Times to Arrive

Born and raised in San Francisco and wanting to return for visit.

Left in 1955. Know a lot has changed.

Best time to visit with the least crowds and perhaps better hotel, motel rates? Weather not a problem.

Thanks so much.

Bob %26amp; Pat

Times to Arrive

January and February are the lowest seasons.

October has the best sunsets

Times to Arrive

Can you expand on your criteria of ';better hotel, motel rates?';

Is there a price range? Any other criteria for hotel or motel? This is too vague.

Obviously rates vary according to the season, tourist influx and weather factors. I found lodging so I was not requesting that. Just mentioned hotel and motel rates as a passing thought. Lombard seems to be the answer for lesser rates w/parking.

Was mainly interested in the slack season of tourism to perhaps avoid the crowds and enjoy San Francisco after so many years!

Thanks

Am really enjoying reading this forum and the very knowledgable responses.

My wife has never been to San Francisco so, I after all these years I will get to be her guide.

Used to ride my bike from Chestnut and Van Ness to Sutros at the Beach. Swim for a few hours and ride back. Adventursome lad I was. I also rode the Streetcar on Van Ness to Geary and got there.

Much of what I remember and did as a child and young man are probably not available anymore.

We will be spending 2 weeks in San Francisco and I believe I can show her the whole town, old residences, schools, favorite Parks, etc. in that time.

Will be flying in from Tampa, Florida and renting a car for a 2 week period. It will probably set most of the time but I do intend to visit a Old Commune I used to own in the redwoods. Probably a 2 or 3 day side trip.

There is a question regarding all of this. Although I learned to drive there as a young man I understand now the recommendation is no car and utilize public transportation. Our arrival will probably be during an inclement weather period. Advisable to keep a car on standby or live dangerously with an umbrella waiting for public transport?

Is there really a lack of parking at some of the more frequented sites and areas? Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown, Pier 39, Aquatic Park, Zoo, Aquarium, Museum, etc?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and appreciate any advise!

Bob %26amp; Pat

Age factor does not allow a tremendous amount of walking.

Lodging does have free car parking so that is not a problem.

I%26#39;ve noticed that February and March are much quieter time in the popular areas of town. Of course, school is in, so far fewer visitors. Weather isn%26#39;t normally too bad, although this year it was horrid, very wet and cool. I%26#39;m sure you remember that Sept and Oct are the best for climate

Yes, you are in for lots of changes, but some things remain the same. There is still a magic here. Even though the population is supposedly about the same as 1955, it won%26#39;t feel that way. I think there are more cars than people, sometimes. That%26#39;s what makes driving around tough. Parking is both sparse and costly in many areas. Of the places you mentioned, the only relatively easier spots would be the Zoo and Golden Gate Park, and on weekends not as easy. There is a pay lot at the zoo and a new pay garage under the De Young Museum. Around FW, Chinatown, Pier 39, Union Square, etc, better off to use MUNI. It%26#39;s convenient, plentiful, and a pretty good bargain. By the way, they now charge admission to the zoo, museum, Tea Garden, Aquarium on Howard St.. (Note, the aquarium you remember in the park has been torn down and is being rebuilt for 2008. The De Young already has been replaced.) From a fellow native who remembers the city in %26#39;55, I extend a warm welcome home! When you taste the sourdough and smell the fog in the air, you%26#39;ll know you are home again.

Thanks so much for the response. So many memories! The sourdough, Italian Salami. Used to get a sardine packed in sawdust in North Beach at the bait shop and head for the piers to catch perch. Only to come home and have my mom throw em out. Too small she would say, but ';good job'; as you get older and bigger so will the fish.

Remembering the Hot dog vendor down by Aquatic Park! Watching prisoners going off to Alcatraz. Little boy memories.

I tried so many times trying to reproduce that hot dog sandwich but it was never the same as the Sourdough was missing and so was the atmosphere and the fog!

Thanks again for the jog of memories and the changes apparent!.

Regards

Bob

I had the same experience with the perch caught at Muni Pier from bait purchased from a bait shop on Northpoint. Most got tossed by Mom. Bait shop is gone. Sadly, so is the hot dog vendor. The little hut is still there, but it hasn%26#39;t been open in many years. They still play Bocce Ball in a somewhat fancier setup. Aquatic Park is still very nice. Have an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista Cafe, overlooking the cable car turnaround. And don%26#39;t forget Hyde St Pier. They have an old ferry there. Check out the refurbished Ferry Bldg and the waterfront. Big improvements here.

One more thing. Crissy Field is really nice now. The Presidio is part of the NPS. You can go inside Ft Point, Fri-Sun 10-5 and it%26#39;s free. As a kid, I was always dying to get in there. No doubt, you were too. You can park there easily. Maybe you should watch the movie ';Vertigo'; before you come.

Dennis

They will probably boot me for reminiscing on this forum.

Aquatic Park Pier was good to catch smelt. They would rig lines with bells and when the bells went off it was ';Fish On';!

I seem to remember Gallo Salami? Somewhere around North Beach area? I could never find their product, instead I believe it is now called Galileo?

I was in Reno years back and drove down for a day to buy salami and sourdough. Sent 10 loaves back to Florida along with 20 - 1# chubs of salami. My Florida friends loved me!

I had spoke many times with my wife about relocating back to my ';City By The Bay'; but the changes and the property values have escalated to a point of not possible for us. I being retired and she a professional RN of 25 years soon to retire just could not make it on our retirement and pension incomes!

However we can visit and that we shall do in late October, early November.

I will see Vertigo and again it has been a pleasure sharing information with you! It is almost as if we were neighbors! But it is a big city!

I went to school at St. Bridgets and St. Boniface. Used to catch the street car at 5:30 am to get to the church on time to serve mass with the Priest! A hot chocolate and doughnut was the reward! Life was so simple back then.

Regards Bob

Galileo does make Gallo now. The old Gallo plant on Brannan has been converted into 400 condos. That formerly industrial area is booming with new housing, restaurants, a new ballpark, etc. I think the best locally made salami now, is Molinari%26#39;s. You can get Gallo on ebay of all places. Not sure where they make it now.

Best sourdough these days, is Boudin%26#39;s and Acme

My wife is an RN as well.

Oct-Nov should be perfect.

You night enjoy this site, check it out:

outsidelands.org/cgi-bin/…list.cgi

Now thats an interesting site! Thank you.

Of course the Russian River with Rio Nido, Guerneville and all the old hot spots came up first. Yes the memories!

Thanks Dennis for spending the time to inform and help relive a wonderful period.

If you have any other sites or information please feel free to forward that information. Don%26#39;t want to get booted here foe reliving the past :)

rmstaff@tampabay.rr.com