24hrs in San Francisco..some pics and places

[RDMcG]

I travel to SF often on business, but never stay. Its a pleasant place, and I found myself with a spare day and decided to just enjoy the city for a change. Its not real a car place, but there are cars:













However, there are some good restaurants and bars.

(1) Smugglers Cove..(no pics). This is a tiki bar with 300 kinds of rum and one of the best places for a serious cocktail. Only holds 40 people and they do not overcrowd. Amazing cocktails. They serve regular drinks but I never saw any served. No reservations, no snacks, and avoid at weekends as there are lineups.

(2) Benu:
One of the best restaurants in the US, but eyewateringly expensive, though no more than a first rate London restaurant:






Taddich Grill

Cheap, no reservations,no Amex ,feels like a 1940 detective novel...long bar , no decor, and has been unchanged since 1967, when it moved from its previous location and brought the decor with it. If you like shrimp cocktails and 6 oz steaks and a menu that has not changed in years, this is the one. Great beer and atmosphere even if you just drop by for a drink.





Lunch at the Ferry Terminal, try Hog Island Oyster Co. Not expensive, no reservations, superb oysters



Sausalito Ferry
Sausalito is just tat and T shirts, but the ferry is a relaxing trip. I just got off at Sausalito, had a beer at the one good place, (the No Name bar- cash only) and came back, Great views of the Golden Gate,Alcatraz, and SF itself








At the Ferry terminal they have flying people now....a zip line runs the length of the terminal and I saw a few people overhead......








The $18 all day pass gets you cable cars and all other public transport..well worth it. They have the cable cars of course, but they have collected all sorts of obsolete street cars from around the world and left them in their original livery..here are a few:






They seem pretty relaxed about dogs in patio restaurants too:



Overall, quite a nice place to spend a day

[Fetchez la vache]

2nd car is a beaut. Love SF - one of the few places in the US I could live at the drop of a hat, one of the reasons being the food, as you have rightly commented!

Good write up

[andrew311]

Awesome pics. I love SF, I was still there a year ago to the day after spending over 3 weeks touring CA.

[RDMcG]

Fetchez la vache said:

2nd car is a beaut. Love SF - one of the few places in the US I could live at the drop of a hat, one of the reasons being the food, as you have rightly commented!

Good write up

House prices are very high, unfortunately. SF did not participate in the US freefall.

[traffman]

I absolutely love San Fran , one of my all time fave places.

Alcatraz was fantastic especially when it turned to dusk outside , full of atmosphere.

I would love to have a residence in saulsolito , i know thats the wrong spelling .

[CedGTV]

I am just on my way to the airport for 10 days over there and then LA. I will try to post up some pic's as well as and equally interesting.

Edited by CedGTV on Tuesday 18th October 09:43

[FUBAR]

RDMcG said:

Sausalito is just tat and T shirts, but the ferry is a relaxing trip. I just got off at Sausalito, had a beer at the one good place, (the No Name bar- cash only) and came back, Great views of the Golden Gate,Alcatraz, and SF itself

Toured CA in May, had Sausalito down to visit as we had a free few hours when we arrived in SF, but on our travels we bumped into a SF local who recommend we visit Tiburon instead (as Sausalito was "just tat and t-shirts"). Lovely place that. Maybe not as 'buzzy' but a great place for lunch (and if I lived in the area, that's where I would hang my hat)

[RDMcG]

FUBAR said:

Toured CA in May, had Sausalito down to visit as we had a free few hours when we arrived in SF, but on our travels we bumped into a SF local who recommend we visit Tiburon instead (as Sausalito was "just tat and t-shirts"). Lovely place that. Maybe not as 'buzzy' but a great place for lunch (and if I lived in the area, that's where I would hang my hat)

I like Tiburon very much also, but the ferry service from SF is very spotty, so if you go you need to know the schedule. I was tight for time.

[FUBAR]

Luckily I still had a few hours before I had to return the hire car

[Ali2202]

Loved your Pictures Sir

SF is one of the World's top 3 Cities. (HK and London are the others I think)

In fact you've just inspired me to book flights for SWMBO and myself in Feb.

Cheers!

[RDMcG]

Ali2202 said:

Loved your Pictures Sir

SF is one of the World's top 3 Cities. (HK and London are the others I think)

In fact you've just inspired me to book flights for SWMBO and myself in Feb.

Cheers!

Hope you enjoy it..there is much more good stuff than the few pics I posted and its worth checking out in advance what you want to do.

[Deva Link]

RDMcG said:

Sausalito is just tat and T shirts, but the ferry is a relaxing trip. I just got off at Sausalito, had a beer at the one good place, (the No Name bar- cash only) and came back, Great views of the Golden Gate,Alcatraz, and SF itself

I always try to get an early lunch on the deck of Horizons restaurant in Sausalito - early as it quickly gets packed.

[Ali2202]

RDMcG said:

Hope you enjoy it..there is much more good stuff than the few pics I posted and its worth checking out in advance what you want to do.

My 6th visit there......last one was over 10 years ago. We've Friends down in Carmel so a bit of touring will be added in.

[Allanmac]

Never been, didn't get the opportunity when I was in the area. Spent the day in Oakland, hated it! One of the worst places I've been.

I was amazed at how close the two are, and I can imagine the difference between the two places is stark. It was good however to get a good wee view of San FRan and at night time from the other side its spectacular. Did get to see the Golden Gate Bridge at night time, and the silhouette of Alcatraz.

I work on a ship which called there..