San Francisco & Outside Lands

tracilicious · 05-23-2009, 11:46 PM

I'm thinking about going to Outside Lands in SF at the end of August. I'd like to add a few days to see the city. What's not to miss? Any experience with hostel stays?

Alex · 05-24-2009, 12:22 AM

Have you been here before? And what kind of thing do you generally like to do?

tracilicious · 05-24-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Have you been here before? And what kind of thing do you generally like to do?

I have not been there before. I prefer non-touristy stuff, musicy things, and arty things.

Snowflake · 05-26-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracilicious

I have not been there before. I prefer non-touristy stuff, musicy things, and arty things.

We have some fine museums and some fine exhibits going on in August, including the not to be missed Tut exhibit at the DeYoung. The Academy of Sciences is awesome. When in August are you planning on being here?

Morrigoon · 05-24-2009, 12:49 AM

At Fisherman's Wharf, I'm generally pretty fond of Aliottos.

You should probably also check out Chinatown.

The Disney Store is long gone from Union Square but I suppose it's still worth going just to walk around there. If you like shopping.

Golden Gate Park has some great stuff. A good science museum, lovely gardens, a windmill... I recommend renting bikes if you can.

lashbear · 05-24-2009, 01:09 AM

See Beach Blanket Babylon. Hug Snowflake.

...these are two highlights from our last visit.

Alex · 05-24-2009, 10:48 AM

Kid in tow or adult fun?

No help on the musicy stuff. Plenty of good art museum and if you like to dive right into the local scenes plenty of dense gallery areas that can be cruised.

Most of the touristy stuff (Fisherman's Wharf, Presidio, Chinatown, etc.) is worth doing at least once (except maybe Fisherman's Wharf, I probably wouldn't point anybody in that direction until their second week in town; sooner if they really like sea lions).

If you like seeing local instead of tourist, I'd recommend one of the "walking San Francisco" books. Lots of good neighborhoods to just walk randomly and see what you see.

Morrigoon · 05-24-2009, 10:59 AM

Well, Fisherman's Wharf is good for a meal. Better than recommending it for sightseeing.

When is the Disney Family Museum opening up? That'd be worth going if it were, but I suspect it won't be opening till fall.

Alex · 05-24-2009, 11:10 AM

Yes, Fisherman's Wharf is good for a meal. But there are many parts of town that are better for a meal unless you specifically want to eat crab on the sidewalk.

Ghoulish Delight · 05-24-2009, 11:20 AM

Something mousepod brought us to when we were there that was a unique thing to see was the Musee Mechanique at Pier 45. It's a warehouse full of vintage coin operated mechanical arcade machines. Animated music boxes, creepy fortune telling machines, mechanically animated dioramas of excutions. All restored and operable. Really nifty place.

05-23-2009, 11:46 PM	#1
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	San Francisco & Outside Lands I'm thinking about going to Outside Lands in SF at the end of August. I'd like to add a few days to see the city. What's not to miss? Any experience with hostel stays? __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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05-24-2009, 12:22 AM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Have you been here before? And what kind of thing do you generally like to do?
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05-24-2009, 12:49 AM	#5
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	At Fisherman's Wharf, I'm generally pretty fond of Aliottos. You should probably also check out Chinatown. The Disney Store is long gone from Union Square but I suppose it's still worth going just to walk around there. If you like shopping. Golden Gate Park has some great stuff. A good science museum, lovely gardens, a windmill... I recommend renting bikes if you can. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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05-24-2009, 01:09 AM	#6
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	See Beach Blanket Babylon. Hug Snowflake. ...these are two highlights from our last visit. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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05-24-2009, 10:48 AM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Kid in tow or adult fun? No help on the musicy stuff. Plenty of good art museum and if you like to dive right into the local scenes plenty of dense gallery areas that can be cruised. Most of the touristy stuff (Fisherman's Wharf, Presidio, Chinatown, etc.) is worth doing at least once (except maybe Fisherman's Wharf, I probably wouldn't point anybody in that direction until their second week in town; sooner if they really like sea lions). If you like seeing local instead of tourist, I'd recommend one of the "walking San Francisco" books. Lots of good neighborhoods to just walk randomly and see what you see.
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05-24-2009, 10:59 AM	#8
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Well, Fisherman's Wharf is good for a meal. Better than recommending it for sightseeing. When is the Disney Family Museum opening up? That'd be worth going if it were, but I suspect it won't be opening till fall. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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05-24-2009, 11:10 AM	#9
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yes, Fisherman's Wharf is good for a meal. But there are many parts of town that are better for a meal unless you specifically want to eat crab on the sidewalk.
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05-24-2009, 11:20 AM	#10
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Something mousepod brought us to when we were there that was a unique thing to see was the Musee Mechanique at Pier 45. It's a warehouse full of vintage coin operated mechanical arcade machines. Animated music boxes, creepy fortune telling machines, mechanically animated dioramas of excutions. All restored and operable. Really nifty place. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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