San Francisco Journals

Trolley Cars, Robots, and The Rock

A June 2002 trip to San Francisco by DR CUDDLESWORTH

s.f. dancing Photo - San Francisco, California More Photos
Quote: I went to San Francisco for the first time with co-workers for the 2002 Webby Awards, and really had a wonderful time. I was able to experience many different neighborhoods, take boat tours of the bay, visit alcatraz, and eat some magnificient food.

Trolley Cars, Robots, and The Rock

Overview

s.f. dancing Photo - San Francisco, California
Quote:
As touristy as it is, Alcatraz is a must for a first timer. It is relativly inexpensive (around ) and quite impressive. Make sure you get the audio tour when you make your ticket purchase. Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is also a must. I am completely in awe of that structure. For nightlife, I enjoyed the Mission area where there are lots of cool bars and restaurants, and the Tenderloin area which is a bit creepier, but extremely colorful and interesting.Quick Tips: Bring a coat, even if you "think" it will be warm. It gets cold at night and even the days can be nippy. Even if the day is warm, grab a coat on your way out for the day because you will most likely stay out longer than the...Read More

Hotel Bijou

Hotel | "Bijou"

Quote:
This is a wonderful little hotel with a film motif. Every room is given a title after a movie that was filmed in San Francisco and there is information about that movie in the room. I stayed in "Trenchcoat". The lobby downstairs has a thick 40's art deco design and there is a small theatre that houses the free continental breakfast in the morning and a 7:00pm movie screening every night. This hotel is on the border of a part of town known as the "Tenderloin" which people kept telling us is the "bad" part of town, but coming from living in Brooklyn I found this hard to believe. It is centrally located and a wonderful place to stay. Also, one of my friend's left his wallet in a cab when we were dr...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 20, 2002

Hotel Bijou
111 Mason Street
San Francisco, California 94102
415-771-1200

House of Nanking

Restaurant

Quote:
Family style authentic Chinese fare in the middle of Chinatown (although it was strange that chopsticks were not even offered, maybe this is a San Fran thing). A variety of dishes from northern and southern China. The food is fresh and extremely tasty. Try to go with a few people so several different dishes can be experienced.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 20, 2002

House of Nanking
919 Kearny Street
San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 421-1429

Alcatraz Island/The Rock

Attraction | "Alcatraz"

Quote:
You take a large boat from Pier 39 over to Alcatraz. When you depart the boat, there is a brief (about 3-4 minute) introduction by one of the park rangers. Then you head up the hill to the main cell block to pick up your audio tour headphones. The tour is individual and self guided. You move through at your own pace. It is riddled with strange facts and mysteries of Alcatraz. The bulk of the tour focuses on Alcatraz during the time it was used as a federal prison and not as a Military prison (as it was before) nor much talk of the American Indian occupation of the island after the prison was abandonded. You may stay on the island as long as you wish, or until 6:00pm that same day.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 20, 2002

Alcatraz Island/The Rock
San Francisco Bay
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco 94133
(415) 705-5555

Blue & Gold Fleet

Attraction | "Blue & Gold Bay Tour"

Quote:
This tour is a nice, simple tour of the San Francisco Bay. You move up the SF Bay shorline from Pier 39 toward the Golden Gate Bridge. All along the way there is audio that describes the SF skyline and provides historical facts about the city. Then a fair amount of time is devouted to the the bridge as you approach, move underneath the awesome structure, and turn back around. Then you pass by Angel Island and learn about some of its history. Then, of course, you cruise by Alcatraz and actually stop in the water for about 5 minutes while the audio describes certain things about the island. The audio on this tour actually talked more about the Native American occupation of the island from 1969 to ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 20, 2002

Blue & Gold Fleet
Pier 41 Marine Terminal
San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 705-5555