Questions for You Travelers: San Francisco

I'm attending and speaking at the BlogHer '08 Conference this summer. I'm excited beyond words! I'm sharing a room with Shannon, speaking about blogging basics on Friday morning, and networking my little heart out.

I've never been to San Francisco. Although I'll be completely booked with conference doin's Thursday through Saturday evening, I am considering staying through to Monday or Tuesday. So my questions to those of you familiar with SF are

• Where can I stay cheaply and safely on Sunday and Monday nights? (I will be staying at The Westin St. Francis on Powell--should I just keep my room or move to a different, cheaper hotel?)
• Will I be safe touring the city (shopping, walking, visiting Alcatraz, etc.) by myself? It's true that I have the death look, but I'm not nearly as physically strong as the look itself.
• Is there a way to see the SF bridge and take pictures without getting killed?
• What things should I plan while I'm there?
• Where should I eat? Because, hello? I'm all about the good food. No sushi.
• What is the thing I must not miss while I'm in the Bay Area?
• Will I get clobbered if I were my John McCain badge? (Just kidding...I wanted to see if you are still with me. I won't actually wear it.)
• Anything else you can think of?

On Thursday I'm going to have a roll call for those going to the BlogHer '08 Conference. I have some other questions regarding the conference as well. Today, though, let's stick to what I can do in SF and whether I can do it safely alone. Whatcha got for me?

Comments

[Headless Mom]

I have only a little knowledge of SF (only been there once, really). But you must go to the wharf (I think that's what it's called) the one day I was there we went and it's beautiful, some cute shops, and OH MY the restaurants. If seafood is your friend, you'll be in heaven. And the seals lounging around are a hoot!

[Clio]

I don't have a ton of advice about SF. I've been there several times for business and I LOVE it, but I always had awesome tour guides. I highly recommend a drive down to Half Moon Bay, plus the drive back up PCH through the mountains along the water - beautiful.

As for food, if you love garlic like I do you simply MUST go to The Stinking Rose (http://www.thestinkingrose.com/). You will not be disappointed.

Have fun! I wish I was going, too!

[Magi]

I love SF. As touristy as it is, I love to get a sourdough bread bowl filled with clam chowder at Boudin's Bakery. It's at the entrance to Fisherman's Wharf. We've eaten at several of the seafood restaurants in that area and always had a good meal. Be sure to walk down the road a few blocks to Ghirardelli Square as well.

The best pictures we took of the bridge were from the Sausalito side. There's a place you can pull over and take pictures. The biggest challenge is getting a picture without the fog.

The first time I went, my sister and I took a tour that left from the Wharf area and took us to the Redwood trees and then stopped in Sausalito on the way back. We really enjoyed it.

I can't think of specific restaurant names, but be sure to get some dim sum in Chinatown, and the Italian section has some great restaurants, too.

Have fun!

[Kelly @ Love Well]

We lived in the Bay Area for a couple of years. It's truly one of the most beautiful cities in America. If you can afford to stay an extra day or two, it will be worth it.

It's a relatively safe walking city, and there are a ton of inexpensive public transit options. Just remember that it will most likely be cool. Pack a jacket.

I'll have to get back to you on restaurant options. My husband used to work downtown. I'm sure he'll have a few ideas.

[Debby]

If you are looking for a good steak dinner, hop in a cab and go to Izzy's Chop House at Chestnut and Steiner. Their house potatoes and creamed spinach are to die for! Oh, and their New York steaks rocks. John's Bar and Grill (Dashiell Hammet's old haunt) is also fantastic. Any restaurant in North Beach is great.

There should be bus tours to get to the Golden Gate Bridge (you can't say San Francisco bridge as there are two that go into the City) Alcatraz is very cool and there are tons of tours that leave everyday from Fisherman's Wharf, but check the parks services now as the tours tend to sell out way ahead of time. There's nothing at Ghiradelli Square but super expensive shops. Same goes for Pier 39. Don't forget to check the Giants schedule (if you like baseball). The DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park is wonderful and the Zoo is great too. The public transportation is pretty good, but it can be a little fragrant. If you know what I mean.

Then, of course, you can hop on BART and head over the Bay for a day trip into Berkeley. There's tons of neat stuff in the East Bay as well.

[Mommy Moments]

You've gotta check this place out! http://www.exploratorium.edu/
and this place is fun to eat at.. http://www.rainforestcafe.com/
if you LOVE garlic, and want to keep the Vampires away.. eat here!
http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

Umm.. i'm trying to think about anything else ... i haven't been there in years... I'll ask some friends i know that go there often... :) have fun! I wish I could go!

[caryn]

When in SF you have to have an Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista. It is easy to get to, just take the Powell-Hyde cable car all the way down to the wharf and it is right there at the corner.

You will be safe walking around Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and Embarcadero alone. SF is a pedestrian city. However, be prepared to come across many panhandlers.

[Nancy]

We went in February and had an amazing time. We used the bus and trolley cars for transportation, plus tons of walking, and had a blast. You HAVE to ride the old trolley cars. It ends on Market Street downtown and they physically turn the cars around to make the run back toward Fisherman's Wharf. We rode it twice...day time and night time.
Ghirardelli Square didn't do much for me but we did have an ice cream sundae. I can buy their chocolates any where for cheaper than they sell them there.
We loved the Dunganess crabs and clam chowder at the Wharf but I recommend just buying a bowl with some bread on the side since the bread bowls have very little chowder in them. We ate several meals at Aliotto's right on the wharf and they were having a half price anniversary special. They have nice outdoor dining areas as well. The food was good but the bread is served cold from Boudin's.
Boudin's Bakery is across the street and they have a tour available. We didn't get to take it since they were having a private event but just smelling it and buying some loaves was a treat.
We walked all the way across the Golden Gate bridge and back. It took a while and I had ugly blisters but there is a nice viewing area at the beginning of it and you can take some pics.
Alcatraz was very interesting and we spent a half day there. It was pretty chilly on the ferry boat however. If you take in Alcatraz, you can get some good shots of the GGB.
We also took a Bay Cruise (caught the one at the Wharf) which gives you an up close, underneath, the Golden Gate bridge view plus the Bay Bridge. Take a jacket and maybe a scarf.
Don't miss seeing all the fat sea lions at the Wharf. They just loll about and bark at each other but were fun to watch.
We also took in the aquarium there which was pretty cool.
If you have time, hop a bus and go see Lombard Street. It is nothing but hair pin curves up a steep, steep hill with fancy schmancy houses/condos lining it.
We ate in China Town...was not our best meal.
We stayed very near the Wharf and Pricelined a great room for about $50.00 a night. We walked to the Wharf which has so much to do and see.
All in all, I would go back in a heart beat. I did not see that many panhandlers and the folks were just as nice and helpful as could be. It is a beautiful city and you really need to try to see as much as you can.
Makes me want to go back.
I never finished our last half day, but my poor pitiful blog has several of our highlights on it if you want to take a peek. I am a terrible blogger.
Have fun!

[New Diva on the Blog]

I'm sorry I can't help you, I have never been to SF either. Hope you have a wonderful time and don't forget to name drop for those of us that can't attend! ;)

[Dad]

Call you Aunt M.

[emily]

not to be missed: fisherman's wharf, the aquarium (this one will take a long time), ghirdelli square, lombard street - the most crooked street.

hope you have lots of fun!

[Jaime]

I've only been there once. We stayed at one of the Marriots right on Fisherman's Wharf, and we were able to hit all the big things by walking. (We did walk to Golden Gate Bridge, but we were young & foolish cause it was 6 miles one way!!). Alcatraz was LOTS of fun, so was everything on the Wharf, and Ghirardelli square, lombard street (we rode a cable car to see that)

[SwiftinAZ]

You have to get to the old ferry building. www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
I didn't feel unsafe at all walking around by myself.

[Laura]

You are in for a treat! I live in San Francisco, and it is the most fabulous city. It is very safe, but there are a fair number of panhandlers. Giving them a smile as you walk by is much appreciated. The FOOD! Depending on your budget, there are so many options. Not to be missed breakfast at Mama's on Washington Square. The Pan Dore and the Monte Cristo will blow your mind. Not a fan of Monte Cristos? You will be! I would never order that but had a bite of my husband's once. Absolutely to die for, and now I get it every time. I like to get there when it opens in the AM because there is often a line out the door. If you are willing to spend a bit for a wonderful dinner, Acquerello is amazing. Very chic Italian cuisine ... not a meatball in sight. More like what you think of as French. It's in a beautiful building with watercolors on the ceiling. Worth the expensive price. Another very fun place to go is the Slanted Door at the ferry building. It's Asian Fusion cuisine and is phenomenal. Both these restaurants require advance reservations (especially Slanted Door ... about 2 months in advance for a weekend night). For a hotel, I would keep your room at the St Francis for convenience sake. I don't care for the hotels in the Fisherman's wharf area. That whole area is very touristy and kind of cheesy. It's fun to do a quick walk-thru, but it doesn't give a true San Francisco flavor. Alcatraz is fascinating. Lombard Street is fun to see (you can take one of the cable car lines there), cable car ride is an absolute must, Grace cathedral is beautiful on the top of Nob Hill, Top of the Mark is a fun place to go for the view and a cocktail. I hope this helps, and I hope you have a fantastic time!!!!

[Blessed]

SF is AWESOME - it has been a long time since I've been but the aquarium, the warf, China town, Golden Gate park, Fort Point, Union Station, it's all fun especially if you've never been to San Francisco. Take BART to the other side of the bay and visit the Rose Garden in Berkeley and the parks there too. You could spend a month and not see everything...

[Melissa Markham]

I love SF! You definitely should take a jacket. Mark Twain didn't say the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in SF for nothing!

You must visit Fisherman's Wharf and eat clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. There are lots of neat shops and a wonderful carousel there. Scomas is the best seafood restaurant. It is located in the Fisherman's Wharf area, I think. And definitely visit Ghiradelli's. Golden Gate Park is awesome and huge and has a wonderful carousel.

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

Priceline, priceline, priceline. I'd get a 4* hotel through Priceline for the additional nights. I've always had GREAT luck with it in bigger cities. Betterbidding.com has great tips and hotel lists (not a guarantee, but an idea of which hotels have been won in the area). In NYC there's not much difference between a 3* and a 4*, so I use both. I'm not sure about SF.

The Wharf area is great, and I think Alcatraz is worth the trip too. We did both of those activities in one day. I think that it's a fairly safe city. I was there with family, but I think I'd have felt safe alone.

Also--Word of Warning--bring a sweater. We were there in July I think, and I had to buy a big sweatshirt. It can be chilly year round, especially by the water.