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I'm taking my heart to San Francisco. ( I know but I couldn't resisit- http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif )
We haven't been up there for a couple of years, so I would like recommendations for a romantic restaurant for dinner and maybe a couple of suggestions for fun things to do.
Thanks.
Two of my favorite restaurants in SF are Forbes Island, which is near Pier 39, and The Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel.
Vulindlela, brace yourself! The owners of the Fairmont are planning to convert the hotel's tower into condos and replace the Tonga Room with a grand ballroom. If the city approves the plans, the Tonga Room will close in 2011 or 2012.
Laughing Squid
Just in case you want to sign the save the Tonga Room petition.
Now I'll have to at least stop by for happy hour. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif
Dinner update
Despite the best laid plans; someone (no names will be mentioned) just had to have a steak.
So we ended up at Morton's in Union Square - excellent, expensive.
Hey Mig... see the PM is still down
You got any recos for a hotel in LAX or the best area to shoot for? My friends from Virgin are headed over and looking for something but I recall LA being a very odd place. I stayed in a motel 6 on hollywood blvd and feared for my life several times.
Nick, going to make this quick, gotta catch a ferry (yeah I know, I feel sick already! http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/ohmy.gif )
Since you didn't mention price, I'm going strictly by location.
LAX-
Loads of hotels, Marriott, Hilton etc on Century Blvd, however I steer my overflow and those with the early AM flights to the Hacienda Hotel it's a little cheaper and there are fast food spots and a grocery store nearby - free shuttle to LAX
Universal Studios Area & CityWalk Area - night life
Beverly Garland Holiday Inn (free shuttle to Universal studios/Citywalk)
Sheraton Universal Hotel there's a hill, but you can walk to the studios; there's also a shuttle.
Gotta go, more later.
Update - San Francisco Ferry ride
First off, I'm a terrible sailor. I've gotten ill every time I've been on a boat. But, under the intense pressure of three people working on me for five hours in a car, -"just do as we tell you, take the medicine you'll be fine". I relented and agreed to take a ferry ride tour of San Francisco Bay, besides it was only an hour ride - how sick could I get?
Preventive measures-
1- Go to bed early, All previous bouts of seasickness were due to exhaustion.
This time I will be fine because I will be fully rested.
2- I'd eat breakfast. According to RJ, all previous bouts of seasickness have been caused by my empty stomach.
This time I will be fine because I'll have a good breakfast and will have 'just in case crackers'.
3- Calm seas. All previous bouts of seasickness were caused by rough seas.
This time I will be fine because ferries don't even go out in rough seas.
4- I will sit facing foward with my eyes fixed on the horizon. All previous bouts were caused by me sitting backwards and failing to avoid "visual conflict" RJ's words http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...>/rolleyes.gif .
I will be fine because I will sit midship, face forward and have eyes on the horizon.
and finally
5- Medicine. According to "consulting physican" RJ, all previous bouts of seasickness were caused by my "believeing I would get sick".
This time I will be fine because I'm taking medicine and will know I will be just fine.
I started out on the upper deck, facing forward, seated next to the rail. To tell you the truth, I was kinda sleepy, probably the medicine; at any rate, I was doing fine. It was probably about the 20 minute mark when I started to feel a bit queasy, but I kept taking photos and looking at the horizon.
Up and down, up and down, we were tossed like a cork in the water. We made the turn under the Golden Gate and I was reaching for my "just in case crackers". I gave the camera to RJ and started looking down at the water, comtemplating............. life! The famly seated behind us, got up and moved away - to the other side of the boat. The audio guide was going on about Alcatraz and RJ went below and came back with some ginger ale, saying it would make me feel better. Everybody was at the rail, taking photos and I just sat there glued to my seat, looking up at the clear blue sky and thinking about killing RJ
- now that did make me feel better.
thanks Mig... glad you fared well on the ferry http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif
My friends at work swear by some place at Marina del ray... i don't know what or where that is but if it's a Marina i gather $$$. Think my friend is on some form of a budget!
Yeah I was "a lot better" this boat trip, probably because of all the precautions http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...>/rolleyes.gif . Only went as far as stage 3 on the seasickness scale.
stage 3- nauscious, hung onto the rail, but not so sick I wanted to die. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif
Marina area - LA
Marina Del Rey is a nice area, you can walk or bike to Venice Beach, a place not to be missed http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif
I know the Holiday Inn Express Marina Del Rey is there, but haven't been inside; might want to read the reviews on-line. Just make sure to note the parking fees, lots of hotels at the Marina charge.
I remember a time in the service going on board a vessel, we were on the main deck when the ship pulled out and suddenly I felt sick. I walked up the the railings and I was ready to puke when suddenly the staff seargant made us all line up and started making us do PT. Suddenly, my mind got occupied and totally forgot about the seasickness. That was it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Jun 28 2009, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>Uh-huh, so you want me to do Marine pull-ups on the rail while keeping my eyes on the horizon. Palms, you do want to kill me don't you?Quote:
"...... and suddenly I felt sick. I walked up the the railings and I was ready to puke when suddenly the staff seargant made us all line up and started making us do PT. Suddenly, my mind got occupied and totally forgot about the seasickness. That was it.[/b]
http://bestsmileys.com/exercising/13.gif http://bestsmileys.com/fainting/1.gif
but, Mig, if you count them the marine way...
No I'm not saying that. It would look funny to stand in front of alot of people and suddenly start doing jumping jacks, push ups and bends and thrust just like that. But I'll never foget that moment. Suddenly, I felt all right, no sea sickness at all. I wonder if this was all in the recipe for keeping sailors and marines from being seasick. A recipe that's been around alot longer than me.
Trust me Palms, considering the alternative, I would rather do sit ups and push ups. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif But, I've accepted that I am one of those people, like Julius Caesar, Admiral Nelson and Charles Darwin that are just prone to seasickness.
In fact when Julius Caesar "planned a military campaign that involved a sea voyage he allowed for recovery time after the troops and horses reached land."
I don't even want to think about seasick horses. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/ohmy.gif
Note--Rather than start a new entry on my blog, thought I would just finish up my San Fancisco adventure here.
Sausilto -Day Trip
After the "unpleasantness" that was the bay cruise (see post #7), there was no way this "land ludder" was getting back on the water. As far as I was concerned, there was only one way to get to Sausilto and that was directly over the non pitching, rolling and heeling Golden Gate Bridge.
Sausilto is beautiful, offers great views of San Francisco, Alcatraz and the Bay. And I have to tell you it was just nice being able to look at the horizon without having to stifle nausea.
Which leads me to make this statement-
The trick of fixing your eyes on the horizon so your brain can orient itself ......DOES NOT WORK!
Trust me, your brain does not trick that easy.
We stayed mainly around the waterfront, lots of shops, art galleries, restaurants and people riding bikes; lots and lots of people riding bikes.
For lunch, friends had recommend a place called "Hamburgers". You can't miss it, it's on the main street (Bridgeway) and in the front window they're cooking burgers on a rotating charcoal fire grill - talk about a great burger, M'm, M'm good!
Because "Hamburgers" is a hole in the wall with maybe two tables inside, we planned on eating our burgers seated on the ground (or rock) in the waterfront park across the street. However, we were in for a nice surprise. The Italian restaurant "Piccolo Teatro" next door, will (for a small fee) let you eat your burger in their dining room or sidewalk cafe. It's a good deal, because not only do you get a comfy chair, but the added bonus of being able to order a nice glass of wine with your meal; now who could pass that up? I'm telling you I was one happy camper.
After lunch my traveling troupe split up, the "fitness fanatics" headed off on the bikes, while I went over to the park and picked out a nice reading spot. And I have to say, I enjoyed just watching the ferries load - lots of bikes and bikers- many of whom had their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon............the poor sensitive dears. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif
San Francisco- things not to miss
Cable Car ride (now who doesn't want to just hang off the outside of a cable car?) http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif
Muir Woods (day trip)
Sausalito (day trip)
Chinatown (walk or take the bus - there is no parking in Chinatown)
Fisherman' Wharf (OK it's a tourist trap, but no trip to San francisco would be complete without a peek)
Edited to add-
I cannot in good conscience suggest that anyone take a ferry ride at any time to go anywhere. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Jul 3 2009, 02:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>A whole day in Sausalito? I got bored after a few hrs!Quote:
Sausalito (day trip)[/b]
What about Napa??? http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/ohmy.gif
Nick you're getting ahead of me. But yes, we did do a little wine tasting.
Nick, when I say "Sausalito day trip" I didn't mean to imply we were there from dawn till dusk. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif We spent maybe 4/5 hours total, long enough to walk around see the sights, eat lunch and for the "fitness fanatics" to tire themselves out peddling up and down those hills.
http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/sp...smiley-023.gif
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Jul 3 2009, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>I get ahead of myself... a lotQuote:
Nick you're getting ahead of me. But yes, we did do a little wine tasting.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Jul 3 2009, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>Ahr now I get it.... yeah I think we spent 3-4hrs there. I got bored a little quick though, but I guess if you're a biker it'd be interesting. As for walking across that bridge, I got about 20m out and freaked out. Heights are only OK if i'm in a pressurised steel tube http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/tongue.gifQuote:
Nick, when I say "Sausalito day trip" I didn't mean to imply we were there from dawn till dusk. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif We spent maybe 4/5 hours total, long enough to walk around see the sights, eat lunch and for the "fitness fanatics" to tire themselves out peddling up and down those hills.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nick @ Jul 6 2009, 04:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif , no no no, we didn't walk across the bridge.Quote:
As for walking across that bridge, I got about 20m out and freaked out. Heights are only OK if i'm in a pressurised steel tube http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/tongue.gif[/b]
We thought about riding the bikes across, but eventually decided to drive with the bikes packed in the back. After all, our intent was to enjoy Sausalito, not to arrive totally wiped out. http://bestsmileys.com/fainting/1.gif
Things To Do In San Franciso Before The Crack of Dawn
I don't know what it is about photographers and sunrise shots. It seems to me that you can get a similar shot in the evening and have the added advantage of being wide awake and well fed. But as it was repeated to me several times during our trip, "Mig, you don' t understand."
The alarm went off at 4am, not bad unless you went to bed at 1am. But somehow I did manage to get down to the lobby and surprisingly enough everybody is there; although not a one, had even a cup of coffee. We jumped into the car and headed off on our crack of dawn adventure. I don't remember much about the ride, I kinda dozed off, but I do know we went across a bridge, bump! bump! bump!
I don't know how many of you have ever traveled with photography fanatics, but these people don't just happen upon a spot and start shooting the sunrise. Oh no, they have throughly scouted out locations beforehand, and have it down to the centimeter where they're going to set up the camera and tripod. Finally the sun peaked over the horizon, "Ansel Adams Jr", started taking shots, but something wasn't right----he didn't like it.
Personally I thought it was a beautiful sunrise over the Bay, just like the ones on the postcards, and I say that even though I was half asleep. (ZZZZZZZ)
Now it was time for breakfast, well for everyone except "Jr" and "D" who wanted to be dropped off in Chinatown.
"Jr" wanted to get shots of the city in the morning light and "D" went for his morning run. Now there's another thing I don't understand, running in the early morning on an empty stomach.
Seems to me running in the evening makes more sense. Just look at the advantages- you can de-stress from the day, burn off all those extra calories you get from eating http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif and you get to sleep in - bonus, bonus, bonus.
What is it about getting up at the crack of dawn?
The rest of us "vacationers" headed back to the hotel. We passed a line of people waiting for the Apple store to open. Uh-huh, a bunch of people up at the crack of dawn so they can be among the first to buy a new phone. Just another thing I wouldn't roll out of the bed for. But I do have to admit, there is something about watching a city wake up. There's a breeze that says people and cars are coming, but for now, for right now.................you can cross the street against the light in the middle of the block and make it!
Sooooo we went for a walk. We ran across a fleet of catering and equipment trucks -a location shoot-and of course the people waiting for their "must have" new phone. But there is "something" about walking downtown with all the businesses and stores closed and the sidewalks deserted. There's just something about watching a really beautiful city wake up; something worth waking up at the crack of dawn for - and yes- Mig said that! http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gif
Yes, San Francisco is one of my favorites. We are do for a return trip there. Chinatown is great. Remember the GOLDEN DRAGON massacre back in the 1970's? It's still there. Very old city and unique. Fisherman's wharf with the seals hanging out at the pier is a neat thing to see. Great report Migflanker. Sounds like you had a nice trip minus the boat ride.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Sep 14 2009, 09:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>Got any recommendations for a restaurant in Chinatown? My friends raved about the place but I went there last time and where I ate was average at best http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e..._DIR#>/dry.gifQuote:
Yes, San Francisco is one of my favorites. We are do for a return trip there. Chinatown is great. Remember the GOLDEN DRAGON massacre back in the 1970's? It's still there. Very old city and unique. Fisherman's wharf with the seals hanging out at the pier is a neat thing to see. Great report Migflanker. Sounds like you had a nice trip minus the boat ride.[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Sep 14 2009, 04:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>Another fun thing to do is be out late and start heading home when everyone is heading in to work. The streets are quiet and just start building up and you can laugh at the suckers going to work when you are going home to bed.Quote:
But I do have to admit, there is something about watching a city wake up. There's a breeze that says people and cars are coming, but for now, for right now.................you can cross the street against the light in the middle of the block and make it![/b]
I'm getting a bit old for all nighters though.... http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/cool.gif
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nick @ Sep 14 2009, 03:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>Hopefully someone on the Board will be able to recommend a good restaurant. The place we went (a sales clerk recommendation) was alright, but definately nothing to write home about.Quote:
Got any recommendations for a restaurant in Chinatown? My friends raved about the place but I went there last time and where I ate was average at best http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e..._DIR#>/dry.gif[/b]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nick @ Sep 14 2009, 03:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>I'm with you Nick, I don't do all-nighters any more either; I'll leave that to Jumper and Spongebue. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...#>/biggrin.gifQuote:
I'm getting a bit old for all nighters though.... http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/cool.gif[/b]
More San Francisco adventures - Wine, Zombies and Lots Of Fun
One minute you’re hearing , “you’ll be fine, it’ll be fun, we’re only going to ride around the park” and the next someone is yelling something about momentum and you’re in a line of cyclists headed for the street and right into San Francisco traffic.
One good thing about bicycling, you can always put your foot down.
You gotta love “bike people“, maybe it’s the heat build up in those helmets that makes them crazy.
Napa Valley - spectacular scenery, vineyards and wines
Something I learned along the way- It’s fun comparison tasting. http://bestsmileys.com/drinking/10.gif
Most of the wineries are along Hwy 29, the Silverado Trail, or the road connecting the two. We took Hwy 29, and visited wineries based on the curiosity factor - if the winery looked interesting from the road we stopped.
We visited 2.1 wineries, “.1” because we left one winery when they told us there was a $25 /person tour and tasting fee - seemed a little pricey to me, the other two were free.
After the wine tasting we stopped and had a great lunch at the Rutherford Grill - great steaks and “fall of the bone” ribs and there’s no corkage fee, so you can open that great bottle of wine you bought from just down the road.
Something unexpected-
We were cutting crossing Union Square when we ran smack into a horde of zombies. Yup, right there in the heart of downtown San Francisco a horde of zombies dancing to the music of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Talk about being caught off guard, if these mangy ghouls had been the first wave of the zombie apocalypse we would have been…… “toast”. Fortunately for us this group of the walking dead were part of a flash mob’s dance tribute to Michael Jackson.
I’ve got to tell you, no matter how many horror movies you’ve seen, you’re never actually prepared for a zombies outbreak in the middle of day.
At least we knew enough to be out of there before anyone called lunch. http://bestsmileys.com/dancing/11.gif
One last thing, because San Francisco is a city with very steep hills bike riding can be “challenging”, and that’s a quote from someone that finished the El Tour De Tucson bike ride - twice. The steep hills also make it important to curb your wheels when parking …..very, very, important -uh-oh we’re moving http://bestsmileys.com/surprised/4.gif
Ah the memories of Napa... maybe I will make a brief stop there in Nov to visit Napa again with the gf, thanks Mig!
This should bring back a memory or two.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick
Definately stop at Rutherford's Grill, great ribs.
Attachment 358
Hi all. Does anybody know of any crew member discounts or decent rates for hotels in San Fran--preferably in the city, some place tourist-friendly? Thanks!
little more specific--price range and location?
Under $150, preferably...tourist-friendly area, like Union Square or Wharf.
Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf, great areas and very expensive, add to that the room taxes and the high parking fee and you’re in some rarified air; so if you have hotel points, this is the time to use them
Starwood Hotels offer airline ID rates. Starwood Hotels & Resorts
BTW, don’t rent a car - walk, hang off a cable car, grab a cab, or ride a bike - driving is a nightmare and there’s no parking anywhere.:cool:
I was in SFO last week with a friend of mine, and we stayed at the Days Inn Civic Center. The hotel itself is nothing special, but the location is great and the price is right (I think we paid about $76/night? No crew rate, either). And when I say "nothing special" I mean B+ in cleanliness, pretty comfortable, and the front desk is closed overnight. For those on a budget, I'd absolutely recommend it.
My airline also has a special rate with the Hilton Garden Inn by the airport. They tend to fill up on weekdays, and it's a little (ok, a lot) further from the city center, but the price should be pretty decent if they are available to other airlines.
Why don't you stay in Burlingame, near the airport, and take the shuttle to airport, then ride the BART to downtown. It's real easy getting around, plus cheaper than staying downtown. There's a list of hotels right there, and its a pretty site. There is Hampton inn, Hyatt, Marriot, Sheriton, to name a few.
Bay Bridge CLOSED westbound, into San Francisco (8PM Friday Feb. 17 - 5AM Feb 21)
Note - weather could delay the reopening of the westbound or postpone the closure to another weekend; so check the website before driving up. http://bestsmileys.com/cars/23.gif
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