BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please

Subject: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Susan A-R
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 02:09 PM

My husband and I will be visiting San Fransisco at the end of March, beginning of April. Any suggestions for good folk, good ethnic food and cheap places to stay would be greatly appreciated. Early music stuff would also be fun.

The whole thought of being somewhere where it isn't below freezing all of the time is pretty exciting, as is the idea of a REAL city (population here in Vermont is less than 600,000 and it gets a little small sometimes, though I wouldn't want to LIVE anywhere else, mind you.)

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 02:30 PM

Damn SusAR...I'm envious already. Of course you know that there are a lot of 'Catters in the area including Seed and Pam and Dave Swan. I'm sure they'd love to see you!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: GUEST,Nancy
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 02:42 PM

Hi Susan, I'm originally from SF, it's a GREAT city, not too big not too small with lots to do! I live up in the mountains now but whenever I go to SF for a visit I stay at the San Remo Hotel, built for workers after the 1906 earth quake, it is charming and NOT too expensive for SF prices. Here is their web-site: http://bayarea.citysearch.com/E/V/SFOCA/1000/03/42/4.html

The other great thing about this hotel is it is located just a few blocks from Pier 39 and the cable cars. Parking isn't far either if you have a rental car (parking is a pain in the neck in the city, be warned!).

Here is another good site to help you plan your trip: http://www.sfgate.com/

If you need any more help in planning and what to see in what amount of time I'll be happy to help, we do this every year for my husbands German relatives so I have it down to a science! Just let me know how I can reach you. Cheers! Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: SeanM
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 04:13 PM

There's a great scene in the bay. There's a HUGE irish presence in SF proper, and a ton of clubs that people will be chiming in with, more than likely.

If you're there on the first Saturday of the month, contact the Hyde St. Pier park rangers regarding the monthly shanty sing (it's on the old wooden ships... an experience NOT to be missed.) On Thursday, the Sons Of the Buccaneers hold forth at Quinn's Lighthouse (in Oakland, not too far from SF proper).

Ethnic foods abound. There's great italian in North Beach, Chinatown is some of the best Dim Sum around, and the outlying communities around the bay have absolutely wonderful cuisine (Berkeley has some interesting entries in this region, but the Mediterranean I had there a few weeks ago was good).

Also, if you're touristing around the city, make sure to stop by Lark in the Morning in Ghiradelli Square. It's one of the better folk instrument shops I've ever seen.

OK, I'll stop the love letter to the city now.

Hope this helps,

M

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Francisco, advice please
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 04:26 PM

Hi, Susan - be sure to take a look at the Website of the San Francisco Folk Music Club (click), although I'm a bit disappointed that what's online isn't as up-to-date as what I have on paper. I've been meaning to go to the East Bay and sing with BSeed and Dave Swan - maybe your visit will be a good motivator for me.
-Joe Offer, Sacramento-

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 04:29 PM

If you're looking for folk/acoustic music of any sort in the Bay area, a good place to start is the San Francisco Folk Music Club website. It has an online newsletter as well as a member directory, so you can see if any old friends are in the area. I believe the club still meets at Faith Petric's house, 885 Clayton St. I know what you mean about cities. I grew up in Philadelphia but now live where it's rural and quiet (and never gets cold!), and love it. But a visit to The City is still a wonderful experience. Have fun!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: MarkS
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 06:21 PM

Try A. Sabellas restaurant just off Fishermans Wharf. Not cheap, but when it comes to seafood, you will not do better. The dungeness crab cocktail is to die for.

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: WyoWoman
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:47 AM

I'll be there Easter weekend, Joe, and will be getting together with P.J. and El Swanno and whatever other folks we can round up at the Swan Pond. Not certain precisely what night, but I"m thinking Saturday was what we discussed.

I'm SO excited ... I hope no one laughs if I sing "Prairie Lullabye" and "Cattle Call." I've been in Wyoming a while now ....

Susan, are you SURE you couldn't postpone your trip until Easter weekend? Then we could have a sure-nuff trans-continental gathering ...

WyoWoman

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:54 AM

Uh-oh. gotta sing at home Saturday night, Wyo. Hope things will work out so I'll get to meet you somehow.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Susan A-R
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 07:09 PM

RATS! It's complicated, and we are kinda locked in. Wish it worked though. Thanks for suggestions.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 08:54 PM

Dim Sum is a must!!!!! Especially the "shumai" not sure of the spelling the steamed bar-ba-que pork buns!

The best Thai food is Marnee Thai on Irving (and 23rd or 24th if I recall...)PH 665-9500--there is still a bit of a wait even with reservations (which are highly recommended).

Sausalito across the Golden Gate is a fun place to go...

Boy, I lived there for 5 years and moved to the LA area only a year ago, and already I have forgotten lots of fun spots!

If you like art museums...I highly recommend the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park (750-3500). Though the DeYoung Museum (which also has some good stuff) and other places are located in Golden Gate Park.

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Fortunato
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 03:42 PM

1)WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T MISS THE SUNSET OVER SF SKYLINE, SAUSALITO AND SF BAY ON THE PATIO OF THE ALTA MIRA HOTEL IN SAUSALITO. PRICE OF A BEER GETS YOU A MILLION DOLLAR EXPERIENCE.

2)Pompei's Grotto, family owned trattoria on Fisherman's Wharf 340 Jefferson St. Small, intimate, reasonable price and great food.

email me if you want sushi recommendation. Muir Woods is a great natural experience (dress warm).

My favorite romantic city.

Cheers, Fortunato

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Susan A-R
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:04 PM

I'm getting excited!!! What a shame that I have to survive February and March (It's headed well below zero again tonight folks) before I can eat and sight see and sing for a week.

Susan a-R

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Steve Goodbar
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:26 PM

IF YOU DROP YOUR KEYS ON POLK ST. KICK 'EM TO VAN NESS AVE.

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 06:30 AM

How about "attire"??

I am inclined to say bring layers and be prepared for anything from rain to summer-like weather or cold/chilly.....March/April is rather "if-fy" from what I remember.

One thing I do know is the late afternoons and evenings in summer are some of the coldest when the fog rolls in!--Didn't Samuel Clemmens say something like "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco"..???

The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason Cable cars take you from Union Square to the Fisherman's Warf area...the stops in Union Square and especially at the Warf end can have very long waits when boarding! If you are catching a cable car to the Warf at the California St intersection, my hint is to walk 1 block down Powell (towards Union Square)--ie to Pine Street--that way you are more likely to get on board the NEXT cablecar thus avoiding the sometimes long wait at California due to the car getting too full FAST.

The tours of Alcatraz are rather interesting....and a drive to the wine country can't be beat....or a drive South down the Great Hwy has spectacular ocean views!--(Geary takes you all the way there branching to the right into Point Lobos Av which turns into The Great Hwy at the historic Cliff House.) The Great Hwy would eventually take you all the way to Monterey Bay (ie famous Aquarium) and a bit further, the beautiful Carmel...(home of Clint Eastwood's Hogbreath Inn Pub/Restaurant)

I miss all the things to do!

Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: GUEST,Dave Swan
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 10:44 AM

Susan,

Drop me an e-mail or message on the 'cat, and we can talk about details, because Pam and I would be happy to show you some of our favorite spots, drag you to sessions, offer cheap advice, try to arrange a singaround.

We enjoy the Bay Area's range of restaurants and can recommend, in no particular order; The Ganges, at Frederick & Arguello in SF for outstanding Indian food in the Gujarati tradition; Ajanta on Solano Ave in Berkeley, first class pan Indian cooking with great prices in an elegant setting; Tommasso's on Kearney in North Beach in SF, an Italian joint opened in the 30's, Tommasso's features an oak fired pizza oven (the first pizza in SF)as well as a full menu; The Pelican Inn in Muir Beach has an inglenook fireplace and Bass served properly over a venerable old bar imported from a public house in England.

There are sessions at the Starry Plough in Berkeley, and the Plough and Stars in San Francisco, among others.

I'll find out what's up on the early music scene, that's usually pretty easy to find around here.

Dress for sun, wind and rain, all in the same afternoon.

We can try to arrange a get together with 'seed and Winter's Wages and the rest of the usual suspects. The music and company are good when that happens.

Just a few quick thoughts. Everyone who's rung in here has had good advice. I think you'll have fun. Please let us know how we can help.

Cheers, Dave & pj.

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: GUEST,Winters Wages
Date: 08 Feb 00 - 04:23 PM

Yes, all of what Dave has said is true. The Pelican Inn is very romantic..At least I thought so..I have had many a pint as well as champagne there. Quite a few times making my way home around the curves clutching my rosary beads. You must also take a sail out on the bay (which we can arrange) and view the city front...Ahh, those were great years for me, around 1998...Now it's just MRE's (meals ready to eat) and errr. opps! never mind..put the violins away..and uh.."Johnny" pour me another..**BG Regards Winters Wages

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Susan A-R
Date: 09 Feb 00 - 09:49 PM

Thanks all. This is great. Now it is at least a bit warmer, but it sounds as if it is RAINING out there Ugh!! At least I won't have to dress for snow. It takes about an additional 20 minute sout of the day, all of these boots, hats, coats, scarves and things, and then sometimes (if you are like me) you lose em and oh well, it will be over soon, and sooner than that I'll be in San Francisco. with Catters. BG!!

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: GUEST,GUEST: Melani
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 01:31 PM

The Hyde St. Pier Chantey Sing is the first Saturday of every month, 8 p.m. to midnight--in April, that will be the 1st. I have a feeling that an April Fool's Day Chantey Sing is not to be missed, but be sure and call first to make sure there is no date change. Call and register at 415-5567-67435. Free admission, open jam session. The Starry Plough sessions are every Sunday from 8 p.m. at the Starry Plough in Berkeley--also free admission. Have fun!

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: GUEST,Winters Wages
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 01:40 PM

Yes, I forgot to mention the Hyde Street Pier..The Chantey Sings are great..you dont want to miss that...If you go to L.J. Quinns Lighthouse & Pub on Thursdays you may also meet some of the players from the chantey sing..The group Starboard Watch performs every Thursday at 8:00. You will love it..Just ask Dave Swan...Regards Winters Wages..(PS Melani I still owe you that tape...if you are the same Melani Im thinking of...if not..please disregard**BG) Winters Wages clear!

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Sourdough
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 05:02 PM

I just realized that today is THursday and I can actually get to San Francisco this evening. Can anyone tell me where Quinn's Lighthouse and Pub is?

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: SeanM
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 05:25 PM

Quinn's is actually in Oakland, off Embarcadero if memory serves. It's a restaurant by the shore, so directory assistance should be able to get you their number.

Barring that, someone with more precise directions will probably chime in shortly.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Sourdough
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 06:31 PM

Sean M: Thank you.

Oakland is fine. I can get there even easier that to SF but Embarcadero is long. At least now I know what city ro tell 411 that I want the number from.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 10:16 PM

HI all, I think I get to come to Mill Valley to talk to my freinds at Smith & Hawken at the begining of March [ Early in the week I think] but I will copy all this out for the great imformation..I want to play banjo with Mr Seed and blues with everyone.As it gets closer and I'm a little more sure of whats happening I will ask around. All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: GUEST,_gargoyle
Date: 10 Feb 00 - 11:14 PM

It appears that the most benevolent Mr. BSeed; has been occupied of late.

Please try to contact him through the e-mail addresses. He is the "local" athority on the happenings within that hemisphere of the MC. (And a VERY good authority also)

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Susan A-R
Date: 15 Mar 00 - 10:25 PM

well, it's the night before I start on my journey, and I'm just going back through this thread for info and ideas and phone numbers and such. See folks out there at the end of March beginning of April. I'll be in touch with Dave Swan once I get there. Wow!! (oh, and it would help if I had spelled San franCisco properly, but I got a lot of good info anyway, so who says spelling is important??

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: BS: Visiting San Fransisco, advice please
From: Susan A-R
Date: 27 Mar 00 - 01:35 PM

Well, I did not get eaten by sharks or stung by scorpians, or bitten by snakes, or even capsized while kayaking. Phase one of my vacation was great. I'm now finishing my brief break in AZ visiting my sister, and tonight it's on to San Francisco!! Looking forward to meeting Bay Area folks on Sunday (or perhaps Saturday at the Hyde St. Pier sing.) Thanks for all of the ideas. Susan A-R