Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
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We're planning a trip to San Francisco in September. We’ve never been and probably want to stay in the Union Square area. (I guess?) I’ve been researching hotels and am considering several including these:
Campton Place Hotel Monaco Prescott Hotel Do any forum travelers have any suggestions on these or other S.F. hotels?
There are some restaurant suggestions in some past posts about San Francisco…any new suggestions/updates?
Also, we’ll take a trip to the wine country. I’ve been told that 1 day…maybe a day and a half is all you really need of touring wineries. Comments?
What's the weather like that time of year(first part of September)?
This forum’s wonderfully informed, well traveled members helped make our NYC trip last November more enjoyable with some great suggestions. Thanks in advance for any suggestions again!
Dennis
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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We stayed at the Sir Francis Drake when we were there for a buyers show...we liked it...Pucinis and Pennitis was very good as well as the Grand Cafe....all right there in Union Square...thats all I know.....oh yeah....and we did one long day in wine country...and then I got the ski bug so off to Tahoe we went
-------------------- karma is a beautiful thing at times
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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It's been a few, but we really liked the Fairmont on Nob Hill.
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Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
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Mike,
The "Drake" gets hammered on Trip Advisor and Travelocity. How long ago were you there?
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Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
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Dennis..hmmmm....thats too bad...I guess it was late nineties Im guessing...it was part of the "buyers show package"..they had a terrific Sunday brunch too....oh well...easy come easy go
do check out those two eateries though..they were good
Edited by Mike R (05/19/05 08:09 AM)
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dwl
Reged: 02/12/04
Posts: 59
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Here are some restaurant suggestions. We go to SF about 3-4 times a year, part business/part leisure.
Slanted Door -- my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the country. Delfina -- great Italian Zuni Cafe -- great oysters & seafood, brunch and a great burger Aqua -- For a more formal dinner Foreign Cinema -- great brunch, lunch or dinner in a rapidly changing neighborhood.
Those are some of my favorites...you guys will love SF. It is my fav US city. If I think of other restaurants, I will let you know.
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KevinS
Reged: 07/23/03
Posts: 3415
Loc: Boston
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It's been a few years, but I remember some of the rooms in the Prescott as being on the small side. If you stay at there you'll find Postrio, one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, right downstairs. I enjoyed dinner at Postrio so much that on my return from Napa a week later I dined there again and ordered the exact same meal.
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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Oh yes, Napa!
If I am ever banished from the clay hills of the south and can not seek refuge in the caribbean, plant me in Napa.
I LOVE with a capital L O V E that place. Small, quiet, quaint, friendly and full of wine. It reminds me of that scene in the movie Grapefield Of Dreams: Is this heaven? No, it's just a winery.
Yes, you must do Napa. MANDATORY.
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Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
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IV,
Any "shouldn't miss" wineries? Did "y'all" stay at a cool B&B or lodge?
I thought "corn squeazins" was your drink of choice?
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Island Visitor
Reged: 12/19/02
Posts: 10396
Loc: Retraité
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Dennis: Robert Mondavi is a must do, partly in homage to the most important winemaker/innovator - Europeans included - in the last century. I also liked Beringer. Back In The Day, you could tour Inglenook, which is THE perfect winery. It has since been bought by Francis Ford Copolla of Hollywood fame who has enhanced the reputation of this most noble of California estates. I dont know if the Copolla people do tours, but if they do, they are a MUST stop.
We have not stayed at a B and B but I would highly recommend it. The towns/villages of Rutherford and St Helena are Oh My Gosh Gorgeous and the types of places you see on Travel Channel but assume really dont exist.
Napa has so many nice wineries that it can take a week or more just to scratch the surface. While I have not stayed in a B and B in my three trips there, I would LOVE to do so and just walk/sip my way around the village.
Oh I love that place. One of my favorite places on earth.
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JackR
Reged: 10/10/02
Posts: 976
Loc: North Shore
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We stayed at the St Francis in mid-october and it was lovely. Get a high floor. Also I would highly recommend the Forneau's oven restaurant which is in another hotel( I forget where) this was recommended to us by a premier restaurantuer who is now retired. Plan on the MOST enjoyable lamb chops you have EVER tasted. EVER!. Also Skip wine country. Its just boing farm country with vineyards. WIne is Just wine/ especially young wine like at a vineyard What to do instead? YOSEMITE. a 3.5 hour drive and plan two nights there. It is an unforgettable experience. Try to stay at the Ahwanee. They have very nice california wine there too and the view is beyond belief.
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carter
Reged: 02/17/04
Posts: 53
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Ditto on the St. Francis ... very nice hotle w/ an old school feel. There is a great French Bakery (OK, not SBH great, but ..) down the street and around the corner (towards China Town ... ask the concerge).
I say the wine country is a must. If you can get it (and it is not easy) tour Rafanelle. It is a small, family winery .. the tour is led by the daughter and touring the winery is the only way you can get on the list to buy limited bottles of their wine which is VERY good.
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