San Fransisco - cool places to go?

[DeservingBitch]

I'm going to be in SF in early March for a week-long conference, and I'd really like to hit some cool spots in the scene. The hotel I'm going to be staying at is in the Union Square disctrict of downtown SF.

I probably won't be able to bring much toys and/or fetish gear with me, so if I could find a place to go that is non-fetishware friendly, that would be even better. Obviously, it also has to be women/queer-friendly.

Any suggestions, personal favorite places to recommend?

 

[_kiana_]

Ooh, I'll be watching and taking notes! We'll be in San Fransisco for a few days in January.

I know you started the thread for yourself DeservingBitch, but thanks!

 

[DeservingBitch]

Ooh, I'll be watching and taking notes! We'll be in San Fransisco for a few days in January.

I know you started the thread for yourself DeservingBitch, but thanks!

Eh - if I can help someone else, and without even any effort on my part, that's cool by me!

 

[saw_man1]

xxxxx

 

[Etoile]

You should hit up Good Vibrations in the Castro if you need to get your shop on.

 

[graceanne]

Obviously you'll want to visit the warf. Their's also a really cool aquarium type place, where you might get a chance to pet some small sharks. Although first you go through this realy cool tube, where you can watch everything swimming around you. It's seriously awesome. Their's also some seal caves in the area, and they have a 'deck' type thing built so you can see them without bothering them. Be warned, it's a long walk. Depending on how far you are willing to drive their's also Six Flag's Great America. I believe it's a few hours from San Francisco, but it's a good amusement park. In the San Jose area (also a couple of hours) their's Marine World Africa USA, and it has some really cool live dolphin shows. They used to have an orca, but I dont' know if they still do.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Go to Alcatraz. If you're up to it, take the nighttime tour. It really is spooky and there's quite a few spots there where the air just feels...wrong.

Spend a few minutes alone in the solitary cell. *chills*

 

[Netzach]

I have SF envy. Is the Citadel as cool as it sounds from afar?

 

[Trinique_Fire]

If you've ever read The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, go to Chinatown and take the book with you. It's like being inside the pages.

If you haven't read it, go anyway and make sure you take pictures of the front gates with the lions.

 

[Shankara20]

On the kink side of The City and if you want to see/shop for cool kink shops I recommend Mr.S Leather link and Madam S link. They are owned by the same folks. Mr S is more boy-toys but very female friendly. Just going in to see the cage and the cuff selection is worth the effort - and if you want to see the HUGE selection of ass play toys I say "go for it".

Stormy Leather link is owned by women and offers great female outfits.

Power Exchange link is a play space / lookyloo space that you might or might not be interested in visiting. Friday and Saturday nights are the only times much is going on. It is a space people go to play in public - play being BDSM, couple sex, wanking (there will be at least one male wanker walking around naked), nude dancing on a stage, or just watching. Many folks go in regular clothing just to see the kink-freaks (sorry, I no longer walk around there in a lace nightie playing with myself - but only because I now live in Kansas) The place is safe for women, but some men might make a comment or brush a little close when next to you - they will get tossed out if caught but some are just stupid/rude jerks. If I were you I would not go alone.

Let me know if you have questions about these place. If Neon returns to Lit she will have other suggestions.

What to know where to get a great tattoo is a all-woman place? What about a body piercing? I have suggestions.

 

[DeservingBitch]

On the kink side of The City and if you want to see/shop for cool kink shops I recommend Mr.S Leather link and Madam S link. They are owned by the same folks. Mr S is more boy-toys but very female friendly. Just going in to see the cage and the cuff selection is worth the effort - and if you want to see the HUGE selection of ass play toys I say "go for it".

Stormy Leather link is owned by women and offers great female outfits.

Power Exchange link is a play space / lookyloo space that you might or might not be interested in visiting. Friday and Saturday nights are the only times much is going on. It is a space people go to play in public - play being BDSM, couple sex, wanking (there will be at least one male wanker walking around naked), nude dancing on a stage, or just watching. Many folks go in regular clothing just to see the kink-freaks (sorry, I no longer walk around there in a lace nightie playing with myself - but only because I now live in Kansas) The place is safe for women, but some men might make a comment or brush a little close when next to you - they will get tossed out if caught but some are just stupid/rude jerks. If I were you I would not go alone.

Let me know if you have questions about these place. If Neon returns to Lit she will have other suggestions.

What to know where to get a great tattoo is a all-woman place? What about a body piercing? I have suggestions.

Thanks Shank for the great suggestions. I'll be sure to make the time for some kinky shopping, if only to look at and drool over all the stuff I'd want to buy. And yep, Mr. S will be a sure stop - I love me some wicked ass toys!

If I do go to a club/playspace, I will most likely have to go on my own. But I'll keep in mind what you told me about rude assholes, and will practice my get-your-hands-off-me-NOW-Look before I go!

Tatoo... can't afford one right now. But I've been thinking more and more about body piercing... although being in SF for a conference might not be the best moment to get a piercing. But shoot - where do you suggest I go should I decide to get a piercing while i'm there?

 

[FurryFury]

Take a camera on your trip. San Fran is simply beautiful!

 

[Shankara20]

Thanks Shank for the great suggestions. I'll be sure to make the time for some kinky shopping, if only to look at and drool over all the stuff I'd want to buy. And yep, Mr. S will be a sure stop - I love me some wicked ass toys!

If I do go to a club/playspace, I will most likely have to go on my own. But I'll keep in mind what you told me about rude assholes, and will practice my get-your-hands-off-me-NOW-Look before I go!

Tatoo... can't afford one right now. But I've been thinking more and more about body piercing... although being in SF for a conference might not be the best moment to get a piercing. But shoot - where do you suggest I go should I decide to get a piercing while i'm there?

If you were to consider a tattoo I recommend Black and Blue Tattoo link - Idexa there did most of my ink. The place is women owned, all kink friendly and most same-sex orientated. They did piercings in the past but I think they stopped. Body Manipulations link would be my first choice for piercings now.

 

[twysted73]

<-- suffering from SF Envy as well.....

I absolutely HAte to disagree with Trinique_Fire but I've been to Alkatraz. It's a tourist trap. The tour is automated with head sets that have a droning recitation of the prison's history. You can smell old mold and dust. The price of a ticket is somewhere around $16. If you're still hell bent, enjoy. http://www.sftravel.com/alcatraz_tickets.htm.

I'm not entirely sure if it's still open but my "Bondage in Life" starting point was in the SOMA area (south or market on 7th I think) called the Trocaderro Transfer. On wednesday nights they had "Bondage A-Go-Go" with dance on the bottom floor and upstairs they have leather stands and, most importantly, an in-house play area with spreader bars and players and floggers (oh my!).
Let's see...yes, the warf for sure. Since you're in union (are you using hostel bases to sleep?) you can grab the trolley to the warf. Ghiradelli Square (yes, chocolate) is right at your drop off point. There's also a comedy club right there too. And ALSO an Irish Pub called "The Fiddler's Green" on Columbus there as well. Great Bangers and Mash. Awesome food. (grab a map for sure.)
Wow....I can go on forever.
On the corner of 9th and Market, on the second story you can see the room where they had the opener for Interview With A Vampire....there's Golden Gate Park. (it's a big 'un but they have an arbaretum that's ok). This time of year it'll be a little cold and windy outside.
What else, what else...*taps lip*
Dip your foot in the Pacific just to do it. That way when you hit the Atlantic, you've been in two oceans.
Height and Ashbury! Not as groovy as before. (mostly run aways and the homeless hang there now) but they have good retro shops for music and clothing.
Maybe head across the bay and hit Berkley. (use the B.A.R.T. Much cheaper then taxi.) Not much there. A lot of coffee shops, music shops (amoeba music) and night clubs that play local venues.
Lotts of great eateries and bistros in the Castro District.
Hmm...I'm startin' ta get cranky cuz I ain't goin'.
But enjoy yourself!! (and avoid oakland entirely...NOTHING there....)

The best way that I enjoyed the city was on foot. I kid you not...it was great and you find little shops that you'd never otherwise know about.

 

[DeservingBitch]

Bumping 'cause the trip is coming soon.

Any more suggestions? I'm especially looking for ideas for when it gets dark, if you know what I mean...

And btw -- anyone living in the area?

 

[midwestyankee]

If you will be around on a Saturday afternoon, Caffe Trieste (yes, I know they can't spell - you tell them!) does an open-mike concert featuring local talent that is always crowded and always entertaining. Don't be at all surprised if you hear a terrific aria or two - opera is a favorite among the Saturday afternoon crowd. Caffe Trieste Downtown

For eating, I strongly urge you to try Swan Oyster Depot. It's about a 10 minute walk from anywhere in Union Square or a five-minute walk from the top of Nob Hill. Another short walk from Union Square brings you to a tiny enclave of French restaurants, all of which are comfortable and not at all pretentious. Of these, I recommend Cafe Claude on Claude Lane which is about a 5 minute walk from Union Square. Now, if you're going to Berkeley and feel like spending some cash to eat like royalty of the intelligentsia, consider eating at Chez Panisse.

 

[YourCaptor]

Let me pull out my google earth.

Oh wait, I don’t know anything in the scene over there, this forum is the most active I have ever been in a community.

However I will give you this place, “House of Nanking”, it’s crazy goodness Chinese that you will fall in love with and get addicted too all in one dish. No visit to SF is complete without it. Order the tea and whatever else, the menu is hard to read, so just decide on a main ingredient and then pick at random. You can’t go wrong, its all ridiculously good. I usually get sesame chicken, rice, and whatever else looks interesting.

If I remember correctly its on Kearny St and Jackson, if you go their you will see it, just look around. May look a little shady at first, trust me, its good. Will be busy during meal hours.

It’s not far from Union square, but all uphill

Other stuff to check out, the Castro for gay culture, the Haight for hippy culture, a place called Rasputin for independent music, videos, and the likes, um… what kind of things are you into

 

[intothewoods]

Other stuff to check out, the Castro for gay culture, the Haight for hippy culture, a place called Rasputin for independent music, videos, and the likes, um… what kind of things are you into

Castro is more yuppie than gay. I mean, not really, but kinda. I still like to walk around and look at all of the houses. Haight - nonono. More let's not and say we did. Seriously - I don't think actual hippies would go anywhere near there.

I think the Mission is really fun, and also Hayes Valley.

If you're a foodie, you have to go to the Ferry Building. It is heaven on earth.

Ok, restaurants.

Cafe Claude is fun
Hawthorne Lane
Slanted Door
Betelnut
Rose Pistola


I've also heard good things about Mr. S Leather.

What else do you want to do there?

 

[YourCaptor]

Castro is more yuppie than gay. I mean, not really, but kinda. I still like to walk around and look at all of the houses. Haight - nonono. More let's not and say we did. Seriously - I don't think actual hippies would go anywhere near there.

True about the Castro, but it is a really shiny place.

And lets not speak bad of the Haight, they got a cool record store down their, a nice alternative theater, lots of stoner food, and stoner "stuff", plus the park, parks are nice. I snap a cool photo down their of a group of stoners smocking on the street and a cop walking by not giving a damn.

 

[intothewoods]

And lets not speak bad of the Haight, they got a cool record store down their, a nice alternative theater, lots of stoner food, and stoner "stuff", plus the park, parks are nice. I snap a cool photo down their of a group of stoners smocking on the street and a cop walking by not giving a damn.

Ugh, I hate it - okay, hate is a strong word, but it's not whatever it once was. Sorry! Oh, I love GG Park, but away from Haight Ashbury.

 

[LilyBart]

I can't contribute any play venues. But when it comes to food, that's a different story....

As to restaurants, I would add to the already awesome list, Restaurant Lulu on Folsom St. Walking distance from Union Square and serves eclectic, wonderful seasonal food in a warm atmosphere. One of my very favorite restaurants in the US.

I'm jealous too.

And I hope you'll give us all a report when you get back....

 

[intothewoods]

I can't contribute any play venues. But when it comes to food, that's a different story....

As to restaurants, I would add to the already awesome list, Restaurant Lulu on Folsom St. Walking distance from Union Square and serves eclectic, wonderful seasonal food in a warm atmosphere. One of my very favorite restaurants in the US.

I'm jealous too.

And I hope you'll give us all a report when you get back....

Yes! A very good one.

 

[LilyBart]

Yes! A very good one.

Hmmmm, yes...more proof that we were separated at birth....

 

[JMohegan]

Any suggestions, personal favorite places to recommend?

Muir Woods National Monument, an old-growth coastal redwood forest.

I recommend arriving when the park opens, at 8.

 

[FurryFury]

We went there on our honeymoon for a few days. It is a beautiful city and it's fascinating too.

I wanted to see a cross dressing show / drag show but it was a damn holiday, (labor day) and everything was shut tight in that area. I walked a long damn way to get there too.

http://www.sfweekly.com/bestof/award.php?award=563182

I thought I might get some Italian while I was there but that shit was shut up tight too.

I bought three great leather dresses at North Beach Leather ( I think they went out of business) and some great blue topaz earrings.

Our Chinatown tour was wonderful. It was completed with one of the best meals I had while there. The Dim Sum and noodles were fantastic. Our little girl who was just 18 months LOVED the fortune cookie factory.

There is some kind of wild animal park in Valejo that was fantastic. We rode an elephant and camel there, walked through a butterfly house where they would land on you and could have bungee jumped. Fortunately, for my husband I'd already done that recently which terrified him at the time. Now it's a six flags.

http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/animals/index.aspx

The Palace of Fine Arts area is so beautiful. It's perfect for taking pictures.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/prsf/places/palace.htm

The Presidio, Golden Gate bridge and Sausalito were all lovely to visit. Damn we did a lot.

I also enjoyed a play there. It was Tony and Tina's wedding. http://www.pier39shows.com/

It was fun to play along with the actors and enjoy a reception rather than be throwing it!

Of course the wharf area is fun with it's chocolate and sour dough. My husband and daughter enjoyed a submarine tour there. He wanted to go to Alcatraz but we didn't have time.

I wanted to go to wine country and to see the redwoods but again we didn't have time.

We stayed in a old but fairly grand hotel but it was on the edge of the Tenderloin. LOL.

I want to do it again!

I hope you have a GREAT time!