Going back to Cali......

[chadizzy1]

I'm going to Cali in October.
Usually on my WC trips I visit SoCal, but this time I'm going up to NorCal and staying in San Francisco for a week.
So far, all I've really got planned is checking out Alcatraz, it's something I've always wanted to do.
Also gonna meet up with Jon (formerly of ClubSnus.com) and say hello.
Anyone from NorCal have any suggestions on cool activities/must see places?

[texastorm]

I am more the outdoorsy type, I would go hiking in Yosemite, or take a trip to Big Sur. One of my favorite trips ever was camping in Big Sur with a beautiful woman for 2 weeks. Might be the companionship skewing my memories, but I remember the rest of the scenery was amazing. If you have or rent a sporty car, the drive down hwy 1 is hairy and scary.

If your stuck in the city, just keep your head down and avoid the natives... they are all crazy and it is contagious.

[lxskllr]

Checkout a San Francisco bath house. They're like the old Roman baths; but different. Trust me ;^)

[EricHill78]

[Snusdog]

Have fun bro.................I think PP hangs out at many of the Bathhouses when he is in town.................you know...............can't have empty barrels laying about..........so you might want to ask him

for me though.............I'm with Tex...............find a trail and get out into the wide open.

[granola]

OK here's some ideas:

1) If driving to Big Sur (3hrs) or Yosemite (5hrs) is out of the question, there's still lots of hiking in and around SF. Head down to the Presidio, at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, and there are some great trails with amazing views. You can also check out Fort Point, at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge -- it was built way back before the bridge existed as a military post to protect the bay.

2) For more nearby hiking/outdoor options, if you have a car head over to Mt Tam (hike to the top), Muir Woods (hike around the forest), or Stinson Beach (hang out on the sand). Protip: summer in SF = cold. Bring a jacket.

3) If you like Belgian beer, check out La Trappe in north beach. For amazing German food and beers (you can get a 1-liter boot if you want) go to Leopold's in Russian Hill -- I love that place. My favorite spot for Mexican food is a funky place called Nick's Crispy Tacos, also in Russian Hill -- it's a bar too with TVs if you need to do any sports viewing. Protip: at the Belgian place, walk in and go immediately downstairs to the cellar; at Leopold's, try the wiener schnitzel; and at Nicks, get your tacos "Nick's Way" (extra fried tortilla plus guacamole).

4) If farmers markets are your thing, check out the Ferry Building on Saturday morning, or Fort Mason on Sunday. Protip: even if you aren't into fresh fruit and local-organic-pasture-raised-no-antibiotics-meat and such, Fort Mason is also a great place to bring some beers and a sandwich and just hang out (it's a nice park area at the northern end of the city).

5) Walking across the golden gate bridge is fun and has some great views. Protip: Go early, otherwise it gets really busy (especially right now since they have the bike lanes closed on the other side of the bridge, which means pedestrians + bikes = mayhem).

6) For a badass breakfast burrito look-up Double Play Bar & Grill. It's adjacent to where the old San Francisco Seals baseball team originally played and their breakfast burritos are amazing. Protip: ask for the salsa in packets, seriously, you will see what I mean.

7) If you like baseball, AT&T park is a must-see. Cheaper tickets can be had on craigslist, or there's always plenty of scalpers. Protip: try getting there after the first inning if you plan to buy scalper tickets, since they will be selling em much cheaper by that point.

8) Another great spot in the city for Mexican food is, of course, the Mission. Protip: El Farolito is probably my favorite burrito place, but there's a ton of really good places.

9) Last, if you want to experience some hippie-dippie-doobie action, head to the Haight. There's lots of food, clothes shops with cool tshirts, and head shops of course. Protip: someone will probably offer to sell you weed.

Let me know if there's any other spots you're going to be and I probably have more recommendations.

[Ansel]

Go to Juan's Place in Emeryville for the best Mexican meal!

[sgreger1]

Hit me up man! I live right outside of San Fran and am up there all the time since that's where my family lives.

No ideas on what you should do while up there though, depends on how long you got and what you like to do. Lots of cool museums and landmarks and stuff, and lots of good places to eat, but the place is a shithole otherwise. Hit me up if you need a ride anywhere man!

[Roo]

Enough with the Rebecca Black signature Chad!! I only know her name from this forum. lol what is wrong with you people (ahem Nash, Eric, Chad...) This thread makes me want to go to the Bay. I'll be going to Santa Rosa for a wedding in September. I can't wait to drink Plineys on tap at Russian River Brewery!

[devilock76]

"I don't think so"

Ken

[granola]

I can't wait to drink Plineys on tap at Russian River Brewery!

Pliney the Elder or Pliney the Younger? That beer is so damn good.

[Roo]

Pliney the Elder or Pliney the Younger? That beer is so damn good.

I will have both, and a few others. I've never had Younger, but yeah Pliney the Elder is damn-near the best beer I've ever been lucky enough to try a couple times.

[dpete]

7) If you like baseball, AT&T park is a must-see. Cheaper tickets can be had on craigslist, or there's always plenty of scalpers. Protip: try getting there after the first inning if you plan to buy scalper tickets, since they will be selling em much cheaper by that point.

I absolutely believe the Giants will still be playing (and winning!!!) in October but playoff tickets might be a bit pricey. If you can come earlier in the season by all means take in a game. AT&T Park is a jewel.

You might want to check out a few of the SF travel apps in the app store. You can look at things and list where you might want to go.

As you like beer you should go to Tommy's Joynt at Geary and Van Ness. I'd wager they'd have something that would leave your Stella by the wayside.

The music scene is nowhere near what it used to be but check out the clubs via the internet before you get here. Might be something of interest and the women can be friendly. At least that's what I hear. Age and marriage has killed the club scene for me.

[STINKBOTO]

Go hang out in East Oakland......it's a "blast"

[GoVegan]

Wouldn't be a real trip unless you visited Broadway St. in San Francisco!