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San Francisco Bound

  
 
Sauron
09:21 / 30.07.02
Does anyone live/ know San Francisco?

Could anyone recommend a good hostel?

Thank you.
 
 
Shortfatdyke
09:31 / 30.07.02
i seem to remember someone else asking about sf recently. i'm trying to remember the name of the youth hostel behind civic centre station - they ripped me off, and i would recommend you don't go there.

i've heard the green tortoise hostel downtown is pretty good.

sf is a lovely city. how long you going to be there? what are you going to be doing? i would recommend taking a bus up to the golden gate bridge - and walk across. it's lovely! and take the n car to judah - cross the road and there's the ocean. hell, just take street cars and trams all over....
 
 
Shortfatdyke
09:49 / 30.07.02
American Youth Hostel, 312 Mason. (415) 788-5604.

this is the one to avoid! European Guest House 761 Minna. (415) 861-6634.

Fort Mason Youth Hostel Fort Mason, Bldg. 240, Marina at Laguna. (415) 771-7277.

Globe Hostel Globe 10 Hallam Place. (415) 431-0450.

Globetrotters' Inn 225 Ellis. (415) 346-5786.

Grand Central Hostel 1412 Market. (415) 703-9988.

Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse 494 Broadway. (415) 834-1000.

International Guest House 2976 23rd St. (415) 641-1411.

International Student Center 1188 Folsom. (415) 487-1463.

Pacific Tradewinds Guest House 680 Sacramento. (415) 433-7970.

this info is a couple of years old, so ring and check. i would also highly recommend you get a copy of the berkeley guide to sf - full of tips on the wierder, cheaper, more off the beaten tracks stuff to do.
 
 
suds
10:01 / 30.07.02
i spent spring break in san francisco last year.
sfd is right -- the green tortoise hostel is brilliant. the best place to saty. it is about one block away from city lights bookstore! they don't take pre-bookings, so show up for your room early in the day.
have fun!!
 
 
Sauron
12:37 / 30.07.02
Thank you Ladies,

I'll be there late on Thursday so if the Green Tortoise doesn't book I'll stay somewhere else on the first night, although I may as well have a look when I get there.

sfd- is the one to avoid the American Youth Hostel, 312 Mason. (415) 788-5604 or the European Guest House 761 Minna. (415) 861-6634?

to answer your question, I don't know how long I will be there, I have a three month sabbatical from work and will be travelling down the west coast and into mexico, before hanging around central america for a bit. I'll then be in NYC from October 3rd.

any hints on this part of the world greatly appreciated. I'll keep in touch on my travels- now I've finished work I should have more time for Barbelith- if anything interesting happens ...
 
 
Murray Hamhandler
17:03 / 30.07.02
You guys are making me SanFran-sick. Sniff. I love that city.
 
 
grant
17:39 / 30.07.02
Pick up a book called The People's Guide to Mexico. Gives great tips on preparing drinking water, good campsites (remote beaches), body language and how not to make a fool of yourself in a Tijuana brothel.
 
 
Sebastian
18:01 / 30.07.02
body language???
 
 
The Natural Way
19:14 / 30.07.02
Hold on, Saur, but don't Darren and Jess live in San Fran? I'm sure they could put you up for a few nights. I don't know how well you know them, of course.
 
 
Mr Tricks
19:35 / 30.07.02
Lothar is South west of San Fran... I live in Oakland, just accross the bay... & Isabelle lives in Sf.

Yeah, if you can make it to the Green tortise do so... by far a cut above the rest...

as i don't have a phone you can't call me to show you around... but San Fran is great!!!

Some wonderful parks... Golden Gate is particularly nice on Sundays... Buena Vista, is one of S.F's highest points great view... Both of these parks are on Haight Street, which has it's own particular charm, neat shooping, deadhead history on height/ashbury, good food & the best chance for buying a bag of Ganja off the street; (shop around) FINE GLASS WARE, PIPES, BONGS if you're into it.

Chinatown, is small crowded & crazy, walking distance from the Downtown/northbeach area... where many of the beter hostels are... The Civic center area of market st. is lotsa homeless floks playing-chess. and XXX movie thearters, The Tender Loin (beaver street and around) is just between Civic center & northbeach... Crackheads & Ho's... vist only if you're into it...

SOMA... South of market is pretty hoppin' as a club scene... But the real juice is in the Mission District... Mission street, Valencia, 14th-17th street area, good food, Bars, dancing, performances

Japan Town for Sushi...
almost anywhere for great mexican, Tai, Vegiterian, African, Noodles...

Castro... farther south/west on Market is also a blast... keep an eye out for the rainbow flags!!!

Golden Gate park leads to the beach, you can take a bus... Fulton st. is a good spot to start on and head west... Check out the cliff house, sutro baths for some San Fran history... The Museum of Modern arts, as well as the palace of fine arts are also in that neighborhood.

Berkeley is a BART ride away... (Bay. Area. Rapid. Transit) novel hippy town.
if you're into Baseball, Pac Bell Park is hoping for S.F. Gants games... Though the Oakland A's play at half the price accross the bay... again a BART trip.

GREAT GREAT GREAT hiking & nature at Tilden Park... just west past Berkeley... also in Salsalito north accross the Golden Gate (pricer to cross).

Best beach if you can find it, is China Beach... Easier to find: Baker Beach (clothing optional)both in San Fransisco, near the golden gate bridge, east of cliff house.

If you're traveling south you must stop at Santa Cruise.. The ultimate Surfer beach town this far north... greyhound will get you there from S.F. for less than $20 (the price a few years ago was about $11)

Amazing camping in that area.. and further south in Monterey Bay (col Aquarium) and especially Big Sur... if you're game there are natural hotsprings to also be found... a little research would help.

that's my download... drop me an e-mail or PM when you're in town...
 
 
w1rebaby
20:35 / 30.07.02
SanFran-sick

so?
 
 
Less searchable M0rd4nt
21:34 / 30.07.02
But how can a flame-wreathed red eye wear flowers in its hair? Will you... you know... fit in? I mean, them gentle people, you Dark Lord of Evil and Bad Things. Just can't see you at a love-in, man: acid + huge flaming lizard eye? Those flower-children are going to be alllll fucked up.

(In other words: I know FA about SF, but I hope you have a good time.)
 
 
grant
21:40 / 30.07.02
Sebastian: Yeah, I learned the "No-thanks-means-no-thanks" hand gesture from that book. It has universal applications, but is nearly unknown up here in the States. Hand parallel to ground at chest height, moving back and forth, like stroking an invisible tabletop.

There are other notes - people in Mexico wave you closer using the *back* of their hands, which (to Anglos) looks like they're telling you to back away, for instance.
 
 
Boy in a Suitcase
23:09 / 30.07.02
I've stayed in lots of hostels in SF. By far the best, like everyone says, is Green Tortoise. $20/night, uber-hip euro-backpacker crowd, a giant common room with big screen TV, pool, free breakfast, sauna, free internet! Wicked cool!

As far as destinations, I mainly recommend Amoeba Records in the Haight, one of the coolest used CD megawarehouses in the world!
 
 
Murray Hamhandler
23:42 / 30.07.02
Oh god yes... Amoeba is the absolute shit, but do not go if you lack self-control in the music purchasing arena because you most likely will find anything and everything you're looking for there. Forewarned is forearmed.

It's really nice to know that there are other 'Lithers in SF, in case I do actually take the plunge and move out there sometime in the near future. Which is quite likely.
 
 
Sauron
06:16 / 31.07.02
Thanks everyone. PATricky- ashame you have no way of being contacted- I would have liked to have met your dog.

Runce- I know Darren and Jess well, but they are not around at the mo.

Mordant- I shall be wearing a poncho to hide me glare from the locals- and yes, flowers do tend to burn when put near me; additionally I don't really have any hair.

Anyway- thank you ...
 
 
Mr Tricks
18:31 / 31.07.02
Here ya go...

  
  
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