Teach Soap

At the end of the month, my hubby and I are headed to San Fran (him for business, me for pleasure) and we will be staying in San Francisco. I was hoping someone could tell me the best place to eat seafood and do a little shopping and site seeing. I really want to go to Alcatraz but I don't want to go by myself and he will be busy during the day. We are staying at the Queen Anne (a haunted hotel!!) in Pacific Heights district. I am sure that atleast one day I will drive around (great little boutique in Campbell that I love to go to when I am in Cali) but I don't want to drive all over every day. Any help?

Thanks.

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Haven

i am no help, but i hope you have a great time!! one day i'll make it out to the west coast!!

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~Shell

I cannot help much either, I haven't been there in 19 years so I'll assume that it's a bit more pricy now. Fishermans warf is where I went and they have it all there, good food, tons of shopping and it's a big tourist attraction, with lots of events and great views of course. There is probably about 50 or more restaurants there or crab shacks, etc..very good eating where ever you go. Oh, and another great place is China Town, it's the largest one anywhere besides Asia of course. Have a great trip.

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"Maintaining Balance Between People and Nature"

You're coming at a beautiful time of year here! I've lived here for a while (12 years on and off - back here now for the last 2) and I love showing people around!

Scoma's at Fisherman's Wharf is good if you want to sit down for seafood. Any of the clam chowder in a bread bowl places at Pier 39 or Fisherman's Wharf will be fun too (stand up, street food style). Union Square is good for shopping, North Beach for Italian food. Also, if you're here on a weekend check out the Ferry Building Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings (until 2 I think). There's all sorts of produce, breads, cheeses, olives, etc and it's really fun. You can also check out sfstation.com and yelp.com to find events and happenings on the weekend you'll be here. Yelp is really big out here so if you're looking for a restaurant it's always good to "Yelp it" and get some ideas!

Your hotel is near Japantown and the Fillmore District - lots of fun boutique shopping on Fillmore St - totally walkable from your hotel (I have to do the window-shopping kind, but it's still fun.) Also, lots of sushi and asian noodles in Japantown.

The buses are a great way to get around town (especially to get to Fisherman's Wharf because otherwise you pretty much have to cab, and parking is expensive!) It can be overwhelming at first to figure out the schedules if you're not used to taking public transit but the drivers are really helpful. (Also will give you a taste of the "real city") You need $2 in exact change when you get on the bus. Info on routes is at 511.org and Google Maps will give you directions using public transit also. From your hotel you can take the #47 bus to Fisherman's Wharf area - walk 4 blocks to Van Ness St and the stop is right there. You can also take the #2 on Gough St to get downtown - to the Ferry Building and the Powell St Cable Car stop. The cable cars are fun of course but the line will be really long on a nice weekend! (Best to do first thing in the morning!) Cabs are also do-able, of course - from where you are everything in the city should be less than a $15 ride.

Your hotel staff will probably also be able to point out some buses, etc. It's a great hotel but just be aware that a few blocks south & east of your hotel is the Tenderloin neighborhood - so be sure not to walk around there at night. (Not to scare you, but just be aware that if you wander over there you have to be a bit careful). I'd stay on Van Ness or Fillmore (busy, well let streets) if you're walking South. Everything north of your hotel is the ritzy part of town so you'll be fine.

Hope that's a bit of help! Have a great time!

Wow! Thank you so much for the information! I will have a rental car but during the day (unless I plan to go out of the city) I would prefer to not take it since parking is so expensive. I do plan to go to Alcatraz one day and then window shop some time too. Thank you again. I will also keep in mind the Tenderloin neighborhood. It just sounds scary. Good thing I won't be on my own at night.

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Haven

Great, have fun! Forgot to mention you probably want to book Alcatraz tickets in advance because it can sell out, even on weekdays. The official site is http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ but there are also other sites to get tickets I think - just Google it.

UGH! I'm so sorry I did not see this sooner. I got married at The Queen Anne!!! - but it looks like you got some good info from ladolcezza about SF -- if you need more then e-mail me direct at asliceofdelight@yahoo.com -- I have other ideas too but don't want to spend time writing if you've already come and gone from here.

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http://www.asliceofdelight.etsy.com

Thanks but we are already back. The Queen Anne was beautiful! I didn't get to go to Alcatraz but that's ok. We ate great food and had fun seeing the city. I drove through Haight Ashbury but couldn't stop because there was no parking. I drove past the Painted Ladies but again, couldn't stop because of no parking. I snapped a picture of the Octagon House as I drove past. I had lots of fun. Next time I get to go, we will definitely be going to Alcatraz. I made my husband promise me. Of course, that could be 2 years from now....Next time, I will ask again for more suggestions.

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Haven