Killing a day in San Francisco, without tourism

[Rufus T. Firefly]

This week I'm going to find myself in San Francisco for two days, one of which is devoted to business but the other of which is wide open. I don't know a soul there, so I'm on my own; and I've been there before, so seeing the sights (Cable Cars, Top of the Mart, etc.)holds very little allure. I'm sure I'll end up in Chinatown for dinner, and my top priority is a visit to City Lights Bookstore, for both shopping and Beat-Pilgrimage reasons. But does anyone here have suggestions for great ways to kill time in San Francisco?

BTW, suggestions involving leather chaps, slings, and jars of KY are impractical, as I will have to get up early the next morning.

[Asher]

There's not a lot in San Francisco itself other than tourism and business...

There's many beautiful sites, like the Redwoods, just outside of San Francisco, but I suppose that's tourism as well...

[Dis]

join a peace protest

[Dinner]

Rent a car and go to point Reyes.

[The Mad Monk]

Just sit on a dock on the bay, watching the tide roll away.

[Asher]

I know if I had time to kill in San Fran, I'd take the short drive up to my old town and visit some old friends.

[molly bloom]

Have you been to Mission Dolores? I have an interest in old buildings, so I went there. You could also visit S.F.M.O.M.A., which recently had a Brian Eno installation, and houses one of my favourite Matisse paintings.

Reckless Records in the Haight is excellent for browsing (they frequently get British stuff in, by virtue of having sister stores in London) and last time I was there, there was an excellent record shop on Market Street, about halfway to the Castro, which had some marvellous hard to find things on the Tomato label, and some great jazz and blues recordings.

Depending on the free day, you could always go to the Church of John Coltrane...and experience a love supreme.

[Laertes]

If you are into architecture, the Marin County administrative building just north of the city is a Frank Lloyd Wright building, completed after his death , and also used as the set for many scenbes in Gattaca.

Last time i was in SF I went to the movies a lot

[Rufus T. Firefly]

thanks all, and especially Molly for the record store tips and for reminding me of the church of jc. unfortunately, asher and fergus, i probably won't be able to get out of the city (too bad, too, since I looove Frank Lloyd Wright). anyway, thanks again.

[Japher]

Go to the House of Nan-king (spelling) in the Richmod District... Great Chinese food.

If you like beer, the Richmond area also has tons of Irish pubs and whole in the walls that are kind of fun, mixed in with Cinemas that show those artsy films that are hard to find being shown on the big screen.

Also, 21 Tanks in the Mission is fun, right next to it is Butter where you can get good ol' fashion microwaved food, along with a 40oz. of Ol' E.

Or, go to the Sony Metridome and relax or take in a movie, or IMAX. Or, go down to Gordon Biersch under the bay bridge, and take a look at Pac Bell Park.

When I get bored, I somedays drive up there and take in breakfast at Lindy's near O'Farrel St, walk down to the Sony place and read a book in the park, take in a movie, head up to the bars in the Richmond area, and then head to Nan-king for dinner/lunch. It is a good waste of the day.

One other thing, hang out in Golden Gate Park, it's fun. Go to the Tech Museum, whatever it's called, and go poke fun at hippies up on Haight. Though you may be better of taking the BART over to Berkley and jibbing with them.

There's is a lot to do in SF area without a car, you just got to nose around for it. Ask people there.

[SlowwHand]

Over the bridge, McArthur Blvd. in Oakland.

[Sten Sture]

If you are staying downtown: take the Blue/Gold fleet ferry over to Sausalito and have breakfast at Sam's on the outside deck. Read a newspaper and head back.

Alternatively take the N-Judah Muni train outbound all the way to Ocean Beach and walk north a 1/4 mile or so along the beach to the Beach Chalet for a meal.

Remember that it is nice weather until about 4:00 when it really starts cooling off, and by 5:30 it feels like Finland.


It looks like I will be pretty jammed over then next few days, but I might be able to join you for a quick beer....

[SlowwHand]

Frisco is one of my favorites cities.

[Sten Sture]

[MRT144]

stinking rose in north beach...gaaaaaaaaarlic galore!