San francisco

[Kevin C]

Hello

I guess I will ask the vacation question.

I will going on a weeks visit to SF (22-28 Dec) for the holiday's. I will be with the whole family (wife, daughter 21, Son 17, Parents 70) We have a few choices made already like Alcatraz, Fishermanns Warf (we are staying in WF). We will have rental car for a day to visit Fairfield. I use to live there when I was a kid & when my father was in the AF.

So we are looking for a few sites to see that we can get to by public transpartion or places to go see that we wont find on expedia.  

Is the wine tasting/tour fun?

Thanks

Kevin

[90grad]

Kevin,

Two good restaurants I enjoy when I am there on business:

1. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (national chain, started in Monterey, kid of like a Hard Rock for the movie).  It's about the cost of a Chili's and has good food.  I like the fried shrimp dinner and garlic bread for an appetizer.  There is a website and I think the menu is on there.  This is in Fisherman's Wharf.

2. Scomas -- This is around Pier 42 or 49, but still in walking distance from the wharf.  This would be a good place for a nice dinner.  No coat and tie, but nice casual.  Lunch is good there, too, and shorts are fine for lunch.  Great seafood, especially the clam chowder.  Expect $20-30/person, depending on what you get.  Get reservations for dinner.

Driving to Montery is doable, although it would be a few hours (Mapquest it to be sure).  The aquarium there is great.  Just go straight down Highway 101.  Carmel is right by Monterey.  There's a thing there called 17-mile drive (I think) which is a fantastically scenic drive along the coast.

The Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory is in San Francisco, as is the famous crooked street you see on TV.

Down 101 about 40 minutes from San Francisco is San Jose.  There is a theme park there (Paramount owns it, I think).  Stanford University is along the way to San Jose in Palo Alto.

[Creighton]

Paramont in San Jose has closed for the season. Some of the wharf in Santa Cruz is still open but IMHO not worth the drive from SF. Wine country is nice and laid back. Most of the SF Chronical newspaper is online that would be a start. I'll work on it some more when I get back.
Creighton

[jasmine64]

Is the cannery/museum near the aquarium still open?
I remeber the little shops around it were nice.

I loved monterey! A must see.

Definately check out the wineries.
 How about the jelly belly factory.

Riding the B.A.R.T was an adventure. Met some interesting people.

[racerx45]

I just went to Scomas for dinner last week and it is a must if you like sea food. Ghirardelli Square is with-in walking distance from Scomas as is the Buena Vista, the Bar that invented the Irish Coffey. Other things to do and see in S.F. would be a Cable Car ride and visit to the Cable Car Museum, The Exploratorium (hands on science museum), The Markets at the Ferry building (almost an indoor farmers market), walk around Union Square to see all of the Holiday decorations and the San Francisco International Auto Show is in town. Those are just a few that come to mind I am sure I will think of a few more.

Scomas
Ghirardelli Square
The Buena Vista
Cable Car MuseumExploratoriumFerry Building Marketplace
Auot Show

As for wine tasting yes lots of fun. I live in Santa Rosa in the middle of Sonoma’s Wine Country. Lots of good and fun wineries to visit. Napa has a few good one too but as we like to say over here “ NAPA makes Auto Parts, Sonoma Makes Wine”  '>  

[Kevin C]

Hey

Thanks for the great ideas. If you think of any more please post them. When my daughter gets home from college in a few weeks we all sit down & review the suggestions.

Kevin

[sodaworks]

If you go to San Jose there's also the Winchester Mystery house.

[jasmine64]

The Winchester Mystery House is great. Be prepared to do alot of walking. The grounds were very beautiful to explore too.

[Creighton]

Kevin,
One of the coolest things in SF was the collection of vintage coin/mechinical devices at the Cliff House. Looks like this has been moved to Pier 45, which is also where the USS Pampanito (SS-382) is berthed. A WWII sub that you can tour just watch your head :-) There are a couple of 1800's tall ships at either pier 45 or 39 as well.

In San Jose there is also the Tech Museum and the Rosicrucian Egyptian
 Rosicrucian
If you decide to make the trip to San Jose, let me know and maybe we can hook up. Any questions just ask!!
Best,
Creighton