Many of us are heading west in the next few weeks for a big conference. I always look forward to this weekend, but I am doubly excited this year because the conference is in San Francisco. The City, or “The City and County of San Francisco, California” as us locals colloquially refer to it in casual conversation, is one of the most unique places in the world. It is only 7 miles wide, 7 miles long, and it’s surrounded by water on three sides (the other side is bordered by a city named after a Mr. John Daly–I did not make that up). But in those 49 square miles are myriad neighborhoods, hundreds of great restaurants, and so many points of interest that you just cannot visit them all in one trip. Imagine Buda, Texas but like one and a half times as big.
So for my friends going to the City for the first time, or the third, or the tenth, below are some of my recommendations. Do with it what you will. Or don’t without it what you won’t. It’s up to you.
Things you should know about getting around:
1. SF Muni – If you want to get out of downtown into the western and southern parts of San Francisco, you can take the Muni, which is comprised of buses and lightrail (Metro). The ligthrail is subterranean in downtown, and they pop out into the open air as you go south and west. Bus maps Metro maps
2. Zipcar – you can rent cars by the hour in SF, much like Car2Go in Austin. Good if you want to get out of the city or visit the most beautiful view in the world (see below). Zipcar
3. Cable cars – Good for getting from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf/North Beach, or acting like you are in the credits from Full House.
4. The Tenderloin District – a few blocks west of the conference hotel. When Dave Chappelle said: “I have never seen crack smoked so casually”, he was talking about the Loin. So take that for what it’s worth. Although it is rapidly becoming gentrified, you may want to side step this area if you are shy and do not like being offered drugs in broad daylight. Good Indian food though. Oddly enough, it’s just south of Nob Hill, one of the most affluent areas in the city.
A few food options that are delicious and affordable:
1.Westfield Shopping Centre Food Emporium (list of eateries) – Imagine if rich people demanded a food court that would make them feel like commoners (to remove the guilt) but still provide them with great food and variety. Well, this is not a food court. This is a food EMPORIUM. If you are with a group of friends and you cannot decide where to go, go here. Trust me. You’ll find something. Close to Union Square.
2.Taqueria Cancun – If you haven’t
had a proper Mission Burrito, you should get one in SF. Pastor Super Burrito (or Veggie) plus a horchata and life is grand. Pay no attention to the health inspection grade, that was uh, from 5 years ago. A few locations, one at 7th and Mission. (Feel free to get a mission burrito from somewhere else–Farolito, Pancho Villa–but for my money Cancun is the best.)
3. SF Soup Co – They have soup. Many locations.
4. There are a bazillion (actual count) wonderful Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese places, but most of the best ones are west of downtown in the Richmond and Sunset districts. Yelp is pretty reliable for finding a good place.
5. While they can be touristy, North Beach (Italian) and Fisherman’s Wharf (Seafood) have plenty of good restaurants. I recommend Tomasso’s, The Stinking Rose, Cioppino’s, and crab carts.
6.Other places not near Union Square: Pluto’s, Assab Ethiopian, a lot of people ask is ethiopian food healthy?
7. If you happen to be there on Saturday morning, the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market is quite nice.
8. Most people would say you are required to got to In-N-Out Burger in California. I would agree, if you were visiting anywhere outside of SF. There is only one in the city (in Fisherman’s Wharf).
9. People seem to like crepes in the City. My wife would murder you for a crepe from Squat and Gobble. Savor is also great.
Best panoramic views:
1. The most beautiful view in the world is at Hawk’s Hill in Marin County. The catch is you’ll need to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and drive up the hill to get there. Also, you can look at old World War II bunkers. Think about ZipCar.
2. Twin Peaks
3. Crissy Field
4. Coit Tower
5. Dolores Park
Selected enjoyable tourist attractions:
1. Alcatraz – Worth the hype, in my opinion. Fun boat ride, fascinating history, and great views.
2. The Exploratorium – It’s like the world’s best science fair. Designed for kids, but plenty of fun for adults.
3. Old Churches – Mission Dolores, Notre Dame des Victoires, Grace Cathedral, St. Peter and St. Paul, and so on
4. Pier 39 – Very touristy, but it’s where my parents used to take our Egyptian visitors. They always liked the sea lions.
5. Pac Bell/SBC/AT&T Park – The Giants play here. You may have heard of them because they won the World Series, and that only puts them 3 behind the best team in the Bay Area (Go A’s!).
Northern California slang you should be familiar with:
1. “Hella” – a lot
2. “Ghostride the Whip” (video explanation) – riding on top your car while no one drives. WARNING: Do not ghostride the Muni. Unless you think it will be fun.
3. “Let Timmy smoke” – a rally cry for Prop 19 supporters
4. “That was amazing!” – what people will be saying after Kristin’s and my presentation OH YEAH.
Enjoy the city!