Hey everyone, I'm heading out to San Fran next Monday (Aug 8th) for a week and staying with a friend. The first 3 days I'm there (Mon-Wed) he'll be working 9-5, so my plan is to wander around the city and explore (I won't have a car). I've read through most of this thread and definitely plan on bumming around Mission District (La Taqueria), Chinatown, and Golden Gate Park (maybe Cal Academy).

Does anyone have other ideas for what would be fun for a 23-year old male to do by himself during the day? I generally prefer to just visit unique areas and walk around and explore as opposed to doing "touristy" things but I'm open for anything.

Also, I've been to SF briefly but haven't ridden BART/MUNI. Any advice/resource for a noob so I don't ride around the city in circles all day?

4,

Wandering around those three areas (hit Dolores Park when in Mission) is pretty much exactly what I'd recommend, and I like doing exactly what you describe when I travel places. When you go to the park, you can go all the way to the ocean on one side and wander around the Haight on the other side.

Even though it's super touristy, you might want to check out Alcatraz, I think it's a really interesting tour and I'm generally not into that kind of stuff at all.

You'll find public transit to the areas you want to go very easy.

511.org is a muni trip planner for the SF bay area. Input start and finish location, output transit route. The bus is 2 dollars and you need exact change.

For the mission, stick to Valencia st, probably between the areas of 14th and 24th ave. Mission st is depressed and kinda sucks. If it is nice out, you should check out Delores park for sure. Def go to park and I love the science museum. I'd skip Chinatown personally...

El D,

Thanks for the Macy's rec, I'll be heading there today.

4,

Don't listen to Mikey re: the Mission. That stretch of Valencia is great, but it's also very gentrified and white. Definitely wander all around grimier parts of the Mission, tons of awesome stuff, even though you might have to interact w/ some real Mexicans and stuff. Chinatown has similarly awesome areas to explore.

Mikey,

Good chance Macy's might not be able to do alterations in time, but there are plenty of tailors around there that can take care of you same-day (look 'em up on Yelp).

The other parts of the mission are boarded up. As in half the commercial buildings have wooden planks over the windows. If being economically depressed is cool, than consider a lot of the Mission to be Miles Davis.

Obviously there are cool things in all areas...I'm just going for concentration here.

Any suggestions as to where to stay in the city?

Visiting for a few days on an impromptu Vegas/LA/SanFran week to escape the east coast and haven't set my SanFran hotel yet. Like 4ObliVioN4, I'm running it solo--so ideally it would be fairly central to all of the interesting stuff. Only have a couple days, so want to limit transit times.

Also, any cyclists here? Thinking about renting a road bike and heading all around on it, maybe a little farther away than one would go via walking/transit. Trying to gauge if that's an option. Love to bike and want to sneak in a ride (and explore).

Rent a bike and ride across the golden gate bridge it's awesome!!!

From the rental place in Fisherman's Wharf to across the bridge in Sausalito its like 5-7 miles. Have a beer and a late lunch, take the ferry back. It's a good day.

Thanks for the ideas guys. Can't wait to get out there and really experience the city. My plan is to move there early next year if I love the city as much as I did the first time I was (briefly) there.

Extending a little south, anyone have any top-notch eating recommendations for Monterey? Brother is moving down there and we'll be going down soon. Any other good Monterey tidbits (other than the aquarium)?

Picked up a light blue cotton suit at Macy's for 170 inc. tax. Style thread watchout.

Thanks for the rec.

L'Auberge in Carmel on the corner of 7th and Monte Verde has been amazing both times I've been there. Definitely worth the short drive from Monterey. Only a couple of tables, so you'll need reservations, but it is still relatively little-known so it's not a tough res. to secure.

We will be in SF next week and want to check out Off The Grid - the food truck thing that roams around. I've attached a link to their daily locations. We are there Tuesday to Friday.

For those living in SF, what would be the best (ie easiest without a car) location/day to try given that we are in Union Square?

Also, what would you say are your two best museums to hit up while there?

Lastly, anything super interesting going on next week like a festival or something?

I'm sure a lot of this is in the thread but I don't feel like sifting through 600+ posts.

I'm planning a trip to SF sometime soon (before Oct 1).

What is the best area to stay in assuming we won't have a car? SOMA? We'll be looking to see the city, explore a lot...bars and restaurants as well.

Also, is there ANYWHERE to play poker in the city or do we have to travel to Lucky Chances...Bay101?

Back to combing this thread. If any 2p2s live in the area and want to meet up...PM me.

http://offthegridsf.com/weekly-markets

Today the food trucks are at the Civic Center, which is a walk from Union Square.

The California Science Museum and the DeYoung are right across the street from each other. And they are both in golden gate. There is also the SF MOMA in SOMA.

Union Square/SOMA is a good place to stay...centrally located, lots of bus lines and cabs.

Just home games and bar backrooms for city games. I do host occasionally, but probably not in the next few weeks.

And as far as festivals...

Outside Lands Music Festival
http://www.sfoutsidelands.com/lineup/

It's this weekend. I got myself a 3 day pass...pretty great lineup this year.

Thanks Mikey.

rocking out at outside lands for the weekend. is taking the bart the best option to go to and fro or would taxi be better?
also, dinner recommendations for union square that are open late would be appreciated too.

homeboy: BART doesn't go over by the park. You can take MUNI bus or rail to there. You can take a taxi there if you want, but expect to walk a good distance before you find a taxi back. Union Square area, Burger Bar and Ryoko Sushi are open late and both very good. Million Thai is a few blocks away, cheap and decent late-night fare.

celi: Wednesday lunch OTG at 5th/Minna is short walk from Union Square. SFMOMA is cool, as for a second museum, just depends on what you're into and what they are currently showing.

The 3 locations that are easy to get to from Union Square are 5th & Minna, UN Plaza & Civic Center. Walking to the latter 2 is kinda sketch from Union Square, but you can take the BART or MUNI underground 1 stop from Powell to Civic Center for either one. IMO Off The Grid is pretty awesome.

uhh waiting for cab for outside lands...taking forever...

For late night Union Square eats, I recommend Genki Ramen
http://www.genkiramen.com/home/

Open 'till 1 AM, great great ramen.

Celiboy: On August 20th, there will be a street food festival in the Mission at 22nd and Folsom. A lot of the food trucks from off the grid will be there. Not sure if you will be in town at that time.

celi,

Oh, Mikey reminded me. I forgot about this place open late by Union Square: http://www.yelp.com/biz/katana-ya-san-francisco

I haven't been to Genki Ramen, but people ****ing LOVE Katana Ya (I thought it was pretty good, not as INCREDIBLE as people seem to find it).

Mikey - been there?