Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rokgryphon]

I have a one day stop over in San Francisco on the way back to Korea at the beginning of January. Any advice on places to stay and things to do for the day. I want to be close to the rail to make it easy to get back to the airport so I think I want to stay downtown off Market Street somewhere. Any one with advice for me?

[Mr. BlackCat]

I'd suggest walking around Haight-Ashbury (sp?). Not exact things to see besides old rock stars' houses, but shopping, eating and general coolness. I really enjoyed taking a boat trip around the Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf. Touristy, but still great. I just liked walking around the city in general. Good vibes.

[Nemo]

In the downtown vicinity you can visit Chinatown, Little Italy, Old Ferry Building (where you can take a quick ferry trip over to Sausilito), cable car, shop in Union Square, Yerba Buena Gardens ... there's a tourist center downstairs from Powell Street BART/MUNI station which can give you more info.

[bucheon bum]

what are your interests? Union Sq. is convienant and worth checking out. I'd go down to the Ferry building, and walk along the bay if the weather is nice.

Mission district has a wide variety of food and dive bars. North Beach is a good nightlife area. Haight-Ashbury, as someone else mentioned, is pretty cool.

Honestly, SF has lots of cool neighborhoods. If you like just walking around and exploring, there are few cities better than San Francisco.

[michaelmichael]

If you are going to take BART from the airport, I'm assuming that you will get off at Powell Street. That's a couple blocks from Union Square. A room near Union Square starts from $75 up to, well..... From there Chinatown begins 2 blocks up from there. You can walk through there and get to North Beach. Lots of italian restaurants, etc. Or from Union Square you can take the cable car at Powell and Market and go to Fishermans wharf and Ghiradelli Square. Make sure you take the Powell/Hyde car. This one will stop by Lombard Street and will give good views of the bay. From there you can take a boat to alcatraz island (make sure you call before and reserve a ticket). From downtown you can take up bus to the upper Haight (Haight Ashbury), if you're interested in that stuff. From there you can take a bus to Ocean Beach and the Cliff house. Dont think about sunbathing or swimming. In fact, bring warm clothes for the evening. It's always chilly from the afternoon to the evening in SF. You can also take a bus the either side of Golden Gate bridge. One of the best views of the city is from Twin Peaks (not of movie fame). Buses run go to the top regularly.

Anyways, just some ideas.

[Masta_Don]

Touristy:

Alcatraz

If you go it's kinda your whole day. Ferries leave often and it is a remarkable place. Catch the ferries from, surprise, the Ferry Terminal.

Walking the Golden Gate

Many people do this. I've done it. But I don't know why. You'd need some sort of way out there.

Chinatown

Skip since you've been in Asia.

Little Italy

Go here only if you're craving Italian food; there's not much else. A few overpriced bars and a brewery or two. If you are hankering for Italian, go to the Stinking Rose.

Union Square

There are two sides to this place; you've got the streetcar terminal and plenty of good (expensive) eats and then you have the most overpriced shopping and too many people. This area is the easiest to encounter the homeless and the like without anything potentially scary happening.

Haight

Haight is an alright street but not for the bygone hippie vibe. Even that's ancient now; the last incense/Indian crafts store closed up a few years ago. Now there's one main reason to go to Haight. To score. Sample California's finest here. There's also a great record shop, Amoeba, right at the end where the street deadends at Golden Gate Park. Around that area are a few thrift stores too (Mission District is best for thrift stores) and a few good places to eat, mainly Indian food (and a hookah bar). Further down, away from Ashbury, about five blocks, there's a pocket of bars. These bars are alright, but seem to be bit quieter.

My Recommendations:

Mission District

Oh God, the Mission. Start out at Dolores Park to see a nice cross-section of San Francisco life. From free flea markets to Christian folk bands to playing frisbee with the dog, it's here. Then head down to Mission and hit up the good Mexican/Salvadorian/etc. food and the generous sprinkling of bars. Has the Treasure Shop or whatever that place is that everything is buried in sand.

Valencia

Valencia crosses Mission. Lots of bars and nightlife around here. Personally, my favorite is a Latino drag queen karaoke bar called Esta Noche. Even if that's not your bag, there are plenty of other bars right around there that are quite popular. All early 20's confused, just-got-out-of-college types.

Golden Gate Park

A huge park right at the coast that has buffaloes, windmills, and Japanese rose gardens. Butts up to Haight. Avoid at night.

MOMA

The best museum in San Francisco.

The Castro

The gay district. And there's no denying that San Francisco loves their gays. Walk along the streets strewn with Pride flags and stop in for a drink at any number of gay bars. So you know, this is the area where things like New Year's Eve and Halloween happen. They know how to get down.

Concerts

Lots and lots of shows in San Fran. Check Pollstar and Foopee to find out if anyone interesting will be playing when you're there.

Anchor Steam Brewery

Anchor Steam makes the only native American-style beer. It's method of steaming the grains beforehand marks itself different than other American beers, which brew according to European traditions. I believe you have to make reservations for a tour. Oh, and the beer is awesome (one of those pride of San Francisco things).

Other than that, walk around. If you have a skateboard, San Francisco is the best city to get around in. But even on foot you can cross the city fairly easily. I recommend to avoid taxis and stick to walking and subways. Also, avoid Market and below after dark if alone. There's not so much a fear of violence as of being hassled. Oh, or if you want crack.

[bucheon bum]

[gweet4]

this is just me, but I would say at the green tourtise hostel, near china town. go down to the wharf and rent a bike. The bike will have a map of the whole city on it. pick your places but most importantly don't forget to BIKE the golden gate bridge. Its not the best thing in the world, but it is nice and inspiring and not too many people can say that. check out haight ashbury but don't be impressed with it, I wasn't and I used to and still am a big grateful dead fan. ride your bike down the windy street, I forget the name, but just get lost. There are many hills and spectacular views that will inspire you. Some of the hills are insane, but nice to ride a bike down.

[davai!]