Hi,
I am considering planning a trip to San Fran in April. I will most likely stay at the Clift Hotel. The BF and I are into fine dining, shopping and nightlife. Any orgers that live in that area that can give me suggestions for fun things to do/see/eat, etc. Also since I have not been there before, what is close to the Clift Hotel>
What is the weather like in early April?
What is the best mode of transportation.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

there is sooooo much to see in SF!!! it's an interesting place! if you get the chance to go a little south of there you should visit half moon bay, santa cruz and carmel!

Buy me something

1sexymf said:

Weather early April. Expect cool weather. Early fog, occasional afternoon sun, more fog. But it could as easily be in the 70's or 80's but at night always expect to have a jacket regardless of how warm the day is (unless it tops 90, then you'll be okay after dark until after midnight.)
Transportation is excellent in S.F. shouldn't be a problem. Neither should a cab.

I think you could find suggestions online. Google 'Gay San Francisco'.
Although gay I couldn't tell you. But there are great restaurants all over. I don't think the city has any bad restaurants . .

I was there 2 weeks ago for the fourth time!

Do eat in Chinatown one time!
Have a cocktail after a day's shopping at the Carnelian Room http://www.carnelianroom.com/
Fisherman's Wharf, but not too long because it's kinda touristy
Stroll down Columbus Ave. at night, through Little Italy, great restaurants
Cable Car ride
Get a car and drive over the Golden Gate, have lunch in Sausolite on the waterfront, great view on the city on the other side of the bay.
Muir Woods http://www.nps.gov/muwo/
Go clubbing at Ruby Skye http://rubyskye.com/


Loads more, I love SF!

kimrachell said:

Yeah, have heard Santa Cruz is nice.

ArielB said:

What size thong do you wear?

SUPRMAN said:

I am hoping for warm weather. I guess I'll be bringing a jacket. I'm glad to hear transportation won't be a nightmare.

abierman said:

Thanks for the great suggestions Abierman.

Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Cable Cars, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, Muir Woods, Fort Mason and many more. Those are the MAJOR must haves under your belt and I'm sure others will add more.

Then there's Dinner @ the Carnelian Room (http://carnelianroom.com/), The Castro, Club Ruby Skye, Teatro Zinzanni, Union Square (shoppers delight), Bloomingdales & the super dope mall that is attached. Beach Blanket Babylon, Cobbs Comedy Club...

the list goes on & on...

Weather in April is mixed so I suggest dress in layers, it's usually foggy in the morning but that can burn off by 1 or 2PM. Bring an umbrella. Shoes should be comfortable for walking, there's serious walking to be done in SF.

If you plan on staying in SF only then budget Cab and Transit fare. If you're going to rent a car, it totally expands your horizons but parking can supply you with a coronary (it's either really really expensive or non-existent).

If the stars align I might even be able to scare up a ride on a sailboat around the Bay, if you're interested and not prone to seasickness...

Helpful stuff:

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) http://www.bart.gov/
MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) http://www.sfmta.com/cms/home/sfmta.php
Ferry Info http://www.sfgov.org/site...p?id=30570


This is but the tip of an iceberg, feel free to ask me any questions. I've led dozens of friends and relatives around the Bay Area, there's PLENTY to do...

Damn Aksel! You beat a local to it... glad you went to the Carnelian Room, awesome ain't it??

1sexymf said:

a size big enough to hide the dingleberries

RenHoek said:

The Golden Gate bridge is a must see, and I will absolutely have to go to Ghiardelli Sq - I LOVE their chocolate.
I wouldn't mind seeing Alcatraz but I know the BF won't want to - he's got some weird phobias of prisons.
The Carnelian Room looks awesome, I will probably have dinner or drinks there one night. Teatro Zinzanni llokd like fun.
Union Square is definitely on the list - I love to shop and so does he.

and I would be eternally thankful for tickets for a ride around the bay - I don;t get seasick.

Thanks for the internet links. I put them on my favorites list - I'm not sure if we're going to rent a car or not just yet, but the parking situtation sounds similar to where I live.

Thanks a bunch!

ArielB said:

They're only the size of a dingleberry?

RenHoek said:

I always find the good spots pretty fast! Carnelian room is awesome!

Best bring a gun and dont wear any expensive jewlery and ya best be able to run fast as hell.


Oh and have fun
[Edited 1/19/09 13:44pm]

PurplePassion65 said:

OMG, are u serious?

Even in the summer SF is cold as shit at night - have a jacket (& scarf if you wear them) at all times. I'm a Cali girl though - cold to me may be moderate for others

Don't do Alcatraz, it's a waste of time - trust me, lol...

I also think depending on how long you're staying, there's plenty to do in SF without spending hours in the car going to Santa Cruz & Carmel, but that's just my opinion...

Ren is right about renting a car - gives you more options but parking is always a bitch!

Just stay out of the Tenderloin district & you'll be fine I'll try to brainstorm some things to do, I'm really bad about taking advantage of the city & I'm only 10 minutes away from it

Guys - what's the restaurant that spins 360 (slowly) & gives you a view of the entire city? Is it Equinox? I've never eaten there, but I hear the "fine dining" folks like it, it's at the top of some hotel...

1sexymf said:

No, don't listen to that shit You guys will be fine. Like I said, stay out of the Tenderloin & don't have a camera hanging around your neck - you'll be fine No backbacks either But you don't strike me as the backpack type, they'd clash w/ all those waaanderful shoes!

CalhounSq said:

[Edited 1/19/09 14:01pm]

CalhounSq said:

Lol, I'm not the backpack type - not my thing at all. It wouldn't go with high end shoes. The camera will stay in my purse. I make it a point not to look like a tourist when I travel.

Thanks Calhoun!
(I didn't know u were a Cali girl.)

1sexymf said:

Born & raised You might wanna look @ MSN's City Guide for SF too, they might have some decent ideas. & the SF Bay Guardian might have decent links for things to do as it gets closer to the weekend you're going. Try looking up Equinox & see what comes up, I could swear that's the name of the spinny restaurant!

we're going there too in May!

my friend who lives there (a photographer) suggested these, but half may just be photo opportunities

"Golden gate park
Conservatory of flowers, DeYoung Museum, Japanese tea garden and The Academy of Sciences are all cool to see - if you park near any one of them, they are all in easy walking distance of each other.

Highway 1
All of Highway 1 is nice - goes right along by the pacific - a good loop to do is from San Francisco south as far as Santa Cruz or even Carmel. It gets even more beautiful south of Carmel down as far as Hearst Castle (near San Simeon) but thats a lot for a day trip especially if you are stopping a lot to take pics.

Marin Headlands
Right at the north of the bridge you can turn off and drive up into the hills overlooking the bridge - beautiful views of the bridge and the city

The main downtown area is around Union Square - all shops (and posh shops) but a fun place to have lunch is the Cheesecake Factory on top of Macys - they have a rooftop patio overlooking Union square.

I would avoid Pier 39 and Fishermans wharf - that's personal preference but it's just very touristy and commercial.

There are some walking tours around the city - I have not been but they've been recommended a lot.

Crissy Field - a park right beside the bay - nice walks by the water with great views of the bridge.

Yosemite is well worth the visit - about a 4 hr drive - can book up early if you want to stay inside the park boundaries (in Curry Village). It's worth it to get somewhere in the park you can do some great hikes from there.

Weather should be reasonable - the summer gets VERY foggy and can be pretty cool but you should get here before the fog comes."

1sexymf said:

I think it is. It's the Hilton at the foot of Embarcadero off Market.
The Marriott by Moscone also has a bar with a fantastic view.

abierman said:

Saw Prince at Ruby Skye . . .

1sexymf said:

Chinatown has one restaurant that is open 24/7. It's surreal eating a full Chinese meal at 3 -4 in the morning, in a packed restaurant! lol

SUPRMAN said:

cool, I can imagine it's a great place to see him perform! I was there last NYE, Kaskade was spinning the wheels, awesome party!

i'm going to be in SF for Easter!!

abierman said:

Yes it was. Then got up the next day and went to the concert in Oakland.

1sexymf said: