San Francisco
San Francisco City Overview
If a poll were taken as to the most beautiful cities in the United States, surely San Francisco would be in the top ten of most tallies. Situated on a peninsula with the Pacific Ocean on one side and San Francisco Bay on the other, San Francisco is a naturalists treat as well as one of the most cosmopolitan cities anywhere.
We recommend really getting to know the city on your first visit and then coming back a subsequent time to explore all the outlying areas. Every neighborhood in San Francisco has something to offer, whether it’s the restaurants and clubs of North Beach, the frenetic pace of Chinatown, or the 1960′s vibe of Haight-Ashbury.
Public transportation is safe, and recommended. There are a few areas to avoid, like the downtrodden Tenderloin section adjacent to downtown, but any guidebook will steer you in the right direction. The city itself is expensive, but hotel and restaurant deals are there for the taking if you take the time to research.
Bring at least a light jacket any time of year. Most days are bright and sunny, but morning fog and marine layer can make any time before 10 a.m. downright chilly.
The Neighborhood – AT+T Park
AT+T Park is located in an area of San Francisco called China Basin, alongside a portion of San Francisco Bay. You may have seen home run balls splash into the water over right field. It’s a perfect setting for a ballpark and although it can be damp and chilly, fans are much more protected from the elements than they were at Candlestick Park.
Just a few short blocks from AT+T Park is the SOMA district (South Of Market), where you’ll find quite a few restaurants and nightclubs. The famous San Francisco neighborhoods of Union Square, Chinatown, and North Beach are short MUNI or cab rides away.
The Ballpark
At+T Park is one of the best places to watch a game in the major leagues. Peter Gammons commented on the worst seats in the park, stating even they have a perfect view of the Bay bridge and the skyline. In fact, we prefer to sit higher up at AT+T, just to soak in the views. But rest assured, anywhere you sit will have a good vantage point.
Ballpark Tours
The Giants offer tours of AT+T Park every day at 10:30 and 12:30. Tours last about 75 minutes and the cost is $12.50.
Historic Baseball Sites
Before AT+T Park arrived on the scene in time for the 2000 season, the Giants played for 40 years at Candlestick Park, about 20 minutes south of downtown on windswept Candlestick Point. The park still stands and is home to the San Francisco 49′ers NFL franchise.
For the first two years of their existence in San Francisco (1958 and 1959), the Giants played at Seals Stadium at 16th and Bryant just south of downtown. Seals Stadium was built in 1931 and hosted Pacific Coast League games through the mid 1950′s. As a temporary home for the Giants until Candlestick Park was completed, it served its purpose well. The stadium was demolished in 1960.
In 2008, to commemorate the Giants 50th anniversary in San Francisco, an historical plaque was erected at the former site of Seals Stadium, which is now a Safeway shopping center. Several original Giants attended the ceremony, including Hall of Famer Willie McCovey. Directly across the street is the Double Play Bar and Grill, an unofficial headquarters for Seals Stadium memories and memorabilia.
Giants Tickets
To be safe, we recommend procuring tickets in advance. The Giants are popular and many games sell out, but don’t be bashful about walking up and trying to buy tickets on the day of the game … many times you’ll be in luck.
Public Transportation
In our estimation, public transportation is the best way to get around San Francisco. Not only do you get the sense of being a local, but you’ll also avoid the astronomical parking fees in the city. Light rail systems like BART and MUNI can get you anywhere you want to go, including across the bay to Oakland and other points east.
There are numerous bus routes and of course the famous San Francisco street cars. Look into obtaining a public transportation pass from the San Francisco Visitors Bureau for the length of your stay. You’ll save money and aggravation. And although the city is notoriously hilly, getting around on foot is very convenient. If you’re staying 3 or 4 days and plan to explore the general Bay area only, a car is an unnecessary expense.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
San Francisco is one of the best restaurant cities in the world, nor is there any shortage of great places for beer. The whole Bay Area is big on craft beer and brewpubs in fact, so you’ll surely find a perfect place to tip a few back.
Our first two recommendations are baseball related bars. They’re both very historical and a big part of San Francisco, so don’t miss them. The remainder of our list gives you a flavor of San Francisco’s thriving beer scene.
Lefty O’Douls: Founded in 1958 by San Francisco native and former Pacific Coast League star outfielder Lefty O’Doul. This sports bar/restaurant is steps away from bustling Union Square and is without question the best food bargain in the otherwise very pricey area. Daily specials are comfort food staples like meatloaf and spaghetti and meatballs. There’s a decent selection of beer on tap but this place is all about atmosphere, history, and inexpensive good food. 333 Geary St., San Francisco. Phone: 415-982-8900.
Double Play Bar and Grill: If you like local bars that have literally been around for 100 years, you’ll enjoy the Double Play. It’s about a mile from downtown, and also about a mile to the Anchor Brewing Company, so it’s a perfect early lunch or late breakfast spot before going on the Anchor tour. Try the breakfast burrito or the burgers, and be sure to go into the back room where there’s a baseball themed room with memorabilia from Seals Stadium, which sat directly across 16th Street where the Safeway shopping center is now. Founded in 1909, the Double Play is a San Francisco original that shouldn’t be missed. 2401 16th St., San Francisco. Phone: 415-621-9859.
Anchor Brewing Company: Home of Anchor Steam and Liberty Ale, this historic brewery is open for one tour per day, at 1 p.m. Be absolutely sure to reserve well in advance, at least a month, as tours fill up. After the tour, you’ll spend about 45 minutes in the tasting room where brewery staff will serve you a generous sample of everything Anchor brews. 1705 Mariposa St., San Francisco. Phone: 415-863-8350.
21st Amendment Brewery Cafe: The closest brewpub to the ballpark, and it’s crowded before and after games. It’s a ten to fifteen minute walk to the park. 21st Amendment serves up tasty house beer and an interesting reasonably priced menu. 563 2nd St., San Francisco. Phone: 415-369-0900.
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San Francisco Brewing: In the heart of the Columbus Avenue nightlife district, this brewpub is a drinks-only set up that’s reminiscent of a college bar. Lots of fun later at night, but if you’re older, go for happy hour. 155 Columbus Ave., San Francisco. Phone: 415-434-3344.
Gordon Biersch: One of the famous chain, we particularly like this location due to its birds eye view of the Bay Bridge, stretching from San Francisco to Oakland. Take advantage of Gordon Biersch’s great happy hour specials here. 2 Harrison St., San Francisco. Phone: 415-243-8246.
Beach Chalet Brewery: Across from the Pacific Ocean on Pacific Coast Highway is the Beach Chalet Brewery, housed in an historic beach chalet building dating back some 75 years. There’s a great view from the upstairs seating area overlooking the ocean. 1000 Great Highway, San Francisco. Phone: 415-386-8439.
Magnolia Pub and Brewery: The building at Haight and Ashbury in the San Francisco district of the same name was once a drug store, and legend has it that all sorts of drugs were dispensed here in the late 60′s. Now it’s home to the Magnolia Pub and Brewery, where the hippie vibe still lingers. Enjoy lunch here (the sandwiches are great) and a couple of their very well made house beers, particularly the IPA. 1398 Haight St., San Francisco. Phone: 415-864-7468.
