1090 Point Lobos (& Great Highway)
Sunday brunch on Yelp
The Cliff House could not have a better location or a more interesting history. Gus took me here on Valentine's Day with the NYC folks and I was mesmerized. On a sunny day you can see (and sit) forever staring out at the sea and the enormous amount of food that their Sunday brunch can dish out. Champagne was free flowing and I've never been so stuffed. You can walk around the Sutro Baths park (and hills) to walk off what you ate. Be prepared to spend $75 a person for brunch. There is a bistro as well if you aren't up for the buffet. I think there is a valet or you can park on the street or up the hill near the park.
http://www.cliffhouse.com/information/index.html
Monday, October 18, 2010
Outerlands $$
45th and Judah
On Yelp
I met Tam and Mack at Outerlands for Sunday brunch. They were not kidding that you have to get there before they open to get a seat. Well worth it though and clearly given the early crowd it's a local favorite. Way out in the Sunset it's a much cheaper venue than the nearby Cliff House and the menu is smaller but the food is amazing. Order at the counter and they serve you at your table. They make the bread for the french toast (and since you will be there early you can watch them slice it up nice and thick). Everything looked good: salads, sandwiches, the dutch pancakes! They were kind to let us sit and catch up forever and drink lots of their amazing coffee. Street parking. Cash only. If you are in town and want to go there, I'll be glad to go with you!
http://outerlandssf.com/
On Yelp
I met Tam and Mack at Outerlands for Sunday brunch. They were not kidding that you have to get there before they open to get a seat. Well worth it though and clearly given the early crowd it's a local favorite. Way out in the Sunset it's a much cheaper venue than the nearby Cliff House and the menu is smaller but the food is amazing. Order at the counter and they serve you at your table. They make the bread for the french toast (and since you will be there early you can watch them slice it up nice and thick). Everything looked good: salads, sandwiches, the dutch pancakes! They were kind to let us sit and catch up forever and drink lots of their amazing coffee. Street parking. Cash only. If you are in town and want to go there, I'll be glad to go with you!
http://outerlandssf.com/
The Argonaut Hotel ***
495 Jefferson
Ranked #10 of all SF hotels on Trip Advisor
Ok we haven't exactly stayed in one of the rooms but we did look at it for a wedding venue. It's a cute hotel bigger than a boutique but not as big as a super chain hotel. It is part of the Kimpton family of hotels so I love it just based on that alone. There's a nice seafood cafe on the premises (that is pretty good) and the location is a prime tourist area. Right at the corner of Jefferson and Hyde (at the cable car drop off) you can hit Fort Mason, Ghirardelli chocolate, the Presidio park, views of the Golden Gate bridge and also fisherman's wharf. Check out the local artists playing in the court yard.
Their site: http://www.argonauthotel.com/
Ranked #10 of all SF hotels on Trip Advisor
Ok we haven't exactly stayed in one of the rooms but we did look at it for a wedding venue. It's a cute hotel bigger than a boutique but not as big as a super chain hotel. It is part of the Kimpton family of hotels so I love it just based on that alone. There's a nice seafood cafe on the premises (that is pretty good) and the location is a prime tourist area. Right at the corner of Jefferson and Hyde (at the cable car drop off) you can hit Fort Mason, Ghirardelli chocolate, the Presidio park, views of the Golden Gate bridge and also fisherman's wharf. Check out the local artists playing in the court yard.
Their site: http://www.argonauthotel.com/
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Yoda fountain at Lucas Films
The Presidio
1 Letterman Drive
San Francisco, CA 94129
Tam recently clued me in on a slightly hard to find yet gaining in popularity site to see, the Yoda statue/fountain at Lucas films in the Presidio. There's 20 min Starbucks parking if you ask the guard real nice to park there so you can snap a shot. Don't forget to walk over to the lobby and see Darth Vader and Boba Fett. It's not so far of a hike from the Exploratorium and the Palace of Fine Arts if you are on foot.
1 Letterman Drive
San Francisco, CA 94129
Tam recently clued me in on a slightly hard to find yet gaining in popularity site to see, the Yoda statue/fountain at Lucas films in the Presidio. There's 20 min Starbucks parking if you ask the guard real nice to park there so you can snap a shot. Don't forget to walk over to the lobby and see Darth Vader and Boba Fett. It's not so far of a hike from the Exploratorium and the Palace of Fine Arts if you are on foot.
In 'N Out Burger $
333 JEFFERSON across from Fisherman's Wharf
on Yelp
If you know someone that's from CA or visited there quite a bit then they have talked about In 'N Out. I have taken at least 4 people from my hometown to In 'N Out who were very skeptical that anyone could make a burger better than Huck's or Hart's BBQ. Well this burger is...they can testify.
In 'N Out keeps it simple with burgers, fries and shakes. You can get a veggie sandwich there but the real deal is in the meat (and cheese).
Usually reserved for freeway off ramps and shopping centers, In 'N Out now has a Fisherman's Wharf location in the city. Don't let the hordes of people scare you away. It's worth the wait and they are pretty quick about cooking up and serving these made to order burgers (and fresh cut fries).
Go there. Trust me.
on Yelp
If you know someone that's from CA or visited there quite a bit then they have talked about In 'N Out. I have taken at least 4 people from my hometown to In 'N Out who were very skeptical that anyone could make a burger better than Huck's or Hart's BBQ. Well this burger is...they can testify.
In 'N Out keeps it simple with burgers, fries and shakes. You can get a veggie sandwich there but the real deal is in the meat (and cheese).
Usually reserved for freeway off ramps and shopping centers, In 'N Out now has a Fisherman's Wharf location in the city. Don't let the hordes of people scare you away. It's worth the wait and they are pretty quick about cooking up and serving these made to order burgers (and fresh cut fries).
Go there. Trust me.
The Rock (Alcatraz)
I love this place. Maybe it's my background in criminal justice or just my affinity for all things outre but I definitely recommend going to Alcatraz. You take the ferry from Fisherman's Wharf and brave the cold, windy bay to reach it. Views of the golden gate bridge and the city skyline are spectacular.
Only in California would we have a national park that's a former prison and from what I hear they are now holding theatre events there! It's touristy but it's a must see, especially for those with kids and first timers to SF.
Only in California would we have a national park that's a former prison and from what I hear they are now holding theatre events there! It's touristy but it's a must see, especially for those with kids and first timers to SF.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Boudin Bistro $$$
160 Jefferson St at Fisherman's Wharf
On Yelp
Boudin Bistro is a nice place to eat at the ever-touristy Fisherman's Wharf. It has a great view of Alcatraz (if there's no fog) and the food is pretty darn tasty. The restaurant upstairs is more upscale sit down (with a wine tasting area and nice bar) and there's a cheaper (yet crowded) cafe and shop downstairs. Parking (if you can get it) is behind the building and they validate (which is amazing). The menu is classic seafood stuff: clam chowder in a fresh bread bowl (duh), crab louis salad, steak and burgers, too. The fresh SF-famous sourdough bread is baked on site in the famous Boudin Bakery. Recommend a reservation in the upstairs for particularly busy times.
On Yelp
Boudin Bistro is a nice place to eat at the ever-touristy Fisherman's Wharf. It has a great view of Alcatraz (if there's no fog) and the food is pretty darn tasty. The restaurant upstairs is more upscale sit down (with a wine tasting area and nice bar) and there's a cheaper (yet crowded) cafe and shop downstairs. Parking (if you can get it) is behind the building and they validate (which is amazing). The menu is classic seafood stuff: clam chowder in a fresh bread bowl (duh), crab louis salad, steak and burgers, too. The fresh SF-famous sourdough bread is baked on site in the famous Boudin Bakery. Recommend a reservation in the upstairs for particularly busy times.
Hotel Nikko ****
222 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA
On Trip Advisor
The Hotel Nikko is very close to Union Square, Market St and the BART in the middle of downtown. I have stayed here several times and loved it. The rooms are big and there's lots of the usual amenities (some rooms have garden tubs, stereo system and upper level rooms have a great view of the city). You can get good deals from their site and hotels.com and if you are coming to SF for a convention but the convention hotels are full or too expensive, try the Nikko. Great pool, gym, on-site car rental & parking, Starbucks on the same block. Very helpful staff.
San Francisco, CA
On Trip Advisor
The Hotel Nikko is very close to Union Square, Market St and the BART in the middle of downtown. I have stayed here several times and loved it. The rooms are big and there's lots of the usual amenities (some rooms have garden tubs, stereo system and upper level rooms have a great view of the city). You can get good deals from their site and hotels.com and if you are coming to SF for a convention but the convention hotels are full or too expensive, try the Nikko. Great pool, gym, on-site car rental & parking, Starbucks on the same block. Very helpful staff.
Farallon $$$$
450 Post Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 956-6969
On Yelp
The Farallon Restaurant was recommended on several of the psycho bride sites I toured while looking for wedding venues. I was immediately taken with the ocean life theme and begged Gus to take me there. And he did! It was beautiful. The ceilings are 1920s fresco mosaics, complete with blown glass sea creature light fixtures. Even their bread is in the shape of seaweed. It sounds hokey but it's honestly beautifully done. We walked in on a Friday night and still got a table (reservations are prob recommended tho). The menu changes daily and the roasted pear dessert was amazing. The wine list is extensive albeit expensive. The Farallon is a special venue for a special night(or events for parties up to 100 people). Not exactly a great place for small kids and business casual dress is ok. You can eat at the raw bar too. Street parking and valet.
Check out their awesome web site: http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/
San Francisco, California 94102
On Yelp
The Farallon Restaurant was recommended on several of the psycho bride sites I toured while looking for wedding venues. I was immediately taken with the ocean life theme and begged Gus to take me there. And he did! It was beautiful. The ceilings are 1920s fresco mosaics, complete with blown glass sea creature light fixtures. Even their bread is in the shape of seaweed. It sounds hokey but it's honestly beautifully done. We walked in on a Friday night and still got a table (reservations are prob recommended tho). The menu changes daily and the roasted pear dessert was amazing. The wine list is extensive albeit expensive. The Farallon is a special venue for a special night(or events for parties up to 100 people). Not exactly a great place for small kids and business casual dress is ok. You can eat at the raw bar too. Street parking and valet.
Check out their awesome web site: http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/
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