Going to San Fransisco!!! - YouLookFab Forum

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Going to San Fransisco!!!

harmonica

Veteran

YAY - my flight tickets and hotel is finally booked!!! I'll spend a week in San Fransisco in April/May! I'm so excited and have worked really hard for this. It is a business trip, but I'll have 4 or 5 days with no program

The question is - what to do, where to go and what to wear? I really like to go on a nerdy Vertigo sightseeing (if that exists), do some shopping, museums and just meander. My only experience with the US is Manhatten, NYC, so I'm really thrilled!

I'll need help with the packing, so I'll make individual posts on that later.

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34 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

ramya

Veteran

Gosh!!!! Isn't that awesome!!!! Never been to USA so no help...

But so excited for you

Inge

(website)

So exciting, Harmonica!! I've never been to San Francisco either, so no tips I'm afraid, but I just wanted to wish you a fabulous time!-)

Kalli

Let me enlighten you, you can also PM me. I was born and raised in SF however I live a little further south now.

Union Square is where all the shopping is.
Ghiradellli Square - Fishermen's Wharf the pier areas are where the traditional SF tourist traps are
Ferry Building - Awesome artisan foods
There is a farmers market there on Sundays and you should visit that if you are there on Sunday
Mechanical Museum, Rail Car Museum, Coit Tower, Lombard St
Tony's Pizzeria for fantastic pizza, Blue Bottle for amazing espresso drinks and cookies

Depending on where you stay, Golden Gate Park takes a while to get to, but alot of the traditional museums are there.

Chinatown is quite fantastic but I was super disappointed the last time I went, not what I remembered as a kid. Golden Gate Bakery there is famous (long lines) for their egg custard tarts,

Anyhow, I can go on and on and on.

bj1111

Veteran

Lots of advice forthcoming from the sf denizens. How fun!

Ps good luck at the conf if you are presenting.

Anonymous

Sounds such fun, so pleased for you. Enjoy!

hedgiehog

Veteran

Woo hoo! So happy for you. SF is one of my favourite cities. The food is fantastic, there are so many choices. I would suggest Union Square for shopping, Chinatown and Japantown if you like Asian food or just browsing through all the interesting shops. You can purchase some great trinkets and souvenirs here. As Kalli said, Golden Gate park is lovely as well. I really liked visiting Alcatraz, it was my hubby's idea and I wasn't keen but it was actually enjoyable. I could go on and on but once you get there and have a map you'll be set! Take good walking shoes if you plan to be on foot; lots of hills in SF.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you for you happy replies!

It is an academic conference within the humanities. I'm presenting some of my work and will meet really interesting professors. (help!!) I'm just too excited (and terrified)! Well, there are still lots of work needed, but this is such a reward!

Kalli - so great to have inside information. I'll be sure to take notes and ask questions as they pop - will definitely PM you

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Bring comfortable shoes. Also warm clothes and layers. The weather can be schizophrenic!

Diana

Veteran

Yay! I have never lived in SF but it is my dream to live there. I have visited quite a bit. I second all the recommendations above. I'd also add:

-if you like Mexican food, definitely go eat in the Mission neighborhood. The burritos are amazing (but enormous).

-If you have a free afternoon and access to a car and like nature, try to go to Muir woods. It's maybe half an hour drive north of the city, and the main trail is pretty easy (you could do it with good walking shoes). If you've never seen a California redwood, you must do so.

ETA: Yes, dress in layers. Lots of them. It could be freezing in the morning and boiling in the afternoon!

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rachylou

Veteran

Yay! Yes, dress warm. Coldest winter I ever spent was summer in SF, et. al. I think a Vertigo tour would be a super kick. I've done it once.

I really like shopping in Hayes Valley. If you like bread and pastries, there are also a few notable bakeries in the Mission, along with some good shopping and restaurants. If you want to go see the ghetto of the upper class, go shopping on Union Street (which is different from Union Square) ;>

For museums, I like the Legion of Honor. Free on Tuesdays! But if you go to Golden Gate, might as well do the Japanese Tea Garden and museums there (famous architecture).

bj1111

Veteran

You could do a street cart /street food tour of sf...

http://www.yelp.com/search?cfl.....+CA%2C+USA

apparently, some vendors have proper sitdown places but support themselves with the cart business.

ps...i'm sure you will wow the prof with your insights. A more important question, what are you packing!?!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

How wonderful for you, Harmonica!

Kristin SF

Veteran

You've already got some great suggestions. I definitely second the Alcatraz idea, if you have time. It gets you out on the bay, and the audio tour is award-winning. If you have a car, drive over the GG Bridge and swing up into the Marin Headlands for fantastic photo ops and breathtaking views of the GG Bridge, SF Bay, and Pacific Ocean.

Agree that your must-sees are Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, Coit Tower, Lombard Street, GG Park (and all the museums - Academy of Sciences is new'ish and amazing). The Japanese Tea Garden in the park will be beautiful that time of year.

Preplan your shopping for Union Square and the SF Centre, if you're really serious about hitting certain stores that you can't find in your neck of the woods.

If you run cold, bring a down jacket. Seriously. I wear them in the summer. I can't tell you how many tourists I see freezing their you-know-what's off in the summer in SF, dressed in shorts and t-shirts!!

Have a fantastic time!

harmonica

Veteran

Comfortable shoes seems to be top priority. Choosing shoes is always the hardest part!

Layers are my best friend, so I'll manage that (and I come from cold, windy, snowy, icy north, so hot temps are actually freaking me more out. last summer was not above 15C / 59F, very unusual though)

Diana - wow! Is that your pic? I'd love to do some trekking - it didn't cross my mind, but those trees and the light are just gorgeous! One of the best films ever has a scene with Sequoia tree (a reference to Vertigo - sorry getting all nerdy) BUT I'm really, really nervous about driving in a foreign country!!

I love all kinds of food, so it seems I just need to decide what nation

bj1111 - you're so right! I'll be making some packing posts. I've been looking at Travel Fashion girls packing lists and find them helpful. I'm not a minimalist packer, although I'd love to be. Can't see how that is possible if you don't want to do laundry.

Auburn

Veteran

Don't be freaked out about hot weather! I live in SF and it's NEVER hot here, I promise. A warm snap for us is 70F and if that happens, it's never more than for a day or two. 90% of the time, we are squarely in the high 50s/low 60s, with mornings and evenings feeling chillier than that!

Yes on comfy shoes--flats are great, but you'll also want some true walking shoes if you plan to get around the city on foot at all.

harmonica

Veteran

Kristin SF - I was thinking of a trench and 2-3 (or more) layers of wool. I don't have a down jacket, just a winter parka that really takes up space

harmonica

Veteran

Auburn - thanks on putting temp in numbers. 50-60F is quite chilly, especially if it's also windy - then I guess temp is going down at least 5-7 degrees C. I need to take that into consideration when packing. Hmmm... then I can actually copy some of my previous conference outfits.

dicey

Is it a big one attended by about 15,000 people? If so, I am going too. It is about my 12th time. I will say fashion runs from nice jeans (attending 8 AM weekend sessions to suits (some presenters) so you can't go too wrong. Since it is so big, it is spread out across multiple hotels so make sure you wear shoes you can walk in.

Diana

Veteran

Yes, that's my photo! And I am not a particularly good photographer or anything. The scenery is just THAT gorgeous. Kristin's post reminded me also that the drive up to Muir is actually across the GG bridge, so you'll get some amazing up close views of that as well on the way.

I understand about not wanting to drive though! I wonder if anyone else at your conference might be interested in carpooling up there as well - it seems like an activity lots of people might enjoy.

Makrame

Veteran

Fun! You are going to have a great trip!

I go to SF every 2-3 years for a scientific conference. I was there a few months ago, staying near Union Square, and was amazed at how much the shopping options have expanded. I barely had any free time but did manage to stop by the Uniqlo store and pick up some Heattech underwear (works great for skiing and everyday winter wear).

I went running to the Embarcadero/Ferry Building a few times in the morning - beautiful views of the ocean from there and I did stop by the farmer's market near Ferry Building that was mentioned above.

A good raincoat or trench coat would be really helpful, I think. I was there in December and did not take a down jacket with me - only a lined trenchcoat and a fleece jacket (although you can buy some nice lightweight down jackets at Uniqlo).

harmonica

Veteran

dicey - no, it's "only" about 350-400 people. I find it big, though

Kristin SF

Veteran

Harmonica, layers should be fine, esp wool and fleece. But I am always cold.

harmonica

Veteran

Diana - gorgeous photo! Good idea about carpooling. The only people I know will arrive later than me (at the first day of the conference), but I'll definitely have this in mind!!

Makrame - so good to hear about your experiences! Oh, and I do actually have a Lee down jacket, but it's not super lightweight. I think I really need some packing help

DonnaF

Veteran

I run cold, but IMHO down is overdoing it. Layers and trenchcoat weight is fine, but you won't have rain. You may encounter heavy mist or fog in the Avenues near Golden Gate Park, but the conference area of town is one of the warmer areas. No shorts. No sandals. Rarely short sleeves but at least a sweater by 5 even if you run hot.

The East Bay, esp. Oakland, is becoming Foodie heaven, but SF is still fine. Where but in the Bay Area can you find a performance of Foodie, the Musical? It is pretty funny. The Bay Area is home to a zillion tiny and small wacky theater companies in addition to the mainstream ones. For tips on where to find the best particular dish, check the Chowhound web site.

Kristin SF

Veteran

Harmonica, this is the type of jacket I keep with me at all times, it's very lightweight (can scrunch up into its own pocket) but warm. If you have a heavier jacket, you probably don't need it; wool and fleece will be fine. Auburn is right - probably mid-60s during the day, mid-50s once the sun goes down. Shouldn't be too windy if you're downtown. I'm sure you'll check the weather before you arrive - we do have some weird warm snaps here and there where the weather gets up into the 70s. Looking forward to seeing your travel capsule!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Yay! How fun! Yes, layers are great and bring comfortable shoes for walking. Definitely see Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, Lombard, Union Square, Cal Academy/Japanese Tea Garden, Chinatown, Ferry Bldg, and Muir Woods.

Apparently there is a "Vertigo tour" if you're interested! Either guided, or DIY:
http://evesreellife.wordpress......n-vertigo/

PM'ing you in case you want to meet up!

Kalli

YLF Meetup for SF? When are you here again?

Sylvie

Veteran

I live there! My super biased opinion:

Union square/Westgate mall: Worth seeing/shopping
Mission: Go to Valencia st for dinner. Take a cab. Hipster food/dining central
Fisherman's Wharf/Ghiradelli Sq: Skippable unless you have children in tow
Muir Woods: Beautiful but if you enjoy hiking, then don't bother with the designated walk but hit one of the hiking trails. Or go anywhere in Marin county - Mt Tam, Pt Reyes, they are all beautiful.
GG Bridge: Must see - there are beautiful lookout points and the Palace of Fine Arts is very close as well.
Legion of Honor is my favorite museum. The DeYoung museum in GG park is quite nice, as is the Asian Art museum near Civic center. I wouldn't bother with Cal Academy unless you have children in tow.
The Ferry Building Farmer's market is on Saturday mornings - it would be a great place to start for the day if we do a YLF meetup. Eat at Ferry building, then head over to Union sq, shop our hearts out.
North Beach: Convenient-ish place to get food if you are in Union square and don't want to travel too far. Nothing "too special".

I find a trench coat or even a leather jacket + scarf will take me through all SF weather. I have *never* once worn a wool coat here. So long as your jacket blocks the wind, you're typically fine.

bj1111

Veteran

back to chime in...if you like biking, rent a two wheeler, ride across the bridge to marin and take the ferry back. beautiful scenery. just enough exercise to feel virtuous at dinner.

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