San Francisco

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by emcon5

Can't be San Francisco, I don't see any bums crapping on the sidewalk.

Just dogs crapping in the park.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by vash

so you are more homophobe than cartelphobe?

Neither, but if I'm going to be surrounded by low-lifes and the smell of sewage I might as well get decent prices on stuff.

[motion]

I used to go there regularly 25 years ago and it was wonderful. Last time we were there, we had an older, boutique hotel near Union Station. We listened to homeless people screaming all night. The public nudity is too much. Seems like all the wackos are being drawn there like some kind of vortex. Its a freak show, and still a cool place to visit, though. I would live in Marin County, but never SF.

[BE911SC]

Wife and I won a company trip to SF back in 2003 and stayed in the Powell Hotel just above the cable car turntable. Nice rooms and great location--except for all the noise all night long! The cable car guys ring those bells constantly while tourists clap and hoot. That calms down around 11 pm or so but then there's a fire station close by and they responded to something every 30 minutes or so, all night long, both nights, sirens and horns blaring. They'd go all the way out Market as their sirens and horns faded and then a short time later come all the way back, sirens and horns blaring all the way to the station. Fun trip but sleep was impossible.

[Dottore]

One of the great cities that has it all IMO. And when you consider the diversity it has to offer within a two hour drive radius, I can't think of a place in the US that can touch it. The north coast, Napa, Monterey/Carmel etc etc. Very close to heaven.

[Zeke]

I lived in SF near the zoo for a short while in the late 70's. I had some work over in the Dogpatch area — pretty rough place. Carried a 12 ga pretty much everywhere in the truck and kept it on the job. Really didn't have a bit of trouble with most of the residents except a few white trash types. Drew down on one of them once and they stayed away. In those days guns were not prevalent like today.

Lived across town for a reason. When I explored the city I found it to be a nightmare. But, if you landed on the right street with restaurants, bars and shops, it could be fun. Too dense for me.

[vash]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Neither, but if I'm going to be surrounded by low-lifes and the smell of sewage I might as well get decent prices on stuff.

Lol! Can't find fault with your thinking.

[cantdrv55]

I live 37 miles northeast of the City but have a timeshare a block away from Ghirardelli Square. We spend the whole week of Fourth of July there every year. I absolutely love SF. Going to Off The Grid on Fort Mason next week. Great place for a cheap, date night!

[craigster59]

I grew up in the Bay Area in the 60-70's. Fisherman's Wharf, The Presidio, Kezar Stadium (where the 49ers played), Japanese Tea Garden in GG Park, Steinhardt Aquarium, S.F. and Knowland Park Zoo. Lots of fun.
I remember driving in the city with my Grandfather during "The Summer Of Love", him talking about those "damn hippies". I remember seeing a long haired guy in the Haight walking with an orangutang (sp) hand in hand down the street. It was wild back then.

[RWebb]

was the guy hand in hand with a female orangutan or a male one???

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by RWebb

was the guy hand in hand with a female orangutan or a male one???

I was 5 or 6. Couldn't tell the difference at that age (and wasn't looking that close).

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by speeder

the "decline" of San Francisco: I'm sitting in a Starbucks

yes, and you are helping it decline!

next time use a local place with better coffee -- Peets is close enough (E. Bay)

[speeder]

Originally Posted by RWebb

yes, and you are helping it decline!

next time use a local place with better coffee -- Peets is close enough (E. Bay)

Oh, bullschit... I go to Peet's every day of my life. Peet's is corporate coffee and I spend WAY too much $$ with them. I've been to a Peet's since I've been here as well. Starbucks is a much better than average corporate citizen and I don't mind spending $$ with them at all. If I happen to find myself outside of a SB's and need to sit down and use their WiFi, I will. The people who work at SB's are almost always nice. Peet's employees can have an attitude that is completely unwarranted, IMO. Their coffee is alright.

Wish I could buy some Peet's stock, though. They are expanding quite a bit and have a good business model. But they're corporate coffee all the way. It must have been a long time since you've been here if you think you need to go to the east bay for Peet's. They're on every other corner.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by speeder

Wish I could buy some Peet's stock, though. T:

So why don't you?

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by motion

I used to go there regularly 25 years ago and it was wonderful. Last time we were there, we had an older, boutique hotel near Union Station. We listened to homeless people screaming all night. The public nudity is too much. Seems like all the wackos are being drawn there like some kind of vortex. Its a freak show, and still a cool place to visit, though. I would live in Marin County, but never SF.

I thought this was an isolated incident until your post. I was there last year speaking on behalf of "AMD" and the first night I was given a room in the Holiday Inn at the Warf. (which by the way was amazingly nice for a Holiday Inn). Anyway I was given a room facing a park opposite the water, and bums were screaming all night long! I thought it was some sort of isolated incident, I guess not.

After the first night I was moved to the Crowne closer to the convention center, which was closer, however oddly not as nice as the Holiday Inn. I should have just stayed at the Warf since they gave me a driver.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by RWebb

yes, and you are helping it decline!

next time use a local place with better coffee -- Peets is close enough (E. Bay)

I mean that Peet's is close enuff to being local -- it originated in the E. Bay - and tastes a lot better than Starbucks.

more local; more better

if you don't like it find a bum and pour it on them

[Bill Douglas]

Does a bar called Geary Cellar still exist?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I mean that Peet's is close enuff to being local -- it originated in the E. Bay - and tastes a lot better than Starbucks.

more local; more better

if you don't like it find a bum and pour it on them

Yes, it did originate in Berkeley. And they never stop reminding you.

I was in Berkeley today. What a beautiful place. In a house in the hills, bought a couple decades ago when they were a little more affordable. San Fran does have its share of bums but I just ice them. One word and it's "no".

[Rapewta]

Last year I went to San francisco many times because the VA hospital that performed my surgery on my arm from a motorcycle accident is located there.
The hospital is in the Richmond district.
The city is beautiful.
I ignored the lifestyles and just enjoyed the geography.
Pier 39, the financial district, the houses, the different cultures for eating, walking through the Haight, the golden gate bridge, the ferrys (boats), the fog and the best was Sonen Porsche. I had to drive by it everytime I came down. Lots of
new and beautiful P-cars.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by Baz

Thanks for the photos of "The City By The Bay"

Mare Island Naval Hospital where I was born.....not too far from San Fran:

I was Navy and stationed at Mare Island from Oct '89- June '90. That looks a lot like the building my school was in. Every weekend that I had free was spent in either San Fran, San Jose, Santa Cruz or up north in the wine country. Great time.

I've been back many times since and it's a great place to visit.