San Francisco

im off to san francisco in early july and wondered if any one had advice generally as in good eating spots, bars, cafes have had look online at bike shops American Cyclery looks good and box dog too, but im sure there are others that aint listen on'tinternet like.

was in SF a couple months ago, too many restaurants to count but I'd certainly recommend Chow's-
http://www.chowfoodbar.com/

Checked out a couple bike shops along Stanyan St, American Cyclery being one of em. Not as cheap as I thought they'd be, even with the exchange rate! There's one shop that's across from the park, good selection of bits n kit. Recommend you stop in there-
http://www.avenuecyclery.com

Hope this helps, enjoy the trip!

...Not as cheap as I thought they'd be, even with the exchange rate!...

this is so true. i visited several shops in NY and found that difference between shop and internet prices is massive. and this is before they slap on the tax in the shop. unlike here, web vs lbs is not too bad.

eg the prices in aspirevelotech is actually cheaper than what i saw in some shops in NY. THEN they top that price up with tax AND if they have to order the part in they'll pass on the postage cost (supplier to the shop!) to you...wtf!?

but that's NY. maybe SF is diff.

but that's NY. maybe SF is diff.

Nope it's the same deal, sales tax kills the vibe every time.

The Bible.

print the maps before you go. :D

Are some of these shop bouquets esq?

[tilts head] ?

did you mean boutique-esq?? i'd say trackstar is a bit BLB. are they boutique-esq? perhaps. but also went to couple of no-frills and chain shops. same story. expensive. wanted to get some clothing that's NY. almost bought a BMW cap...was too tight to hand out $30+tax for a cotton cap!

cheers for the tips people gonna have to swat up on bits not there for too long, as for bike bits kind of surprised at the tax and postage bits! always good to look though.

Trackstar is indeed rather OTT with the prices, tax on top doesn't help either.

Thread hijack - why can't buses in London have bike racks on the front like they do in and around San Francisco? Impressed with this way of carrying bikes on a tram too:

Easy to use, doesn't get in the way of anyone and no bungy straps or anything needed. Just the thing to put by the disabled bog on a train.
(not my bike and its owner didnt notice me staring at it thhinking it looked nice but if you just take that and that off...)

I'm just resurrecting this thread to ask if anyone has any recommendations for places to stay in SF, preferably in the central district. I've only ever stayed over at Fishermans Wharf, but me and the missus want somewhere different. Any help would be appreciated... ta

I'm just resurrecting this thread to ask if anyone has any recommendations for places to stay in SF, preferably in the central district. I've only ever stayed over at Fishermans Wharf, but me and the missus want somewhere different. Any help would be appreciated... ta

I was there last year, not sure how much you wanna spend but theres some good hostels in the italian quarter (down the road from fishermans wharf and closer to downtown). when we got there the hostel was pretty much a hotel. for the price it was a bargain!

cheers monsieur shredder - can you remember any names? If so, a PM would be greatly appreciated!

I'm just resurrecting this thread to ask if anyone has any recommendations for places to stay in SF, preferably in the central district. I've only ever stayed over at Fishermans Wharf, but me and the missus want somewhere different. Any help would be appreciated... ta

Get a double room in the USA Hostel at Post and Mason. It's cheap as anything and our room had an en-suite, as well as a fancy iPod dock radio thingy, fridge and a microwave. It's so nice to be able to just wake up and have breakfast cereal etc! It's just a few blocks from Union Square, but backs onto the Tenderloin which is sketchy. It's kinda noisy like you'd expect a hostel to be and try to get a room that has a window, not just out into a light well. There's loads of computers downstairs with cheap internet and I think they had Wi-Fi. Definitely well recommended.

If you're up for spending a little more money, check out the Metro Hotel on Divisadero. It's such a nice hotel, like staying in a big guest house. It's just around the corner from Haight which is pretty cool and at the end of Haight is the Golden Gate park which is huuuuuuge.

I wish I'd taken a bike to SF, in fact... it's pretty much what made me want to get a fixed in the first place.

Tenderloin isn't that bad IMHO. Bit like Hoxton / Shoreditch with more crack addicts. Depending on your spends, http://www.hotelvertigosf.com/ is worth a look. It's being renovated and since their reception is not completed you can a good discount on rooms - make sure you ask for one of the renovated ones. Great if all you want is a nice room to crash in. Many of the other Personality Hotels (micro chain) are good, too.

If you've only stayed in Fisherman's Wharf before, pretty much anywhere else will be good!

SF rocks.

Cheers guys. I'll check out availibility online. I quite like the idea of one or two nights in the Metro - i remember it from previous visit.
I'd gladly take more recommendations as a back up.

Stayed here: http://www.hotelboheme.com/ a couple of years ago - awesomely friendly place with a killer pattiserie/coffee shop downstairs - its in North Beach - plenty of good food nearby

Go to Pier 39. It's touristy but awesome. Gos see Alcatraz!!! They are closing it forever and it is sooo awesome to go see, also amazing landscaping with wildflowers and birds! Japanese Garden is also sick. Go up and down Lombard Street to see how steep it really is! San Fran is the best city in the US, enjoy!!

Get a double room in the USA Hostel at Post and Mason. It's cheap as anything and our room had an en-suite, as well as a fancy iPod dock radio thingy, fridge and a microwave. It's so nice to be able to just wake up and have breakfast cereal etc! It's just a few blocks from Union Square, but backs onto the Tenderloin which is sketchy. It's kinda noisy like you'd expect a hostel to be and try to get a room that has a window, not just out into a light well. There's loads of computers downstairs with cheap internet and I think they had Wi-Fi. Definitely well recommended.

Another +1 for the USA hostel, stayed there a few years ago and had a lot of fun, was prob one of the nicest places I stayed at in the USA when I was on a low budget tour.
The dude that did the mini bus tour was a legend, I wonder if he's still there.

Go to Pier 39. It's touristy but awesome. Gos see Alcatraz!!! They are closing it forever and it is sooo awesome to go see, also amazing landscaping with wildflowers and birds! Japanese Garden is also sick. Go up and down Lombard Street to see how steep it really is! San Fran is the best city in the US, enjoy!!

+1 for Alcatraz. i would have stayed there if i could.

i stayed mainly in ordinary motels off Van Ness. it was a long time ago. don't spend money on where you put your head down, spend it where your head is up.

Thats good advice Jonny. Wise words.

Thread hijack - why can't buses in London have bike racks on the front like they do in and around San Francisco? Impressed with this way of carrying bikes on a tram too:

Easy to use, doesn't get in the way of anyone and no bungy straps or anything needed. Just the thing to put by the disabled bog on a train.
(not my bike and its owner didnt notice me staring at it thhinking it looked nice but if you just take that and that off...)

This is similar to LA buses.
The buses have slots similar to that on the front of the bus,your bike is safe and out of everyones way.
Makes sense.