Visiting San Fran this week

I posted this on another thread a while back somewhere, but I'll say it again. There's a place called The Cliff House. There's a seafood restaurant there that's apparantly really mediocre, but there's also something called the Museum Mechanique, which is basically all these coin-operated arcade games from the 20s. It's amazing. Especially, there's a couple with names like "opium den" or something, where there's a little guy sitting there smoking, and you put a coin in and these monsters come out that he's halucinating. There's also a Camera Obscura there, which is a camera that operates purely through mirrors and sunlight, no electricity, and projects a picture of the ocean view onto the floor.

Damn man! I'm in San Fran the first week of July, Hobbs! And I'll be in the Union Square area as well. I'm going out there for work (McKesson). They're located at 1 Post Street.

A couple of things not too far away from there to check out:

There's a Virgin Megastore next to a Ghiradelli Chocolate place. Across the street and down a little ways is a mall. If you cross the street and pass the Old Navy store, you should see the Marriott. If you go past that and the Moscone center, you'll see the Metreon, which is a sort of mall, with huge movie theaters, an electronics store, Discovery Channel Store, and music store, plus a huge sports bar restaurant inside. I'm probably going there to see "Sum" when I'm out there, since Elizabeth doesn't care about seeing it in the theater.

Also for food, if you get the chance, there's a place that's not too far away called Little Joe's. It's an Italian place that ROCKS! I'm going there for lunch the first day I'm out there. The rigatoni with meat sauce and Italian sausage will send you spiraling down a taste roller coaster. Not sure where you're staying, but it's not too bad of a hike from Union Square. There's one road (Sutter maybe?) that goes up through Chinatown that you can grab a bus and take almost to the end, the walk about 2-3 blocks. Your concierge can tell you the quickest way. Here's an article from a San Fran site:

Little Joe's
$. A North Beach institution for 35 years, Little Joe's spoons out generous portions of red sauce pastas along with grilled meats and cheap red wine. Prices range from $10 to $15 for entrees, and service is prompt and friendly. Joe's ambience, the centerpiece of which are the blue checkered vinyl tablecloths, will not impress first dates, but it will test their character and satisfy any appetite. 523 Broadway (between Kearny and Columbus), in North Beach (415/433-4343).

I remember Little Joe's! Been a long time though...

There's also a pretty good Dim Sum place there...can't remember the name of it though...

I think folks from the office out there frequent that place, because the name sounds familiar. Where's it located at? Is it near Union Square, i.e., within walking distance?

I love Little Joe's.

Go to Ton Kiang for great Dim Sum.

Pass on the Virgin megastore and head down to the Haight to Amoeba Music. Best used CD place in town.

Want to see some ridiculouly bad and un-functional architecture? Head down to the Library, main branch, at Civic Center.

Tips for surviving in San Francisco:

Are you taking the bus or streetcar? Give yourself an extra thirty minutes if you have an important appointment. You will need it.

Are you renting a car? There is absolutly no parking anywhere. There's probably one space somewhere, but I have no idea where it is. If you're driving downown, park in one of the city-owned lots, like the parking lot near City Hall and the library, or the one a block from the Metreon.

Going to a movie? The Metreon is pretty good plus they're showing AOTC digitally if that strikes your fancy. The Coronet is the best old-style theater in town with one big screen ( also playing AOTC).

Going to Pac Bell Park? Get ready to enjoy the absolute best park in baseball... and pay through the nose for the opportunity.

Warning... San Francisco has a huge per capita population of homeless. It's the first city where homelessness is a job description. You won't really believe the magnitude of the problem unless you walk around downtown at night. Panhandlers are very aggressive here. Don't buy more than one Street Sheet while you're here.

Have fun.

postscript: The Musee Mechanique is pretty fun. If only it didn't smell like urine... hehe. I live within walking distance of the Cliff House and have never been to the Camera Obscura. Take that as you will.

So how was your visit? We need details.

Your O's took 2 out of three. Arghhh.

Oooo, AOTC digitally? Considering I can't get that in ATL, maybe I'll hit that instead of "Sum", and try to see what a difference it makes.

Visually incredible my friend. Sound sounds a lot better too. Film just seems so crisp and incredible.

Hey, I'm out here! I'm going to AOTC tonight (7:50 show), and getting ready to head to Little Joe's (mmmmm....rigatoni with saugsage...). Weather is great. We missed the Pride celebrations Sunday evening, and it's lucky we did. Our hotel is about 100 feet from Market street, where the big parade was.

Hey MM welcome to SF!

Okay. When you're at the Metreon there is a super-cool sit-down Star Wars Arcade game somewhere near the exits to the Imax theater (I think 3rd or 4th floor). It isn't in the Airtight Garage section and is definitely worth a couple quarters, if it's still there.

I've only seen AOTC digitally so I would be interested in your take (comparing film to digital).

I actually got to make it to the 4:30 show yesterday instead of the 7:50 one. But man, what a difference the digital print makes! Unbelievably clear, crisp and beautiful. The biggest thing that stood out to me was the colors in the movie. Everything seemed a lot more vibrant and "alive" as far as the visuals in the movie. And I LOVED getting to see the Matrix trailer in all it's digital glory as well. Definitely a noticed difference in the big arena fight scene. Lots more Jedi action, and a little more added to the wedding scene at the end didn't hurt. I immensely enjoyed the movie much more the second time viewing it. The love banter didn't seem as cheesy, and the story didn't seem to drag as much to me this time. It was like watching a DVD on a huge IMAX-like screen. Very impressive.

Burke, I'm heading back to the Metreon real quick at lunch today to pick up something for my wife. I'll have to check for that Star Wars game. I did find a new place called "Things From Another World" on the 2nd floor. That place was pretty cool. Lots of toys and figures, and some comics and trade paperbacks. I'll be flying back to ATL tonight on the redeye, but I think I'll be here again in mid-August for an important meeting. Thanks for the advice on SF!

Good to know I saw the film at it's best. I didn't want to say anything till now but there were some scenes (mostly cgi) where everything was blurry. Guess I'll chock that up to bad seats and not to the digital projection.