MUScoop
MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: 2TimeWarrior on September 28, 2015, 03:09:47 PM
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Hi Scoopers- My wife and I are heading to San Francisco next weekend to catch the Packer game. It's our first time in the Bay area. We're looking for any pointers or must see attractions/restaurants/etc. Our loose itinerary is as follows.
We fly in Saturday night and will be staying in Mountain View on Saturday night (we're renting a car). After the game on Sunday we were hoping to head up to Napa for a night and then hit a few spots in San Francisco after than. We're staying in Berkeley Tuesday night through Friday (I have a seminar there).
Thanks!
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Don't bend over in any buffet lines, ai na?
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Go check out Stanford's campus and get some dinner in Palo Alto. Amazing campus and area. Maybe check out a Giants game, as the stadium is pretty awesome, but dress warm if it's a night game.
Alcatraz Tour is definitely worth it. Fisherman's Warf. Obviously the Golden Gate Bridge.
Since you said you're catching the Packer (game), I'm assuming you're a Packers fan, and since you're staying in Berkley, check out the house that Rodgers built and walk right onto their field (the gates were unlocked, we walked right in, walked down the stands, and walked right onto the field). Pretty cool setup, as it's built on a hill, so from the top of the hill it's as if it's built below ground.
Also check out Santa Clara's campus, it's right by Levi Stadium (SF 49ers), and it is incredible as well. Home of Steve Nash, have a nice banner of him in their gym. They let you walk right into the gym even when their team is practicing.
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Go check out Stanford's campus and get some dinner in Palo Alto. Amazing campus and area. Maybe check out a Giants game, as the stadium is pretty awesome, but dress warm if it's a night game.
They made the playoffs?
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They made the playoffs?
Season's being cut short this year?
They host the Rockies Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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Season's being cut short this year?
They host the Rockies Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Flying in on Sat. and going to GB game on Sunday.
Giants on....
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Flying in on Sat. and going to GB game on Sunday.
Giants on....
Ahh. Good call. Don't know why he said he was flying in Thursday.
Well, skip the Giants game (unless you're there early enough on Saturday), but still check out the area.
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Alcatraz is awesome, but you need to get your tickets like now. The tours routinely sell out a week in advance. Other than the Alcatraz tour I would skip Fisherman's Warf (crowded, touristy, etc.). Muir Woods is fantastic.
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Alcatraz is awesome, but you need to get your tickets like now. The tours routinely sell out a week in advance. Other than the Alcatraz tour I would skip Fisherman's Warf (crowded, touristy, etc.). Muir Woods is fantastic.
Never been to Muir Woods but I'll be back in the Bay area in March. How far outside of SF is that?
I have heard you have to get your Alcatraz tickets like a month in advance, but they also have standby tickets. My friends and I didn't make it in time for the tour we booked, so they just told us to wait in the standby line and we were put on the next cruise out there. Does anybody know if someone who didn't buy tickets at all can just go up to the window and buy standby tickets? If so, definitely worth doing.
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Park your car and do lots of walking, with the occasional cable car.
SF is an amazing walking town.
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I got the Alcatraz tickets a while back so we're good on that. Thanks!
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Best dinner options?
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chinatown is a must-just walk and talk-word of mouth from a trusting soul
i loved fisherman's wharf, clam chowda in sourdough bread bowl was invented here heyna?
whole, steamed donges bay crab from-again-trusted souls
p.s. 4ever-you're a blast!
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Alcatraz is awesome, but you need to get your tickets like now. The tours routinely sell out a week in advance. Other than the Alcatraz tour I would skip Fisherman's Warf (crowded, touristy, etc.). Muir Woods is fantastic.
This is right on. Was last there in April. China town is probably to be skipped as well. Was once interesting, isn't any more. Pretty much just a bunch gross food, and shops filled with crap. Go up high for the view of bay/golden gate.
Best recommendation I can give is Dylan's Tours. They've grown quite a bit, but appears to still be very good. A few years back did a mini bus tour when they were just starting out, and the tour was given by Dylan himself - fantastic. Great way to see all you need to see in a few hours. Great info about what your seeing too. Check em out on Trip Advisor and below.
dylanstours.com (http://dylanstours.com)
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Best dinner options?
Yelp is your friend here. It really depends what you are looking for. So many good places that it is hard to recommend one.
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I did this trip a year ago. Spend more time in Napa than SF. Lucy is a very good restaurant in Yountville and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena is also outstanding.
SF was way too cold and crowded for my liking.
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I did this trip a year ago. Spend more time in Napa than SF. Lucy is a very good restaurant in Yountville and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena is also outstanding.
SF was way too cold and crowded for my liking.
I concur that Napa trumps SF (though I disagree with 84 - SF is also a gem.)
In Napa there are lots of great venues for dining but make Bottega in Yountville one of your dinners. It is superb.
As for wineries there are so many excellent choices but Merryvale in St Helena is a must stop. Do the barrel tasting.
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Hi Scoopers- My wife and I are heading to San Francisco next weekend to catch the Packer game. It's our first time in the Bay area. We're looking for any pointers or must see attractions/restaurants/etc. Our loose itinerary is as follows.
We fly in Saturday night and will be staying in Mountain View on Saturday night (we're renting a car). After the game on Sunday we were hoping to head up to Napa for a night and then hit a few spots in San Francisco after than. We're staying in Berkeley Tuesday night through Friday (I have a seminar there).
Thanks!
Make sure to give someone in a tree in Berkeley a friendly hello, there is bound to be someone there protesting something.
SF is a beautiful city, most here have covered the tourism spots. Napa is nice, I like the Russian River Valley as well. Some of the vinyards in Napa are not worth the price, so be careful.
Cal is a nice campus. Stanford very nice. AT&T Park (even if the season is over), good to check out. Angel Island, Pier 39. Lombard street takes about 2 minutes. Fisherman's Wharf, get there early to watch them throw the fish. Presidio, Chinatown, Treasure Island. Alcatraz. Ghiradelli Square. Golden Gate park.
Have a brew at Toronado. Mexican food at La Taqueria
Something only locals do.....Seward Street Slides....look it up.
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I was just in the bay area a month ago. I'll post what we did and what we'd skip.
In case I forget, muir woods is nice, but it's very busy. Don't go to the city of Napa... it's quiet, and not pretty, and the earthquake that happened a few years ago has left downtown under construction. Instead drive up to Calistoga. The best wineries to visit are minutes away. Definitely go to Castillo de Amororsa. Pay the $40 per person and do the tour and tasting. Go EARLY because the place becomes a zoo. Check out Sterling up the street after and rude the gondola to the winery on the hill. Also, if you're into beer be SURE to swing into Lagunitas in Petaluma or ideally go check out Russian River in Santa Rosa... they have the #1 rated brew in the USA... Pliny the Elder.
In SF check out Fishermans wharf... but don't spend much time there. Get a bus pass and ride to the Castro, Alamo Square (painted ladies), Chinatown, union Square...
My wife and I drove south of SF as well and checked out Carmel by the sea, and Monterrey. Both beautiful areas, but I'm not sure you're going that way.
#1 piece of advice I can give you is to stop at a CVS and buy a case of water. It's extremely dry out west, and it's easy to get dehydrated. For $3 you can make sure you're fine.
Hope this helps!
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Hi Scoopers- My wife and I are heading to San Francisco next weekend to catch the Packer game. It's our first time in the Bay area. We're looking for any pointers or must see attractions/restaurants/etc. Our loose itinerary is as follows.
We fly in Saturday night and will be staying in Mountain View on Saturday night (we're renting a car). After the game on Sunday we were hoping to head up to Napa for a night and then hit a few spots in San Francisco after than. We're staying in Berkeley Tuesday night through Friday (I have a seminar there).
Thanks!
What are you looking to do? Food, wine, nature, tourism? See a lot in a little time? Expense account or your own dime? Most ideas listed here I would recommend for a first time to the Bay Area, but not the second. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
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Another option to consider:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Francisco_de_As%C3%ADs
Spent an hour or two here the last time I was in SF. Place reaks of history and reverence.
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Another option to consider:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Francisco_de_As%C3%ADs
Spent an hour or two here the last time I was in SF. Please reaks of history and reverence.
It's a cool mission. My wife's goal is to see every mission in California...we've almost completed the goal. Some are worth about an hour, others you can spend considerable time in.
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This is right on. Was last there in April. China town is probably to be skipped as well. Was once interesting, isn't any more. Pretty much just a bunch gross food, and shops filled with crap. Go up high for the view of bay/golden gate.
Best recommendation I can give is Dylan's Tours. They've grown quite a bit, but appears to still be very good. A few years back did a mini bus tour when they were just starting out, and the tour was given by Dylan himself - fantastic. Great way to see all you need to see in a few hours. Great info about what your seeing too. Check em out on Trip Advisor and below.
dylanstours.com (http://dylanstours.com)
Thanks, Navin. We're looking into Dylans tours now.
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What are you looking to do? Food, wine, nature, tourism? See a lot in a little time? Expense account or your own dime? Most ideas listed here I would recommend for a first time to the Bay Area, but not the second. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
We'd like to see the tourist attractions and see a lot in a little time. We're on our own dime, but don't want to do it on the cheap.
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We'd like to see the tourist attractions and see a lot in a little time. We're on our own dime, but don't want to do it on the cheap.
Honestly, SF is a pain to get around on your own because it is a small city geographically, and parking and traffic are gruesome. This tour will get you to a majority of the sights. You are a first timer and have a short window, so I would leave more time for Wine Country and do this circle tour and let them shuttle you. You can even get in Muir Woods or use them for Wine Country. This tour is utilitarian, but you can get a lot in and get a lay of the land for next visit. The Fall is the best time to visit is there is no fog as the Valley is cooling down.
https://www.sanfranshuttletours.com/?gclid=CL3es7GuncgCFQ6DaQodtFIGxw
There is a good Vietnamese restaurant in the Ferry Building where the shuttle departs: The Slanted Door.
http://www.slanteddoor.com
Alcatraz is good, but can get cold. Leave from Sausolito and eat lunch and shop with the Mrs.
Most restauarants in Chinatown are awesome. I like Golden Gate Park if you have time. If you like Disney, his daughter opened a museum.
Some others you might try if you want a different vibe...
You can try old school SF seafood in Union Square: http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/#_=_
Italian in Noe Valley after seeing Twin Peaks: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60713-d618686-Reviews-La_Ciccia-San_Francisco_California.html
A cheaper wine tasting experience but a little more laid back getaway is in Lodi. Zin Country. I would recommend staying at: http://winerose.com
More on Lodi wine: https://www.facebook.com/LodiWine
And then there is Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, East Bay. Better left for another visit. And the many other neighborhoods within SF and towns of Marin.
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A lot of good recommendations here.
Blackheart is on the money with the Slanted Door. Claypot chicken is a must. Wife loved grapefruit/jicama salad. Pretty casual, but so good.
Crash nailed it with Bottega in Yountville. It's a Michael Chiarello restaurant with rustic Italian fare. Sit outside by the fire. Remember a dish called Polenta under glass as a highlight appetizer. Yountville in general is the best of the wine country cities for my tastes. Quaint, and you can walk everywhere. Bistro Jeanty, Bouchon and Redd all within walking distance. You can bring your own wine in if you want.
Favorite restaurant in SF is probably Boulevard. I tend to opt for the business casual kind of places with more high-end food. Can't go wrong here.
Pride Mountain Vineyards is a pretty cool winery to visit. It sits on the mountaintop with half of its property in Napa with the other half in Sonoma. The wines have gotten expensive over the years, but they are pretty amazing. The owner, Jim Pride, died a few years back. He was a dentist and started the Pride Institute, which helped dentists market their practices among other things. I know more than a few MU dentists who had run into him over the years and know/love his wines.
For a cheaper, more accessible wines pick up a bottle of Bedrock. They are a tiny operation, but wines are solid, especially for the price point. Unfortunately they don't offering tasting or tours before/during crush (right now). The winery is run by the son of the owner of Ravenswood (zins). He's just a kid, but making some solid wines in the $20 -$30 range which is dirt cheap in Napa.
Very jealous -- would loved to be going out there right now. Enjoy!
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I concur that Napa trumps SF (though I disagree with 84 - SF is also a gem.)
In Napa there are lots of great venues for dining but make Bottega in Yountville one of your dinners. It is superb.
As for wineries there are so many excellent choices but Merryvale in St Helena is a must stop. Do the barrel tasting.
sterling and plump duck-2 opposites of the spectrum. sterling is more modern, upscale with a cable car taking you to the top and plump duck is old school, small time, family run with limited output. both excellent wineries
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"the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.. "
be sure to take warm clothes. Last there about 8 years ago- lots of walking, alcatraz, chinatown, cable car museum, gay pride parade, etc but also took boat to Sausalito and ate in a little cafe on the wharf, - very pleasant.
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"the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.. "
be sure to take warm clothes.
That's true, but this is the best time of year out there. It's unpredictable but Sept/Oct tend to be some of the Warner months. Last time I was there in Mid-Oct temps were near 90. That's unusual, but your going at a very good time.
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That's true, but this is the best time of year out there. It's unpredictable but Sept/Oct tend to be some of the Warner months. Last time I was there in Mid-Oct temps were near 90. That's unusual, but your going at a very good time.
Yeah, and once you're 10-20 miles inland it gets really hot. There are plenty of options where the weather would be warmer but it's an easy commute into downtown SF if you want somewhere you can lounge around the hotel pool for part of a day.
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Be ready for sticker shock in Napa... Tastings are pricey.. Calistoga is a good call for a visit
Enjoy!
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Find someone who knows someone who was stationed with someone somewhere whose family owns a winery. That always worked for me... the one time I've been to SF. Had an absolute blast, especially for being a poor grad student from Milwaukee at the time.
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Vesuvio in North Beach is one of my favorite bars in the world. A must-see if you're into Kerouac and other Beat writers, and if you're not, it's still worth the stop.
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Napa is touristy. Go to the smaller towns a bit north like Yountville or St. Helena. Depending on how much time you have there, hire a limo driver for an afternoon. He'll obviously know the area and be able to find wineries and/or sites that fit with whatever you're looking for.
Tastings can add up fast so don't be afraid to be cheap and split tastings with the wife.
Have a great trip!
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Schedule tastings at Chase Vineyards and Larkmead Vineyards. Two of my favorites out there. Spectacular wine that's not easy to find back in the Midwest and the people at the vineyards were the most laid back great folks too.
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hire a limo driver for an afternoon.
Obviously a swallower and not a spitter...
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sterling and plump duck-2 opposites of the spectrum. sterling is more modern, upscale with a cable car taking you to the top and plump duck is old school, small time, family run with limited output. both excellent wineries
Went to Sterling when I was out there. Loved the view (cable car ride gives great views), had better wine on the trip though. It's worth it for the view alone. In fact, they say they charge you for the view but the wine is free.
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Went to Sterling when I was out there. Loved the view (cable car ride gives great views), had better wine on the trip though. It's worth it for the view alone. In fact, they say they charge you for the view but the wine is free.
Sterling's wine was pretty bad but the views are unmatched. Carry-ins are allowed ;)
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Check out Asia SF for dinner for true San Fran feel! ;)
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Tasting fees in Lodi are $5, refundable with a bottle purchase. 85+ wineries of all varietals.
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Napa is touristy. Go to the smaller towns a bit north like Yountville or St. Helena. Depending on how much time you have there, hire a limo driver for an afternoon. He'll obviously know the area and be able to find wineries and/or sites that fit with whatever you're looking for.
Tastings can add up fast so don't be afraid to be cheap and split tastings with the wife.
Have a great trip!
Agree on the driver. We did that when we were there last year. Not only do you not have to worry about the driving around after an afternoon of wine, but they generally go to decent wineries.
For a reasonable breakfast experience, try Oxbow Market. Fun place you can get any meal at, but we found it a nice place to go early in the day.
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My couple days in the area, for what it's worth:
Lunch in Sausalito at Spinnaker... for the view, not the food. Ages ago when I lived there it was a Chart house, but those went downhill and ultimately it changed hands.
China town is still a must.
Lombard street. Ghiradelli chocolates so you have gifts to bring home (and some for yourself)
Wine - V. Sattui. Buy a bottle and sit on their lawn and eat it with some cheese and sausage from their little shop. Don't go for the expensive stuff... just a Sattui family red is good enough. (St.Helena)
Battery Spencer. above and to the west of the golden Gate bridge, on the Marin side. Best views of the city. Cold as hell due to the wind, especially in early evening. Fun to watch the fog roll in from there. Great place to admire the GG bridge.
If you both golf - go play 18 at the Presidio... one of the most amazing courses I've ever played. The generals must have seriously hit 'em straight... narrowest fairways I've ever seen!
Have Fun!
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Thank you everyone for all the insight and pointers! We're looking forward to it!
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Tasting fees in Lodi are $5, refundable with a bottle purchase. 85+ wineries of all varietals.
The Lodi old vine zins are excellent but my favorites are from closer to the coast. Seghesio from Russian River is my favorite but the Rancho Zabaco from Sonoma is a solid second choice. Lodi gets acclaim for its old vines but it is far from the only valley growing world class zin grapes.
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The Lodi old vine zins are excellent but my favorites are from closer to the coast. Seghesio from Russian River is my favorite but the Rancho Zabaco from Sonoma is a solid second choice. Lodi gets acclaim for its old vines but it is far from the only valley growing world class zin grapes.
Good to see, I blind bought a case of their 2013 Zin earlier this week as Rays had a special buy I couldn't pass up.
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The Lodi old vine zins are excellent but my favorites are from closer to the coast. Seghesio from Russian River is my favorite but the Rancho Zabaco from Sonoma is a solid second choice. Lodi gets acclaim for its old vines but it is far from the only valley growing world class zin grapes.
You guys are making me thirsty. My favorite zins are Ridge Lytton Springs, Woodenhead Martinelli Old Vines Russian River, and the holy grail, Martinelli Jackass Hill.
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I recommended it earlier, but since everyone is talking Zin now: Chase in Napa has old growth Zin vines and they make a damfinewine from 'em.
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You guys are making me thirsty. My favorite zins are Ridge Lytton Springs, Woodenhead Martinelli Old Vines Russian River, and the holy grail, Martinelli Jackass Hill.
Ridge Lytton Springs
Excellent wine.
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My couple days in the area, for what it's worth:
Lunch in Sausalito at Spinnaker... for the view, not the food. Ages ago when I lived there it was a Chart house, but those went downhill and ultimately it changed hands.
China town is still a must.
Lombard street. Ghiradelli chocolates so you have gifts to bring home (and some for yourself)
Wine - V. Sattui. Buy a bottle and sit on their lawn and eat it with some cheese and sausage from their little shop. Don't go for the expensive stuff... just a Sattui family red is good enough. (St.Helena)
Battery Spencer. above and to the west of the golden Gate bridge, on the Marin side. Best views of the city. Cold as hell due to the wind, especially in early evening. Fun to watch the fog roll in from there. Great place to admire the GG bridge.
If you both golf - go play 18 at the Presidio... one of the most amazing courses I've ever played. The generals must have seriously hit 'em straight... narrowest fairways I've ever seen!
Have Fun!
Funny you mentioned Sattui.
Was talking to someone who knew the daughter (who apparently was a former teacher) and said she had dated Dick Nolan's son.
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Funny you mentioned Sattui.
Was talking to someone who knew the daughter (who apparently was a former teacher) and said she had dated Dick Nolan's son.
Forgot about Sattui. Great place to stop for lunch, cheese, wine, walk the grounds...
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I concur that Napa trumps SF (though I disagree with 84 - SF is also a gem.)
In Napa there are lots of great venues for dining but make Bottega in Yountville one of your dinners. It is superb.
As for wineries there are so many excellent choices but Merryvale in St Helena is a must stop. Do the barrel tasting.
And Orin Swift. Also in St. Helena.
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If you're going to Sausalito and you have the time, think about renting a bicycle and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can take the ferry back. That's a half day or so though.
And if you're in the neighborhood, here's a unique pie and ice cream place.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chile-pies-baking-co-san-francisco
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Wine - V. Sattui. Buy a bottle and sit on their lawn and eat it with some cheese and sausage from their little shop. Don't go for the expensive stuff... just a Sattui family red is good enough. (St.Helena)
My wife and I would never leave Napa without a case of Sattui Cabs. I think they only sell through their winery. Brilliant wines.
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And Orin Swift. Also in St. Helena.
Right on, The Prisoner! Love the Papillon label.
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My wife and I would never leave Napa without a case of Sattui Cabs. I think they only sell through their winery. Brilliant wines.
Sounds like we have similar taste. I "discovered" it in '93 as a great place for good wine and picnic when I was living in the bay area. Left the bay area in '95 and have ordered a case a year ever since... they sell from the vineyard or on-line. My fave was Suzanne's vineyard Cab but I don't think it's even available any more... or maybe the vineyard has been re-named, but it was always smooth and drinkable.
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Forgot about Sattui. Great place to stop for lunch, cheese, wine, walk the grounds...
Sattui makes some great wines
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Right on, The Prisoner! Love the Papillon label.
Papillon, Palermo, Machete, Abstract and Mercury Head are all outstanding. David Finney sold The Prisoner and Saldo brands but The Prisoner has held its own since.
We need a wine thread on this board.
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The Lodi old vine zins are excellent but my favorites are from closer to the coast. Seghesio from Russian River is my favorite but the Rancho Zabaco from Sonoma is a solid second choice. Lodi gets acclaim for its old vines but it is far from the only valley growing world class zin grapes.
I agree the Seghesio zins are excellent. Michael David out of Lodi produces some very good and reasonably priced cabs (Freakshow and Earthquake).
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I agree the Seghesio zins are excellent. Michael David out of Lodi produces some very good and reasonably priced cabs (Freakshow and Earthquake).
The Seghesio zins are always spot on. And for a carnivore and Asian food hound like me they stand up to the boldest dishes. Seghesio's are big wines that finish longer than almost any other varietal I have had.
Russian River and Dry Creek produce spectacular grapes. Freeport mentioned Jackass Hill grapes from Martinelli. I have had Martinelli Pinot Noirs...I may get up off my wallet and find a Jackass Hill zin from the aughts.
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Absolutely agree on the Martinelli. Another Dry Creek zin to consider is Rage from Michael David. The 2010 vintage was really good.
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Pezzi King Zin was a favorite of ours.