Stuff to do in San Francisco?

So im going there April 1st... thru the 7th, for spring break with my fam. And i was wondering, is there any awesome shops and stuff there?
we plan on hitting the zoo for a day... but i figured if there is anything else there to hit up... i will be staying in Petaluma, but we are flying into cisco... and will be there for a few hours before we head off to my grandpas... =D

so if anyone knows anything awesome to see or anything i can go to... around that area let me know! =]

-Sara

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Originally Posted by ChicaPiton519

So im going there April 1st... thru the 7th, for spring break with my fam. And i was wondering, is there any awesome shops and stuff there?
we plan on hitting the zoo for a day... but i figured if there is anything else there to hit up... i will be staying in Petaluma, but we are flying into cisco... and will be there for a few hours before we head off to my grandpas... =D

so if anyone knows anything awesome to see or anything i can go to... around that area let me know! =]

-Sara

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You could get yourself a girlfriend? Lol.. ok, ok..

San Fran is actually nice! Go to the wharf, check out the otters (I think they're otters), sea lions maybe? I dunno much about those animals. Haight-Ashbury is a couple of blocks of coolness. Lots of hippie stuff there, and some GREAT food. (Not as good as here in Texas though).

It's weird going to San Fran, because there aren't a lot of pickup trucks. Just something I noticed the last time I was there.

Oh, and bring a lot of money, everything there is 2x as much as most other places.

thats disturbed haha

im thinking reptile shops and stuff =] im looking forward to the zoo... my mom is taking both of her cannon digital rebels out there with us, so i plan on taking alot of pics...

i just really wanna stop by some high end herp shops out there, cause the city i live in isnt much for reptiles... haha

When I'm in San Francisco, I'm not sure I've EVER seen a reptile store. One really COOL place to go is the Bone Room. They sell fossils and all sorts of awesomeness. Really worth going to. Those are sea lions, and they SMELL, but it's rather neat to see them if you aren't used to seeing sea lions where you live.
There's Castro street for flair, and many many fetish shops, loads of great resturants, and a ghost/vampire type tour you can take after dark(which I missed out on, since i was too busy with the main reason I went, so I didn't get to go).
Make sure you wear comfy shoes, and plan on walking half as much as you would normally, because EVERYPLACE in San Francisco is UPHILL.
Oh!! You have to hit the Wharf, since that's Ghiradelli's and the original SourDough Bread company too! Everything is higher in price, and hard to get to, traffic is insane and there is hordes of people everywhere. In San Francisco, they don't seem to have speed limits in the city, instead they have pedestrians. You can't drive two blocks without one or fifty running into the road in front of your vehicle. It's like really tall lemmings.
I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun! If you find any reptile places to go to, I want info! I'll be going back in October.

If you can, go to Monterray Bay for the day. It's about 2 hrs south of San Francisco and they have the best aquarium I've ever been to. Plus it's a fun town as well.

San Francisco is also just fun to walk around as well. Should be a great trip.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

traffic is insane and there is hordes of people everywhere. In San Francisco, they don't seem to have speed limits in the city, instead they have pedestrians. You can't drive two blocks without one or fifty running into the road in front of your vehicle. It's like really tall lemmings.

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That was funny! Thanks for the laugh.

San Francisco is my hometown.

Like most tourists, you should go to Golden Gate Park, walk the Golden Gate Bridge, and of course, see all of the history in that amazing town (Museums, Piers, cultural areas, etc..)

It is a BEAUTIFUL city, and you are going at a great time. The fog should be not so prevalent, and it should be decently warm.

Give me an idea of what you like and I can help you a bit more...

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

When I'm in San Francisco, I'm not sure I've EVER seen a reptile store. One really COOL place to go is the Bone Room. They sell fossils and all sorts of awesomeness. Really worth going to. Those are sea lions, and they SMELL, but it's rather neat to see them if you aren't used to seeing sea lions where you live.
There's Castro street for flair, and many many fetish shops, loads of great resturants, and a ghost/vampire type tour you can take after dark(which I missed out on, since i was too busy with the main reason I went, so I didn't get to go).
Make sure you wear comfy shoes, and plan on walking half as much as you would normally, because EVERYPLACE in San Francisco is UPHILL.
Oh!! You have to hit the Wharf, since that's Ghiradelli's and the original SourDough Bread company too! Everything is higher in price, and hard to get to, traffic is insane and there is hordes of people everywhere. In San Francisco, they don't seem to have speed limits in the city, instead they have pedestrians. You can't drive two blocks without one or fifty running into the road in front of your vehicle. It's like really tall lemmings.
I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun! If you find any reptile places to go to, I want info! I'll be going back in October.

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Castro street? HA! Yeah, if you're looking for a new girlfriend, like I stated earlier, that's the place to be. Whenever I go to SF, I stay far away from Castro street. Can U say "Men in G strings"?

But anyway, yeah SF is a nice place to visit.

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Originally Posted by Skoalbasher

Castro street? HA! Yeah, if you're looking for a new girlfriend, like I stated earlier, that's the place to be. Whenever I go to SF, I stay far away from Castro street. Can U say "Men in G strings"?

But anyway, yeah SF is a nice place to visit.

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Hmmm. Castro Street is actually alot of fun. Decent restaurants, relatively clean (for SF) and some cool shops. I guess if gay people make you feel insecure, it's probably best to stay away.

SF is like Disneyland - every neighborhood is different. Noe Valley and North Beach are cool, the Sunset has some good pubs and the Palace of the Legion of Honor is always a good bet. The Filmore District, Japantown, Cow Hollow, I could go on but you get the picture.

The Steinhart Aquarium is reopening this fall and SF is not known for it's herps. However, a 15 minute ride across the Bay Bridge will get you to Berkeley and the East Bay Vivarium - which is like going to a herp zoo on it's own.

yeah, i dont really enjoy being around alot of gay people, i dont care either way... just not my crowd lol

i have heard alot about the aquarium... i will have my mom mention it to my g-paw...

and i think im going to stop by east bay viv... just because i have heard a ton of stuff about how cool it is...

stinks cause i cant take snakes on the plane with me hahah so no gettin a pretty lil thing =D haha

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Hmmm. Castro Street is actually alot of fun. Decent restaurants, relatively clean (for SF) and some cool shops. I guess if gay people make you feel insecure, it's probably best to stay away.

SF is like Disneyland - every neighborhood is different. Noe Valley and North Beach are cool, the Sunset has some good pubs and the Palace of the Legion of Honor is always a good bet. The Filmore District, Japantown, Cow Hollow, I could go on but you get the picture.

The Steinhart Aquarium is reopening this fall and SF is not known for it's herps. However, a 15 minute ride across the Bay Bridge will get you to Berkeley and the East Bay Vivarium - which is like going to a herp zoo on it's own.

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It's not that make me feel insecure, I just choose not to be around a bunch of guys walking around the street in G-Strings. Thanks.

And don't say it's not always like that there.. It's GAY TOWN, and it is always like that. I don't mind gay people, I have gay friends. But I do not hang out with them in speedos.

Haight and Ashbury!!!!

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Originally Posted by Skoalbasher

It's not that make me feel insecure, I just choose not to be around a bunch of guys walking around the street in G-Strings. Thanks.

And don't say it's not always like that there.. It's GAY TOWN, and it is always like that. I don't mind gay people, I have gay friends. But I do not hang out with them in speedos.

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I've yet to see hordes or even a single person (gay or otherwise) cruising around in their speedos in the Castro. Sounds like a stereotype - an inaccurate one on top of it. So yeah - I will say it's not like that there - I live in the Bay Area and have spent quite a bit of time in the City on top of it.

Anyone remotely familiar with the weather in SF would realize that it is far too cold for gay people to be cruising around in their thongs all year long.

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

I've yet to see hordes or even a single person (gay or otherwise) cruising around in their speedos in the Castro. Sounds like a stereotype - an inaccurate one on top of it. So yeah - I will say it's not like that there - I live in the Bay Area and have spent quite a bit of time in the City on top of it.

Anyone remotely familiar with the weather in SF would realize that it is far too cold for gay people to be cruising around in their thongs all year long.

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Ok, ok, not all year long, but i've been there thrice during the summer, and EVERY TIME I've seen at least one dude half dressed walking around. And to say you've never seen a single person dressed like that on Castro has got to be some sort of lie.

Lemme, guess, you've never seen a hippie on Haight Ashbury either..

That's like me saying in Dallas, "I've never seen a cowboy."


I love you.

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Originally Posted by Skoalbasher

Ok, ok, not all year long, but i've been there thrice during the summer, and EVERY TIME I've seen at least one dude half dressed walking around. And to say you've never seen a single person dressed like that on Castro has got to be some sort of lie.

That's like me saying in Dallas, "I've never seen a cowboy."


I love you.

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Haven't. Summer is the coldest time of the year in the City on top of it..........you've heard the old joke right? The coldest winter I've ever been through is summer in SF..............

According to a list I just googled, it appears I would be far more likely to encounter a gay person in a speedo in Dallas - as it ranks (in some publications) as the 6th Gayest City in the US and the weather is much more conducive to wearing skimpy swim wear.

Even if I were to run across a scary gay person in a thong every so often, it probably wouldn't bother me enough to stop going there with my wife to one of her favorite restaurants or to warn people away from it.

I've been to San Francisco several times, and roamed a lot of places, and I have to say I'm disappointed, since I've never seen a guy in a speedo on the street. I DID see skimpy dressed guys, inside the fetish shops. Not on the street. If you went during one of the festivals, yeah, you would see lots. Maybe you're hitting the wrong time of year?
And if you(the op I thinksaid it) are not comfortable around gay people, you might not want to go to San Francisco. I'm not saying all of them are gay, but there is a LOT of gay people there. Especially in bars. Especially in GOOD bars. And the guys are OH so nice to look at... maybe next trip they will wear their speedos.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

I've been to San Francisco several times, and roamed a lot of places, and I have to say I'm disappointed, since I've never seen a guy in a speedo on the street. I DID see skimpy dressed guys, inside the fetish shops. Not on the street. If you went during one of the festivals, yeah, you would see lots. Maybe you're hitting the wrong time of year?
And if you(the op I thinksaid it) are not comfortable around gay people, you might not want to go to San Francisco. I'm not saying all of them are gay, but there is a LOT of gay people there. Especially in bars. Especially in GOOD bars. And the guys are OH so nice to look at... maybe next trip they will wear their speedos.

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Apparently that's my problem - unlike our friend from Texas I'm staying out of the fetish shops, the festivals and the bars.

..and yes - SF has more than it's fair share of gay people. Contrary to popular belief, they don't go prancing about flaunting it up and down the streets.

ANYWAYYY

not to ruin your bash session but back on topic.. haha

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Originally Posted by Skiploder

Apparently that's my problem - unlike our friend from Texas I'm staying out of the fetish shops, the festivals and the bars.

..and yes - SF has more than it's fair share of gay people. Contrary to popular belief, they don't go prancing about flaunting it up and down the streets.

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Ok, well, maybe my eyes were lying to me, but seriously the past 3 times I've been there, there has been at least 1 guy in a g-string near Castro street. Maybe hookers? I dunno.

Our fetish shops don't rank nearly as high as yours do. :D

Just one question though, what is Castro street known for? Being from Texas, I surely didn't hear about Castro because of the food.

I don't want this to turn into me gay bashing, because I don't, or SF bashing. Only saying what I have experienced in SF. I happen to love the place, they have some of the coolest shops I've ever been to. From "my" experience, that's what I've seen.

I'll stop here.

Back on topic: I dunno about the herps in SF, but if you cross the GG Bridge, there's a town on the other side near the water with an AMAZING view of the city. Watching the fog roll in is an awesome site.

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Originally Posted by Skoalbasher

Ok, well, maybe my eyes were lying to me, but seriously the past 3 times I've been there, there has been at least 1 guy in a g-string near Castro street. Maybe hookers? I dunno.

Our fetish shops don't rank nearly as high as yours do. :D

Just one question though, what is Castro street known for? Being from Texas, I surely didn't hear about Castro because of the food.

I don't want this to turn into me gay bashing, because I don't, or SF bashing. Only saying what I have experienced in SF. I happen to love the place, they have some of the coolest shops I've ever been to. From "my" experience, that's what I've seen.

I'll stop here.

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Oh, it's known as the heart of the gay community. Then again, there are several other neighborhoods in SF that are "notoriously" gay.

...and yes, to residents of the Bay Area, it is also known for a pretty good dining scene. We'd eat there more often except that it's the crappy traffic - not the gays - that keep us away.

As Wolfy-Hound alluded to, except for certain festivals and events, the Castro is no more or less extravagant than any of these other areas. In fact, all you have to do is go to 4th Street in Berkeley (a block from the Vivarium) to see a similar scene (exhibitionists dressed in bizarre and revealing attire) or even up to Guerneville in Sonoma County around the 4th of July to see an even wilder scene.

But the Castro has become The Tourist Stop for out of towners to gawk at the gay and lesbian scene in the City and therefore the name has become synonymous with homosexuality and the City.

The town on the other side is Sausalito. If you go to Tiburon (ten minutes from Sausalito) and eat at either the patio at Sam's or the rooftop at Guaymas - you can can also get a great sunset view of the fog rolling in.

Castro street is colorful, has good eats, neat shops, and some really awesome quirky stores.
Easy Bay vivarium if you can make it there, I missed it each time so far.

What does all this talk have to do with the price of Rice a Roni?

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Easy Bay vivarium if you can make it there, I missed it each time so far.

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i plan on hitting that up for sure