San Francisco, California: things to do

THINGS TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco 

For plenty of great suggestions about things to do in San Francisco and Northern California, please visit my blog that is devoted to that area, Weekend Adventures Update.  

The Weekend Adventures Update blog is a continuation of my out-of-print guidebook--WEEKEND ADVENTURES IN SAN FRANCISCO & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.  It features travel destinations throughout Northern California and presents them in small, easy-to-digest chunks along with plenty of photos so you get the picture.   

 

Even more great weekend adventures--as well as information about destinations around the world--await you at my BERKELEY AND BEYOND website.



More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

image © Raul Flores

San Francisco, California: Espetus Churrascaria;

Espetus Churrascaria 

1686 Market St./Gough St., (415) 552-8792. L-D daily; $$$. Reservations advised.

Operating within a glass-walled corner building, this authentic Brazilian steakhouse provides comfortable seating at well-spaced tables. Fine paintings by renowned Brazilian artist Edgar Cliquet depict Brazilian scenes. Meals are a set price ($18.95-$29.95 for lunch, $39.95 for dinner) and include as much as you can eat. Skewers of meats cooked over an open fire are brought around to each table by skilled carvers and sliced onto diners’ plates. Meats include filet mignon and other cuts of beef as well as pork, lamb, chicken, housemade sausage, and shrimp. The salad bar is a cornucopia of delights. It offers tangy Brazilian potato salad and coleslaw and also some typical Brazilian side dishes. Two kinds of sangria, signature cocktails, and Brazilian beers are available in addition to wine, and desserts include a tasty passion fruit mousse and a classic tres leches pudding cake.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Dame Edna; things to do

Post Street Theatre  

(415) 771-6900.

Wacky, witty, wonderful Dame Edna is in town. See her in all her lavender-haired, curly-cued- eyeglasses glory on her "First Last Tour" through January 4. Do note that this is a heavy-duty audience participation show, so dress well or avoid the first four or five rows.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Ride the Ducks (CLOSED); things to do

Ride the Ducks  

CLOSED  Jefferson St./Taylor St., Fisherman’s Wharf, (800) 452-4386, (415) 922-2425. Daily 11-5. $32, 62+ $30, 5-17 $23; discount for Bay Area residents through Dec. 31, 2008.

The just ducky Ducks are amphibious vehicles modeled after the DUKWs that carried troops and supplies during World War II. They spend half the tour riding through the streets of San Francisco and the other half cruising in the bay near AT&T Park. Riders are given bright-yellow duck-bill "quackers" to blow on throughout the trip. I had no idea I held so much hot air. I reverted back to my inner 8-year-old and quacked away crazily at pedestrians. I found their reactions very interesting. Some people refused to acknowledge us (there were more nutty quackers on board than just me); others smiled like 8-year-olds; 8-year-olds and under smiled and usually waved, too. But what really amazed me, is that no one--not a single person--gave us the finger! I have no idea what these observations mean, except I had one crazy good time.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Orchard Garden Hotel; hotel review + restaurant review

Orchard Garden Hotel  

466 Bush St./Stockton St., 4 blks. from Union Square, (888) 717-2881, (415) 399-9807. 10 stories; 86 rooms; $$$-$$$+. Fitness room. Restaurant; room service. Self-parking $30, valet $40. No pets.

Well-situated in the “French Quarter,” this hotel gives vigilant attention to green practices. Anyone with environmental illnesses should be quite happy, and everyone can breathe deeply, and easily, while inside. However, once you hit the street, all bets are off. Unfortunately, the hotel can’t control what goes on outside. In-room green features include a key card energy control system, trash recycling system, chemical-free cleaning products, compact fluorescent light bulbs, FSC-certified maple wood furniture, organic bath products and sustainable amenities, water-efficient bathroom fixtures, and individual climate control.

Casual Roots Restaurant ((415) 659-0349. L-D daily; $$-$$$) features innovative American-Mediterranean cuisine that is prepared with locally sourced organic and sustainable ingredients. Vegetarian items are options, and still or sparkling water--filtered, and bottled in house--is available. Cocktails are served late into the night at the bar.


Just up the street, the Orchard Hotel (665 Bush St./E. of Powell St., 2 blks. from Union Square, (415) 362-8878. 10 stories; 104 rooms; $$-$$$+. Fitness room. Restaurant; room service. Self-parking $30, valet $40.) sister property is a slightly older, well-maintained boutique hotel. And, like most sisters, they are very similar but also different--this hotel features a classic Pan-Asian style décor and platform beds.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Baraka (CLOSED); restaurant review

Baraka  

CLOSED  288 Connecticut St./18th St., Potrero Hill, (415) 255-0370; . D daily; $$$. Reservations advised.

Retaining remnants of its former life as a Moroccan restaurant, this popular spot features deep rose-rouge walls, red velvet banquettes, and copper-topped tables. The short-but-interesting menu includes a warm pistachio-crusted goat cheese appetizer that is a must along with a side of grilled flatbread and sesame zahatar sauce. Among the winning entrees are slow-baked local halibut atop a warm tomato and bread salad and braised beef cheeks with baby spinach. Esoteric items such as seared octopus and roasted beef bone marrow are also options, as is a vegetarian entrée—perhaps a wild mushroom-polenta dish. Cocktails include an array of martinis and a very good mojito, and among the housemade desserts are yummy cinnamon sugar-dusted bomboloni (dense donut holes), granitas, and an unusual Moroccan mint tea with floating pine nuts.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Chez Papa Resto (CLOSED); restaurant review

Chez Papa Resto  

CLOSED  414 Jessie St./5th St., on Mint Plaza, South of Market, (415) 546-4134. L M-F, D daily, Sat-SunBr; $$$. Reservations advised.

Located just across the street from San Francisco Centre, this spot serves authentic French Provencal cuisine in a comfortable room with high ceilings, large windows, and chic black walls. The professional staff is mostly French and from the South of France, so charming accents ring out throughout a meal. However, the cool temperatures that keep diners inside and not out on the umbrella- and heater-equipped front patio is all San Francisco. Menu stars include a butter lettuce salad with mustard vinaigrette, a tasty and tender braised lamb daube, any of several roasted fishes, and greaseless pommes frites with aioli.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Supperclub (CLOSED); restaurant review

Supperclub  

CLOSED  657 Harrison St./3rd St., South of Market, (415) 348-0900. D Tu-Sun; $$$+; price varies depending of night of week. Reservations advised. Valet parking.

Surprises and naughty fun await diners here, where a bit of San Francisco butts heads with a bit of Roman decadence. It’s best not to know too much before arrival. Ideally, the experience begins with a drink in the round bar area before the doors open to the club, and a Black Cherry Drop is a great way to go. Diners are led to their spot among a bank of beds that flank ¾ of the all-white room. After taking off their shoes and climbing up on the beds, they can snuggle back into pillow backrests. The rest of the room is left open for watching theater—the video screen that is reminiscent of a ‘60s light show, the DJs doing their thing, the bartenders shaking away, the chefs scurrying in the exhibition kitchen, and the night’s entertainment. The set menu (dietary restrictions are accommodated) multi-course dinner consists of sophisticated cuisine served to loungers on a bed tray. Scheduled entertainment might include anything from a delightful designer fashion show to a bit of divalicious drag queen debauchery. One night, anyone who wanted to be spanked was accommodated, and every night a foot massage is available for an additional fee. After dinner, guests have the choice of staying on past bedtime for the club scene or exiting through the oversize, shiny-brass double doors and seeing the envious looks of those who are still waiting outside behind velvet ropes for entry.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Mexico DF (CLOSED); restaurant review

Mexico DF  

CLOSED  139 Steuart St./Mission St., South of Market, (415) 808-1048. L M-F, D daily; $$. Reservations advised.

Given the choice between the dark back dining room and the more airy front bar space, the bar wins. However, most diners wind up in the back at a table cheered up by colorful hand-painted Mexican motif “plates” that are removed when service begins. The space features framed computer screens on the walls showcasing a changing array of Mexican art and an open kitchen. A delicious meal can be made from an order of mango guacamole and a margarita (there are many versions), either a huarache (a sandal-shaped corn masa base topped with short ribs and refried black beans) or gorditas (corn masa stuffed with chorizo and cheese), and a cooling burnt caramel flan for dessert.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: The Contemporary Jewish Museum; things to do

The Contemporary Jewish Museum  

736 Mission St./3rd St., South of Market, (415) 655-7800. Thur 1-8:30, F-Tu 11-5:30. $10, 65+ $8, under 19 free, Thur after 5 $5.

Retaining the original brick façade and some interior catwalks and trusses from the historic 1907 PG&E Jessie Street Power Substation building, this brand new museum has a very modern angular interior. Designed to explore Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas, the structure is filled with symbolism--for instance, the auditorium design is based on a map of Jerusalem. The museum has no permanent collection. A free cell phone tour is available, and a Family tour and drop-in art program occur each Sunday. Café on the Square serves a contemporary kosher-style Jewish menu of mostly vegetarian items. A vast entry courtyard in front—an open space that seems quite luxurious because it is surrounded by high-rises—is city operated.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Troya Restaurant; restaurant review

Troya Restaurant  

349 Clement St./5th Ave., (415) 379-6000. L F-Sun, D daily; $$. Reservations accepted.

Contemporary Turkish cuisine is served at Troya Restaurant in a light-filled room with a pleasing view of the street. Signature mezes, or starters, change regularly and include delicious delicacies such as borek (filo dough stuffed with fresh spinach and pine nuts), dolmas (grape leaves stuffed with braised lamb), and warm olives. A meal can be made from mezes alone, but it would be a shame not to try one of the entrees, perhaps a vegetarian moussakka or a satisfying manti (handmade ravioli). Turkish deserts include baklava and kunefe, which are even better with a cup of thick Turkish coffee or refreshing peppermint tea.

Before or after dining, duck in to Green Apple Books & Music (506 Clement St./6th Ave., (415) 387-2272. Daily 10-10:30.) and 6th Ave Aquarium (425 Clement St., (415) 668-7190. M-F 11-10, Sat-Sun 10-10.) for an enjoyable browse.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: A. G. Ferrari Foods (CLOSED); restaurant revieew

A. G. Ferrari Foods   

CLOSED  688 Mission St./3rd St., South of Market, (415) 344-0644.

On a recent visit here I picked up the perfect quick dinner to keep on hand in my pantry. It consists of a box of Bucatini organic pasta "straws," a jar of pesto alla Genovese, and a 2005 Il Rosso Di Annibale Sangiovese. I plan to repeat this delicious meal many times more.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Beat Museum; things to do

Beat Museum  

540 Broadway/Columbus, North Beach, 800-KER-OUAC, (415) 399-9626. Tu-Sun 10-10. $5, seniors $4. 

The late, beloved San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen is credited with coining "beatnik" in 1956 to describe the followers of the Beat Movement who hung out in the coffeehouses of North Beach. This cool museum has existed before in a variety of venues, including a traveling bus. Now in the back of the former Figone hardware store, it displays book collections, manuscripts, and ephemera from Beat legends such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The merchandise in the front retail store is almost as interesting as the museum itself.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Rose Pistola (CLOSED); restaurant review

Rose Pistola  

CLOSED  532 Columbus Ave./Union St., North Beach, (415) 399-0499. L-D daily; $$$. Reservations advised. Valet parking.

In a modern setting with sleek décor, this comfortable Italian trattoria produces top-notch Ligurian-style fare. The enticing menu changes twice daily and includes wood-fired pizza, housemade pastas such as pappardelle with pork sugo, entrees such as delicate whole petrale sole grilled with white beans and fennel, and vegetable sides such as grilled broccoli di cicco. Appetizers usually include a creative bruschetta, and desserts something tasty beautiful like a blood orange panna cotta atop an oat cake. Meals begin with house-cured olives and ciabatta bread, and sometimes service is by the effervescent waiter, Harry, who brings joy to the experience at no extra charge. Service is family-style. A full bar serves colorful cocktails, and live jazz adds to the atmosphere on weekends.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.

San Francisco, California: Fish & Farm (CLOSED); restaurant review

Fish & Farm  

CLOSED  399 Taylor St./Ellis St., downtown, (415) 474-FISH. D Tu-Sun; $$$.

Invitingly decorated like an old-time train station café, with a sprinkling of half-moon booths and a dark cave-like atmosphere, this small venue strives to serve only sustainably farmed organic produce from nearby sources. The contemporary surf & turf menu includes tasty fish renditions—a cracker-crusted petrale sole is scrumptious—as well as some meat selections, including a slow braised lamb shoulder. A side of house-pickled vegetables is a must. The menu is also served in a separate bar area that is particularly suited to solo diners. Organic house cocktails and wines marry well with the menu items. The cookie plate makes a satisfying dessert.

More things to do in San Francisco

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.