Mariner 5/3: I can help with San Francisco Info

[IBookHePays]

This is new to SF Bay! Looks really fun (if the weather cooperates)...High speed "ride" on the bay...RocketBoat! Really close to the cruise pier, also:)

 

 

http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/Sightseeing/Boat/rocketboat.cfm

[curiousgeorgie]

Strange request, but maybe someone can help...My daughter remembers me telling her about a beautiful kite I had when I was a little girl which I had gotten in San Fran, now she wants to find a beautiful kite that she can buy for her and I to fly together while in San Fran - not crazy elaborate and expensive, but a nice kite - any ideas?

[April-in-NC]

You may want to check out China Town. I seem to recall seeing some there, but I'm not 100%

[joyfulmarsh]

Strange request, but maybe someone can help...My daughter remembers me telling her about a beautiful kite I had when I was a little girl which I had gotten in San Fran, now she wants to find a beautiful kite that she can buy for her and I to fly together while in San Fran - not crazy elaborate and expensive, but a nice kite - any ideas?

 

How wonderful that your daughter asked to fly a kite with you! Chinatown would be your best bet in terms of unique and beautiful kites, as well as relatively inexpensive. There's a shop on Grant Avenue (@ Sacramento Street) right next to the Bank of America at the corner that has many kite option. I can't recall the name right at this moment, but it's right next to the BofA and you can't really miss it. It sells the typical touristy nic nacs, but you'll also see kites displayed very prominently. It's about a mile from the pier where we will be docked and I think it's walkable. Walk in the direction of The Bay Bridge toward the Ferry Plaza Clock Tower. When you reach the Clock Tower, cross over to the Embarcadero area and ask someone to direct you up Sacramento Street. From here, it's another 6-7 blocks to Grant Avenue and again, you'll see the BofA at the corner. While you're in Chinatown, there's plenty of other similar shops, so do take your time to look around.

[joyfulmarsh]

Curious Georgie, I just walked by and checked for you---The kite shop next to the BofA is simply named "Chinatown Kites". And sure enough, they do have some beautiful kites. So there you have it. Happy Kiting with your daughter!

[GoodAsGold]

For inexpensive and fun transportation, take a ride on the historic street cars from Fisherman's Wharf. http://www.streetcar.org/ (here is a reverse route coming back to the Wharf from Market St:) http://blog.streetcar.org/fline-riding.html http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfleet/histcars.php (not the cable cars) down the Embarcadero to Market St. and walk over to Union Square or visit the Westfield San Francisco Centre for upscale shopping. We always stay in the downtown area when we visit SF. Fisherman's Wharf is fun for a day, but I love hanging out "where the tall buildings are". I love their Ross and Marshall's in the SOMA area with the multiple stories. Oh, and they have a wonderful Forever 21 on the corner of Market and Powell (the old Bank of America building.) I'm more into "discount shopping", as you can tell. ;) You can take the same street cars down Market to the Castro district--think Harvey Milk. http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/castro/ (end of the street car line). Or take a bus to Haight-Asbury. You can take a bus to the Exploratorium, which is a very cool, interactive science venue. http://www.exploratorium.edu/ Wonderful for kids and adults, alike.

North Beach is the Italian area of SF and you can check out The Stinking Rose ( a garlic restaurant.) http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

[AZRussells]

Thanks for all of the great recommendations!

[nukester]

hey would really appreciate your review of all

 

jack

[LAnn]

I noticed a couple of recommendations in this to visit the Exploratorium and wanted to point out that it's only open from Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. However, it is open on Memorial Day (May 25) until 5:00. However, if the ship docks at 2:00, given the time you need to get out there, you wouldn't have a lot of time.

 

However, all of the suggestions are wonderful and full of detail! So nice of people to take the time to do this! This should be helpful to those on all the PNW cruises. :)