Packing my bags again and making plans...
My Mom, Tristan and I are now eagerly making plans to travel up to San Francisco at the end of September just in the nick of time to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit at SFMOMA before it ends.
I'm looking for hotels now-debating between staying in Danville, San Rafael or right in the city. We'll be driving up Friday after Tristan gets out of school and returning home some time Monday (he's off on Monday).
Here's my question to you-if you could go to San Francisco, Berkeley, Marin, Danville-that whole area for the weekend, where would you go? What would you do? I want to hear it all-hotels, food, places to see, places to shop, bookstores, art stores, kid places, chocolate factories-you name it! Please post your comments as I'd love to hear them!!!!
Comments
We just got home from San Francisco. I'm sorry I missed you at The Stamp Act this time. We stayed at The Palace Hotel which is right around the corner from SFMOMA. WE didn't make it to see Frieda, but we did go to the Cartoon Art museum. You would probablt love their bookstore. They are also right around the corner from SFMOMA. Alcatraz was great but tickets sell out weeks in advance. Steph loved the cable cars and I loved the antique street cars of the F-line that goes between Market Street and Fisherman's wharf. Flax is right on Market Street. It might be dangerous for you to go in there...As for food, we had 2 fantastic, but expensive dinners at the Crab House at Pier 39. The crab and shrimp on a sizzling platter with garlic etc was absolutely delicious! Japantown had a neat sushi boat restaurant, Isobune, and a neat store called Ichiban Kan. The japanese hardware store also sells handmade paper. Oh, and there is a Japanese bookstore too. I've been putting my pictures up on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/farstarr/
Sorry this is so long, but we loved it there! Have fun!
And make sure and go to FLAX - fabulous art supply store, an entire gigantic room of paper among all sorts of other goodies. You can Goggle FLAX for address and hours.
Erin in Morro Bay
And then all of what everyone else said but for you - a must see - City of Lights Bookstore - been there since 1953 and so much a landmark and part of the history of SF - if you don't know about it - www.citylights.com and read about it on their site and wikapedia - it is sooooo you!
I always stay in bed and breakfasts when I'm there but I travel alone so a hotel may be cheaper - and with Tristan and your Mom I would stay in the thick of the city for sure! A cable car ride is a must and Fisherman's wharf - be sure to bring a sweatshirt or jacket - always in the city - you can be hot in one section of town walk a few blocks and it will be freezing - the coldest time of the year is July - and if you're going in October that's the nicest and busiest time of year for SF - get your reservations now! Enjoy - xo reva
I'm going up at the end of the month too to see Frida. When we went to see Joseph Cornell last year, we stayed at the Parc 55 Hotel, which is in a great location: walking distance to Chinatown, Union Square, streetcar right outside the door. Astoundingly good dim sum place right across the street. (We got a great hotel rate on Expedia.) I'd go to the Lush store (also within walking distance), Flax (of course!), Chinatown (great postcards and paper goods), Coit Tower (one of my favorite spots and with an awesome view of the city), the Ferry Building (newly renovated and great eats there), Mission Dolores (one of the smaller missions but with a lovely garden and cemetery), tons of shops in the Haight/Ashbury district. Hope you have a wonderful time! If I see you at the exhibit (couldn't miss that red hair of yours!), I will say hello.
Sally
sawhite1@aol.com
i just returned from sf and don't want you to overlook the fabulous chihuly glass exhibit at the young & the quaker design exhibit at the museum of folk art & craft--
best-
cindyc