greenfairie Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 Does anyone know how much I should bring? I'm going for three days this month and next month, probably four-five days. I'm on a college student budget lol. Any places I should check out? I want to get the most out of this city as much as I can. I'm also a photographer so I love taking pictures any chance I get... do you guys know where I should go to get some awesome pictures? Thanks so much.
writergal Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 (edited) I've been to San Fran on a weekend. Pack light as far as clothes are concerned. I'm going again next month from a Fri-Sun to visit a friend. I love San Fran. Since you are a photographer I recommend: -golden gate park -fisherman's wharf -my favorite bookstore owned by Lawrence Ferlinghetti "City Lights" -do the Jack Kerouac tour (only if you like Beatnik lit tho) -famous Lombard Street -Castro Theater -Golden Gate bridge (obviously) -union square -the trollies are everywhere and fun to ride That's plenty for a short trip! Have fun!! Does anyone know how much I should bring? I'm going for three days this month and next month, probably four-five days. I'm on a college student budget lol. Any places I should check out? I want to get the most out of this city as much as I can. I'm also a photographer so I love taking pictures any chance I get... do you guys know where I should go to get some awesome pictures? Thanks so much. Edited June 1, 2014 by writergal 1
Author greenfairie Posted June 1, 2014 Author Posted June 1, 2014 I've been to San Fran on a weekend. Pack light as far as clothes are concerned. I'm going again next month from a Fri-Sun to visit a friend. I love San Fran. Since you are a photographer I recommend: -golden gate park -fisherman's wharf -my favorite bookstore owned by Lawrence Ferlinghetti "City Lights" -do the Jack Kerouac tour (only if you like Beatnik lit tho) -famous Lombard Street -Castro Theater -Golden Gate bridge (obviously) -union square -the trollies are everywhere and fun to ride That's plenty for a short trip! Have fun!! Thank you!! This is all so helpful. I love bookstores, so I'm definitely going to check that bookstore out!!
writergal Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 I LOVE that bookstore. When you walk inside it, you can just feel the history. I remember the first time I walked inside it, I got goosebumps. Glad I could help. It will be a great subject for your camera, especially black and white photos. Have fun!! Thank you!! This is all so helpful. I love bookstores, so I'm definitely going to check that bookstore out!!
CarrieT Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 (edited) I live here. The trick is to LAYER. Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. You can have a morning start in the mid- to high-70s (or even 80s!), but the fog can roll in and it will be in the 50s within minutes. Seriously. Bring a really warm jacket! Alternately, pack really, really light and hit the local thrift stores for additional needs (I do that often when I travel). My comments bold on Writergal's suggestions: -golden gate park: stunning. -fisherman's wharf: tourist trap=AVOID! -my favorite bookstore owned by Lawrence Ferlinghetti "City Lights" -do the Jack Kerouac tour (only if you like Beatnik lit tho): or the Movie Tour! -famous Lombard Street: Also a tourist trap and currently under debate for being shut down except to locals. -Castro Theater: A *huge* favorite of mine and I go several times a month! -Golden Gate bridge (obviously): HEAVY COAT NEEDED! It is cold and windy almost always. -union square: A nice spot, but is really only a shopping venue. -the trollies are everywhere and fun to ride: Not really everywhere... But most of the places that tourists want to go. My notes: For food, people watching, and a great place for photographs, THE place to be is at The Ferry Plaza on Saturday mornings (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) for the Farmer's Market. Frequented by lots of chefs. Chinatown is very interesting and very authentic. One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America. The Mission District, especially 24th Street. The Mission Burrito is a classic food dish that is very inexpensive and filling. Great for someone on a budget. In Golden Gate Park, the DeYoung Museum is worth a stop and they have a cool Friday Night gig with free music, public art, etc. Also, there is an amazing tower you should go up during the day for a full 360-degree view of the whole city. What types of things do you like to take pictures of? Another thing to keep in mind that the whole city is only 7x7 miles so there is a lot that can be walked to, despite the hills. Get a BART card (different than the trolleys) and a MUNI app. Between the trolleys, the busses, and the underground (BART), you can get anywhere in the city very inexpensively. Edited June 1, 2014 by CarrieT 3
CarrieT Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 I love San Fran. postscript: It is not "San Fran" or "Frisco" We locals hate those terms... We live in S.A.N. F.R.A.N.C.I.S.C.O. Thanks. 1
Keenly Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 San Francisco is a really expensive city. Be prepared to drop a decent amount of money
GravityMan Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 If you're from a warm climate and accustomed to that, then consider packing a jacket or similar. 50s are common even in mid-summer in SF. There are places in Alaska that are warmer on average during the summer months. If you don't mind taking a short trip away from the city, and like nature and wine, then check out Napa Valley. You should have plenty of opportunities to take nice pics there.
CarrieT Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 San Francisco is a really expensive city. Be prepared to drop a decent amount of money Yes, it is VERY expensive to live here, but for visiting, I think it depends on what you want to do and where. There are a LOT of free and inexpensive things to do in this city. For dining, read through this list of Cheap Eats (and none of those mentioned my afore-referenced Mission Burrito). Also, on Friday nights, there is "Off The Grid" at Forth Mason, a massive collection of food trucks that is now quite the scene and damn-good eats. We bring my new family and my husband's kids love the fact that they can all get what they want for under $10 a person. Google "free things to do in San Francisco" produces a handful of great websites that lists a whole slew of items - from free museum days to festivals - that can be done on the cheap. We have free music festivals, free Shakespeare in the park, and this list boasts tons of great stuff! 1
writergal Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 Sorry Carrie. postscript: It is not "San Fran" or "Frisco" We locals hate those terms... We live in S.A.N. F.R.A.N.C.I.S.C.O. Thanks.
Haydn Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 Who cares if we are tourists. Frisco. That`s how it it is sold. Inverted snobs.
writergal Posted June 1, 2014 Posted June 1, 2014 Carrie wanna do a quick meetup when I go next month to see my friend? Lemme know! postscript: It is not "San Fran" or "Frisco" We locals hate those terms... We live in S.A.N. F.R.A.N.C.I.S.C.O. Thanks.
CarrieT Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Carrie wanna do a quick meetup when I go next month to see my friend? Lemme know! Sure, I can do lunch! Stay in touch... 1
writergal Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Yay! I'll PM you the day before. As long as you don't mind my friend tagging along! Sure, I can do lunch! Stay in touch...
CarrieT Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Yay! I'll PM you the day before. As long as you don't mind my friend tagging along! Can you give me a window timeframe of when you are here? A day beforehand is a bit too last-minute. Thanks!
writergal Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 The 4th weekend in June or 1st weekend in July. Can you give me a window timeframe of when you are here? A day beforehand is a bit too last-minute. Thanks!
CarrieT Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 The 4th weekend in June or 1st weekend in July. That helps! I know I'm in town and - as yet - have no commitments other than a gallery exhibition I am preparing for. 1
writergal Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Your own? Cool! I still need to see Richard J. Oliver's artwork in L.A. http://store.richardjoliver.com/ I'll be in touch for sure! That helps! I know I'm in town and - as yet - have no commitments other than a gallery exhibition I am preparing for.
FitChick Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 I've visited many times (used to know people there) and most of my sweaters were bought at the Macy's in San Francisco during the summer!
writergal Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Heh heh San FranCISCO ( for you Carrie ) is always windy but it's no big deal because it IS a cool city to visit. I've visited many times (used to know people there) and most of my sweaters were bought at the Macy's in San Francisco during the summer!
CarrieT Posted June 2, 2014 Posted June 2, 2014 Heh heh San FranCISCO ( for you Carrie ) I am proud of you!
Author greenfairie Posted June 3, 2014 Author Posted June 3, 2014 I live here. The trick is to LAYER. Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. You can have a morning start in the mid- to high-70s (or even 80s!), but the fog can roll in and it will be in the 50s within minutes. Seriously. Bring a really warm jacket! Alternately, pack really, really light and hit the local thrift stores for additional needs (I do that often when I travel). My comments bold on Writergal's suggestions: My notes: For food, people watching, and a great place for photographs, THE place to be is at The Ferry Plaza on Saturday mornings (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) for the Farmer's Market. Frequented by lots of chefs. Chinatown is very interesting and very authentic. One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America. The Mission District, especially 24th Street. The Mission Burrito is a classic food dish that is very inexpensive and filling. Great for someone on a budget. In Golden Gate Park, the DeYoung Museum is worth a stop and they have a cool Friday Night gig with free music, public art, etc. Also, there is an amazing tower you should go up during the day for a full 360-degree view of the whole city. What types of things do you like to take pictures of? Another thing to keep in mind that the whole city is only 7x7 miles so there is a lot that can be walked to, despite the hills. Get a BART card (different than the trolleys) and a MUNI app. Between the trolleys, the busses, and the underground (BART), you can get anywhere in the city very inexpensively. Wow! Thanks for all the advice... Really valuable advice I'm actually typing all this on my iPhone notes right now! Lol. For photographs.... I love taking pictures of landscapes, I'm a huge beach person as I live in SoCal.. I only know of one beach I remember which was VERYYY cold!! Kirby Cove.. Have you been there? I also love awesome artsy pieces/artsy walls like in LA or at art museums....
CarrieT Posted June 3, 2014 Posted June 3, 2014 Wow! Thanks for all the advice... Really valuable advice I'm actually typing all this on my iPhone notes right now! Lol. For photographs.... I love taking pictures of landscapes, I'm a huge beach person as I live in SoCal.. I only know of one beach I remember which was VERYYY cold!! Kirby Cove.. Have you been there? I also love awesome artsy pieces/artsy walls like in LA or at art museums.... I know Kirby Cove. It is in Marin, north of San Francisco and looks towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the best landscapes can be had starting at the Sutro Baths (the most western point of the city on the Pacific Ocean). There is a stunning hiking trail that starts there called Lands End. It wraps around the edge of the city and heads towards Golden Gate Bridge. You can read about it here. It is truly remarkable. I grew up on the beaches of SoCal and these beaches up here are remarkably different. Very few people are out on the beach in bare feet as it is too cold. There are several really famous murals to be seen (BTW, I'm an artist with an MFA, so I take our artwork very seriously!): 1. Near Sutro Baths at the Beach Chalet, is a famous WPA mural. 2. In Coit Tower (worth visiting for the view as well!) 3. A Diego Rivera mural at the San Francisco Art Institute 4. Lastly, there are a TON of murals all around the Mission District (the warmest spot in the city!). You can see a walking guide here: Clickety. Art wise, you really should hit the DeYoung Museum (as mentioned before) for the tower, if nothing else. Our current SFMOMA is closed for renovation, but they have some interesting exhibits staged around the city, like large sculptures by Mark di Suvero in Crissy Field. I adore the Legion of Honor (also worthy of a trip for the extraordinary views to the Bridge it affords!), and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts boasts a waterfall/memorial to Martin Luther King that is breathtaking. The past two days, the summer fogs have returned. It has been in the mid-50s and cloudy. This is what summer is like here. I had a girlfriend from North Carolina visit for 4th of July one year and I told her to layer. For her, that meant bringing LOTS of tank-tops. Within four hours of her arrival, we had to go buy her two sweaters and a winter coat. She was expecting a California beach town to be in the 80s, not the 40s... 2
Author greenfairie Posted June 5, 2014 Author Posted June 5, 2014 Wow thank you!! This is all incredible info. I just copied and pasted every post you sent to my friend. He's flying into San Francisco from England, it's his first time. So I definitely told him to save all of this to his notes on his iPhone so he can go back to what you shared with me and check some of these spots out... Great. Again, thank you. I can't thank you enough.
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