Just returned from our second trip to San Fran so we didn't do as much of the touristy stuff. I'd also like to note that I am wearing a boot right now for a stress fracture and will write a bit about my experience being slightly physically impaired in this very hilly, very busy city.
To start, the boot was rough. Along with hills, some of the sidewalks dip down toward the street - no big deal if you aren't wearing something that holds your ankle straight. Walking across the street and over the street car lines was trickier than I thought it would be due to lack of ground feel and ability to balance. I was up and down street cars and buses, and people are pretty patient when they see that someone is injured. I will say, though, that the city's attitude isn't overly gracious for those who are slightly handicapped. Not mean, just not overly nice about having to go slow. I also don't remember more than one or two people actually getting up to give me their seat, even was hanging on with both hands and basically only one foot from the side of a street car.
Hotel
The Stanford Court Rennaissance Love this hotel! It's conveniently located at the top of Powell street looking down over both Union Square and the bay, crossstreet California. We were upgraded to a larger King room, 455, and the room is much larger than what I was expecting. It looks recently made-over, and it's super clean.
Transportation
BART We took the Yellow Line from the aiport to downtown. The train lines are kind of a pain to get to, but easy to find by following the signs. There are ticket machines available right before you go down to board the train. It's helpful if you already know where you want to get off because you have to pay that exact amount before buying the ticket. Pay careful attention to the map and the directions on the screen. Our train into downtown's Powell street was $8.25 pp ($8.65 as of 2/18/15) one-way. Much cheaper than a cab.
MUNI Muni passes are available for purchase at the information desks at the airport by baggage. Prices will likely go up, but our 3-days passes for this trip were $21 pp ($26 as of 2/18/15), usable for ALL MUNI transports - cable cars, buses, and streetcars. It is well worth the money to buy one if you are even going to be in town for a day. They have 1-, 3-, and 7-day passes available. Hills in San Fran are killer, so the MUNI system will keep you walking the next day:)
Restaurants
Indigo (on McAllister & Gough - take the 5 bus there AND back to the street car turnaround). I found Indigo on http://www.restaurant.com/ and made a reservation through http://www.opentable.com/. What we liked about Indigo, besides the great food and ambience, was the after-8PM pre fixe menu wine dinner. For $50 pp, you get your choice of any app, entree, and dessert, with limitless refills on your choices of wines by the glass. The servers were wonderful, and we really enjoyed our experience.
Santorini (on O'Farrel just west of Powell) Like Indigo, I found this on http://www.restaurant.com/. We went there for lunch and split a very tasty gyro platter ($16) and a baklava. It's big and clean, but I would make a reservation if you are going there in the evening since it's so close to Union Square.
New Village Cafe (on Polk just south of California) I read the reviews on Trip Advisor for this little mom and pop place, and it lived up to those reviews. They have a nice selection of omelettes and other breakfast items, and it's affordable if you want a quick bite to eat before starting the day. This place is CASH ONLY!
Other
We waited a very long time for the street car to get to Ghiradelli square Sunday afternoon, and the line coming back from that area on the Powell-Hyde car was absolutely ridiculous. Guess what, though, the 19 bus picks up right outside Ghiradelli. We took that back to California's street car and back to our hotel. Again, love having a MUNI pass.
To start, the boot was rough. Along with hills, some of the sidewalks dip down toward the street - no big deal if you aren't wearing something that holds your ankle straight. Walking across the street and over the street car lines was trickier than I thought it would be due to lack of ground feel and ability to balance. I was up and down street cars and buses, and people are pretty patient when they see that someone is injured. I will say, though, that the city's attitude isn't overly gracious for those who are slightly handicapped. Not mean, just not overly nice about having to go slow. I also don't remember more than one or two people actually getting up to give me their seat, even was hanging on with both hands and basically only one foot from the side of a street car.
Hotel
The Stanford Court Rennaissance Love this hotel! It's conveniently located at the top of Powell street looking down over both Union Square and the bay, crossstreet California. We were upgraded to a larger King room, 455, and the room is much larger than what I was expecting. It looks recently made-over, and it's super clean.
Transportation
BART We took the Yellow Line from the aiport to downtown. The train lines are kind of a pain to get to, but easy to find by following the signs. There are ticket machines available right before you go down to board the train. It's helpful if you already know where you want to get off because you have to pay that exact amount before buying the ticket. Pay careful attention to the map and the directions on the screen. Our train into downtown's Powell street was $8.25 pp ($8.65 as of 2/18/15) one-way. Much cheaper than a cab.
MUNI Muni passes are available for purchase at the information desks at the airport by baggage. Prices will likely go up, but our 3-days passes for this trip were $21 pp ($26 as of 2/18/15), usable for ALL MUNI transports - cable cars, buses, and streetcars. It is well worth the money to buy one if you are even going to be in town for a day. They have 1-, 3-, and 7-day passes available. Hills in San Fran are killer, so the MUNI system will keep you walking the next day:)
Restaurants
Indigo (on McAllister & Gough - take the 5 bus there AND back to the street car turnaround). I found Indigo on http://www.restaurant.com/ and made a reservation through http://www.opentable.com/. What we liked about Indigo, besides the great food and ambience, was the after-8PM pre fixe menu wine dinner. For $50 pp, you get your choice of any app, entree, and dessert, with limitless refills on your choices of wines by the glass. The servers were wonderful, and we really enjoyed our experience.
Santorini (on O'Farrel just west of Powell) Like Indigo, I found this on http://www.restaurant.com/. We went there for lunch and split a very tasty gyro platter ($16) and a baklava. It's big and clean, but I would make a reservation if you are going there in the evening since it's so close to Union Square.
New Village Cafe (on Polk just south of California) I read the reviews on Trip Advisor for this little mom and pop place, and it lived up to those reviews. They have a nice selection of omelettes and other breakfast items, and it's affordable if you want a quick bite to eat before starting the day. This place is CASH ONLY!
Other
We waited a very long time for the street car to get to Ghiradelli square Sunday afternoon, and the line coming back from that area on the Powell-Hyde car was absolutely ridiculous. Guess what, though, the 19 bus picks up right outside Ghiradelli. We took that back to California's street car and back to our hotel. Again, love having a MUNI pass.
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