San Francisco- Tell me everything please!!

[mouse_chalk]

So, me and Steve have flights booked for a week's stay in San Francisco, November 3rd. inkelepht:It's a long story, but the flights were free! So we just have to pay for the hotel and spending money etc...

I'm looking for a hotel now, but I'm not sure where we should stay. Should we go nearer the bay area? Or Union Sq, near all the shopping etc? I've got guidebooks that I'm reading but I wondered if anyone's actually been there who could tell me firsthand

What's the weather like there in November? Should I be packing jumpers and jeans and coats?

Apparently we're going to be there for Thanksgiving too?!

Basically, anything you can tell me will be great! I did go there when I was about 5, but since I was so young I barely remember any of it now- only the Golden Gate Bridge obviously

Thanks!

 

[Becca]

I have know idea! But I hope you have a good holiday :biggrin2:

 

[JadeIcing]

No idea but why couldn't you come on this side on the country! I would so meet up with you!

HAve a great time when you do go though.

 

[mouse_chalk]

Aww I know! I'm totally far away from any RO members lol! I would meet you too!

Thanks- I'm so looking forward to it!

I've found a REALLY expensive hotel lol- views of the bay and bridge- but I think it's a little out of my price range :shock:

 

[Phinnsmommy]

That's so weird...i'm going to San Fran on October 9th!

Were staying at the Orchard Garden Hotel...it's eco friendly, and the only one in California like it .

I'm pretty sure it's right in the city. The Chicago Tribune newspaper just did an article about it, so it must be pretty nice! Plus it's good for the enviroment .


Here's the hotel link:

http://www.theorchardgardenhotel.com/

 

[mouse_chalk]

Ooooh I like that hotel!!!

The room I would want though is the same price as staying at the Mandarin Oriental though!!!! :shock:

My taste is a litte too expensive I think... must get back into reality! :?

 

[drunkenbunnyhugger]

If you are staying for a week, then you will not be there for (American) Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is November 27th.

I dont have any hotel recommendations since I went 7 years ago and stayed in a pretty low budget hotel that I dont even think is there anymore. However, I can tell you to stay out of the "tenderloin" area, thats a pretty rough area.

Make sure to go to Alcatraz! That is a pretty awesome tour and nice to see up close.

Have fun!!

 

[mouse_chalk]

Hmmmm, strange, I read somewhere that it was the 4th November!! :? Oh well lol...

I keep finding really nice affordable hotels but then I think that I want to upgrade the room to get a nice view etc, and then it turns into a very un-affordable hotel lol :shock:

I'm still undecided as to whether to stay closer to the bay (?!) or near Union Square though.... anyone any ideas how far the 2 are away from each other roughly?

Either way, I'm having fun looking and planning it all!

 

[slavetoabunny]

I wouldn't go overboard on the hotel. Afterall, how much time are you planning on spending shut up in your room? All that matters to me is that it is clean and in a safe area of town. I would rather spend my money on touring, shopping and eating.

 

[mouse_chalk]

You make a very good point! In which case I've found plenty of good hotels lol.... Need to get Steve to vet them though!

Oohhh I'm so excited!!!! :biggrin2:

 

[slavetoabunny]

mouse_chalk wrote:

I'm still undecided as to whether to stay closer to the bay (?!) or near Union Square though.... anyone any ideas how far the 2 are away from each other roughly?

I can't remember how far apart they are, but there is a trolley that runs back and forth all day. The trolley ride is fun! When I visited SF (around 10 years ago), we stayed at an overly expensive hotel down in the marina area. I really don't remember alot about SF. They have a very nice aquarium and a lot of panhandlers.

 

[mouse_chalk]

Oh, the trolley does sound fun! Ok so then I guess it makes not much difference between the 2... thanks for that!

And erm, what are panhandlers? :?

 

[slavetoabunny]

mouse_chalk wrote:

And erm, what are panhandlers? :?

People that stand on the street soliciting spare change from passers by.

 

[mouse_chalk]

slavetoabunny wrote:

mouse_chalk wrote:

And erm, what are panhandlers? :?

People that stand on the street soliciting spare change from passers by.

Aaah I see lol.... Never heard it called that before! :laughsmiley:

I was thinking maybe you meant people from Southern Florida or something... because isn't that sometimes called the pan handle? :?

Ok, I'll shut up now....

:embarrassed:

 

[dquesnel]

I was just in San Fran about three weeks ago. We went partly as tourists, and part because we have some fellow artist friends down there we wanted to visit with. We had a really good time- here are some things I'd recommend:

-As soon as you get in, take a trolley tour down at Fisherman's warf. They take you all over the city, the guides are funny and you can get a peek at what you want to go and see more of.

- As far as hotels go, they are all really average except for the best ones which are really really expensive. We stayed in the 'worst' neighborhood of Civic area at a Holiday Inn, but found compared to where we were visiting from it was clean and the people were fine! There were some beggars/homeless folks around but they were not aggressive at all. We chose to spend as little on a hotel as possible, and our stay was really comfortable.

-Don't rely on the trolleys, they can be expensive if you are taking the 'old' trolley ($5 each way). The BART, bus and transit trolleys are cheaper.

-Japantown is really cool and they have some great restaurants.

-Check out the area around San Francisco; Berkeley, Oakland, Sausalito. We found more real 'culture' in these areas than San Francisco's tourist culture.

- Go to Coit Tower! Amazing views of the city and area.

- If you have time, take a day trip to Monterey Bay (South) or Redwoods National Park (North).

 

[mouse_chalk]

OOOOOH I've been to the Redwoods!! When I was about 5.... I remember that! All the trees were really tall lol....

I'll definately check out Colt Tower, thanks! I'm taking my DSLR and may well have a neeeeew lens then so I'll be wanting to find lots of good photo oppurtunities. Need extra memory cards cos I always take so many!!

We're there for a week and definately want to take lots of trips and make sure we pack as much in as we can... I need to get stuck into my guide book to find out more places as well...

We've not thought about hiring a car yet though, I guess we'd need that for the trips further out of the city? :shock::? (Scared at thought of Steve's right-hand driving!!)

 

[JadeIcing]

I still think you should be coming to New York or Boston!

 

[mouse_chalk]

JadeIcing wrote:

I still think you should be coming to New York or Boston!

Man, I wish!! When we were given the free flights I wanted to use them for New York but they were Steve's and he wanted San Fran..... *sigh*

Maybe we'll change the return dates and tour the country stopping off at different RO member's houses....collecting bunnies on the way!! :biggrin2:

 

[JadeIcing]

mouse_chalk wrote:

JadeIcing wrote:

I still think you should be coming to New York or Boston!

Man, I wish!! When we were given the free flights I wanted to use them for New York but they were Steve's and he wanted San Fran..... *sigh*

Maybe we'll change the return dates and tour the country stopping off at different RO member's houses....collecting bunnies on the way!! :biggrin2:

I like that idea till the last part. Stay off the east coast.