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Many years ago we honeymooned in San Francisco so it has become one of our very favorite places to go. We visit on increments of 5 years... 5th anniversary, 10th, 15th and so on. This year will be our 28th and we're going b/c we didn't go on our 25th. Every visit we go to Scoma's for Chiopino, our favorite. But there is also a restaurant around the corner that serves a wonderful Chiopino too, can't remember the name of it, maybe Ricearoni can help me out? Do you ladies know of any other restaurants we should try... doesn't have to be fancy, sometimes the hole in the wall restaurants are the best! We'll be going in August as that's our anniversary. Are there other activities you would suggest as well, there is sooo much to do but I'm sure there must be some things new. We just love that city! Also going to Dallas (love, love, love everything about TX) to visit daughter in Carrollton, looking forward to that too!

Spanish - I'm more than happy to help you with activities/ideas/dining options for your trip.
August is usually a nice time to visit weather-wise - just remember to dress in layers, as if the fog rolls in it can get chilly.

Sounds like you and your DH like fish. If so, there is a neighborhood restaurant in North Beach called Sotto Mare. Very casual. We have lunch there once a month. All of the dishes are good, but if they have sand dabs, be sure to order them (and bring an appetite, because they give you a plate full!)

The Slanted Door Restaurnt is very good quality Asian cuisine - a very popular place and pricey, but worth it, IMHO if you're on a trip.

Is Pompei's Grotto on the wharf the restaurant that you were thinking of? I haven't eaten there recently, so I can't speak to the food quality. We generally stay away from the wharf area, as other neighborhoods are less crowded and offer more reasonably priced meals.

We've got fabulous fine art museums - I'm a vol- so if you want any info there, just let me know. Also, for performing arts - symphony, plays, etc -there's usually a wide variety to choose from during the summer. Do you both enjoy pro baseball? The Giants play in a wonderful ballpark - it's fun to be in it and walk around, as well as watch them play. I'm looking at a schedule here, and they will be in town for 2 weeks in August.

I could go on and on!. Just let me know how I can help. There's so much to enjoy here - I'm happy to share it with you.

Ricearoni - Is Delancy Street still operating their training restaurant over near Giant Stadium? We had some excellent meals there but have not checked it out on our last couple of trips.

We also enjoyed Goat Hill Pizza. DH was really not feeling well by the time we arrived in SF on our last visit to the area so we missed all the great dining.

quote:

Originally posted by Charming:
Ricearoni - Is Delancy Street still operating their training restaurant over near Giant Stadium? We had some excellent meals there but have not checked it out on our last couple of trips.

Yes, Charming it's still there - on the Embarcadero at Brannan Street - and thriving. That's a very active part of town now - lots of new development, restaurants and nightlife, to add to the excitment of the Giants and their terrific play.

Sounds like you are going to have a fun trip!

Weren't we heading up that way, Sherry? Something to do with wine???

Ooooh! Can you swing by - or is it my turn to pick you up?

From the title of this thread, it does sound like everyone's coming my way.

I haven't actually been in San Francisco since 1979, but I have been in San Jose, Santa Cruz and Napa Valley since then. I'd love to go back out there to any or all of those places again.

SF is one of our favorite destinations. We use it as a jumping off point to visit other areas. We usually include a visit to Monterey and Carmel. From SF we have visited the Gold Country, Muir Woods and Bodega Bay and other areas.

The last visit DH picked up a bug on the plane and we did not do as much as we usually do. But we still had great visit.

Spanish Revival - have you gone north of the city? Our first visit out we drove up to Santa Rosa, spent the night and then drove out to the coast then headed south on the Coast highway. We have since learned that the best way is to drive north because the coast opens up in front of you as you drive north.

Also a great over night trip would be to drive down and tour the Hearst Castle. Another interesting trip and you learn a lot about California history is to tour several of the Spanish Missions. We always visit at least one new mission each visit.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charming,

I've seen the northern tip of California while returning to the Texas Gulf coast from a driving trip towing a camper. We missed a turn and missed the main part of the sequoias - my husband doesn't turn around for ANYTHING! - but we did see some really big trees. That and the fact that the roads weren't clearly marked is all I've seen of California.

Thanks Ricearoni for all the suggestions! We'll be there for at least 2 weeks, then travel to San Jose, the wine country, and possibly stay at a B&B in Eureka. California has such a beautiful countryside, we just love taking long drives and stopping wherever it looks beautiful, which is just about everywhere!! Sounds like you may be getting lots of visitors!!

I think we all should plan a road trip for a meet & greet in SF. It all sounds too good not to...

It's so funny that you should post this thread! DH and I were just looking at that destination last week. We're planning our next big vacation and it's going to be San Fran, Napa Valley and Redwood National Forest. I was looking at some Bed and Breakfast places in Napa, if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them too.
We won't be going until next fall, so I'm saving this thread!

quote:

Originally posted by Charming:
...you learn a lot about California history is to tour several of the Spanish Missions. We always visit at least one new mission each visit.

So true. The missions are wonderful to see, and so unique to California. You can see a bit of 2 of them if you view the old Hitchcock film "Vertigo". Mission Dolores (in SF) is shone early in the film, and the end of the film shows Mission San Juan Bautista.

quote:

Originally posted by Ricearoni:

quote:

Originally posted by Charming:
...you learn a lot about California history is to tour several of the Spanish Missions. We always visit at least one new mission each visit.

So true. The missions are wonderful to see, and so unique to California. You can see a bit of 2 of them if you view the old Hitchcock film "Vertigo". Mission Dolores (in SF) is shone early in the film, and the end of the film shows Mission San Juan Bautista.

Been to both. On our first trip to SF we were running out of time and didn't have time to tour the mission so we did our "guerilla" tourist - stopped the car and took some photos as we continued in search of the Schmidt's chocolate shop that used to be near by.

quote:

Originally posted by zone9alady:
... I was looking at some Bed and Breakfast places in Napa, if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them too.
We won't be going until next fall, so I'm saving this thread!

I'm happy to help, though Napa is a day trip for us, so I'm not too familiar with visitor lodging. The Yountville Inn - in Yountville - is popular. Might be pricey, so compare prices. If you want a fine dining experience (great food, but **$) try to get a reservation at The French Laundry - Herbert Keller's restaurant.

quote:

Originally posted by Ricearoni:


I'm happy to help, though Napa is a day trip for us, so I'm not too familiar with visitor lodging. The Yountville Inn - in Yountville - is popular. Might be pricey, so compare prices. If you want a fine dining experience (great food, but **$) try to get a reservation at The French Laundry - Herbert Keller's restaurant.

When we went in, I think it was around 1997, we ate at Hubert Keller's Restaurant, Fleur de Lys, and when the waiter found out it was an anniversary he told Hubert who came out to our table, took us BACK TO HIS KITCHEN!! and showed us around and then handed us his book The Cuisine of Hubert Keller, which he signed in front of us and took a picture with us! Thank-you for mentioning that, I am going to call tomorrow for reservations to be sure we will go again, you brought up a wonderful memory!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Spanish Revival,

Thank you for the tips. I've heard of The French Laundry, would love to dine there!

I don't know if Mustards is still open or not, but we really enjoyed it.

quote:

Originally posted by Florida Farm Girl:
I don't know if Mustards is still open or not, but we really enjoyed it.

I've not eaten there, but the menu looks good. Somewhat pricey, though, so plan ahead.

Here's a link to their site:

http://mustardsgrill.com/

When y'all come to the Sequoias, you'll be about an hour northeast of me!

Our favorite time in SF is when we walked to Little Italy & couldn't decide where to eat, so we asked some policemen hanging around in the park. They pointed us to their favorite little place, which gave us free desserts since the cops sent us!

So many great tips, thank-you all so much for all the ideas and suggestions, making a long list of places to eat and things to do, now I can't wait to get there! Meant to say I will make a reservation at The French Laundry, I don't think Fleur De Lys is still there.

quote:

Originally posted by Spanish Revival:
... I don't think Fleur De Lys is still there.

Yes, it's still open. The quality of the food is inconsistent, though. I'd hate for you to go there, pay those prices and be unhappy with the experience.

Timely news! I saw on the news last night that they are grafting cuttings from the BIG old growth trees - even that big old 30 foot across stump that has new growth sprouting on it - in a nursery and are replanting some of the clear cut areas of the sequoia forest!!