San Francisco?

[Jillmar]

I'm thinking of planning a trip to San Francisco. I have never been there but DH was and said he loved it.

Where would you suggest I stay? I want at least a 3 star (actually prefer 4 or 5)hotel within walking distance to the touristy stuff.

Thanks!:D

Jill Brightbill
T-Tapp Trainer-in-Training
Harrisburg PA

[homerun]

Jill -
First of all, if you go to SF, you absolutely MUST let me know! We are about a hour south of there. We would love to meet you up there, or have you to our house for dinner (or a T-Tapp workout[}:)]).

As far as hotels, I don't know that many since we always go up for the day, but I will ask around for you. I know tha Fairmont is very nice.

xoxo

Karen Seraphine
T-Tapp Trainer, CA
HomeRun Personal Training, LLC
Gilroy, CA (Garlic Capital of the World)

[Jillmar]

Thanks Karen! I was tempted to try Hotwire where you get a good price but you don't know where you're staying until you pay. I've done that before with much luck!:D I don't know whether to stay around Fisherman's Wharf or downtown. I don't know the area at all!

Jill Brightbill
T-Tapp Trainer-in-Training
Harrisburg PA

[abzoeh]

I used to live on The Presidio (Army base that's since closed and been converted to a national park) with my mom but I never stayed in hotels and that was several years ago. If memory serves, the Fisherman's Wharf area is not where you'd want to stay...nice for strolling around but not exactly the safest....You want something nice, try the Nob Hill area for a hotel...trollies or taxies can get you anywhere so no problem getting around.

San Fransisco is one of my fave cities ever.....you'll love it! ps- don't go in the summer, it's strangely cold and foggy then and so beautiful the rest of the year...

Just keep Tapping...just keep Tapping...

Ally

[brngckn]

You MUST visit the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, and you should go to Ghiradelli Square. I'm all about the candy.... :D

Coit Tower is an interesting spot. Depending on how long you stay, you could do side trips to Napa or Sonoma, Muir Woods, Yosemite.

Kirsten, the Travelin' T-Tapp Trainer from Texas
Personal Motivation and Wellness Consultant
www.boxofpolkadots.com/ttapp.html
www.soap-please.com/kirstent

[QE3]

oooh, Muir Woods, a must, it's soooo beautiful~! Coit tower, great view. Also lesser known, Twin Peaks. The trolley museum is fun. Hobbee's for breakfast is a must. Alacatraz is pretty on a nice day, but you must have reservations, I believe. Don't stand in line for tickets. Angel island and Treasure island are pretty for walks. There was a fabulous bar on Treasure Island that had the best view of the city at night. I'm not sure it's open to the public, it was military with their guests when we went. Lombard street is the crookedest street. If you're going to drive it, go down from a right handed turned onto the street. If you want to see REAL factory outlets, they are open on Saturdays usually. They are on the far east side south of 4th street, and around that area.

I agree on not the wharf, although we never stayed in the city unless with friends or took day trips.

Fairfield is about an hour east of S.F. on I-80 and it's a fab tour. Napa's about the same.

Bon Voyage~!



Kate
T-Tapp Trainer-in-Training, Houston
-:¦:- Queen of Everything plus 3 boys! -:¦:-

[homerun]

If you have the time, Monterey and especially Carmel are musts!

When are you thinking of going?

Karen Seraphine
T-Tapp Trainer, CA
HomeRun Personal Training, LLC
Gilroy, CA (Garlic Capital of the World)

[RoundTuit]

Hotwire should be fine to book a hotel, just choose 3 or higher star.... and don't you get to choose your general location? If you choose downtown, you'll be right in the middle of it all.

Kim

I finally got a "round tuit"! [8D]

[sweetsue]

I had a meeting once at the Sir Francis Drake hotel. Totally lux! It's right on Union Square....so, not sure if you'd rather be there or down at Fisherman's Wharf. Lani has a clinic in SF May 21st, I think.

Sue

[Jillmar]

Thank you everyone! I am thinking about going over Memorial Day. Do you think the weather will be yucky then?

I'm also wondering what to pack. Do I need a coat? Warm clothes, cool clothes?

Is Nob Hill the same as downtown?

Jill Brightbill
T-Tapp Trainer-in-Training
Harrisburg PA

[RoundTuit]

When going to SF, ALWAYS pack warm clothes. Even in the hottest part of summer, SF can be chilly. Think layers. And end of May is iffy. Sometimes it's beautiful and chilly, and sometimes its beautiful and warm, but I'd say plan on the chilly side and you'll be safe.

Kim

I finally got a "round tuit"! [8D]

[artgirl2]

Hi Jill,
I live about an hour north of SF and have been there quite a bit. If I was going, I'd pick a hotel in the Union Square area, there're lots of galleries, shops, restaurants, etc to see there. You can always drive to go see Fishermans Wharf, Coit Tower, Nob Hill, chinatown, things like that, if you want.

Summer in SF is always unpredictable. I was on a bay brunch cruise last Sunday and it was GORGEOUS. Sunny all day, about 68 degrees, but then we've been having spring like weather the past week or so. However, summertime mornings tend to be foggy. SF is always cooler than where I live cause of the ocean effect. I'd definitely bring clothing you can layer. You can always tell who the tourists are because they're in their shorts and T shirts in the summer, shivering! You might have a wonderful week or the weather could be crummy. It's hard to predict. I doubt if you'll get rain, but sometimes the fog can be so heavy that it feels like a misty rain. I'd just say, be prepared!

If you want do to the winery thing, I'd proudly advise Sonoma County rather than the more famous Napa County. (I live here!) Napa has the bigger names but the scenery's not as nice. Sonoma has more wineries, and you can go from Santa Rosa as a starting point east to wineries near the town of Sonoma; go north to wineries near Healdsburg which has great shops and restaurants; or go east and include an ocean trip. You could also go to Calistoga which is famous for its mudbaths and massage day spas, and the Silverado Trail east of town has many wineries including one of my all-time faves (Clos Pegase).

Anyway have fun planning your trip... it's a great place to visit!

[artgirl2]

sorry, there was a mistake in my last post... from Santa Rosa you'd go WEST to see some wineries and end up at the ocean along Hwy 1. Korbel Champagne Cellers is on the way, they have a great tour!

The Bay brunch cruise was on Hornblower Dining Yachts, they depart from Pier 33 or 34 I think, it was a two hour cruise and a very tasty champagne brunch, you get some nice views of the city and go right under the Golden Gate Bridge (to turn around, you never get out into the open ocean), which is always fun.

[Jillmar]

So much information![:p]:D

I am having a heck of a time chosing a hotel. I know I want to stay around Union Square. I just don't know if I want to stay at a chain hotel or one of the "boutique" hotels. There seems to be a lot of "boutique" hotels listed. Some get great reviews and some don't. It's just so hard to chose. Plus, I don't want to pay a fortune.;)



Jill Brightbill
T-Tapp Trainer-in-Training
Harrisburg PA

[RoseTapper]

I second the idea of staying in the Union Square area. You can always take buses, cable cars, or simply walk to the spots you want to see. You can even walk (I would suggest walking DOWN) Lombard Street; I walked UP it about two years ago and thought I'd just plain die halfway up. I then proceeded to walk all the way UP to Coit Tower. It would have been better to take a bus, I'm afraid.

With regard to weather, even when the days are warm, the evenings tend to be really windy and cold. If it's sunny and warm outside but you know you'll be out until it gets dark, don't wear shorts. Wear jeans or slacks and have a jacket or sweatshirt tied around your waist--you'll need it around 7:00 p.m. Because we are experiencing La Nina currents this spring, you may end up with nice weather. The nicest weather in S.F. tends to be in April, but I've visited many times in May and it's been nice.

Regarding wineries, if you don't want to bother with renting a car, you might check into special wine touring weekends in the Livermore Valley. We have quite a few wineries, and oftentimes there are special weekends where the buses pick up people at the BART station in Pleasanton and drive them around to the wineries. The vast majority of wineries in the Livermore area don't charge for tasting, but they are usually open only on weekends. I've been winetasting dozens of times in Napa and Sonoma, and while they are wonderful, I still prefer the Livermore Valley's offerings. I'm actually planning to go tomorrow--can't wait!

Maybe some of us Tappers can run around in S.F. together after we work out (???). Maybe lunch or dinner? Lani, what are your thoughts?





Laura H. (RoseTapper)

[Jillmar]

Well, its set. I will be arriving in San Francisco, Thurday, May 25 and leaving Tuesday, May 30.

I have chosen The Clift Hotel. It is ranked a 5 star on some sights and it is very art decco"ish" It looked quite nice. I got a good rate on Expedia. I usually use Hotwire but Expedia beat there price this time.

I am so excited! Can't wait!;):D:D

Jill Brightbill
T-Tapp Trainer-in-Training
Harrisburg PA

[homerun]

I so hope I get to see you when you are out here! (You'll be here on my birthday;)).

When you get your plans set up, let me know and we'll try to hook up. DH knows all about you, and my "boyz" are always looking to make new friends:D:D

xoxo

Karen Seraphine
T-Tapp Trainer, CA
HomeRun Personal Training, LLC
Gilroy, CA (Garlic Capital of the World)

[sooztunes2]

Lucky you, Jill!

SF and the surrounding areas are FABULOUS! I worked for a company for 8.5 years that was headquartered in that area, and went to classes there & stayed over the weekend every chance I got.

2 little towns I remember that I think are on the way to the wine country (Napa or Sonoma) on the coast highway from the city: Jenner & Petaluma. Petaluma was just the most charming town - I can't remember why I though it was so charming, but I just loved it when we drove through. And we saw Jenner at sunset - if I remember correctly, it had a bit of a barren rocky cliff coastline feel to it.

If you like nature, visit one of the redwood forests. No matter what time of day I went, the forests were a peak experience for me. They are very cathedral-like. My favorite redwood forest park is the Armstrong Woods in Guerneville. http://www.guerneville-online.com/armstrong_redwoods.htm From Guernevile, you can visit the Russian River & also go to Calistoga, which someone mentioned earlier.

I'm envious - I'm really thinking now I have to find out when Mud, Muscles & Merlot is and plan to go there with a few days cushioning that trip so I can run around the area again.

Sooz
Dallas, TX

Whatever you are, be a good one.
(A. Lincoln)

http://www.100thmonkey.com/zwebstory100th.html