Quote from: thejsnide on February 19, 2012, 07:54:58 AM
Thanks for all the advice. We ended up booking a hotel downtown and already got tickets to Alcatraz.  We're really looking forward to this trip and it's good to hear that I was incorrect on the safety. I think what threw us off were the reviews on some of the hotels we looked at, so we just changed areas and problem solved.

Unfortunately, I can't do anything moto related, save it for another trip.  Is there an arts district?

All of Frisco is an arts district.. lol

Haha. How did I know that was the response I would get.

Quote from: ducatiz on February 19, 2012, 08:21:07 AM
All of Frisco is an arts district.. lol

Just don't call it Frisco in front of any locals...

Quote from: desmoquattro on February 19, 2012, 12:05:31 PM
Just don't call it Frisco in front of any locals...

i always do.   

Quote from: thejsnide on February 19, 2012, 07:54:58 AM
... Is there an arts district?

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is well worth the price of admission.
http://www.sfmoma.org/

Haight Street is kinda cool to take a stroll on between like Schrader and Fillmore; be sure to check out Toronado (and Rosamunde Sausage Grill next door), Alembic, and/or Magnolia for some good sudsy refreshments if you are in that neighborhood.  Monk's Kettle in the Mission is a cool place too.

Quote from: emanon on February 20, 2012, 08:05:08 PM
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) is well worth the price of admission.
http://www.sfmoma.org/

Haight Street is kinda cool to take a stroll on between like Schrader and Fillmore; be sure to check out Toronado (and Rosamunde Sausage Grill next door), Alembic, and/or Magnolia for some good sudsy refreshments if you are in that neighborhood.  Monk's Kettle in the Mission is a cool place too.

We live 3 blocks from Monks Kettle. Not bad, toug a bit pricey for what it is! In that same block are Puerto Allegre, Bar Tartine, and Kilowatt pub. Look us up for a beer! And post up in MOB...we'll do an impromptu Zeitgeist night!

Quote from: thejsnide on February 19, 2012, 07:54:58 AM
We're really looking forward to this trip and it's good to hear that I was incorrect on the safety. I think what threw us off were the reviews on some of the hotels we looked at, so we just changed areas and problem solved.

Keep in mind that some people are chronic complainers. Remember: Opinions are like a**holes--everyone's got one. Every city has its seamier side and SF is not immune. I was terrified of the Mission District when I first moved to SF, and now I live there. Go figure. It's a great city!

Quote from: BikerGoddess on February 21, 2012, 05:32:06 AM
Keep in mind that some people are chronic complainers. Remember: Opinions are like a**holes--everyone's got one. Every city has its seamier side and SF is not immune. I was terrified of the Mission District when I first moved to SF, and now I live there. Go figure. It's a great city!

Agreed...

So far I think we've got a pretty good trip planned... Just found out tonight that a musician I like will be playing on Tuesday at Slim's... Hotel room is booked, Alcatraz tour booked... Trying to decide now if we will actually make it to Napa or save it for another trip.  Either way, we're both really excited!

Quote from: thejsnide on February 22, 2012, 12:36:07 AM
Agreed...

So far I think we've got a pretty good trip planned... Just found out tonight that a musician I like will be playing on Tuesday at Slim's... Hotel room is booked, Alcatraz tour booked... Trying to decide now if we will actually make it to Napa or save it for another trip.  Either way, we're both really excited!

You'll love SF. I've lived there a couple of times and please don't believe the negative hype about the street people. Most of them are perfectly nice and harmless, maybe fun even if you are in the mood to sing/play the blues on the street. The worst incident I ever had was when leaving a club very early the next morning. I noticed a street dude carrying a pot which looked like he'd just burnt his dinner at the bottom. I just quietly passed by, not wanting to bring attention to him or myself -or get hit by a pot in the head-, when a few steps later I hear a "HEY!" behind me. I turned around to see the same man wielding his pot over his head. When he noticed that he got me attention, he said "YOU DIDN'T SAY HI! TO ME!". I said, "Sorry, Hi!" and walked about three times faster back to my apartment.

So we've been having an absolute blast... Eaten some really good food, shopped around, seen some tourist sights, etc.  Thanks to all for the recommendations!

Wanted to thank everyone here for their input.  We had an absolute blast traveling up to San Francisco and Napa Valley, then down the Hwy. 1 to Santa Barbara.  If I can repay the favor to anyone traveling to Las Vegas or the Carolinas, let me know!