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Long Weekend in San Francisco

An October 2000 trip to San Francisco by CalvinMitch

San Francisco - Europe in America! An East Coasters view of the 'Left Coast' jewel

  • 8 reviews

Long Weekend in San FranciscoBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Wonderful accomodations, incredible meals, plus we do some of the touristy things..

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Archbishop's MansionBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Holy deluxe accomodations, Batman! We splurged on an B&B/Inn that was highly recommended as one of the more romantic hotels in America.
Built by the Archbiship of San Francisco at the turn of the century, the Archbishop's Mansion is located on Alamo Square Park - home of the famous 'Painted Ladies'.
Their basic rooms were sold out, so we 'made do' with the Don Giovanni Suite... The adjoining salon was bigger than the room! The suite was marvelously furnished and the shower featured seven shower heads! (They should increase the water pressure, the seven heads were not all they seemed to be).
The breakfast that was included was basic. The service was impeccible. I would certainly recommend staying here, but would recommend one of the smaller rooms...it was simply too much space for us!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on October 28, 2000

Archbishop's Mansion
1000 Fulton Street San Francisco, California 94117
(415) 563-7872

Ana MandaraBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Our first experience at a Vietnamese restaurant. The atmosphere was wonderful! It seemed like a set from a movie - the setting was a darkening village. Maybe the movie-like setting is due to the owners being Don Johnson and Cheech Marin. The food was very good and our service was swell. I had the banana blossom salad, I would highly recommend it.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on November 3, 2000

Ana Mandara
891 Beach Street San Francisco, California
(415) 771-6800

AquaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Holy five-course meal, Batman! Incredible food at premium prices. Could have been the best meal I ever had. Posh downtown eatery. We selected the sampler - 2 each of a 1/2 serving of an appetizer, 2 each of a 1/2 serving of entrees and a desert sampler. It was recommended by our server (no wonder at $75 a person!) and was worth it. I still dream about the dessert sampler...mmmmmm
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on October 28, 2000

Aqua
252 California Street San Francisco, California
(415) 956-9662

Timo'sBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Timos Tapas Bar"

A very cool little place near the Mission Dolores. If you are not familiar with Tapas, they are appetizer-sized dishes that are ordered together to make a meal. We went with Timos Potato Decadance (yummy) and the Botifarra amb mongetes - a sausage dish that was also yummy. Great atmosphere!!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on October 28, 2000

Timo's
842 Valencia Street San Francisco, California 94110
(415) 647-0558

Ghirardelli SquareBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Ghiradelli Square"

Ugh... All the tour books say to avoid it and we concur. Tacky with a capital Yuck. Should be avoided at all costs. The shops offered standard souvenir fare - tacky t-shirts, little Golden Gate medallions, overpriced film. Ghiradelli isn't even there anymore! There is a nice Vietnamese restaurant nearby - Ana Mandara in Ghiradelli Square. The only reason to be there is to board the boats to Alcatraz or Sausilito....
  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on October 28, 2000

Ghirardelli Square
900 North Point St San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 775-5500

City Lights BookstoreBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Beatific! Hip and cool bookstore owned by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, part of the beat movement back in the early sixties. If you ever read 'On the Road,' and liked it - the bookstore takes on a kinda Mecca-like importance. A kinda living memorial to the beat writers. The shop retains a style that is palpable. You must go to the famous basement where the walls still feature paintings done in the sixties. Certainly, you have to browse the Kerouac, Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti and Burroughs books.....
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on October 28, 2000

City Lights Bookstore
261 Columbus Avenue San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 362-8193

Fleet WeekBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Early October event features a parade of ships and lots of military aircraft, including the world famous 'Blue Angels.' We were not at the official viewing area, but the aircraft were visible throughout the city. Kinda neat to be walking down a street and to be muted out by the roar of jet engines flying overhead....
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by CalvinMitch on October 28, 2000

Fleet Week
The Embarcadero at North Point St San Francisco, California 94111
+1 415 621 2325

About the Writer

CalvinMitch
CalvinMitch
Wilmington, Delaware

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