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What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
I have been traveling to San Francisco for 3 years and rarely ever stay and hang out. In a week, I am giving myself a few extra days to stay and play !
What places do you love in the city ? I like things like : great food (not hard to find there ), small art galleries ( emerging artists ) , affordable spa treatments, local wine bars / coffee shops, locally owned bookstores. Basically, what particular places make it a city you love to hang out and relax in ?
I've already done the touristy stuff and would love to learn where the locals go.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Okay, I may get teased as being a damn tourist here, but... I always liked Haight and Ashbury. They have some fun, funky (but expensive) shops and stuff. I wouldn't exactly call it a relaxing atmosphere, though... and it's not right off a Bart stop, so you have to take a bus.
I've had some amazing cheese, bread, and jams that were being sold at the Fisherman's Warf.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Cliff House and looking over the seal rocks.
Walking the Wharf.
Walking the beaches and coastal parks.
Walking Buena Vista Park (from there, you skip down to Haight Ashbury).
Going up to Muir Woods.
Actually, walking anywhere. San Francisco is a walking tourist's dream. Interesting sights, sounds, and food all over.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
My favorite hangout street is Hayes. There are a lot of cool shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.
Baker Beach is the best beach in San Francisco, in my opinion. I also love to go up to Coit Tower. I love North Beach/Telegraph Hill in general, no matter how touristy it may be; you should definitely grab some coffee at Cafe Trieste if you haven't already.
Places to eat: if you can score a table at Gary Danko or Quince, it's worth it. Absinthe, on Hayes, is also excellent. Isa in the Marina is fantastic. If you're on a budget, try Cordon Bleu (best Vietnamese!) or La Mediteranee in Pacific Heights for awesome Middle Eastern.
Wine bars: ok, this is kind of my thing. My boyfriend lives in the Marina, which is generally chock full o' douchebags, but still has some good wine bars like A16, Ottimista, and Nectar. Hotel Biron is right near Hayes, and there's a great place up in Bernal Heights called Vino Rosso.
If you're here on Thursday and/or Saturday, check out K&L Wine Merchant's tastings:
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
smartcookie, is Baker Beach the clothing optional one? I was going to shoot with someone there, but it turned out to be too cold (no great surprise for San Francisco).
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Do you like to drive by any chance? There are tons of great drives around there...
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
I like to walk around Golden Gate Park on a pretty day. It's one of the prettiest urban parks I've ever seen, and it's huge. You can walk around until you get tired and then stretch out in the grass to relax and enjoy those fleeting moments of warm sunshine between fogs.
I also like Chinatown. There are so many little out-of-the-way restaurants with really great authentic Chinese food, not like any "Chinese food" you get anywhere else. And I just love the vibe walking around Chinatown.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jay Zeno
smartcookie, is Baker Beach the clothing optional one? I was going to shoot with someone there, but it turned out to be too cold (no great surprise for San Francisco).
Baker Beach is clothing optional, but be sure if you're going to go topless or nude to be a little further from the parking lot--toward the GG bridge. My best friend and I got scolded by some SFPD for being nude too close to the parking lot. Also, don't go too far down the beach, apparently there's alot of people (mostly men) who engage in "activities" over on the cliffs near the GG bridge...
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
For good Chinese food, try House of Nanking on Kearny just down from Columbus. It's unique and very yummy!!
For more traditional dishes, try Yuet Lee on Broadway and (I think) Powell--my former customer (a Chinese San Francisco native, who's parents used to own and operate a Chinese resturant) says it's the best Chinese place in San Francisco.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
madmaxine
Mission District ;)
I love the Mish!!
Go to Poncho Villa on 16th and Valencia for some good Mexican food!!
This thread is making me hungry!!
Also, try Fog City Diner...I actually saw it on the Travel Channel before I ever lived in SF and went there a couple of years ago. It's off the Embarcadero, I can't remember the streets, though...
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Glamazon
I love the Mish!!
Go to Poncho Villa on 16th and Valencia for some good Mexican food!!
This thread is making me hungry!!
Also, try Fog City Diner...I actually saw it on the Travel Channel before I ever lived in SF and went there a couple of years ago. It's off the Embarcadero, I can't remember the streets, though...
Yep! Can't beat Mission burritos. Yum!;D
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Glamazon
Go to Poncho Villa on 16th and Valencia for some good Mexican food!!
.
i second this.
i recommend going to Clement street (near 19th avenue and geary) for the best Asian food available. chinatown is pitiful compared to clement street.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Exploratorium is the funkiest and best science museum in North America.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
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Originally Posted by
SportsWriter2
Exploratorium is the funkiest and best science museum in North America.
^^ This. ^^ I recommend bringing a friend and using the exhibit that focuses soundwaves 100 yards away. Or better yet just talking to distant strangers with it.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
How's about the day trip wine tasting tour to Sonoma? I did that last time I vacationed in SF. It was fun and not very expensive--unless you start buying cases of wine, that is.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SportsWriter2
Exploratorium is the funkiest and best science museum in North America.
Ah, yes...also, it's free on the first Wednesday every month, I believe. And it's right next to the Palace of Fine Arts, which is really pretty.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
There are so many great things to do in the city. One of my favorite restaurants is Betelnut on Union street (not to be confused with Union square). Union street has a lot of nice shops. I don't know if you like Lush products, but if you do, Lush is on Union street. I also like going to the Marin headlands on a clear day. In-Symmetry is an affordable spa. Lori Anderson is great for facials and waxing. Golden Gate Park offers a lot of activities. The Japanese Tea Garden there is nice. Have fun.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
It's hard to go wrong with SF restaurants unless one is totally oblivious, kind of like NYC restaurants this is part of why SF has so much win.
EDIT please bear with my spelling it's not my fault really.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
I know it's touristy and corny, but I just LOVE the cable cars - riding on the outside, hanging on, catching all the views. It can be a long wait, but it's worth it.
I also like driving across the Golden Gate to the point, where you can look cross the bay at the city and the bridge, then on to Sausolito.
And if you have time, the Alcatraz tour is fascinating.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
tennisqt--Do you happen to know how close Lush on Union is to the MAC store on Union? I've never bought Lush, but would like to and figure I could just swing by next time I have to make a MAC run.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
DUH!! I can't believe I forgot this one!! Go to Asia SF (9th and Howard, I think)!! It's a resturant that offers a dinner show 3 times a night. The draw? The entertainers are pre and post-op trannies and they're gorgeous! They do a very sexy lipsynch show. The food is pretty good too and they have some great specialty drinks.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
I like that sock store on the wharf... im weird like that...
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
Hey Everyone :
I didn't have time to check out anything last time , but I'm headed out again this week. I'll be in SF early in the week and stay through until the weekend ( working my day job just one day in there ). I will have my little sis with me ( 17 ) , so I can't check out the adult destinations .
Just wanted to say thanks for the suggestions !
Smart Cookie : I will print your info ( prob. the whole thread ) for when I'm back by myself. I love wine bars and Salt Lake is lacking in them ( 2 have come and have folded in the last little while ).
Oddy : I have to rent a car the one day to get to work near Napa , but I'm not sure if I want to drive anywhere else unless it's within an hour of the city. I'm thinking Point Reyes possibly.... any other suggestions ?
So far our three day play agenda is :
Day One : Chinatown / City stuff / baker beach maybe
Day Two : Trip to lush ( my first one ! ) , ? ?
Day Three : Probably do a tour to take us somewhere pretty or rent a car and drive somewhere pretty.
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Re: What places do you LOVE in San Francisco ( non -dancing stuff to do ) ?
yay! have fun in the city.
Lush is located at:
San Francisco
240 Powell Street
94102
(415) 693-9633
San Francisco
2116 Union St.
94123
(415) 921-5874