JimH

[Sox1422]

I'm going to San Francisco for work. I have never been there so i was hoping to get your take on it.

 

Thanks!

[Kid Gleason]

I'm not Jim, but San Fran is one of the only places I have traveled to. I was there back in '90 (yeah...man of the world I am), and I LOVED it. That city is great. Unbelievably clean. Even the homeless seem clean, and many of them polite. Street musicians every 100' or so, and most of them REALLY good. No kids with buckets there, not that I saw atleast.

 

It's really a great city, just be sure to bring a jacket. I was an idiot. "I'm going to California in April" I thought. "Why would I need a jacket" I thought.

 

Froze my friggin' ass off for 6 friggin' days.

[AddisonStSox]

I'm not Jim, but San Fran is one of the only places I have traveled to. I was there back in '90 (yeah...man of the world I am), and I LOVED it. That city is great. Unbelievably clean. Even the homeless seem clean, and many of them polite. Street musicians every 100' or so, and most of them REALLY good. No kids with buckets there, not that I saw atleast.

 

It's really a great city, just be sure to bring a jacket. I was an idiot. "I'm going to California in April" I thought. "Why would I need a jacket" I thought.

 

Froze my friggin' ass off for 6 friggin' days.

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I adored San Francisco. Actually, I'm quite-traveled at 19 years of age and if I had to, I would put San Francisco amongst the top of the list. It is just as Kid described. Beautifully clean, amazing scenary...you really do get the big-city by water feel there just as much as you do in downtown Chicago (if not more). The food is amazing (YOU HAVE GOT TO GET CLAM CHOWDER IN A SOURDOUGH BOWL). Some of the sites to see include: Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco's answer to Navy Pier), Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. There are some great breakfast/coffee houses that I'm sure Jim can recommend.

 

God, I would move there tomorrow. You are going to love it.

 

EDIT: Sorry, I'm sure I'm just going to keep remembering places to go. ChinaTown (HUGE), Haight-Ashbury, the world's longest, winding street (can't remember the name...might be Lombardo)...I'll be back

 

EDITx2: VERY VERY cool Jack Kerouac/beat places to look up.

Edited September 12, 2005 by AddisonStSox

[Kid Gleason]

Fisherman's Warf was really cool. I didn't get to The Rock, due to it being closed for remodeling or something.

 

I remember a club I drove by. It was a two story club, the entire front open pretty much. LOUD THUMPING MUSIC. People all over the place. The were all guys. It was the first time I had ever seen a club of such.

[RockRaines]

SF woudl be a great city to move to. Unfortunatley it is 10 times more expensive than chicago.

[Sox1422]

Fisherman's Warf was really cool. I didn't get to The Rock, due to it being closed for remodeling or something.

 

I remember a club I drove by. It was a two story club, the entire front open pretty much. LOUD THUMPING MUSIC. People all over the place. The were all guys. It was the first time I had ever seen a club of such. 

 

I'm staying in the Union Square area while I'm working, but I am flying out the woman after my convention is over and we were thinking about staying in Fisherman's Wharf. Definitely going to Alcatraz and She wants to go the the Tattoo Art Museum.

[AddisonStSox]

Funny story about San Fran:

 

A cousin of ours is a big-time defense attorney on the West Coast and had condo in downtown San Fran that he offered to the family to use for vacations. Well, about the time he offered it up, my parents 10th or 15th anniv. was coming up, so they decided to take a trip to Cali. minus the kids. After spending the week there and absolutely loving it, they decided to walk to an Italian rest. for a bite to eat.

 

Now, I swear to you, as they were walking out the door, my mother said to my father, "I'm going to bring my camera, ya never know, we might run into Francis Ford Coppola. Naturally, my pop made nothing of it. SURE AS s***, as they were entering a restaurant, my mom spotted Francis Ford Coppola dining alone by the window of the Italian restaurant across the street.

 

My mom says to my dad: "I have GOT to go over there and ask to take a picture of him."

 

Dad: "No way. Let the guy eat his meal. I'm sure he gets it all the time and he just wants to have a bite to eat in piece. Leave him alone.

 

Mom: "You have got to be kidding me. I have to go over there."

 

Well, turns out, my Dad was able to prevent my mom from walking over there and as a result, they lost the opportunity of a lifetime.

 

Turns out, he was eating at his daughter's restaurand...or a restuarant named after his daughter...or something to that end, and actually enjoyed taking pictures with fans.

 

 

 

 

[Kid Gleason]

When I went there I was visting an ex-girlfriend. Yes, ex. at the time, but we remained friends for years. But on one of the nights she wanted to go see Front 242, so I bought her a ticket. I walked across the street from the club to a run down ex-porn house that was showing Bonnie & Clyde! So there I sat with my bucket of popcorn and large coke amongst a bunch of REAL interesting folks who were obviously renegades from the Porn house days. San Fran has a pretty strict "no smoking" attitude, but you would never have known it from this place. All of us smoking in the place, most of the people in there with fifths of booze. The whole place stunk of urine, cigarettes and booze.

 

But the girl at the ticket booth was REAL cute.

 

In seeing my friend, she was in college at the time. I had to be snuck into the dorm every night. That was fun.

 

Different mindset in that town though. Open in all forms of thoughts, especially looks. Unless you looked like I did. I was told all the time I didn't fit in there, and that I should be in LA. I actually got numerous rude comments due to my looks.

 

Though the girl at the ticket booth seemed to like me.

[Chisoxfn]

Just because I'm an ass, I'll just say my feelings are the exact opposite. I think San Fran is a rile and disgusting city and do my best to stay clear of it. It felt dirty as all get up and has very little to do.

 

Of course Detroit is worse.

[AddisonStSox]

Just because I'm an ass, I'll just say my feelings are the exact opposite. I think San Fran is a rile and disgusting city and do my best to stay clear of it.  It felt dirty as all get up and has very little to do. 

 

Of course Detroit is worse.

 

...you dissenter <_ src="%7B___base_url___%7D/uploads/emoticons/default_laugh.png" alt=":lol:">

[LosMediasBlancas]

It's beautiful, but a lot smaller than I expected. I did the GG bridge, the rock, fisherman's wharf, Sausalito, the wine country and I forgot the name of the 'cool' neighborhood with all the good restaurants. After 3 days, I was bored.

The weather is also cooler then what I expected.

Perfect weekend getaway, but from Chicago, it's a long flight for just a weekend.

[Sox1422]

Perfect weekend getaway, but from Chicago, it's a long flight for just a weekend.

 

I'll be there for almost 2 weeks.

[The Ginger Kid]

For my money the best city in the country. And if you're a single straight guy, the ratio of single women is 9:1, according to my wife who lived there for 4 years. There are plenty of single men there, many just prefer the company of each other.

 

My parents lived there for three years so I spent a lot of time visiting. Hope you get a chance to drive down the coast a bit. It's worth it.

[RockRaines]

I fully expect to be residing in cali within the next 3 years, with a transfer, I shoul dbe set. Never one for the cold weather though, im guessing I will be in San Diego.

[LosMediasBlancas]

I'll be there for almost 2 weeks.

 

 

As The Ginger Kid says, you'd better line up some road trips. SF will get tired in no time. Luckily, you'll be in cali. where there is tons to do.

[Middle Buffalo]

I remember a club I drove by. It was a two story club, the entire front open pretty much. LOUD THUMPING MUSIC. People all over the place. The were all guys. It was the first time I had ever seen a club of such. 

Mind sharing some stories about subsequent trips to such clubs?

[Kid Gleason]

LOL!!! Sure, but that was n '90 and it was not as accepted around these parts. By '94 when my band was doing more shows in Chicago, I was seeing more clubs and more "sights".

 

I have never seen the inside of any of these clubs though. Now my sister on the other hand hangs at them quite often.

Edited September 12, 2005 by Kid Gleason

[AddisonStSox]

LOL!!! Sure, but that was in '90 and it was as accepted around these parts. By '94 when my band was doing more shows in Chicago, I was seeing more clubs and more "sights". 

 

I have never seen the inside of any of these clubs though. Now my sister on the other hand hangs at them quite often.

 

Barking up the wrong tree, no?

[LosMediasBlancas]

KG, you must be talking about the 'Castro' district in SF, that's their predominantly gay area.

[Kid Gleason]

Barking up the wrong tree, no?  

 

She's always hung with the gay crowd. Not sure why, she just loves the crowd and finds much in common. She also LOVES to dance, so she goes there also knowing she can dance with all the guys she wants and knows that none of them will be after her for anything other than to dance.

[Kid Gleason]

KG, you must be talking about the 'Castro' district in SF, that's their predominantly gay area.

 

THAT's the name!!! Yeah, get in that area, and you sure know it! Heck, I think the train thing (not the street cars, but the other thing, there version of the El) even makes a pass through there and it can be an eye opener. Even the advertising.

 

But San Fran is such an awesome city. I would go back in a second. But I hate air travel, and next years plans are for Vegas for this:

 

http://www.vivalasvegas.net/

[Guest JimH]

Ok by special request (meaning, I got a private message ) I'll add my 10 cents on San Francisco. It is a great city, much like any other city with some gorgeous parts and also some less than desireable areas.

 

First of all, transportation ... I do not recommend getting a car if you're gonna stay in SF proper. Parking is very difficult and outrageously expensive. We took the BART from the airport right into downtown and were able to walk to our hotel in the Chinatown area, which is a very short cable car ride from the downtown BART stations. www.bart.gov . The BART combines with Muni and the cable car system is part of all this too. You should buy a 3 day pass which allows you access to public transportation all over the Bay area.

 

First of all the ballpark (PacBell or whatever they're calling it this year) is in the south of Market district, called worst spammer ever by the locals. It's right on a small inlet of SF Bay called China Basin, and it's located right at the end of the Embaradero, which is basically a waterfront passageway that extends over to Fisherman's Wharf. You can take a light rail MUNI from the ballpark to Fishermans Wharf. The ballpark area itself is ok, not the nicest high class area in SF but certainly safe. They offer tours so you can see it. In the shadow of the ballpark, at Market and McCoppin St. is a breakfast place and it's great ... "It's Tops Coffee Shop". It's like a trip into the 1040's, cheap, and very good. Also very close is the 21st Amendment Brewery and Cafe, go there during happy hour for great deals on appetizers and their excellent beer.

 

If you are a beer fan, about 10 minutes from the ballpark via bus is the Anchor Brewing Company, at 1705 Mariposa, www.anchorbrewing.com . They offer one tour per day of their historic brewery, it is a beautiful old structure and of course you get samples after the tour. Highly recommended.

 

Baseball history: just about 1 mile from the Anchor Brewing Co. is a small park called Franklin Square, located at 16th and Bryant. Look across the street at a strip shopping center with an auto dealer and some other stores. This is the former site of Seals Stadium, which was the first home to the SF Giants in 1958 and 1959 before Candlestick Park was built. Across the street is the Double Play Cafe, which is about the only reminder that major league baseball was played at this intersection. I highly recommend the Double Play Cafe for a burger or a sandwich, and all of the SF baseball memorabilia on the walls, including the top of the flagpole and some seats from Seals Stadium, which was demolished in 1960. Joe Dimaggio played a lot at Seals, as did Willie McCovey, who hit his first HR there back in 1958.

 

North of Market St. is the high end area called Union Square, with all kinds of stores and fancy restaurants and nice hotels. The famous Sir Frances Drake hotel is located in this area, at the corner of Powell and Sutter. The lobby is stunning, as are some of the female guests who stay there.

 

To be continued later this evening.

[hammerhead johnson]

I've been to San Francisco three times.

 

You have to be a cake-eater if you're looking to reside in any of the nicer neighborhoods for the long term, but it's my #1 vacation destination by far.

 

My ideal day in San Francisco:

Wake up, grab a breakfast burrito on Columbus and North Point, bike from Fisherman's Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge, eat dinner at one of the many excellent seafood restaurants along the Wharf, walk up and down Lombard Street, head over to Coit Tower to admire the gorgeous view of the city, and then go back to the hotel and get sloshed.

[Sox1422]

Ok by special request (meaning, I got a private message  ) I'll add my 10 cents on San Francisco.  It is a great city, much like any other city with some gorgeous parts and also some less than desireable areas.

 

First of all, transportation ... I do not recommend getting a car if you're gonna stay in SF proper.  Parking is very difficult and outrageously expensive.  We took the BART from the airport right into downtown and were able to walk to our hotel in the Chinatown area, which is a very short cable car ride from the downtown BART stations.  www.bart.gov .  The BART combines with Muni and the cable car system is part of all this too.  You should buy a 3 day pass which allows you access to public transportation all over the Bay area.

 

First of all the ballpark (PacBell or whatever they're calling it this year) is in the south of Market district, called worst spammer ever by the locals. It's right on a small inlet of SF Bay called China Basin, and it's located right at the end of the Embaradero, which is basically a waterfront passageway that extends over to Fisherman's Wharf.  You can take a light rail MUNI from the ballpark to Fishermans Wharf.  The ballpark area itself is ok, not the nicest high class area in SF but certainly safe.  They offer tours so you can see it.  In the shadow of the ballpark, at Market and McCoppin St. is a breakfast place and it's great ... "It's Tops Coffee Shop".  It's like a trip into the 1040's, cheap, and very good.  Also very close is the 21st Amendment Brewery and Cafe, go there during happy hour for great deals on appetizers and their excellent beer.

 

If you are a beer fan, about 10 minutes from the ballpark via bus is the Anchor Brewing Company, at 1705 Mariposa, www.anchorbrewing.com .  They offer one tour per day of their historic brewery, it is a beautiful old structure and of course you get samples after the tour.  Highly recommended. 

 

Baseball history:  just about 1 mile from the Anchor Brewing Co. is a small park called Franklin Square, located at 16th and Bryant.  Look across the street at a strip shopping center with an auto dealer and some other stores.  This is the former site of Seals Stadium, which was the first home to the SF Giants in 1958 and 1959 before Candlestick Park was built.  Across the street is the Double Play Cafe, which is about the only reminder that major league baseball was played at this intersection.  I highly recommend the Double Play Cafe for a burger or a sandwich, and all of the SF baseball memorabilia on the walls, including the top of the flagpole and some seats from Seals Stadium, which was demolished in 1960.  Joe Dimaggio played a lot at Seals, as did Willie McCovey, who hit his first HR there back in 1958.

 

North of Market St. is the high end area called Union Square, with all kinds of stores and fancy restaurants and nice hotels.  The famous Sir Frances Drake hotel is located in this area, at the corner of Powell and Sutter.  The lobby is stunning, as are some of the female guests who stay

To be continued later this evening.

 

I knew I could count on you Jim. Thanks a lot. I look forward to the 2nd installment.

[RockRaines]

jim, you are ridiculous.