cheap food and sights in san francisco?

[mark414]

i posted something like this a couple of days ago but it's already lost in the archives...which are temporarily closed, so i'll do it again

i'm in the bay area til the 15th and DON'T want to spend my time like a tourist...i spent about 5 hours last night just walking around the city and taking it all in with a buddy of mine who lives in cupertino, but we mostly just walked

so SF DUers what can i do? where's some good food, some little hole in the wall places, good sights to see that aren't brimming with tourists and that aren't to hard to get to via public transportation (no car)

edited to include:

if you were a very young person (20) and wanted to find a studio apartment or something like that with decent rent (for out here) what would be a good neighborhood to look in?

[villager]

1. Tadich Grill

near the Embarcadero. Ferry Bldg. isn't bad either for a bowl of soup or a sandwich, if you're in the mood for that...

[ImpeachBush]

19. Good food there! YUM.

Nice atmosphere, too.

[villager]

51. yeah, a real SF-y place; Anchor Steam on tap

wooden booths, etc. And, of course, sourdough.

[jpgray]

2. I always go to Blondie's when I'm there

The pizza isn't spectacular or anything, but it's cheap and they have cool posters downstairs.

:)

http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/863586?cslink=search_name_noncust&ulink=boc-results_39_searchslot9_520__0_profile_2_1

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Great mexican food in the mission district and very cheap

Almost all the little hole in the wall places are inexpensive...the Exploratorium is a pretty cool place too and quite inexpensive to spend the afternoon

[arcane1]

4. Pancho Villa!!!

:bounce:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. YEAH THAT'S THE PLACE!!!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

27. The greatest

Their burritos ...............

::::: sigh ::::

[bo44]

57. Valencia Street between 16th and 17th has more than a few good joints

El Toro is my favorite. Lotsa bookstores and stuff if the place hasn't changed much since I lived in the City.

[libnnc]

6. So good we went there twice

My partner and I were in SF in '96 and we found this great Irish pub called The Fiddler's Green. Lesbians and Irish pubs :shrug:

We had so much fun we went back the next night. Lots of interesting locals. U2 on the juke box, Boddington's on draught, corned-beef and cabbage...

good times, good times....:toast: :beer:

[arcane1]

7. come to the Eagle Tavern tonight if you feel like mild partying

I'll be there w/a few friends :smoke:

[mark414]

8. aw would love to

but i'm staying in cupertino with my friends and we don't have a car...we hitchhiked there yesterday and took BART and the caltrain back to sunnyvale, but not going to be able to make it into the city everyday...oh well

[arcane1]

9. I know the feeling too well

living in the east bay with my entire social life in SF


hence next month's move! :bounce:

[mark414]

10. i'm looking to move there

but have no idea where to look

what's a good place to look for (relatively) cheap studios or flats? mission district? i have no idea :shrug:

[arcane1]

12. mission is a great place

one the the areas I am especially targeting too

[ronnykmarshall]

17. I HATED living in the East Bay.

I live in Hayward from 1999 - 2000. I was either working tons of hours or working in LA, so it was $$$$ good for me.

But like you, all my social life was in SF. I miss the city! :cry:

Two of my best friends are up there (Martinez and Hayward) and will love it if we moved back.

I'm so tempted sometimes.

[arcane1]

21. I'm in Walnut Creek... Hayward is an improvement :)

but I'm out of here next month, and can't WAIT!!!!!

:bounce:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

28. Walnut Creek

I lived there and nearly died there.

What am I saying?

There is no there there.

Oakland, on the other hand, has some things going on. Gertrude Stein would plotz.................

[arcane1]

31. nearly died of boredom?

reminds me of my hometown- the #1 recreational activity is to leave it :)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

35. Insipid, stifling, nowhere

And those are WC's best attributes, as far as I'm concerned.

It was beyond suburban, like someplace the Stepford Wives might have used as a training ground, until they got bored and left.

At least my home town, in the coal mine country of PA, had a contingent of mad characters on every block, and, while it didn't have any money, it sure had style and storytelling.

When I moved into SF, I lived in Western Addition, which was a risky, but lively place, and it was a great location. That was in the late eighties. I wonder what it's like now.

Congratulations on getting out, and good luck in the best city in the world.

[arcane1]

36. it's just a giant trendy outdoor mall with housing around it

and it will be quite satisfying to leave it at last :)

[cally]

42. Hey, I grew up in Hayward

My parents still live there and I have a very close friend involved in politics there I still like it. ;-) Ummm, is the most popular Mexican restaurant still the one that was closed TWO TIMES for serving horse meat? I went there often. The last time I saw a HS friend working the cash register. Is the most popular Italian restaurant still the one that was closed down for re-serving the soup and bread? Awww, Hayward.

[ronnykmarshall]

44. Hayward's is not so bad.

I lived on Hyde Drive near Tennysen High School. We were not far from the South Hayward BART station. This was great for me, cuz I hate to drive in the city. There are some great mexican markets and resturants near our place there.

I'm just not the 'burbs type. My heart just ached to be back in the city. But go figure, I fell in love and moved to Los Angeles!

[cally]

49. I went to Hayward High

My best friend went to Tennyson. I go back and I'm just amazed how much it has changed.

[ronnykmarshall]

50. I haven't been back in about 5 years.

But we lived so close to Tennyson, they kids would sneak down our street and smoke!

[indie_voter]

11. Good pizza: Arnells on Valencia at 16th n/t

[China_cat]

13. Tomorrow's a first Wed.

that means that all the public attractions in the city are free admission. Exploratorium, aquarium, museums, planetarium.

As for food...just check all over Chinatown. Great little places with good food, large portions and cheap checks.

[Goathead]

14. Go to the Mission

This place called Cancun Tacqueria. It is somewhere near Mission and Precita, awesome Mission burritos for really cheap, there is also this place called Club Argus about a block from there on Mission St. that is a mello place to grab a beer and play some pool, the sign for Club Argus is a peacock feather, you have to be alert to find it, it doesn't say club Argus anywhere on the facade, I think that some people call it the Peacock bar. It is right across the street from an abandoned Taco Bell. My friend and I just laughed and shook are heads when ever we saw this Taco Bell in the heart of the Mission, it came as no surprise that they went out of business, Mission food is much cheaper and about a million times better. You can also get good Thai and Vietnamese food in the Mission for cheap.

[arcane1]

16. indeed, Tacqueria Cancun is another fine place

then roll into Zeitgeist for hot beer and cold women :)

and of course, the huge smoking patio :smoke:

[ronnykmarshall]

15. Go the to the mission.

Great latin places. Good ol' ma and pa joints.

The Castro has a great Chinese place "The Metro" and "La Mediterane" which is mid-eastern food.

North Beach, Italian food for days.

Avoid at all cost any place near Pier 39 or Fisherman's warf.

[Beer Snob-50]

18. in and out burger

in fishermans wharf (next to hooters) great food, reasonable prices.

[ImpeachBush]

20. The Baghdad Cafe

on Market Street, in the Castro District. Great deserts, very good prices, big servings, and above average eats.

[ronnykmarshall]

34. and a great place after the clubs close!

So many nights I ended up there with my homegirls after the bars or clubs closed. Us poor ol' gals that didn't score that night would get our food on. Sometimes one of us would drag our Mr Right Now with us. BIG mistake. Never let your man see you wolf down a burger at 2:30 in morning. Kinda ruins the moment. PLUS he may not look that good in normal lighting. AND if he thinks YOU don't look good in normal lighting, fuck him! You don't need that shit!

[ImpeachBush]

40. Best vacation I ever had ...

Well, Alaska might have been a little neater, but I LOVED SF. I would give anything if I could afford to live in that area. Just an incredible city, so much to do, and, for some reason, it just didn't seem like a big city. The liberal attitude and huge gay population was so refreshing (traveled there from Utah). I suppose I'm a little naive (and maybe a little stupid) but I traveled all over the city, alone, during the day while my partner attended a convention at the center, and never got freaked out when I was lost and never felt fear for myself at any point. The only downer was the homeless folks ... I hate that they have to be out there on the streets, and feel terrible because I don't have more to give (guilt, guilt, guilt).

[ronnykmarshall]

43. It doesn't feel like a big city.

There is really a neighboorhood feeling about SF. I used to run into people I knew ALL over the city.

My best friend was amazed one year at gay pride that I knew so many people there. Ok that's a bad example I SLEPT with most of them.

[Goathead]

22. If there is anything going on at the Castro Theatre

Check it out. I saw 'Spike & Mike's Animated Film Festival' there and it was definitely an experience. The theatre has this old timey organ that rises up out of the stage that they still play before the show. Though I saw a movie there the whole place had this rock concert feel to it, the place was packed and people were batting these huge balloons all around, my friends were making mixed drinks in their seats before the show, it was awesome. Some poor schmuck's cell phone went off about five minutes into the film and all these people started hissing at him, it was hysterical. That's San Fransisco for you.

http://www.thecastrotheatre.com/

[ImpeachBush]

23. Cheap sites ... nearby ... Muir Woods, Point Reyes

Point Reyes was awesome ... we got to watch whales playing in the water there while we stood on the bluff above the Lighthouse. The drive along the coast up there was really cool, too.

[mark414]

24. is there any public transportation that runs out there?

i'd like to check out muir woods for sure...point reyes would be cool too but i don't have a car...

[ImpeachBush]

33. I rented a car for a day just to take that drive.

I don't know about the public transportation outside of the city. SF has wonderful public transportation for getting around the city - when I was visiting there I bought a 7 day pass and could ride the streetcars, buses, and trolleys anywhere about the city.

[mitchtv]

30. Fort Point. , and the top of twin Peaks

Steinhart aquarium fish around
the sausalito Ferry for the day
a day in Gg park
seal rock /lands end

[arwalden]

25. The Grubsteak Diner...

on or near Polk (or Pine).

[ronnykmarshall]

45. I think it closed down.

I might be wrong. They had the best juke box, too.

[mitchtv]

26. Red Crane funston and clement

chinese seafood and vegetarian
La Cumbre 16th/ Valencia = steak burritos
La rondalla 20th?/valencia late night Mex food
Nicks at the Beach/ Pt Lobos/ great hwy- view of the Cliff house - American Food
yang sing three locations downtown Dim sun-lunch/breakfst
Origional Joes for dinner Tenderloin taylor and turk (I think) the best Italian at reasonable prices specialty Veal scallopine and Calamari Dore'

[ronnykmarshall]

46. Mmmmmmmm La Cumbre!

Oh my god (aye dios mio) ... the BEST steak burritos in the city!

Original Joes! I used to live at Taylor/Geary and my ex and I loved that place. It was one of those places where you expected some guy named Vinnie discussing the alarming high price of cement with his "business partner" Guido. I loved their breaded veal.

[maveric]

29. Go to China town and eat at the small places where Chinese people eat at.

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Chinatown/North Beach and found this tiny place around the corner from the hotel where I had the best plate of House Chow Mein I have ever had. All for $2.99.

[ronnykmarshall]

47. Any place with a duck in the window .... go there!

There also great places to get FRESH and I mean fresh seafood. We're talking, it's swiming when you walk in.

[villager]

52. Hang Ah tea room!

You have to go down a flight of stairs near a playground to get there, as I recall...

[maveric]

54. Thats the place!

I'll go there again.

[villager]

58. dang, this makes me want to go there...

...right now!

But I'm 400 miles away. Be hard to get there in time for lunch...

[mark414]

32. thanks everyone

i'll be sure to check some of this out, also using this as an opportunity to KICK

[Book Lover]

37. If you are free Friday night and are interested in art...

An art show I'm in will hold the opening reception Friday from 6-9 pm in Potrero Hill:

The 2005 Calendar Show opens at the San Francisco Center for the Book, located at 300 de Haro Street in San Francisco, on January 7, 2005 from 6-9 p.m. with a special reception for the calendar artists, live! A percentage of sales at the opening reception will benefit PCBA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to book arts. Regular gallery hours are January 7 through February 25, 2005; Monday through Friday, 10-6 at the San Francisco Center for the Book. For directions to the Center, call 415-565-0545.

[ImpeachBush]

38. I almost forgot ... MOMA was awesome ... here's some more ideas

SF's Museum of Modern Art ... I spent the better part of an afternoon there, and bought some neat, cheap prints in the gift store there.

Oh, and you should go see the Trolley museum ... very nostalgic and interesting.

I spent a few hours shopping around Haight-Ashbury ... interesting shops, homes, and bus creatures.

[ronnykmarshall]

48. Great second hand stores in the Haight.

I got my second tattoo there.


ALSO http://www.amoebamusic.com/html/ the BEST record store in town. Thank god we have one in LA!

[sundog]

39. cruise polk street

uhh, it's free :shrug:

just kidding... seriously though, check out Napa at sunset

[democracyindanger]

41. apartments

Rents are all pretty much the same. I think for a significant difference you'd have to check out Berkeley or Oakland.

But areas around SFSU or USF might be a good place to start. The Sunset District, too.

[pantouflard]

53. I have lots of ideas.

Get on the N-Judah Muni train (I assume you are somewhere near downtown.) From there you can get all the way out to Ocean Beach (there's a coffee house at the end of the line.) But even better is Golden Gate Park. Get off at Ninth Avenue and walk into the park (across Lincoln Way.) The Arboretum will be on your left. On your right, follow the streets around to the Conservatory of Flowers - just reopened, and it's amazing.(and warm!)

When you're ready to eat go back to Ninth Ave, or get back on the train heading downtown but get off in Cole Valley (very cool neighborhood.)

The Crocker Galleria (Kearney and Sutter? help me out, folks) has crappy stores, but upstairs is a great food court, and some of these restaurants are inexpensive. This is not a McDs and Cinnabon food court, this is real food.

Take the Embarcadero Streetcar for a great sightseeing trip that's relatively cheap. You can stop and check out the new Ferry Building.

Go to Union Square. Walk straight through the lobby of the St. Francis Hotel, turn right, away from the registration desk, get on an elevator and punch the top floor. Woo hoo!!! Free view of the city!

Also from the N-Judah or the Market Street Car, you can catch the Church Street Car and go down to Noe Valley (about 25th, I think.) I dearly love that neighborhood. Lots to see, lots to eat, lots of charm.

Also, to second the advice of those above, Valencia St. is groovy.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. And have fun! It's a great city.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

55. Chinatown dim sum (brunch) is cheap. East bay Chinese food is

good, some of it possibly better than in SF.

[tyedyeto]

56. Non touristy site but kewl..........

the wave organ out beyond the yacht club.........been there a coupl of times and it's definitely not on your regular tourist agenda.

Gotta go when the tides are either coming in or going out, not when they are stagnant.