[loveajax]

I am going to a conference in San Fran in early March...I can't believe I have never been there before...I have always wanted to go!

I won't have a "ton" of time, but was looking for any recommendations for sightseeing/restaurants. I will have a rental car.

I am not sure whether or not to bring DH and DD. But any "kid activity" stuff would be appreciated too in case she comes. (She is 3.5..I keep saying that but actually she will be 4 in May...just don't want to admit it!).

TIA!

[SupaModel]

It's my home town you are gonna LOVE it!!! Unfortunately I didn't have kids when I lived there so I only know fun adult things to do. Where are you staying? I'll try and give good places near you.

[loveajax]

Supa, the conference is at the Westin St. Francis? I don't know if I am staying there, but it will be somewhere close? Can you come with me...the conf will be boring!! haha

[Celesyee]

Lovejax I grew up in San Francisco and visit there often.

The SF Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country. While animal activists (which are rampant in SF) criticize the zoo for their outdated exhibits, the zoo has undergone and is still undergoing major renovations. I, as well as my parents, visited the zoo many times as children and I also worked there in college. The zoo is on the other side of the city from your hotel, but SF is only 7miles by 7miles. The zoo is close to the beach and the Cliff House, which was rennovated maybe 10years ago.

The California Academy of Science is another place of interest my parents and I visited as children. They just completed MAJOR renovations.

Closer to where you're staying is Yerba Buena Gardens, Embarcadero Center, Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf.

I can go on and on...I forgot to check where you live before I started posting, but SF is a great place to experience and taste new cuisines. Pick a cuisine and I can recommend a few restaurants.

[SupaModel]

Don't you temp me!!! They are having a heat wave there too while it's in the 20's here

So here are some of my fav places....

Aqua Restaurant - Kinda pricey but AMAZING food!!

Izzy's Steakhouse - A neighborhood steak place that really good and not tha pricey.

Balboa Cafe - My FAVORITE hang out place and great restaurant and also fun scene.

Ace Wasabi - Fun rock'in roll sushi place

Alioto's - at fisherman warf kinda tourist (sp?) place but I like it.

Bistro Burger's ( AMAZING Burgers)

Union street is really fun as well. Tons of shops and restaurant etc....

Crissy field is great. You can walk to the GG Bridge.

So much I can't think If need any info closer to your trip please ask I can live through you

[loveajax]

Thank you, C and Supa...Seriously, come and be my guides...It will be fun.

The first day there, I am staying at a spa in Napa...whoot!!! Then on to the city.

I am a serious seafood fanatic. Is Fisherman's Wharf really fun? Are there restaurants there?

C, I go to the zoo in almost every city I visit (we just went to the Central Park zoo with DD) so thanks for the rec!!

I will definitely be asking some more qs as the time gets close!! Thank you, dears!!

[SupaModel]

If you have a chance while your in Napa you MUST go to the Rutherford Grill!!!! Oh my god too die for!!!

Fisherman warf can be fun but because I lived there I never went KWIM?

Like i said beforw Alioto's is there and it's great seafood.

Pier 23 is a fun place.

Ana Mandera - is at fisherman warf area. It's a vietnamese place. Great food.

There are tons of kids things to do on the warf.

What spa are you going too?

[DPline]

Ghirardelli Chocolate Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop!

[Celesyee]

lovejax--I seriously wish I could go. Flights are soo cheap right now, but Devin's 1 year birthday bash in March 8th. I am thinking of going back to SF in February (in addition to my other tentative visits in summer and winter).

Hmmm, never been to Rutherford Grill, but LOVE Mustards Grill in Napa. You can also check out the gyser (sp?) spring in Napa if you have time.

And like Supa, I've never really hung out at Pier 39...I was on the other side of the city but it's just touristy. Most of what I know about Pier 39 is from about 25 years ago.

Other points of interest, are Chinatown, Japantown, Mission District, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island.

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by Celesyee

Hmmm, never been to Rutherford Grill, but LOVE Mustards Grill in Napa.

Cel - Rutherford grill is like 5 mins down the street from Mustards Grill. I like Mustards too but Rutherford is much better

Ok... Now i am SERIOUSLY homesick

[loveajax]

The spa is at the Carneros Inn in Napa??

Omg, I am getting so excited, you guys!

C, I cannot believe D is going to be 1. Time flies!!!

Thanks again for all the recs, I am going to print them out. Supa, you have no excuse...come with me!!

[WnnaBmom]

Hi,
I am also from Nor Cal and go to SF often. The Westin St Francis has a "kids club" program at the hotel. When we have taken our neice (4 yrs) and nephew (7 yrs) they have a great time just running around union square which is right across the street and riding the cable cars which you can hop on a couple of blocks downtown. Lefty O'douls is a bar/Hof Brau across the side street from the St. Francis and it was great to run there for bottled water, rolls, mac n cheese and cheap decent breakfast that was convenient with the kids. Down by the wharf (which is mostly restaurants) is a mechanical arcade which the little ones loved. Took them to Rainforest Cafe there and it was very entertaining for them. Also near the hotel (at the nearby Metreon) is a place called Zeum which is an interactive museum for kids. If you are without DD, a phenomenal restaurant is Restaurant Gary Danko (about $80pp before wine), Restaurant Michael Mina (which would be in your hotel and about the same price), and there are a handful of fun restaurants in an alley called Belden Place about 3 blocks away, different Ethnic foods, never had a bad meal there. Don't miss driving up to COIT tower for free amazing views and the Ferry Building marketplace is worth seeing if you have time. Have a great time and welcome to CALI !

[loveajax]

Wnna, I love you!! Maybe I will bring DD after all if they have the kids club! I bet DD would love it! Thanks for the great tips!!

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by loveajax

The spa is at the Carneros Inn in Napa??

Omg, I am getting so excited, you guys!

C, I cannot believe D is going to be 1. Time flies!!!

Thanks again for all the recs, I am going to print them out. Supa, you have no excuse...come with me!!

Omigawd the Mayor (Gavin Newsom) owns that spa. He also owns Balboa Cafe that I told you about before. I actually know him and he's GORGEOUS!!! I have a few funny stories that I would never tell online

DS tuns 1 on March 8th and my sis-in-law is coming in from San Diego so I really couldn't come either BUT I am really jealous. Thanks for bringing this thread up I now have a huge smile on my face

[loveajax]

Supa, One for H as well? Dear God, this last year has flown by!