Back from San Francisco - thanks again for all the recommendations. Of course I couldn't do everything in a few days - also had a major problem walking with my right foot. I used the cable cars a lot. On Saturday I felt a little better with some orthotic pads in my shoes, and was able to walk form North Beach to California Ave.
Here is what I did - We flew in and checked into the Kensigton Park Hotel, a little boutique hotel off of Union Square. Wednesday night ate at Colibri Mexican Bistro, 438 Geary Street. Not bad at all, a little expensive but we were able to walk in. Probably about normal for downtown SF. I discovered that the iPhone can be terrible at real time directions. It had us walk 4 blocks up Nob Hill. I handled 4 blocks straight up amazingly well but my friend nearly had a heart attack since she was tired. (The next day I watched the moving purple dot on the iPhonne Maps application, updated by Location Service on the iPhone while on the cable car. I watched as it kept going past the turn, and run the cable car through half a block of houses, before getting back on the right street - oh the humanity! Do not rely on the iPhone for real time directions - sometimes it works great, other time not good at all. Kind of hacks me off that San Francisco is the city they used in the iPhone ads...)
Thursday morning I slept in, and tried to rest my foot. Thursday afternoon I shot photos and video from the cable cars and had a great time.
I went to a cafe. I went to the Cable Car Museum.
I went to Fishermans Warf and ate a pound of fresh Dungeness Crab and a bread bowl of Clam Chowder. I switched Cable Car lines and went the Aquatic Park and Ghihardelli Square, bought some Hot Chocolate powder and had some Chocolate Ice Cream. That evening I took the Bart to Walnut Creek and met my friend and her colleagues for an excellent dinner at a local restaurant. We had Old Vine Zinfandel and I had Beef Short Ribs.
Friday afternoon my friend was able to join me and we went from Union Square via cable car, switched to the California line and went to the Ferry Building. I had and excellent Ginger Beef Bowl at DeliCA and also an excellent bowl of lentil soup from Mohito.
We got some amazing pictures from the Sausolito-Larkspur pier observation deck.
We then went to the Embarcadero Center and saw the ice skating rink, some childrens choirs and got some Sees candy.
That night we went to Union Square and the Crocker Galleria which was closed at 7pm! We went to Macy's and the Starbuck's on the 7th floor.
Later we went to the Cheescake factory on the roof of Macy's, because we were tired and hungry. This turned out to be quite an experience - we at outdoors overlooking Union Square in November! Fortunately we had no wait to go outdoors and with the gas heaters it was not chilly at all.
Saturday was a big day - we went back to the Ferry Building and the Farmers Market for breakfast. Italian pepper turkey and provolone with basil pesto sandwich, pastries and coffee, plus apples from the Farmers Market.
We took the ferry to Sausolito and turned right around.
Next we took a cab to Cafe Trieste where we grabbed prime seats for the famous Saturday Concert. Here Papa Giani sings about Napoli. This concert is happening now only about once a month but we got luck this Saturday. Pappa Giani and Mama have been married for 70 years. Yes, there were some 60 year-old Hippies there, but it was more of an old Naples afternoon. We had pan pizza and pastries with our 2 cappuccinos. Then we slowed down with some diet coke. Our friends met us there, and had wine. I was looking forward to mandolins, but there were 2 synthesizer accordians, an electric base, amplified upright piano, and electric acoustic guitar. The congas made it better. Good music and fun. Basically the family of owners each sang a few songs. Next we walked down to the City Lights bookstore. Interesting, historic, but inflated prices (a $6 philosophy booklet was marked up to 8.95 and a $29 book was marked up to $39, so I decided to get them on Amazon instead).
We walked by Vesuvios and the "sex district" on down to California Avenue.
Lots of great photos. That night we had an expensive seafood dinner at Farallon next to our hotel. Supposedly one for the 10 best for seafood in SF - definitely one of the 10 most expensive.
Sunday morning we had an excellent brunch at Scalas Bistro next to the Francis Drake hotel. I had an excellent tomato-based corned beef hash with unshredded corned beef and poached eggs on top, also some apple pancakes.
All in all a wonderful time. I loved the palm trees in this climate. I wanted to get to Golden Gate Park and audio stores, but that will have to be another trip. See some more of my SF pics here
