Jun
13
When I was in contract discussions for this writing gig a while back I was surprised to see that the client wanted to send me to BlogHer this year, presumably because no one had informed them what a braying, pants-wetting jackass I am in large social settings. Now that the conference is a month away I suppose I should be fretting over the fact that I’ll be leaving my precious babies for a few days but to be honest all I keep thinking is: HOTEL ROOM TO MYSELF. A FULL NIGHT’S SLEEP. PAY PER VIEW PORN.
(I’m just kidding about that last one. Unless “porn” = “room service dessert menu”.)
I should go ahead and confess that when I received a very nice email asking if I needed childcare for BlogHer I basically responded, “Ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa NO.” No, I will not be traveling to BlogHer with a 3-year-old and an infant, my GOD, and for those who ARE bringing the kidlets along, you are made of stronger stuff than I. See also: batfuck crazy. No, wait, I mean, to each their own. I’m sure your kids will have a lot of fun. Hey, who doesn’t remember those heady summer days of childhood, when you’d beg your parents: “Please, please, can we go to a 3-day blogging conference? Please can we learn about content syndication and advertising models?”
ANYWAY, I’ve been to San Francisco several times now on business but I’ve never had time to actually see anything but the blocks surrounding the Moscone during daylight hours. Since I’ll be arriving the Thursday before the BlogHer conference starts, I’d really like to do something touristy. It will be late afternoon once I get checked into the hotel and have spent a while reviewing and strategizing my porn late-night creme brulee options, so I won’t have a LOT of time, and it will probably be right at the most traffic-y part of the day, but for those of you familiar with the area: what would you recommend? Where should I go? What’s the one thing you’d do if you had a few hours to kill in the city?
Lastly, here’s the Weekly Elsewhere Blogging lineup:
• The ongoing search for exercise/diet motivation [Gather.com]
• A damn fine list of workout music, if I do say so myself [SundryBuzz]
• Making small talk and things I can no longer do [ParentDish]
• Awesome bath products [Work it, Mom!]
Comments
66 Responses to “San Francisco treat”
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OH, you’re going to BLOGHER!! Oh, now I want to go to BlogHer! We could stand there looking at each other and going “Huh. Huh. Huh. So! Huh.” Then there could be a prolonged, awkward silence! Or, we could both bring laptops, and we could sit next to each other and IM! It would be SO AWESOME!
Damn woman. You’re, like, in DEMAND. How awesome is that?
Never been to SanFran so I have nothing in terms of suggestions. But sleep the sleep of the dead and if nothing else, that will be a success.
I’m so f-ing pissed it’s not in Chicago again this year. Last year I was newly pregnant and feeling like holy hell so I didn’t go. Yet it was in my back yard. Thanks, baby, for making Mama a hermit. Sigh.
Have fun at BlogHer!!
Also: the new header makes me happy (because it’s great) and sad (because I loved the old picture) and happy (because it means DYLAN is here!) and sad (because I loved the old picture).
Tartine Bakery - not right near Moscone, but worth whatever it takes to get there (TAXI!) - they just won the James Beard Pastry Chef award.
I’ve never been to San Fran, so I don’t have any input for you.
Here’s to a hotel room to yourself, a full night’s sleep and pay per view porn!
SF is home to me, so here are some suggestions:
bi-rite ice cream, on 18th and guerrero (in the mission). i promise that if you get the salted caramel ice cream, you will never, ever be the same.
the mission, generally, on valencia between 16th and 24th. tons of bookstores, record stores, yummy food and eye candy (if you’re into that sort of thing) everywhere.
MoMA, because it’s a great museum.
ok, hope that helps!
I went a long time ago (20 years), but I remember Fisherman’s Wharf, and would definitely like to revisit it. On the water, as you would imagine - lots of great food, shopping, and accessable via those famous streetcars.
I just went to San Francisco last summer and cannot wait to go back! I’d avoid the ultra-touristy Fisherman’s Wharf area and hit the Mission district, or wander around North Beach, Russian Hill, etc. We stayed in Russian Hill, and I loved all the typical SF architecture, the water views, the steep hills, the cool shops and cafes. Just wandering is a great way to spend a few hours in SF.
Don’t worry about BlogHer! You will have a blast. I went 2 years ago, and I had great time, even though I knew no one. Being a touch socially awkward is pretty common among bloggers, I think! It’s just such a kick to be around so many other women who get blogging. I can’t wait to read your reports!
you’re so lucky. I wish I was going. Then the two of us could sit around and not drink together.
Ok, this is going to sound like a total cop-out answer, but you HAVE to go walk on the Golden Gate Bridge (not the entire way across, I’m not that demented, and there IS room service dessert to be eaten). Standing on that bridge, looking out at the bay, and feeling that wind was a life moment for me. It may just have been the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I am in SF. There’s a ton of stuff around the Moscone center to do, a ton of tourist stuff. You should check out Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square. :) Have fun at the conference.
I took a night-time tour of Alcatraz once, and they put a LOT of effort into the special programs (the after-hours stuff generates revenue directly for them while the daytime stuff is shared with all national park facilities). If they have one while you are there, I would highly recommend it.
I’m in the south bay and only go to sf to visit family. I wouldn’t do the Mission unless it’s the middle of the day. Union Square is great and San Francisco City Center is a huge indoor mall that just opened nearby. Ooh, Chinatown too. I would probably do a cable car trip from Union Square to Ghiradelli’s chocolate, then walk to Fisherman’s wharf. Take a cab back to the hotel and enjoy Blogher!
If you arrive fairly early in the day, and it’s sunny or even slightly foggy, take the red/white ferry across the bay to Sausalito. You can get SPECTACULAR pics of Alcatraz and the Golden Bay bridge, walk around Sausalito and check out the galleries and artisty shops, then head back. Its a nice, fairly cheap way to spend the afternoon, and an easy way to get some stunning pics, especially if the light is right.
Must see
1) palace of fine arts
2) exploratorium (for kids, but so much fun)
3) golden gate park - amazing gardens
Must do
walk the path up to the bridge from the water
enjoy!!!
I have to second the evening tour of Alcatraz. Bring your camera because the light there as the sun goes down is AMAZING.
I’ve done lots of SF touristy things and the one I keep returning to is: fisherman’s wharf (pier 39 I think?) to watch the sea lions. They sleep and bark and swim around and bite each other and in general put on a great show. I just get a latte or an ice cream and find a spot and just watch. I could watch them for hours (and I have!!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOpmziaOqoE
Lots of other restaurants and parks and views of the water from down there, people watching and strolling around on a nice day.
I second an earlier commenter’s suggestion to walk out onto the Golden Gate Bridge… look out at the water and the views and breathe the fresh (windy) air.
I sure hope you have a warm sunny day for this!
Oh, and PS I’m sad about Tim Russert too. :(
Yep, I agree that the evening tour of Alcatraz is pretty cool. Hubby and I did that when we went a few years ago.
I’m jealous!! I love SF and can’t wait to go back. Have fun!
I used to live in Berkely, and spent a summer working in downtown SF. If I had a day to spend there, I would make sure I (1)ate dim sum at Yank Sing (believe me Linda, neither Seattle nor Vancouver has any dim sum to rival Yank Sing’s); (2) visited the Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate Park; (3) went for a run along The Embarcadero & said hi to the sea lions at Pier 33 or whatever the number of the pier is where they hang out; (4) walked or drove over the Golden Gate Bridge and walked along the Marin Headlands; (5) had dinner at Silks Restaurant, or Rubicon.
I spent part of my honeymoon there and I really thought the Alcatraz visit was interesting. We also rented bikes and biked across the Golden Gate Bridge which was hard (see hills) but so amazing.
I work in the city, and there are sooooo many places I want to throw out there for you to visit. There is so much to see, it’s difficult to recommend just one place.
If you want to do something close to the Moscone Center, I’d definitely suggest SFMOMA. You can stay there as little or as long as you’d like, there is a ton of great artwork, and the building itself is gorgeous and fun to walk around.
Alcatraz is fun too, but you should definitely plan at least three hours for the trip.
Well, having LIVED in SF, hmmm…. I love Chinatown. I guess it depends on how much time you have. Waiting in line for a cable car on Powell Street is not my idea of fun. Last summer when we went, we stayed on Fisherman’s Wharf, and we took the F Trolley down to the Wharf and rode the Muni Metro underground down Market Street to Civic Center and walked backup Market Street. Muni has a map of their public transit online you could peruse. I know we caught the cable car somewhere NOT busy and then took the F Trolley somewhere else, and that was fun for all. From Moscone, I think I’d do Union Square and probably Chinatown, if I were a female without males and male children. And I might go out for Irish food somewhere. On maybe O’Farrell Street (near Union Square. But be careful - that neighborhood ain’t the best. Be prepared to be panhandled a lot.
Oh and I agree with Heather on all of her suggestions. Especially the salted caramel ice cream…. MMMMMmmmmmmm. The only thing about the Mission district is that it can go from really nice to kind of scary (if you’re not used to it) if you go two blocks in the wrong direction.
How touristy do you want to get? Pier 39 is the ultimate. (Crowded, overpriced, a pain in the ass to get to.)
If you want to get a taste of the local vibe, the Mission is a good suggestion–lots of food and shopping, right on public transportation lines, and safe so long as you use your gut. (Mission St. itself can be sketchy.)
If I could steal you for the evening, I would take you on a driving tour that would include the GG Bridge, GG Park, Twin Peaks (best view of the city that exists), and all of the neighborhoods from Chinatown and North Beach to the $10 million homes to the corner with the greatest concentration of tranny hookers.
I am your source. USE ME.
(Also, please don’t ever call it San Fran or Frisco.)
First I’d go to the mission district for a burrito, no a falafel, no a burrito, no…fuck it I’d have both. Then I would mosey to upper Haight and go to Amoeba Records because OH MY GOD BEST RECORD STORE EVER. Then I would some how load all the new music I bought on my Ipod and walk across the street to Golden Gate Park and walk until my feet fell off because there is that much to see in that amazing park.
I love wandering around the Presidio, Fort Point, and Baker Beach area. Amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Awesome photo ops. I was just looking at some pictures from a trip I took a while back and thinking how I have to go back to SF soon! Hope you have a great time at BlogHer and exploring San Francisco.
Love your essay on “ongoing motivation.” So much of our success rests on being mindful and disciplined (Ooooh, the word “discipline” is fraught with negative connotations for me…)
I know someone who is in phenomenal shape who works out twice a week only. In her view, any more than that is a waste of time. Sadly, her routine doesn’t work for me. If I let one day slip my willpower begins to slide and my legs and feet grow perceptibly heavier. I need to do at least one routine every day to keep myself interested and encouraged. It may be that the extra working out makes no difference to my body, but this is what keeps me motivated and upbeat. There is no sadder sight than a discouraged me…
Have loads of fun at BlogHer. I hope you don’t run into any PDish commenters!
I used to live there and go back all the time , so if I were looking for a good quick hit of SF-ness it would be a trip to the ferry building
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
You’re right on the waterfront but away from the touristy fisherman’s wharf. Great cupcakes (miette) and cheese to die for (cowgirl creamery) and other bay-area-only shops, no chain stores. You can see both bridges and alcatraz from the pier itself.
If you can swing it for a meal or just appetizers the Slanted Door is yummy, loud, fun, hip and little over the top.
The food at Fisherman’s Wharf and in Little Italy.Yummy fresh seafood & AWESOME gelato….mmmmm!
i had a great dinner for under $20 on a boat at fisherman’s wharf. i think it was called noma rose. i got a glass of wine, salad, great dinner of shrimp and luscious veggies and an evil chocolate dessert, which i ate lingeringly while taking in a great view of the wharf.
if you go to chinatown, hit canton bizarre and ask to see the pillow sculptures. HEHE! they are tiny porcelain sculptures of asian couples copulating in different position. if the wife is too shy to ask for what she wants in bed, she picks the position from their collection and places it on the pillow for her husband to find. unfortunately, i couldn’t afford the doggy style one because i spent all my money on t-shirts and plastic buddhas. oh well, i get it when i want anyway!
I second the Ferry Building. Nice scenery, good people watching and good eats. If you are getting in in the late afternoon, I wouldn’t suggest the Mission as it does get a bit sketchy at night. The SFMOMA not my cup of tea (have you seen the Michael Jackson and Bubbles sculpture?) but if you like modern art, then it would be cool. There just isn’t a whole lot do around the Moscone center. There is a new mall full of VERY expensive stores but I don’t get walking around and staring at stuff I can’t afford! I like the Metreon because of the IMAX theater but those are pretty common nowadays. Although, they do sometimes show regular movies on the IMAX screen which is pretty cool (saw 2 of the Lord of the Rings movies there).
Linda,
Thanks so much for your ongoing diet/exercise motivational posts. I don’t comment much, but I am always inspired by you to keep trying when it seems hard.
Hiya! When I went to San Francisco, the best quick trip I made was to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. Have fun at BlogHer!
Have fun at blogher! I’m jealous! Haven’t been to San Fran since I was seven years old, but I remember eating crabs. Dee-lish.
I’m from Seattle too, and while I love Fisherman’s Wharf, we have stuff enough like it that I wouldn’t use one day on it. I love the walking tour somebody described, North Beach and Russian Hill. Fort Point is right under the SF end of the Golden Gate bridge and is one of my favorite spots in the whole city. Drive up to Twin Peaks if you have a car, the views are spectacular. Walk through the Marina district if you like looking at really cool houses. And Chinatown is different from anything we have here. Have fun, plan to be cold, because you think you’re going to California so it should be warm, but SF is actually foggy and cool most of the time. I’m jealous, SF is about my favorite city after Seattle.
Oh, and Greens. How could I forget Greens. If you do end up down by the Wharf, Greens is a vegetarian restaurant, I think it’s run by Buddhist monks. To die for. Seriously. And I’m not a vegetarian.
ooh - the moscone center is super close to BART, so you can hop on the train & hit up a variety of neighborhoods, whatever suits your fancy. Personally, I would eat a burrito in the Mission.
I second the Union Square bit, especially since the area is within walking distance of the Westin, which is sort of nice. In my nonconferencing, I’m going to wander around there and find me a nice place to sit and do nothing. :) Maybe we could have one of those interactions where you weren’t even EXPECTING to know someone on the street, so it’s even weirder and more awkward? Bonus!
Alcatraz. Totally. Do the walkman tour. Go into a cell and lay on the bed. Visit the gift shop and buy Whitey’s memoir. I lived in SF for years, and it’s the one tourist-y indulgence I could never resist…it holds up even after repeated experiences!
ok, at the risk of sounding seriously dorky…please can I meet you at BlogHer? I am always talking about your blog to my hubby, although we just refer to you as ‘purple fruit’.
I am dragging my whole family with me, however now I am wondering why. I haven’t slept a full night in almost 3 years–this could have been my chance!
As an artist (and former San Franciscan) I would always suggest SFMOMA. Their permanant collection is pretty good and they have the best museum store. The show there right now is Frida Kahlo. She’s basically the shit. But, one of my favorite walks is up Stockton street through Union Square/Chinatown and into North Beach. Shopping, food, people watching, and safe. Have fun. I’m jealous!
If you do nothing else at all, PLEASE drive to Half Moon Bay and walk the paved path along the water. Honestly Linda, I’ve been to SF twice JUST to do the tourist thing and aside from the magnificent oysters, Half Moon Bay was breath taking.
It’s so unfair. I just tried to use the word PORN in my blog post and Typepad said Oops, it appears there’s been some error. Once I swapped out the “O” it mysteriously went right though. Maybe I should switch to Wordpress so I can use all the smut I want.
i have lived in SF about a year, but we have had a crazy number of visitors, and have done many touristy things with them. here is what i liked.
1. Coit tower at sunset. Bring your camera. Hike up to it if you want a kickass workout.Prepare to be crammed in with a bunch of people on the way to the top, but it’s nice up there.
2. The coastal trail–it has great views of the coast and the famous bridge, & it’s pretty wide so you can run on it if you want.
3.We took the ferry out to Alcatraz w/ both sets of parents, and I liked the tour more than I expected.
Also, I’m not vegan or even vegetarian–which may be why this was fun for me–but the hub and I went to MILLENIUM restaurant, which only serves veg food, for dinner and it was really, really good.
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge? It would be lovely at sunset! (which happens a bit EARLIER than up here in WA)
i lived in SF for 8 eight years and i would recommend a very touristy thing - an evening ride on a cable car - walk to the foot of Powell Street (at Market) and get on a cable car… stay on it until the end of the line (Fisherman’s Warf). it is actually quite thrilling to ride over the hills with the cold wind whipping you in the face and see the view of the bay and the city lights and Alcatraz in the distance. it probably won’t even be that crowded at that hour, since the tourists may have already headed off to dinner. kind of kitchsy - but i love it. i did that same ride from time to time when the city was getting me down and i needed to fall in love with it again.
Take a tour of Alcatraz! There is also a trolley museum, and you can’t go wrong with a trip to the Ghiradelli Chocolate factory (not only do you get to buy chocolate to your heart’s content, but you also get to watch it being made)! Just riding the trolley to Ghiradelli square can be a tourist-y event–if you are lucky you will get one of the trolley drivers who doubles as a Tour Guide.
I need to find a client who’ll send me to lots of conferences. Seriously. My week in SFO for Web 2.0 Expo was crazy hard work since I was in the booth all day, but the whole “no kids to get ready in the morning” was a welcome break.
Go to House of Nanking at Columbus and Kearney. Ignore the fact that it looks kinda divey. Let the owner order for you. It is the best Chinese food I’ve ever had and CHEAP! I live in Monterey and make the drive to SF at least once or twice a month to satisfy my craving. Also, I second Golden Gate Park. So many things to do there. Don’t miss the buffalo!
I’ve had the good fortune to visit SF a few times, for fun, not business.
I did the Alcatraz tour at night, and it was interesting. But. LONG. Truth be told, I got a little bored by the end. Also, the night we went it was raining cats & dogs, freezing cold, and miserable. This might have detracted from the experience, so I say — bad weather = definitely no Alcatraz.
My absolute favorite thing in SF is the walk from the Marina to the Golden Gate Bridge. Actually, I run the paths it & it’s a totally inspiring & beautiful place to run. The Presidio is gorgeous so I suggest that as well. There are some neighborhoods in the hills on the other side of the Presidio — Sunset Hills, maybe, is the name of the neighborhood?? I love to ogle amazing houses I would love to own myself, so I consider that good tourist fare.
I drove through the Golden Gate Park & it was really pretty but also, totally packed with tourists. This makes it less appealing, I think.
While you are in San Francisco:
- If you are interested in fancy food and cooking, you should not miss the Ferry Building. Also, if you have time for a great meal, book a reservation at the Slanted Door as soon as possible.
- If you want to check out one of the newer hot neighborhoods, hit the Mission on Valencia.
- If you want to geek out, go to the Precidio and walk around George Lucas’ Digital Arts complex. I believe there’s a statue of Yoda near the entrance.
I had an afternoon/evening/morning stopover in San Fran on my way to Canada at the end of last year. As recommended by a friend, I hired a bike & rode along the waterfront towards Fort Point (I surf here in Oz so was intrigued that you can surf under the golden gate) and up and over the bridge & over to Sausalito…and then caught the last ferry back over. So much fun - even though I was by myself, I enjoyed every second of it. Then I crashed in my hotel and slept like a log. In the morning, I took an Alcatraz tour (the one that actually lets you off to roam around & learn things on the island) and loved every second of that as well. Doing a night one would have been cool, but they were booked out when I tried to book the same afternoon (funny that!).
Have fun!
Ignore everybody except the people who told you to go to the Ferry building and stuff your cake hole with cake from Miette. And then take the F-Market (the oldy timey trolley cars) up to the terminus in the Castro to see the Gays and a bar called the Moby Dick where you can order a drink called Seamens Delight.
Dessert, porn and a tour of the city while seated in a cute trolly car, not a tourist packed cable car that probably costs like $90 now.
Otherwise, the pharmacies in Chinatown are cool because instead of labling the boxes of medicine, they show pictures of the ailement it cures. I used to decorate my cube with boxes of medicine featuring Chinese people with all sorts of pustules.
Another vote for the Ferry Building!
Bring your GPS. Or you will go batfuck crazy in your car.
I went to SF in february, so if you want to peruse my blog entries for Feb, u can see the long version of my observations.
Chinatown is pretty cool.
I enjoyed the murals everywhere in the Mission district–the ice cream place sounds excellent, wish I’d tried it!
Enjoyed Haight-Ashbury, you can check out Amoeba as mentioned above & from that area can walk to see the “Painted Ladies”.
If u ferry over to Sausalito (I thought is pretty but not much going on)eat at at Scoma’s. Actually there is one at the Wharf too. It is an excellent meal.
Wharf is real touristy, but the sea lions were neat.
My only regret is not having time to take the bus to Muir Woods from Sausalito so that I could see the giant redwood trees.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!
San Francisco, beautiful city. You will find plenty to do. I know it may sound tacky, but you gotta ride the cable cars. Well worth getting to see the city and some of the locals. DO NOT ride one of the ones with wooden seats!!! They hurt. Wait for the ones with padded seats.
Also, China town is my favorite. It still has the feel of long time immigrants living there. Weird food in the windows and unusual smells. Lombard street is worth seeing or driving down if you get the chance. Don’t use BART as you will not see anything underground. The Castro is worth it’s historic value and a fun place. You can’t go wrong just walking around. Lot’s of beggers though. Just stay aware.
I’m jealous.
Go watch the sea lions at the wharf… Or go on the boat tour to Alcatraz. Those are the most memorable parts of my trip to SF. The botanical garden is nice too, and riding public transportation is very interesting because of all the different people.
First off - carry layers of clothing, especially since it’s the late-afternoon/evening! Temperature will likely plummet a good 25 degrees.
Wear good walking shoes. Like Seattle, SF is an excellent walking city.
Again taking into account the time of day, I’d suggest a nice (not overly-hilly) walk like this:
- head to the cable-car turnaround at Powell and Market to gawk at tourists’ reactions to street performers and prosletyzers.
- walk north past Union Square (if it’s a weekend, there will be music or an art show or something)
-turn right, walk to Stockton Street, glance left. You’ll be facing the tunnel off of which Sam Spade’s partner fell after he was shot in the Maltese Falcon
-keep heading east another block and you’ll see the Chinatown gate on your left. Go through the gate (turning left onto Grant St), and enjoy the special brand of tackiness.
-Walk all the way up Grant till it hits Columbus Ave at an angle.
-turn left on Columbus, visit the awesome and awesomely-historic City Lights bookstore, and keep walking into the North Beach neighborhood.
-You’ve got about ten trillion great Italian restaurants and cafes to choose from in the next 6 blocks. Chow down!
-Head back downtown, walking or in a cab, and have a drink at the top of the Marriot (aka the Judas Iscariott), which will cost more than your dinner, but is worth it for the view, especially as it gets dark.
i’d head straight for golden gate park. the deYoung museum is amazing to look at, and the stuff inside is good too. also the Japanese tea garden is beautiful.
for walking around/people-watching/shopping i’d go to noe valley, or hayes valley, both have unique shops, yummy food/drinks and an amazing variety of tattoos.
have a great time, sf is the best.
Union Square has good shopping and an Old Navy store that is not to be missed. Since Old Navy/Gap are headquartered there, it’s the flagship Old Navy store. I’m not the biggest ON shopper, but I always find things there.
The best restaurant I’ve ever eaten at in the U.S. is in Pacific Heights (I think), called Betelnut. Amazing Asian food. http://www.betelnutrestaurant.com/
Enjoy!
If you had to go one place, def. Fisherman’s Wharf and be sure to eat some seafood!!!
I am in San Francisco frequently and love it, love it, love it. I agree with all of your readers suggestions…but since you were asking if I were limited on time, what is the one thing I would have to do…and for me, that would be to dine at Cha Cha Cha. There is one in the Mission, but the original (and the better one) is in Haight Ashbury. Excellent Tapas…the calamari is ridiculous, the warm spinach and bacon salad is heaven…and their sangria is the best I’ve ever had, even beating out what I had in Argentina! Have fun.
I brought my toddler to BlogHer last year, but my husband was there to take care of her which really meant that I could basically ignore her existence while I was at the conference. Any other circumstance and I couldn’t even imagine having my kids there with me.