I'm in a few leagues and I drive to other places to play all the time. I've found pretty high quality runs with some Pro-Am guys.

It's just crazy to me that there aren't 20 basketball nuts like me in a city this big who would go out every day to play pick-up. I guess I could get a gym membership to the Bay Club or whatever it's called, but I'm broke.

Bump from my previous post.

Ended up using Priceline to get hotel rooms for early-mid August. One Thursday night, and one Sunday night.

Finally got winning bids for $80 on each night. I was sticking with 4-star and boutique generally, before having to drop down to 3-stars.

Staying one night at the Warwick Regis. Seems to be in the Union Square area.

Second night is at the Club Quarters San Francisco. Upscale business traveller place I guess? Close to the Embarcadero Center apparently.

Shopping around, it looks like Priceline found me some decent deals. Looking foward to checking out the details of this thread some more when my trip approaches. Perhaps some of the San Fran crew will be interested in drinks on of the nights we're around.

I've only been there a couple of times on business, but two great old-school eating places are Tadich Grill and the Tonga Room. Tadich has good steak and seafood and a huge oval bar. Tonga Room is a throwback but somewhat upscale Polynesian tiki place (think Trader Vic's) with good tropical cocktails and a pool in the middle of the room with "storms" (rain + thunder) every 15 minutes or so. The last time I was there, they had a corny 70's combo playing on a boat in the middle of the pool.

One last pick-up basketball related post . . .

Anybody gonna head out to the marina to play today? Seems like a good day out. I'm thinking of heading out around 5ish.

I used to live half a block north of the Fairmont on Mason. Whenever I was entertaining out of town guests, the Tonga Room was always the last stop. Free mixed nuts, $9 hurricanes, and the water feature. Plus, there are some great photos in the hall outside of the old Fairmont from prior to and just after the 1906 quake (the hotel was under construction at the time of the quake, and was one of a very small number of significant structures to survive the quake for many miles around - it was damaged by the fire, but it was not yet furnished and there was little to burn.) The hotel lobby is not to be missed either.

Fantastic. I just typed like an hour trip report, and when I went to submit it, the FORM WAS NO LONGER VALID, deleting my entire ***** post.

Anyway, cliff notes: My first trip to SF was ***** awesome of course, and when I get my ***** digital pics loaded, I may post them in here. Thanks EDGD for all the great advice!

(I'm seriously pissed, I can't believe it deleted my whole ***** write-up).

My friend is having a party since he is leaving work. After dinner they are going to: Bourbon and Branch Has anyone been here? it sounds really weird and awesome at the same time.

Okay so my family's home is in Palo Alto and we also have a condo up in SF, so I know quite a bit about the place. You guys know an incredible amount about the food up there, I am amazed.

But anyway -

1. Anywhere to play live poker besides Jackson? Will I def get carded at Bay 101/Lucky Chances? I'm 20 by the way. Don't have to wait too long I guess.

2. Anywhere to get Jet Skiing? I love jet skiing and I know I can do it at Lake Berryessa and Lake Tahoe... but I'm wondering if anyone has been watersporting at either place and might be able to provide a review of some sort. I have only been to Tahoe in the winter.

Alright, well good job with the SF reviews! I now go to school in NY... and I gotta say, NY may be for some people, but I'm definitely more of a San Francisco guy. I love the Bay Area!

Went mountain biking at Saratoga Gap today in Los Altos [south bay/peninsula]. 13 miles, 1800 feet vertical gain, gorgeous mostly single track. For more info find the trail review at www.mtbr.com (AWESOME website)

is mountain biking VERY difficult? it looks hard.. I play many sports (trying to say I'm athletic without sounding stupid), and I think mountain biking would be fun.. but I'm not really looking for an intense workout, you know?

Go eat at Orale Orale...

OK if y'all don't mind, I'm going to post pics from my trip earlier this month. If they are too large, or stretch the page out, I will be happy to delete them.

Here are the first few:


Chinatown:

Union Square:

Good call. I used to go weekly and Friday's crab enchiladas are great. Chimichangas are terrific the rest of the week, and that little gravy boat of fresh salsa might be the best in the city.

From atop Coit Tower:

GG Bridge:

Alcatraz, as seen at the foot of Coit Tower:

Golf Course in foreground

Alcatraz in background:

Lands End:

Three more from Lands End:

Alamo Square:


La Viansa Winery, was 106 degrees this day!!!

Miner Family Winery:


Looking back towards Coit Tower:

A few pics from Alcatraz Island:

Looking back from Alcatraz:

Seals at Fisherman's Wharf:

Beautiful City Hall building, and some random night shots:

We stayed at the Handlery Hotel, seen here:

All,
2 of my friends who recently graduated are getting jobs in SF, and I'm considering moving there with them.
What neighborhoods are the best for recent graduates working in the city? (dont say castro) Ideally we'd like to not be in the ghetto, close to some good bars, not have to share rooms, and not have to pay much more than $1000 a month for rent.

Thanks

Hi Everyone,

I just spent about ten days in San Francisco, and just wanted to mention that this thread was an absolute gold mine of info for me, particularly with regard to places to eat. So, thanks for the recommendations.

-neon.

PS,

Check OOT for a recent SF neighborhoods thread. The Mission is probably the right answer for you.