dan4510]

First thought that comes to mind is one should refrain from bending over in that town.

Dan

 

[moribundman]

Well, you've described the Chinatown and Northbeach area pretty well. I avoid downtown whenever possible. Fisherman's Wharf is really only for tourists. I'd skip it. No wait, you are a tourist!

"Seeing" stuff is sort a limited to daylight hours.

Check out The Presidio during daylight, maybe drive up Twin Peaks (even at night) for a killer view of the whole Bay Area.

The Victorian houses from 'Full House' are on Steiner Street between Fulton and Hayes next to Alamo Square: Check the map.

Lombard Street is easily accessible coming from Lombard and crossing Van Ness, then going up the hill and own on the other side.

If you want to drive one of the famous, really steep streets in SF, take Fillmore Street over the hill towards Lombard Street.

There are parking lots at both ends of the GG Bridge. On the SF side, you could walk down to Fort Point (fort/tour). On the Marin side you may want to exit the highway right after the bridge and drive up into the Marin Headlands for a stunning view of the Golden Gate, the city and the pacific. There's also an old Nike Missile site and old coastal fortification ruins to see at Fort Cronkite center. Maybe drive to Sausalito or Tiburon in Marin for dinner.

If you absolutely want to go to Fisherman's Wharf, you can take the cable car from Powell and Market. From Fisherman's Wharf you can take a trip to Alcatraz with tour at night...

Oakland is close to 100 murders this year, so you may want to roll your window up if you decide to drive there.

Food? Take your pick, but better have an iron stomach and high tolerance for food poisoning.

Do you have any particular interest? For example, you could check out the USS Hornet, the WW2 aircraft carrier in Alameda. Again, this wouldn't work well at night.

 

[JHZR2]

Thanks for the info... time for bed (pacific time... Im running on caffeine and adrenaline to make up the 3hrs. difference), but I will analyze more tomorrow.

Thanks again!

JMH

 

[Pablo]

quote:

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-Lots of weird people
-Lots of adult shops and oriental massage parlors
-beggars on every corner
-a nearly perpetual chinatown
-VERY steep hills
-Difficult navigation
-very LOUSY drivers

---

Dang - I miss the Gay Bay.

You can buy porn in Chinatown, too!

My drive through this summer was faster than a visit to one of the above shops.

Mori's your man. I don't know his gut, but it does seem sensitive - there are some really good restaurants on the small streets up the hills from the weird and/or tourist areas. Try the small Italian places. I have chanced on some great chow in the "happy" bay. Danged if I remember the street names but the good ones are never on the main drives.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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You can buy porn in Chinatown, too!

My drive through this summer was faster than a visit to one of the above shops.

---

Does Mrs Pablo know?

 

[Pablo]

She is always suspicious around other Asian women.

I was just kidding about the porn part.

 

[Carbonics]

quote:

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Lots of weird people

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they probably though you looked weird too lol

quote:

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beggars on every corner

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I know a guy that goes to san fran and begs for 6 months of the year, he makes $48k/year doing it no joke, not sure I could pull off the same gig though.

things are not always what they seem in san fran, it can be a very entertaining city though - as long as you're not homophobic, they cook your food too so you can't be that scared of them or you might starve.

 

[Laminar Lou]

"Trying to understand the city by the bay"

Don't try to understand it - just accept it. If you like BBQ crab, try this place:

crabhouse 39

It's on pier 39.

 

[ALS]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
She is always suspicious around other Asian women.

---

Asian women can be extremely hot looking as well as very erotic. Remember the Japanese Bond girls in You Only Live Twice? Need I say more.
Michael Savage who lives there and broadcasts his national radio show from there refers to the place as San Fran Sicko.

 

[Drew99GT]

For the best seafood you'll ever have, try Scomas

SERIOUSLY! It's not cheap though.

 

[Pablo]

Scomas doesn't look too expensive until you get to the $7 for a side of garlic bread!!!!! ($6 for fries is good, too

)

ALS - calm down, dude.

 

[ALS]

Pablo-I call them as I see them.

 

[MarkC]

As a victim, and as I posted elsewhere, Asian Fever is powerful.

 

[Pablo]

Yeah I married her. Miss Japan 1959. Good with hand tools.

 

[MarkC]

1959? What is she,60?
No way...I've seen the photos.

 

[Pablo]

Well preserved. It's an Asian woman thing. They haunt you for years. Worth it because they aren't fat. I guess.

 

[JavaMan]

"Yeah I married her. Miss Japan 1959. Good with hand tools."

Really?

 

[MarkC]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
Well preserved. It's an Asian woman thing. They haunt you for years. Worth it because they aren't fat. I guess.

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Hmmmm. That may explain Yoko. Instead of a mid-30's, maybe she was really an 80 year old harpy?

PS some of them do get fat. Ever been to Samoa?

 

[tom slick]

check out the exploritorium. it's for kids but it's still really cool. there are alot of mueseums if you are into that stuff. go see alcatraz, it's an interesting tour.

if you drop your wallet kick it until you are in marin county.