San Francisco thread - to discuss all things San Francisco

[PrincessInOz]

I've never stayed in Fisherman's Wharf; but my in-laws seem to like Marriott.

I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency near the Ferry Building. Not sure if they have Q/Q configurations; but it was a great location. Just a little bit of a walk into the downtown area; and you can catch the F-line or a bus to Fisherman's Wharf.

I think some of the other Aussies Dis-ers travelling in Jan 2011 have booked accommodation in Fisherman's Wharf....perhaps they can provide better advice.

 

[Jade+3]

Queenie, we stayed at Holiday Inn Express (not to be confused with the Holiday Inn). The only thing is, I can't remember if it had 2 queens. They have a great breakfast buffet (cereal, toast, fruit and of course the pastries). I am hoping to stay there again next year.

 

[queenie82]

Queenie, we stayed at Holiday Inn Express (not to be confused with the Holiday Inn). The only thing is, I can't remember if it had 2 queens. They have a great breakfast buffet (cereal, toast, fruit and of course the pastries). I am hoping to stay there again next year.

Thanks for the suggestion! All suggestions taken on board
I hadn't specifically looked up the HI Express yet. Only the HI....and about all the others in that pier 39 area.
Currently I'm getting closer to the Russian Hill area in search of something with 2q and affordable.

HIE have a most curious room option of 2 doubles and a queen sofa!
We would have to go this option to stay here as the only other option is 2 doubles or 1 queen.
Not a bargain...but I guess tolerable.
BUT....parking charges...valet only...$43 a NIGHT!!!!
The location is bang on...but this is INSANE!!!

Where we used to stay was a motel style which had always been a good budget option, simple but clean, perfect location with free parking but last time (for the first time) I had a nightmare getting to sleep with road noise and idling buses. So we have crossed off ALL like that off the list. Of course this increases the cost significantly!! [especially parking...some are as much as $47 a NIGHT ]

It looks like a great place though...

PrincessinOz....no worries I checked out the the marriots but sadly 2doubles only...
Haven't gotten to the 'ferry building' yet
I really like the FW area.
I don't like staying in Union Square...just not my thing. I need to be near my seals

 

[Jade+3]

HIE have a most curious room option of 2 doubles and a queen sofa!
We would have to go this option to stay here as the only other option is 2 doubles or 1 queen.
Not a bargain...but I guess tolerable. Still need to check parking rates. But the location is bang on.
Any traffic noise? I notice it isn't a high rise...about 5 floors???

We had a room at the front overlooking the street, and I do not recall traffic noise. If it was bad, I would have remembered. We were on the 3rd floor. You are right, it is not a high rise. The layout of the hotel is rather bizarre and reminded us of being on a cruise ship. It had a nautical feel about it, with porthole windows. I do remember the parking fee was rather nasty, as are all the hotels in the area. I usually book accommodation direct with the hotel or with expedia, but we got a great rate using Qantas Holidays.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sadly, hotel accommodation with free parking is a dying breed in San Francisco.

The alternative is the Marina district; but you'd have to find parking as well. There are quite a few motels along Lombard Street between Van Ness and Fillmore. Some are better than others and may include free parking. But these are real budget places.

Depending on budget and if you want to be close to the sea (the seals will be out there....somewhere), anywhere between Pacific and Half Moon Bay could be nice. You'd have to come into the Downtown; and still have to pay for parking; but if you picked a spot near public transport (BART or CalTrain or Muni), you'd be able to get in and out reasonably easily.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I am F.A.R. from Australia, but I'm so thankful I found this thread! We are heading to Monterey/San Francisco next week. I need to find tours/restaurants while we're in SF & your thread has been extremely helpful. Thank you!

 

[franandaj]

WOW! I grew up in the SF Bay area, and hung out in SF as a teenager, but y'all have been to Waaaay more places that I have been and I live in the state!

I'll have to take advice from y'all as to where to go!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I recently had the pleasure of returning to Half Moon Bay just before Halloween and thought it was time to update this thread with this little town along the Cabrillo Highway. This is not a town that many Australians go out of the way to visit but I love going to little towns like this one in the US, in preference over the big cities.

One of the benefits of heading this way is the State Beach. In summer, its a favourite hangout because I get to swim in the Pacific Ocean on the other side to normal and then get to HMB for milk shakes and food. In Oct 2010, when I got to the beach, I was shocked to find that parking at the beach now costs $10. I was last there about 2-3 years ago and it only cost $5. I decided that it wasn’t worth it as it was autumn and I was only going to look at the ocean for 10 minutes, so I turned around and headed for the town.

I did stop at a nearby field to take this photo.

And then we headed into the town itself.

There’s a historic church in the town.

And one main street that is about 5 blocks long.

Some of the buildings are very pretty.

But it is the street art that I love most about this town.

And with Halloween around the corner, I had a great time taking snaps of the decorations and ambience.

I also love the pumpkins…

The are two bookshops and the toyshop; and a myriad of touristy shops that can be delightful shops to get lost in for the morning. There are also a number of decent cafes and restaurants to eat in...some of which have delightful gardens to sit in out the back.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Thanks for putting this up, it is so helpful there are so many things to do and see, I wish I had more time... and money!

 

[PrincessInOz]

On a recent trip to Silicon Valley, I decided that I would head to Stanford University. I had been to Stanford many years ago – when a friend was working at the Linear Accelerator. We got an insider’s tour then but in those days, digital photography had not been invented.

I appreciate that visiting a University on holiday is not everyone's idea of fun; but Stanford has one of the largest collection of Rodin statues outside of France.

The visitor information at Stanford was very helpful. They provided me with a map and pointed out some areas that I should go visit as well as the statues.

Hoover Tower is one of the landmarks on the University.

For a couple of dollars or five, you can head up the tower and take in the views from the top.

Stanford Memorial Church (non denominational) is located in the center of the campus. I found the stain glass and the mosaics beautiful.

And you walk though here to head towards some of the Rodin statues.

There are about 40 Rodin statues on the campus. Such amazing treasure just available for anyone to walk up and admire the craftsmanship of his very visual work.

FYI – The last time a Rodin statue sold by auction was in about 2008. It fetched nearly $20 Million. It really is something to think about, isn’t it? Especially when Stanford just has their 40 statues just displayed out and about in the open.

The other status are found in the Rodin Gardens.

Looking at this statues may not be everyone's cup of tea. But then, where else are you going to go to be able to get close to touch $20 Million over and over and over again?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Many (many, many) years ago, when I was on a backpackers camping trip through the US, I remember that the group stopped at the Winchester Mystery House. I remember that we had a great time there...but the specifics of the house was something that I did not remember.

I recently headed back to the WMH to reacquaint myself with the place. Maybe it is the passing of time....or maybe it was the company I was with at the time. But I have to say that I was a little bit disappointed with the place.

A lot of my disappointment is around the cost of visiting the WMH. It cost close on $60 for the entry fee for DS10 and myself. We also stopped in at the café where I bought the most expensive Ice Slushie in history. It was $7 for a medium cup….completely exorbitant!

And to cap off my visit, strictly no photography allowed inside the house.

The Winchester Mystery House is the result of what happens when you don’t have an architect, have too much money and believe in ghosts. It is intriguing beyond belief and I am not sure if I’m so glad or so sorry that we spent the hour of walking through countless rooms, strange corridors, seeing staircases that go no where and a door that open out to a 20 foot drop. The main thing for me was that DS totally loved the experience and had a fantastic time.

We came out totally bemused by the whole experience. The rooms were all there and in parts completely finished; but there are huge amounts of the house stripped to the wooden wall frames. But then there are rooms completely furnished and exquisitely detailed! And the leadlight windows were beautiful beyond belief!

Is it a place that I would rush back to? No.

But it is definitely someplace that has to be seen to be believed. And I'm a firm believer in experiencing it for yourself and making your own mind up.

 

[meandmygirl]

Great thread - thanks PrincessinOz for all the handy info and tips.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Many (many, many) years ago, when I was on a backpackers camping trip through the US, I remember that the group stopped at the Winchester Mystery House. I remember that we had a great time there...but the specifics of the house was something that I did not remember.

I recently headed back to the WMH to reacquaint myself with the place. Maybe it is the passing of time....or maybe it was the company I was with at the time. But I have to say that I was a little bit disappointed with the place.

A lot of my disappointment is around the cost of visiting the WMH. It cost close on $60 for the entry fee for DS10 and myself. We also stopped in at the café where I bought the most expensive Ice Slushie in history. It was $7 for a medium cup….completely exorbitant!

And to cap off my visit, strictly no photography allowed inside the house.

The Winchester Mystery House is the result of what happens when you don’t have an architect, have too much money and believe in ghosts. It is intriguing beyond belief and I am not sure if I’m so glad or so sorry that we spent the hour of walking through countless rooms, strange corridors, seeing staircases that go no where and a door that open out to a 20 foot drop. The main thing for me was that DS totally loved the experience and had a fantastic time.

We came out totally bemused by the whole experience. The rooms were all there and in parts completely finished; but there are huge amounts of the house stripped to the wooden wall frames. But then there are rooms completely furnished and exquisitely detailed! And the leadlight windows were beautiful beyond belief!

Is it a place that I would rush back to? No.

But it is definitely someplace that has to be seen to be believed. And I'm a firm believer in experiencing it for yourself and making your own mind up.

I remember seeing this on a TV show before, and from what I have seen I think I would love it! The only problem is that it is too far out from everything in San Fran that I want to see. If we do make it out there it will cut a huge chunk out of our time. At the moment we have only 2 days in San Fran, so I think this will have to be left until next time.

I am sorry that it wasn't your cup of tea but I am glad that ds enjoyed it.

 

[weHEARTmickey]

I just had to post again: I LOVE this thread! Thanks for all the wonderful info

 

[Mum from oz]

Ok, so I'm up to planning the SF portion of our trip and I figured this is the place to be!

We will be in SF from Sunday 27th May until Thursday 31st May. We fly in on Sunday at 10:05am and don't fly out until 4:30pm on the Thursday so pretty much 4 whole days.

Things I really want to do:

Alcatraz
Fire Engine Tour (my kids will especially this)
Ride a cable car
See Lombard St
See the painted ladies
Drive over the Golden Gate bridge

Something I'd like to do if feasible:

Yosemite NP

I don't have any accommodation booked yet but have narrowed it down to two choices either the Holiday Inn Express, Fishermans Wharf or the Columbus Motor Inn.

The HIE is $212 a night for two doubles including a breakfast.
Columbus is $220 a night for a two bedroom with a queen and two doubles, free parking and wired and wireless internet.

For the Yosemite option I was thinking about hiring a car from the airport and driving straight there. Spend the night and most of the next day exploring then heading back around 4:00pm the next day.

I dont know much about SF and surrounds other than the few thing I have read the last couple of days. I would really appreciate some advice or even suggested itinerary from some seasoned travelers!!

 

[DVCAustralia]

For Yosemite NP, leaving from the airport is a great idea as you go south and straight across the bridge and then on return you go straight into SF. Make sure you stay IN the National Park where there are options for most budgets (and anyway it is only one night).

 

[Mum from oz]

Thanks for that. I am thinking you are right. We should head straight to the NP from the airport. Guides say 4 hours driving time, so with a stop for lunch we should be there by around 4:00pm.

What are your must see's in Yosemite?

What are your must see/do in San Francisco in general?

 

[PrincessInOz]

With Yosemite, it's all about how much walking you and the family want to do. If you don't want to do any walking, then just staying on the valley floor and taking drives out to some of the scenic lookouts should be on your target hitlist. The valley floor walks include going towards the base of Yosemite Falls; Mirror Lake and heading towards that spot at sunset on the river to see the sunset hit Half Dome.

There are also the sequoia trees at Mariposa Grove. Definitely worth going there to see the big trees!

I also like Tuolumne Meadows.

There are also donkey rides you can go on if you want to get up higher into the rocks without doing the 'donkey' work yourself (so to speak).


If you plan on hiking, then you probably need to work out how long you want to go for and how extreme a climb you want to do. Probably best to consult the NPS website for that.


In terms of San Francisco, this whole thread is dedicated towards things that I love doing in SF.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

I really really want to take the kids on the fire truck ride in San Fran. We are there for two days on the Wonder. We'll be first time cruisers, so I'm afraid all the spots will be booked before booking open for us. It's also twice the cost with DCL than doing it yourself. Do you reckon the fire truck will run it's regular time slot for other tourists to San Fran? I don't want to miss this.

 

[Mum from oz]

With Yosemite, it's all about how much walking you and the family want to do. If you don't want to do any walking, then just staying on the valley floor and taking drives out to some of the scenic lookouts should be on your target hitlist. The valley floor walks include going towards the base of Yosemite Falls; Mirror Lake and heading towards that spot at sunset on the river to see the sunset hit Half Dome.

There are also the sequoia trees at Mariposa Grove. Definitely worth going there to see the big trees!

I also like Tuolumne Meadows.

There are also donkey rides you can go on if you want to get up higher into the rocks without doing the 'donkey' work yourself (so to speak).


If you plan on hiking, then you probably need to work out how long you want to go for and how extreme a climb you want to do. Probably best to consult the NPS website for that.


In terms of San Francisco, this whole thread is dedicated towards things that I love doing in SF.

Thanks for the Yosemite tips. Definitely want to see the sequoia trees. We will probably just drive around and stop where looks most interesting. I will read more on the NP website though. Oh and the other studio question..... No excuse, just a stupid question.