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San Francisco

San Francisco and Wine Country

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  • by drazzelb
  • A July 2006 travel journal
  • Last Updated: August 3, 2006
Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
7
Reviews
4
Experiences
2
Photos

San Francisco - a world class city in Northern California. It's so small, but yet so big. The city by the Bay offers visitors a variety of activities that indulge the senses.

San Francisco and Wine Country

Overview

Enjoy
There is so much to see and do it's difficult to sum it up. However, some of my favorite spots were the Embarcadero, Sausalito and trips to the Wine Country

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is the best way to tour the city. It allows you to find those "special" spots in the city. The Cable Cars is a must to get to and from Market Street.

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Crossing The Bar

Restaurant

33 Crossing the Bar Restaurant & Lounge

The Crossing Bar was an interesting dining experience. The food (American/Indian) was fantastic, but the ambience was not something that appealed to me.
The Beef Samosa and the Filet Mignon are excellent palette pleasing choices. By far, my favorite part of the dinner was the dessert. Should you decide to go, please try the Chocolate Caramel Mousse Pyramid.
The lounge area takes up most of the restaurant, so it feels like you are eating at a club.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Crossing The Bar
Pier 33, The Embarcadero San Francisco, California
(415) 593-0159

Bangkok Best

Restaurant

Bangkok

Bangkok Restaurant is a local favorite. Nothing fancy, just very good Thai food. The restaurant has the feel of any non-modern Asian restaurant.
You may feel an over abundance of food on your plate, however, the food and the price are just right.
The Fried Rice with Duck and the Grounded Chicken with White Rice are excellent!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Bangkok Best
301 Kearny St San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 362-2216

Ferry Plaza Seafood

Restaurant

Ferry Plaza Seafood

Walking by the Embarcadero, I stumbled upon Ferry Plaza Seafood. I made a great choice for my lunch location.

The lunch menu is limited; however, it does offer some of the freshest seafood in San Francisco.

The Crab Cakes were delicious. They had the perfect texture. They come with a mixed green salad, so it is a great way to have a healthy lunch with a great view of the Bay Bridge.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Ferry Plaza Seafood
One Ferry Building, #18 San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 274-2561

Silverado Brewing

Restaurant

Silverado Brewing

My first impression of Silverado Brewing was... a brewery in Napa...nice!

The restaurant feels like an old Spanish home from the outside, but from the inside it's like someone's rustic cabin. The vaulted ceilings certainly give you the feeling that you are in the country.

The lunch menu was one page, but gives you a good portion of items to choose from.
The healthy option, a Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with Tomatoes and a Pesto Sauce was delicious!

If you are in a budget, this establishment is for you. Meals taste great and are reasonably priced.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Silverado Brewing
3020 N. St. Helena Highway St. Helena, California 94574
(707) 967-9876

Union Square Shopping & Nightlife

Activity

Union Square

Union Square is the heart of the downtown area. It offers visitors to San Francisco a large amount of shopping options. It begins from the high end (Gucci, Louis Vutton, etc.) to the more reasonably priced (Macy's, Gap, H&M, etc.). It's a great way to spend a day or an afternoon in San Francisco.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Union Square Shopping & Nightlife
Throughout Union Square San Francisco, California

Harvey's

Activity

Harvey's

Harvey's is a great place to unwind and grab a beer. The ambience is your typical "bar" - dark woods, booths, etc. They have a DJ playing some retro music, as well as a stage for anyone who would like to show their singing talents. The people watching can be quite entertaining.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Harvey's
500 Castro St San Francisco, California 94114
(415) 431-4278

Ferry Building Marketplace

Activity

Ferry Building Marketplace

The Ferry Building Marketplace is located in the Embarcadero district. It offers a wide range of stores from Olive Oil producers to meat to antiques. There is something for everyone here. After you've worked up an appetite shopping, you can eat at any of the outdoor restaurants with spectacular views of the Bay Bridge and the ferry boats.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by drazzelb on August 3, 2006

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Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 693-0996

Driving around...Muir Woods

Experience

My friend took me up to a must see sight in San Francisco. Muir Woods is comprised of some of the most magnificent Redwood trees you can every imagine. You can stand still and take it all in or you can hike through parts of the woods. The drive up takes you through some incredbile scenary, as the smell of eucalyptus envelops you. Be sure to start your trip to Muir Woods early. It gets very busy on the weekends.

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Driving around...Stinson Beach

Experience

Driving past Muir Woods, you head to Stinson Beach. The drive to this small beach-side town is quite exhilarating. The curves and turns on the Pacific Coast Highway can be quite nerve wrecking, but breathtaking none the less. On our way up, we stopped by one of the local vendors on the road who was selling fresh cherries. Stinson beach reminded me of a smaller version of Key West. Small shops, a restaurant, a surf shop, and of course, a souvenir shop. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

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Driving Around... Napa and Sonoma

Experience

The origin of wine...
Driving through the Wine Country was one of the most memorable things I did during my visit to San Francisco. Napa is breathtaking - miles upon miles of vineyards and California country. The drive was not very long and so well worth it.

I visited the Robert Mondavi Vineyard and the Beaulieu Vineyards. The setting, the mountains, the wine, it was just perfect! They also make Olive Oil in Napa. Stop by the St. Helena Oil Company to try some!

Sonoma was equally amazing. I visited the Sebastiani vineyards. Luckily, there was an art festival in the Town Square, so I was able to enjoy that as well.

The great thing about these vineyards is that they sell the wines and some kitchenware items. Items that have a story and you can keep for years to come.

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Grand Hyatt San Francisco

Experience

The Grand Hyatt at Union Square is a nice hotel.

The rooms are decorated with warm tones, the golden curtains accent the furnishings well and the beds are extremely comfortable. However, my room did have some dated items. The windows at each side have these veranda doors that do not fit the rooms style. The doors are merely decorative - not useable.

The room was large and has sufficent closet space.

My only great disappointment in the room was the bathroom. It didn't flow with the room. Everything in the bathroom contrasted the bedroom. It was done in a soft pink wallpaper and tile. The lights were flourescent. If you like hotels with modern bathrooms this would not be a hotel for you. However, the bath products are great!

Overall, my experience was good. The breakfast from Room Service was excellent and the hotel staff was fairly attentive. This hotel has a great location...it's within walking distance to Union Square, Market Street and China town.

May stay at another property next time I'm in town.

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About the Writer

drazzelb
drazzelb
Miami, United States

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