Okay, so I've been wanting to travel for awhile but there was always something in the way. Well I got a weekend off work for my birthday and want to go to SF. I only went there as a child and it was more of the San Jose area. I am going alone on thur and flying back on a Monday. I know of some basic things to do, but mostly I need hotel recommendations for cheap but in good locations (union square, the marina? fishermans wharf?). It is a weekend and I want to party at night, but I need to be pretty close to my hotel since I won't have a car. I think we have some posters either from or have a lot experience in the bay area so please enlighten me!
If its your first time, I'd probably stay in Union Square area. Lots of facilities and stuff to see, not too sketchy, etc. Probably not gonna be cheap, who knows. I've stayed at the Grand Hyatt which was really good as well as the Hilton near Chinatown which was "ok". There are smaller boutique hotels that are less expensive. I've stayed in the Marina when I partied out there. They have pretty cheap Days Inn type places but its not close to any touristy crap or anything really that great. I like the Marina, but the hotel is a trek to the main strip of bars/stores/etc. You'd have to cab/uber to Nightlife probably. In any scenario. Use Uber, and use my promo code: UBERPARTYONBRO for $20 credit on your first ride. Also I have one for Lyft: Eric377974 for $20 credit as well.
Yeah it is my first time. I was thinking union square because it seems to pretty busy and full of life all night so it will be safer for someone by themselves. Thanks for all the tips bro
A few musts: 1. Mission Style Burrito/Tacos. These are a SF instutution in themself. I went here but there are several other famous spots I've never been to. http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-cancún-san-francisco-5 2. Seafood. Get the good stuff. I had a life changing meal at Swan Oyster Depot. http://www.yelp.com/biz/swan-oyster-depot-san-francisco?osq=oysters It'll be really fucking crowded though. Maybe check out Hog Island Oysters. Also a line, go right when they open. In any case, I recommend going to the Ferry Building, they have a lot of options there. http://www.yelp.com/biz/hog-island-oyster-co-san-francisco?page_src=related_bizes They have the Wharf and if you REALLY like Dungeness Crab you can get it steamed there to eat. 3. Chinese Food. Just go to Chinatown and go to some place that looks crowded. They have a good Chinatown. Get some Dim Sum. I also liked House of Nanking but its a bit of a touristy thing. Truth be told, North Beach and Italian is supposed to be good there, but I've never had any place blow me away. I really enjoyed Wayfare Tavern (best Fried Chicken ever) and Kokkori Estorio (solid greek food) but they are a little bougie and you need reservations or whatever, unless you eat at the bar.
For nightlife, since you're solo and don't know where to go, I'd recommend going to some Bar/Club Crawls such as this: http://pubcrawlsanfrancisco.com/ You meet people. You go with them, they take you from venue to venue with no hassles. Pics look decent: https://www.facebook.com/pubcrawlsanfrancisco
I'd also do a "Hop on Hop off" bus. Attractions aren't exactly close to each other, this will get you everywhere pretty easily. http://www.viator.com/tours/San-Francisco/San-Francisco-Hop-on-Hop-off-Tour/d651-6954HOHO
check out www.vrbo.com for accommodation. I use it for traveling a lot and you usually get much more value for your dollar. Other than that we have stayed here a few times. Its cheap, close to stuff, has free parking if your renting a car (hotel parking is a huge hidden cost in SF). This place has small rooms but is very cute and comfy. We really liked it. http://www.marinamotel.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=google_places_ms
I go to SF 3-4 times/year...... I've never been impressed with the "downtown" nightlife. If you want to enjoy nightlife, go more into the hot/trendy neighborhoods and you'll find lots of cool somewhat-hidden joints with live music and what not. Basically, if you want to enjoy good times in the evenings, and good times during the days, you'll be taking transit because the downtown areas are hopping during the day, the neighborhoods in the evenings. We hang out in the Inner Richmond area a lot during the evenings (Bitter End, Star and Plough, The Abbey Tavern, Kezar, Pig and Whistle, Tommy's, Internos, etc). Plus, they have a rad book store (Green Apple Books) that is open late-night in that area. I like to hang out around the Ferry Building and Embarcadero during the day. Lots of cool spots to check out, cool shops, groovy food (Slanted Door and a few other rad restaurants are in the Ferry Building).
Get all the tourist crap done in a day if you can. Its annoying. Spend most of your time just chillin in a neighborhood you like, drinking a beer during the day and living life.
One of the best SF Chinese restaurants closed in 2014. Can't remember the name, but it was in Chinatown and you had to go in the door and walk upstairs to the restaurant area. It was officially closed when I went a few weeks ago but was open when I was there a few months back. Henry's Hunan is alwYs bomb though.
One of the trippiest things in SF, is the cleaning staff at the hotels I've been in have been chinese dudes, not mexican girls.
Oh yeah, if you need some gear, go to UNIQLO. Its a cheap spot but its really fucking on point. Like a Japanese H&M wihtout the shit quality. www.uniqlo.com There won't be one in Portland for several years probably.
Mexican: In the Mission, the best tacqueria is San Jose Tacqueria. I have been eating there for 25 years, whenever I get back to the City. Chinese: Henry's Hunan Restaurant on Sansome was once called by the New Yorker "The best Chinese restaurant in the world." I don't know if that's true, but if you like spicy it is great. I also like House of Nanking on Kearney a lot. Drinks: Near Fisherman's Wharf (which is definitely worth cruising itself if you have never been there) is the Buena Vista Cafe. Irish Coffees were invented there. The Ghiradelli Chocolate building in that area is sweet. To do: Haight street is fun. I used to live there. North Beach is also great to walk around. Lived there too. I would get a drink at the Top of the Mark - The Mark Hopkins hotel on California. Ride the cable cars for sure. A ferry ride across the bay to Sausolito is also a good time.
