Going to San Francisco - Updated again

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Today I arrived in San Francisco... This place is buzzing - I like it! There's all types of people here and the scenery is spectacular - a very pretty city. A great place for boats - I have to say. There's obviously a lot to see and so far I've barely scratched the surface. <br /><br />It's a couple of days until the conference starts, so today I took a map and a printout of this thread with me and got to do a few of the suggestions. I've still got the rest of the week (along with the work stuff) there's still lots of time to do more.<br /><br />Crab - I did your walk from Market Street, along Powell, through Chinatown and down to Fisherman's Wharf. As you say - it's a full on experience - like walking through different countries all in one street... Not a short walk either! but was just the right thing to do after a 12 hour plane flight...<br /><br />Bob in Calif - I went to Fisherman's Wharf - the PETA guy was gone - but I still enjoyed the place (definitely a very cold wind as it got later). I went on a harbour cruise under the Golden Gate bridge and then around Alkatraz. It was great. Tomorrow I'm going to look through the WWII submarine and the National Maritime Museum(a few years ago I went through a Soviet nuclear sub now located in Sydney).<br /><br />On the way back to the hotel I found the restaurant that Baldguy recommended- VIVA on the corner of Columbus and Grant. The waiter was bit grumpy but the restaurant and the food were spot on. A good recommendation - I'd recommend that place to anyone - and "The Stinking Rose" looked good too, so I might try that later this week. I must also try some seafood at Fishermans wharf.<br /><br />To be continued...

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Did you tour alcatraz?<br /><br />Sounds like you're having a great time. Take plenty of snaps!

 

[QC]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Cool, thanks for the update.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Welcome to America 62_Kiwi. There are many memories here for ya to take back home to New Zeland. So take all of them you want, and share them with your family and friends when you return. Have a great and event filled trip.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

I'm so glad you're having a great time in our state. I hope your time continues to be grand.<br />Bassy

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

while your there take a wine tasting trip to a winery in petaluma. the kenwood house resturaunt. tell the chef he is a lousy cook cause a guy in a studebaker said so.<br /> it may get ya a hook up.<br /> ft funston is a must see, get to sit on the cliffs and watch the hang gliding nuts and if your lucky you can see the most spactaculr fog roll in in your life.<br /> if they still have it the live rocky horror picture show is cool. used to be on sundays golden gate park was closed to vehicle traffic and you could rent skates and have a ball.<br /><br /> have not been back in a while but I did most my high school at jefferson high in daly city,hogan high in vallejo and san marin high in novato.<br /> lots of killer places to see.<br />best I recall the rainy season is about to commence though.<br /> the chefs name at the kenwood house is John, tell him a guy in a studebaker lark with a dash pipe says hi. he'll know what ya mean

 

[crab bait]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

glad to hear it..!! that's one good walk.. ( thru 4 different countries )

 

[PW2]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Ah, Market Street! Just stand on the street corner, and in no time you'll see at least one of each of what America has to offer! And it is a spendid collection!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Welcome to America Kiki.<br /><br />Given the choice, i'd much rather visit your homeland and Dunaruna's than the land of Fruits and Nuts! Be safe.... and watch your backside!

 

[QC]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Jeez, not you too Keith . . . Man!!<br /><br />I am gonna keep defending this place because it is . . . hmmmmm, it is . . . hmmmmmmm . . . Really cool darn it!!!

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Sorry I took a while to follow up on my "...to be continued". I did get back and it was a superb trip and overall experience. <br /><br />It was great to follow up on much of the advice that I received from here on iboats. I even spread the word around SF about iboats to the big group of (mostly American) people I was with (even told some guys from Salt Lake City, Utah about it!).<br /><br />Baldguy - I went to both your restaurants - both great, thanks. Especially the "Stinking Rose" garlic restaurant, great food and the waitress even recognised my Kiwi accent (most confuse us with Aussies). She was from Ireland.<br /><br />I did the boat trip under the Golden Gate bridge, did the Alcatraz tour, spent lots of time on Fishermans Wharf, did the tourist bus tour of the city - all fantastic and well worth the effort. <br /><br />JTexas - you're right about it being a photogenic city - glad I brought my camera. It would be a crime to not bring a camera to SF.<br /><br />Crab & Rodbolt - I didn't get to travel outside the city much due to lack of time - and so much to see within the city. I may get time to do a more wider look around on my next trip later this month to Palo Alto. Thanks for your input on the wider area, I may still get to use it.<br /><br />Thanks again to everyone that posted here (even the tongue in cheek ones - of course it's not as over the top as you guys make it out). SF is now near the top of my list of favourite places and I'd recommend a trip there to anyone.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Here is a small sample of the photos I took while in San Francisco...<br /><br /><br />The cable cars are a great experience - especially standing on the outside in busy traffic...they'd never allow that in NZ.<br /><br />

<br /><br />The USS Pampanito, WWII submarine with a proud service record - even rescued a bunch of Australian POWs! I went on a tour through her - fascinating.<br /><br />

<br /> Click here for USS Pampanito Home Page <br /><br />Up on deck - I like this shot.<br /><br />

<br /><br />A typical SF Street - just like in the movies...<br /><br />

<br /><br />Looking back at the city from Alcatraz<br /><br />

<br /><br />Alcatraz Island "The Rock". The tour was great. The prison seemed smaller than it looks in the movies.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Inside Alcatraz - home to Al Capone amongst others.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Looks cool at night...<br /><br />

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Here's a few more...<br /><br />A nice beach on SF Bay - near the maritime museum.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Chinatown!<br /><br />

<br /><br />Some pictures need no introduction...<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />A view from up on the hill...<br /><br />

<br /><br />Lastly, a bad photo - but I really liked all the old antique trams they've brought in from all over the country. They all looked different, had been well restored and added a lot of character. A nice touch.<br /><br />

 

[technostingray]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

On behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce let me thank you for your visit. Please come again......

 

[crab bait]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

KIWI,dude.. you got to some way somehow get to muir woods national mounument ..you'll never be the same aftrewards..<br /><br />thanks or the update.. an neet pics..!! sure got proof you been there.. ..<br /><br />GOTTA LUV CHINATOWN..!!

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Originally posted by technoswitcher:<br /> On behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce let me thank you for your visit. Please come again......

Thanks Techno (I certainly will come back), maybe I should have worked in the tourism industry... <br /><br />Crab - Thanks. OK I have to go to Muir Woods this time around . I appreciate your feedback.<br /><br />Yes Chinatown's cool, great food there too. I figure it must be THE Chinatown that the Doobie Bros sing about...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Nah, blow off Muir Woods. Take the drive to Calaveras Big Trees ... then you will never be the same again. You’ll walk in the muted hush of a forrest with trees that are 2000+ years old, some 40-ft in diameter. Kind of cool to see a little 1-ft tall sapling next to a huge tree; the huge tree being the size of the little sapling when Jesus Christ lived.<br /><br />Btw, cool pix.<br /> <br /><br />Edit: Btw, about the water you were drinking in San Francisco; it is still some of the cleanest drinking water on the planet. It originates way up in the Sierra Nevada Mts, snow melt that is collected and cascades down thru a system of reservoirs. At one point it drops thru an 11 (or 17?) mile tunnel bore thru mt rock. By the time the water comes out the other end, any derogatory organism that was in it is dead, including giardia cysts. It is the only drinking water system in the US that is exempted from the federal requirement of chlorine to kill critters.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

i suggested muir woods cause it's only 10 miles over the golden gate.. <br /><br />it's alot closer to be never the same again. ..<br /><br />if you do get there.. BE SURE to turnoff into scenic overlook at the end of the bridge.. it's basicly were the bridge enbunks to mountain... <br /><br />beautful view of the 'city-by-the-bay'..

 

[flips]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Hey kiwi<br />Great place all types of people live there thats for sure. fishermans whaft loved it good food at bubble gumps shrimp and party,if you do angle island tour get the black man he is so funny hope you have a great time.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again

Flips, I went to Bubba Gump's too - indeed great seafood. <br /><br />

<br /><br />18R - thanks for all the info. Those trees sound amazing...<br /><br />Crab - I'll get there to Muir Woods... I've already been to the scenic lookout point at the other end of the bridge. The tour bus stopped there - got some good photos too (like the one below).<br /><br />