San Fran on the cheap?

[mcc]

I'm going to San Fran for a convention (and ditching the convention) and I'm going with friends on a limited budget.  Not hot dog vendor budget but $100 dinners every night are out of the question.  

Any recs for places to go during the day and places to eat that will be good and a nice representation of the city without spending a fortune?  I'll have 3 days/nights there.  A Giants game and Alcatraz boat tour thing are already in my head so any recs would be great!

[mcc]

Awesome, thanks ladies! I'll be there Aug 8-11, then wine country 11-13 then Tahoe (south side) 15-17 and back to SF to leave on the 18th.

What's that ferry that people say to take to see Alcatraz but not go in?

[definitelyO]

There is a ferry you can catch at Pier 39 that just does tours of the bay. takes you around the island with a recording playing giving you info about the island, prisoners, history, etc... it also takes you under the GG Bridge. I don't remember the name - but if you walk up from Fisherman's wharf to the Pier you'll see the huge ferries and signs. we booked the morning of.

I really wanted to just take one of the little fisherman boat tours from the wharf around... but we opted for the ferry.

[christy082]

Depending on when you go, some of the museums have free days each month. We went in early Sept. last year and the De Young Musuem and the Museum of Art were both free the day we went. 

[travelingjen]

There are several inexpensive eateries at the Ferry Building, which is also fun to explore. I will also throw out a recommendation for the Palace of Fine Arts which is gorgeous and free to walk around.

[heyney]

Too bad I cant fly up to see you, sooo close!

PS-Have fun in Napa, Darioush is my current fave.

[vanillahip]

I highly highly rec driving the hour + to San Jose to see the Winchester house, it is flipping amazing!

Also try Four Barrel coffee while you're in SF! (Otherwise the recs above look great!)

[christy082]

Aug 1, 2013 9:04:21 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Aug 1, 2013 8:52:23 GMT -5 vanillahip said:

I highly highly rec driving the hour + to San Jose to see the Winchester house, it is flipping amazing!

I respectfully disagree with this.  Especially with only three days in the city I wouldn't waste the time to drive to San Jose for this.  I found it kind of lame, to be honest.

And I'm in the middle on this. We saw it- I had seen it on Ghost Adventures and was excited to see it in person. I enjoyed it but don't think it was amazing. And I agree that with only 3 days, I'd stick to SF.

[mcc]

Aug 1, 2013 16:41:22 GMT -5 christy082 said:

Aug 1, 2013 9:04:21 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

I respectfully disagree with this.  Especially with only three days in the city I wouldn't waste the time to drive to San Jose for this.  I found it kind of lame, to be honest.

And I'm in the middle on this. We saw it- I had seen it on Ghost Adventures and was excited to see it in person. I enjoyed it but don't think it was amazing. And I agree that with only 3 days, I'd stick to SF.

We won't have a car until Sunday so although I appreciate the rec, it's not feasible

[starlily]

www.sfgate.com has an article on the front page today about free things to do in SF

[starlily]

www.sfgate.com has an article on the front page today about free things to do in SF

[315]

mcc, I was going to email you these but figured I'd plop them here.

These are Dan's and my recommendations for SF/Napa.

If you want a Mai Tai, go to the Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar. It rains and thunders every 30 minutes or something. We went for happy hour; kitschy but fun.
If you want a Dark & Stormy, go to the Elbo Room. Fun joint.
If you want a G&T or a vodka & soda served in a pint glass, go to Zeitgeist. This is Dan's fave.
If you want a good jukebox, go to Lucky 13. Just a nice bar to chill out.

I don't remember restaurants there but none were bad. We went back for breakfast at this place a bunch of times. Their Grand Marnier French Toast... yum. www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-maple-san-francisco

The Alcatraz self-guided tour (book in advance). I haven't done it yet but Dan loved it and it's worth it just for the ferry ride over and view of the city. Coit Tower was nice for the views. It's free I think. We loved walking around Golden Gate park, especially the tea garden. The seals at the wharf. The walk from the marina to the GG bridge is also gorgeous. The view of the bridge from the other side, Marin headlands, is also a winner (as pp mentioned). You can explore the old bunkers there too.

Take the ferry to Alameda, walk through zombie-like abandoned AF base (where they film a lot of stuff for Mythbusters), go to St. George's Spirits for an amazing distillery tour and tasting. It's like $20 and you get to taste 11 different liquors that will blow your mind. Read more here: americanmadeguidetolife.blogspot.com/2013/03/firelit.html

Anchor Steam also does a tour but we didn't make it due to timing last visit.

As for Napa, we loved Jarvis and the Mondavi tasting & tours. Opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of production and feel. You'll have to book in advance for Jarvis. For lunch, we looooved Mustards Grill.

[mcc]

Thanks 315 I was wondering about booze places!

[mcc]

@sfgirl350 @rock-n-voll I'm in SF and y friends want Chinatown recs. any chance of getting some spicy crab anywhere?? Thanks!

[mcc]

Aug 8, 2013 19:36:53 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

PPQ is Chinese style fyi.

ETA: sorry on my phone and having issues. Just re-read what you wrote.  My suggested were for crab.  For Chinese in general in Chinatown - R&G Lounge. 

Thanks!

[mcc]

Aug 9, 2013 10:06:25 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Aug 9, 2013 10:04:29 GMT -5 mcc said:

Thanks!

Where did you end up going?

R&G and it was great! Thanks for the recommendation!!