kenrexford Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 My wife and I are heading out to San Francisco, her first trip to San Francisco and first NABC tournament; my second time to S.F. (last time in '83). I am tickled to be able to play in the Mini-Blue Ribbon Pairs with her, as we just squeaked through a BRQ at the last-chance regional in Fort Wayne, IN. Very exciting. We expect to play a bit of bridge, probably mostly morning games, with a lot of sight-seeing. I know all of the standard visitor spots; any suggested non-obvious things to see/do? Also, if anyone might be looking for a midnight game and/or drinks, let me know. Or, if you like potentially-hung-over, sometimes-on-sometimes-off teammates for morning KOs (perhaps because you meet the same definition), call us! My wife's 106 MP's sure helps the bracketing. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jlall Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'll probably be available for a midnight game at some point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pclayton Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 I'm arriving Wednesday before the tourney with the Clayton party-of-5. We'll have Thanksgiving somewhere and I'm playing in the LM and the Mitchell. They are heading out on Tuesday but I may stay for longer. I'm sure SF is a treasure trove of great hole in the wall (and pricier) restaurants. I'd love to hear about the town from a locals POV. Pretty sure my games are booked. Midnights are a non-starter with the family in town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdonn Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 midnights with rexford? sign me up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenrexford Posted October 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 And you think a midnight game with Rexford is interesting -- wait until you meet Lady Rexford! LOL We are getting in the evening of the 22nd and leaving on the 30th. (The 29th is my first 39th birthday.) Y'all will have to let me know, if you are serious, what evening for a midnight would be best (to not create a problem for a sleep-deprived important event). I'll buy the first round (of drinks, of course). LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echognome Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 As someone that grew up in the area and now lives in San Francisco, I will do my best to answer some of your questions. First, I should say that San Franciscans love to go out to eat. I heard that we have the most restaurants per capita of any city in the world. Whether or not this is true, there is plenty of choice of places to eat. A good way to get a nice variety is to try to eat out in different neighborhoods. Go to a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, an Italian restaurant in Little Italy, get pizza in North Beach, go to a Mexican restaurant in the Mission, etc. I looked online for articles in our local newspaper, and the only thing I found was from 1996 (so you may want to call ahead of time to make sure they're still in business). http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...e&sn=005&sc=569 As per spots to see other than the main tourists sights, that is quite difficult. I will make a few suggestions that vary on whether you will have a car or will have to use public transport or taxis. Within Public Transport or Taxi: The Cliff House - This is a restaurant/bar on the ocean. Have great views of the ocean while shelling out for a good, but over-priced meal. Or, just go there for a couple of over-priced drinks. It's worth it just for the view. Golden Gate Park - Especially interesting are the Japanese Tea Gardens and the museums. Worth a day trip if you have the time. Carnelian Room (Top of the Ritz-Carlton in Union Square) - If you want a great panoramic view of the city, this is the place for you. I think I have only eaten here once, but it's a good place to go and have a drink or two and enjoy the view. Chinatown - Walk around and check out the shops. Guarantee you'll find something there you haven't heard of. Accessible by Car: Marin Headlands - Drive across the golden gate bridge and head off to the left up the hills to see remnants of an old military stronghold and fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the city, and the ocean. Sausalito - Carry on further past the bridge and experience the charming town of Sausalito. Find a restaurant near the water and enjoy great views of the city. Muir Woods - Still in Marin, experience the majestic Redwood trees and breath in some fresh air. Monterey and Carmel - A little more than an hour's drive South and you will get to the beautiful towns of Monterey and Carmel on the ocean. The aquarium in Monterey is worth a visit. The 17-mile drive along the coast is spectacular. Pacifica - If you want a quicker trip, drive to the coast and take Highway 1 down to Pacifica. Enjoy the views of the ocean along the way. Stop at the Moonraker restaurant for great views. Note: I'm sure there are plenty more places to see and hope that other locals contribute their suggestions as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbodell Posted October 14, 2007 Report Share Posted October 14, 2007 Monterey and Carmel - A little more than an hour's drive South and you will get to the beautiful towns of Monterey and Carmel on the ocean. The aquarium in Monterey is worth a visit. The 17-mile drive along the coast is spectacular. While this is well worth doing, especially if you add the drive to big sur which is the roughly 30 miles south of Carmel, I think "a little more" is a pretty big undersell from San Francisco. It usually takes ~1.5 hours to get to Monterey from just north of San Jose. Even if you drive super fast (well above the speed limit) and hit no traffic it is at least 1 hour from Northern San Jose so from San Francisco it should be 2-3 hours to Monterey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echognome Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Monterey and Carmel - A little more than an hour's drive South and you will get to the beautiful towns of Monterey and Carmel on the ocean. The aquarium in Monterey is worth a visit. The 17-mile drive along the coast is spectacular. While this is well worth doing, especially if you add the drive to big sur which is the roughly 30 miles south of Carmel, I think "a little more" is a pretty big undersell from San Francisco. It usually takes ~1.5 hours to get to Monterey from just north of San Jose. Even if you drive super fast (well above the speed limit) and hit no traffic it is at least 1 hour from Northern San Jose so from San Francisco it should be 2-3 hours to Monterey. I'm sorry. You are right. I'm used to the "everything takes an hour" feeling. It is just over two hours according to google maps. Still, well worth the trip. If someone is up to a full day trip, then Yosemite is worth every minute of that drive, but now we're talking about 4 hours (confirmed with google maps). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hrothgar Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'll echo the yosemite recommendation. Gorgeous part of the world. Personally, I wouldn't want to try this as a day trip. I'd recommend having a full day available so you can hike to the top of half dome. (And believe me, you won't want to drive back to SF at the end of that day) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echognome Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'll echo the yosemite recommendation. Gorgeous part of the world. Personally, I wouldn't want to try this as a day trip. I'd recommend having a full day available so you can hike to the top of half dome. (And believe me, you won't want to drive back to SF at the end of that day) Only problem with doing an overnight trip is trying to get accommodation. The campsites get booked months in advance. However, during the winter, it might not be as difficult. However, the hikes may be a bit more difficult. For those not wanting the rigours of a long hike, they have open shuttle tours, buses, horse-rides, etc. Truly an amazing part of our country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keylime Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 I lived in the SFO area and in SFO for almost five years. It is a part of the world I sorely miss from time to time. Yeah, I get nostalgic. :-) Big Sur, and the ride such down from the 17/280 intersection in San Jose/Santa Clara/Cupertino, is one of the most beautiful roads to motorcycle on in the world. I have many fond memories of going into Santa Cruz down highway 17 through Los Gatos, Summit Road, and Pasatiempo Golf Course, and then heading south on highway 1 past the artichoke capital of the world (Watsonville - stop there and ask about the barbecue, it is incredible) into Seaside and Monterey, then head through the tunnel into the aquarium, the Defense Language Institute on top of the hill, and then entering 17 Mile Drive off of highway 68. Exit that back onto highway 1, and head into the foothills through Carmel Valley, turn north to rejoin 68 near Laguna Seca Raceway, and then head back into Monterrey for a breather. Rejoin Highway 1 and head south to Big Sur to finish your day. I still to this day remember me as a 18/19 year old on an 1000cc Suzuki going full tilt around some of those bends - the joys of feeling immortal. Yosemite is quite, quite special. It is a bit of a hike out (head out on 580, then down to 108 and 120 if memory serves), but, it is so worth the time spent. I'd spend a weekend if I could. However, my favorite is Sequoia Nat'l Park near Fresno just because to me, the pristine beauty is more pure and less tourist-trotten. The more I think about it, the more joy I have remembering my new Nissan 200SX-SE, tricked out, going up Highways 4, 89 (especially 89 - towards the northern end of the highway is Lassen National Volcanic Park, a solemn place for me), and 88 going up and down and around the peaks in spring and fall. I have so many memories and I am saddened that I probably won't be able to come out (many things in my crazy life right now) unless something changes radically (as I'm writing this I am quite teary-eyed - I have many friends near Travis AFB in Fairfield/Suisun City). However, thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pclayton Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Big Sur, and the ride such down from the 17/280 intersection in San Jose/Santa Clara/Cupertino, is one of the most beautiful roads to motorcycle on in the world. I have many fond memories of going into Santa Cruz down highway 17 through Los Gatos, Summit Road, and Pasatiempo Golf Course, and then heading south on highway 1 past the artichoke capital of the world (Watsonville - stop there and ask about the barbecue, it is incredible) into Seaside and Monterey, then head through the tunnel into the aquarium, the Defense Language Institute on top of the hill, and then entering 17 Mile Drive off of highway 68. Exit that back onto highway 1, and head into the foothills through Carmel Valley, turn north to rejoin 68 near Laguna Seca Raceway, and then head back into Monterrey for a breather. Rejoin Highway 1 and head south to Big Sur to finish your day. I still to this day remember me as a 18/19 year old on an 1000cc Suzuki going full tilt around some of those bends - the joys of feeling immortal. Yes, this is a great part of the area. My grandparents live in Los Altos until '92 and I remember a few weekends spent out at Aptos. Santa Cruz to Monterey is really a neat stretch with the artichoke fields and such. It really has a hippie vibe. its frequently socked in with fog, but that just makes it that much more surreal. Monterey is OK, but just that. Its a pretty smelly area, but the Aquarium is worth the trip. Cannery Row is neat if you are a Steinbeck fan, but its no big deal. I would put Carmel at the top of my list. Its near the end of 17 mile drive (a road you have to pay a toll on), and the restaurants have an ambience second to none. Kimi and I stayed in a B and B in 1995 and I want to go back. Further south on Highway 1 is Big Sur, Harmony and Cambria. The road through south of Big Sur is really, really scary. If you have low confidence in your driving abilities, or have a fear of heights, don't drive it. The views of the Pacific are the most spectacular you will EVER see, and many of the bridges over the canyons are quite famous. Sometimes it will be closed this time of year for rockslides, so try to call ahead. If you are adventurous and like to drive, I'd check this out. If you've made it this far, and don't want to double back, just pick up the 101 at San Luis Obispo and head back north. If you are a golfer and have about $500 burning a hole in your pocket, play Pebble Beach. I've played it once 20 years ago and still remember every shot I hit on every hole. Its one of those courses you have to play at least once in your life. Spyglass Hill is fun too, and so is Pasatiempo. Yosemite is just too far. I agree its beautiful, but you might as well make a side trip to Lake Tahoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keylime Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Phil, The fog...I remember in July being so foggy I couldn't see 150 feet while I was in Korean class at DLI. Definitely surreal. I had the joy of playing Pebble Beach during my stay in Monterey. I still to this day treasure the par I made on the 18th hole seeing the sea otters on the nearby shore. That, and the stretch of 6,7, and 8 - the 8th is Nicklaus' favorite hole from what I heard and can't fault him for that. The 18th hole is the sweeping, naturally form par 5 of roughly 540 yards if memory serves, right to left. You aim at this huge tree and try to draw it slightly to set up for the 2nd shot, which, forces you to watch the water and put it into the layup area. Oh yeah, the green, incredibly quick with a lot of subtle features. I actually liked playing Spyglass and Cypress over Pebble, and I still remember the watering hole in Pacific Grove near the Safeway too. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pclayton Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 That, and the stretch of 6,7, and 8 - the 8th is Nicklaus' favorite hole from what I heard and can't fault him for that. I birdied the 8th. Driver (too far left), 240 yard 3 wood to 10 feet and drano. The 18th hole is the sweeping, naturally form par 5 of roughly 540 yards if memory serves, right to left. You aim at this huge tree and try to draw it slightly to set up for the 2nd shot, which, forces you to watch the water and put it into the layup area. Oh yeah, the green, incredibly quick with a lot of subtle features. They took the tree out in the last redesign :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keylime Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 The 7th was every bit of treachery and then some. I hit a 4 iron to get it on the green that day due to the wind (it's 107 yards, I hit my 4 iron about 185-190 in normal air). The 8th was so awing I over clubbed and dumped it into the back bunker. One of the most scary bunker shots of my life there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y66 Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 My wife and I had a blast just walking around exploring the neighborhoods a few months ago. And eating! Good fuel stop here: http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/travel/28Bite.html You'll be set to walk across town and back after that. Then you can refuel at Delfina. Ferry Market Building on Saturday morning was hard to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 I'm coming over for my first US Nationals. Will be missing the first few days, but definitely playing the Blue Riband Pairs. I'm coming over with my first choice English partner and we are on the lookout for decent teammates for either the Reisinger or North American Swiss - we haven't decided which we will play in. Anybody interested or know anyone decent looking for a game then let me know. Apart from that, I'm really looking forward to it and San Francisco is a city I have always wanted to visit. And, I am well up for a few side games in some of the minor events if any of you fancy a few boards or even if you just want to say hello to a fellow BBOer! Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenrexford Posted November 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2007 My wife (boxerlover on BBO) and I are heading out for S.F. tomorrow. We are planning to see a lot of the area, but we will be playing bridge on Saturday, probably a regional event and perhaps Zip KO (looking for the J-boys, of course), and then in the Tues/Wed Mini-Blues (Leah got her first BRQ in Ft Wayne this year!!!). Hope to run into a few of y'all. Last post until we eturn, I expect. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlasci Posted November 26, 2007 Report Share Posted November 26, 2007 Does anyone know if there is a get-together for the BBOers at the Nationals? I'd love to meet some of the people I've been playing with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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