1 Gabe,
You're in SoCal, right?  Why not fly?  It's super-cheap and I doubt you'll need a car in SF. 

2 What are you looking for, a place to crash?  I live in Oakland.  I'm going to be working all weekend, but if you need a place to crash, feel free.

3 Also, flights are frequent, so you can change your plans and come home at a moment's notice. 

4 There will be many gheys being extra ghey. Yuk

5 Go to San Francisco.

If you need pointers, good eats, good bars, whatever, email me.

The drive is easy. No matter if you're on the 101, the 5, whatever, it's very easy to navigate going there.

Do it.

You'll thank me later.

6 Oh, I'm not a big fan of SF - not an expert either - but I can definitely recommend a restaurant:  http://www.kokkari.com/

OUTSTANDING.  If you like meats and offal and open fire cooking.

7

Anyway, my e-mail is [redacted].

I thought I included that in my first post.

8 BTW, from where are you starting?

6 hours? Are you in LA?

9 Accident? What happened? What'd I miss? Are you okay?

I think you should go, Gabe. It'd be an interesting and educational experience. I personally hate SF (spent too many Thanksgivings up there), but it's definitely a city everyone should visit at least once. Everyone else I know loves it (except for the people running it).

10

What part of Oaktown Travis?

 

11 Go for it, Gabe. Grab a plane. A car is a nightmare in SF.

12 San Francisco?  Man, no way should you go there.  I heard a rumor that the place is lousy with gay people.

13 I've been to SF dozens of times and the only place I recommend to eat is Boudin's on Fisherman's Wharf. And the Stinking Rose, but I've only been to the LA location.

Visiting Chinese grandparents means most of your meals are either homecooked or from Chinatown.

14 Do it.  SF is an awesome visit.  Especially this time of year.

15

I live across the street from the Whole Foods in Oakland.  The whole foods address is:

230 Bay Pl, Oakland, CA 94612

16

Cons: Cost, cost, cost; the drive is six hours and longer in the rain; I will have to drive on the interstate in the expected rain at night, something still a little hard for me after my big accident; I'm going to miss all the Massachusetts fun because I'll be in court or on the interstate coming home that evening when that goes down; and I don't like unfamiliar places or crowds.

Let this inspire you, Gabe.

http://tinyurl.com/9kez5

17 That's towards Bezerkly, eh? Other side of Emeryville?

18

I'd be happy to send you one of my standby passes. There's enough flights that even if you missed a few, it'd be hours better than driving. E-mail me if you're interested. Know that it couldn't be in your hands until Tuesday, of course.

19 Go for it, you will fit right in

20 Can't help you on restaurant recommendations.  I used to know every good restaurant within walking distance of my hotel on Union Square, where I stayed for many weeks, but that was maybe 15 years ago.

Great city.  You really should visit sometime.

21

Dear Gabe,

You can stay with me. By the way, what's your sign?

22 Just don't bend over!

23 Try this place for pizza. Gialina Pizzeria 2842 Diamond St San Francisco, CA 94131

24 San Francisco... *sigh* mm mmm mmm

25 Yeah, Emryville is south of Berkeley, and Oakland is south of Emeryville.  I'm inbetween the 580, the 880 and the 980.  Right next to Lake Merrit.

26 Do what you love, life is short, the votes in MA will count themselves, so to speak.  If its cost and being safe, take up a moron on their offers.  And there is no substitute for a local showing you the place or giving ideas.

27 Ahhh, close to downtown. I've spent many an hour on Martin Luther King and Grand trolling for hooks and crack...

28 Actually, I do remember a place called Scala's that was really good.  If it's still there, you should go.

29 Here it is:

Scala's Bistro

Trust me, you won't regret dining there.

30 Oh for Pet's sake GO.

31

Posted by: Irish Rose at January 15, 2010 09:52 PM (C39a6)

Heh. 

But in all seriousness, where I live is real safe, with none of the street hustle that you gotta watch out for in certain areas.

32 A Gay Californian who has never been to SF?
That's like being a Saudi who's never been to Mecca.

Anyway, traveling on a holiday weekend? You're nuts.
If you have to take the plane. At least you won't have to keep the foot on the brake while you are sitting around.

33 "(I do appellate work and stuff for a rather specialized trial-level administrative court)"

Really?  I was sure you were clerking for the 9th.

34 I live up in Northern Ca and used to work in downtown SF. Do yourself a favor and stay home. SF is a failure. The streets smell of piss and dead hobo.

35 Also, if you go to SF, make sure you are wearing chapa sneakers.  They are the rage right now.

36 Gab, only go if you can find a friend that will go along. Let them drive, split cost of gas. Share a room at a hotel. Make sure its someone that will enjoy the trial.

Flying, well is nice but you are worried about cost. 6 hour drive isn't bad if you stay the night in SF. Plus wouldn't you waste a few hours at airport? I don't know how bad it is now.

If you go with a cool friend, they'd let you drive part of the way to help build your confidence. Maybe listen to some Rush, he's a man you really need to know.

If your friend has a trans-am with a cb it will be more fun. You could wear a fake mustache and act like your Burt Reynolds.

I don't know what you have to tweet with. But netbook and wifi you'll be able to post stuff and also read up on Senate race.

And if Brown loses we'll just blame you. lol j/k But I wasn't about the mustache burt reynolds thing.

Oh and with a friend tagging along, should help with anxiety of unfamilar crowd and location.

Can't find someone. Then stay home.

37
Here's my opinion Gabe. I could care less if gay people had the right to marry, in fact I'm all for it. You guys should be able to indulge in the suffering too. I'm a fiscal con and a foreign policy type of guy for the most part, not so much of a social con and not a practicing Christian although I do believe in God. With that said, I believe states rights and voters wishes come into play here and if the will of the people is not respected even after put up to a vote, well then, I have a real big problem with that.

38

Gabe, being the lawgeek myself I'd be interested. Unfortunately I'm more interested in following Brown vs KKKoakley that day.

I think bottom line if you have a high tolerance for crowds and high drama from both ends, go for it!

39 Go... Best food town ever You should go to "the old clam house". Fantastic cioppino and all the celbrity pictures are boxers and Lonny Anderson Chinese: Spices 2 (not the other one) on Clement and 6th ave. Get the garluc crab and the chinese bacon (it will open up your mind) , and then something completely at random. They are open almost till midnight Dim Sum koi palace in Daly City, better than Hong Kong Pizza paradise pizza on west portal, (which is right down the road from Portal's tavern my favorite bar in the city and the friendliest place on earth, just don't insult Julie Banderas in there) is one of the best though I used to be a regular at Gaspare's on Geary out in the avenues

40 39 I believe states rights and voters wishes come into play here and if the will of the people is not respected even after put up to a vote, well then, I have a real big problem with that.

+1
I am anti-gay marriage, pro-civil union but if California voters ever pass a law allowing gays to marry then so be it.  Will of the people, not will of the judiciary.

41 SF is like any other city, though smaller, better-sited, and pissier than most, and a bit more expensive than many.

Grew up there, now live 30mi south but I'll be out of town for a few days.

Supposed to be a big storm coming through some part of the state next week, not sure if it's going to get far enough south to cause snow closures over the Grapevine.

42 f you're going to San Francisco Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair If you're going to San Francisco You're gonna meet some gentle people there / Em C G D / / Em G C G / - Bm Em7 D - - / For those who come to San Francisco Summer time will be a love-in there In the streets of San Francisco Gentle people with flowers in their hair All across the nation such a strange vibration People in motion There's a whole generation with a new explanation People in motion people in motion / F Dm F Dm / G - - / F Dm F Dm / G - D - / For those who come to San Francisco Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair If you come to San Francisco Summer time will be a love-in there ... / G Bm Em7 G - - / If you come to San Francisco Summer time will be a love-in there / A C#m7 D A / A C#m AE7 A /

43 I always found 101 and 99 to be less stressful than I5. 

Alternatively, the west side hwy through Maricopa/Taft and up to Coalinga is usually lightly traveled and non-stress ride.  You'd want to pick up I5 again coming out of Coalinga, that Warthan Canyon road over to 101 is very nasty and slow, or at least it was 20 years ago...

44 I hear that if this show trial is a hit, it's backers are planning to take it on the road. Think of it as "Cats!" or "Les Miserables" without the catchy tunes. And it's coming soon to a courtroom near you!

45 I'm with blindgoose. If you can get a friend, it would be a great road trip. And if you can get a TransAm (or a bitchin' Camero), you have got to dress like the Beastie Boys in Sabotage!

46 Gabe, wear a Palin t-shirt.

47 Thanks for all the ideas, guys. I don't have anyone to go with because my friends all have to work seeing as how this is totally spontaneous.

Major concern now: I do not want to get stuck on the other side of the Grapevine on Tuesday evening. I can take Wednesday off, but I'd have to cashier a paid vacation day.

We are expecting rain Sunday through the middle of next week. No word on whether there'll be snow in the pass.

48

If you drive, taking 5 to 152, then to 101, then north, is a good choice.  152 isn't that bad, although it narrows to 2 lanes from just past Casa de Fruita to 101.  101 between 101 and Morgan hill is long. Why?

My recollection is that San Jose to Santa Ana is just over 7 hours. I did it in the February rain, which started just south of the Grapevine, and lasted all the way to Santa Ana.

It's also possible to take 5 to 580/205, through Castro valley to 880.

Accomodations are up to you.  SF is expensive; if you know someone in SF, your problems might be solved.  Alternatively, something along 101 (or the BART line) between SF and Millbrae, or between Oakland and Castro Valley, is a possibility.

You can drive into SF, but parking is not cheap.  BART might get you very close to the court.

Flying makes a lot of sense, probably more than driving.  BART runs to SFO, so you might be able to completely avoid cabs.  You just need to find a place near one of the NART stops.  S. San Francisco is a bit rough, as is Oakland and much of the East bay north of Castro Valley. Pay attention.

The cost of gas for you car might be more than plane fare, and swapping the cost of parking for a better hotel might make more sense.

Restaurants: previously posted recommendations (see above), Masa's, Chinatown, the various places around Union Square, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, ...

49 Gabe-

I am in SF (Russian Hill) and would be happy to take you to dinner or meet you for drinks somewhere if you make the trip.  Maybe do a meet-up here.  You, me and the other Republican in SF.

My email is bgc100 at comcast dot net. 

Brian

50 I think it's a great idea, Gabe. As 43 has already noted, SF is a pissy and expensive town. If you drive, you'll love the scenery if you take Hwy 101. If you have time, hit Grubstake Diner on Pine, between Polk and Van Ness. Very good breakfast, and great Portugese pork chops with white wine, spices, and garlic.

51 A round trip ticket on Amtraks Coast Starlight from LA to San Jose (connect to Cal Train at San Jose for the rip to downtown SF) costs about $100 which is probably less than the round trip gas money / wear tear.  And you don't have to drive.

52 I'm not touching this one with someone else's ten foot pole.

53

I was thinking about making a nice Irish stew tomorrow or chicken and dumplings.  Can't decide.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

54 Chicken and dumplings.  You're welcome.  When is dinner?

55 Even if you don't go, you can still dress like "Cochese" or "The Rookie" in honor of .... something. Me? When I'm not wearing my revolutionary beret, I always dress like Sir Stewart Wallace. God! I forgot how hard that song rocked.

56 Weigh the pain versus any regrets you'll have if you don't go and make your decision that way.  I say go.  The drive up I-5 is a pain but very doable.   Flying's easier but more expensive (check into flying from Burbank to Oakland on Southwest)  I'm up in the East Bay but I can't put you up.  I'd toss $20 your way to help fund your trip as downpayment for your observations. I'll check this thread later.

It should be raining most of the time, which is unfortunate because SF is a fun city to walk when the weather's nice.  The King Tut exhibit's going on right now at the De Young.  Good food of course.

57 "be sure to wear some flowers in your hair"

Seriously though, you're the right person to cover this.  Others can cover the Coakley thing and you can catch up later.

58 Should I go with the trip to Ponca City or the trip to Ardmore?

59 Depending on whether a friend can put you on the plane, flying is totally possible -- but you have to watch what you're doing. For instance, Burbank to Oakland is less than half the cost of Burbank to SFO. Multi-day parking can add $30+ to your costs.

The train takes absolutely forever. It's a wonderful way to travel, but only if you have a lot of time.

I-5 over the Grapevine is a pain. I wouldn't recommend. If you're going to drive, absolutely take 101. And, since you'll just be dossing down and driving again, use a hotel no farther north than Gilroy. Of course, if you can get a moron's couch, go for it.

60 Added info -- I-5 is about 60 miles from the coast, where SF is.

Roughly where are you starting from in LA?

61 Hollywood.

62 Hollywood isn't too bad -- if you're driving back in the dead of night (let's say you leave SF @ 6...first problem is that you'll be driving in rush hour. So it's going to take you over an hour to clear San Jose [BTW, take 280/85 instead of 101 for that leg]...plus about six hours of relatively straightforward driving....will put you coming across the Valley at 1 am -- and straight home).

It'd be different if you were in West Covina or something.

63 I met Travis (I'm pretty sure) at a moron meetup some time ago. A solid B+! Heh. If you come up I think a Bay Area moron meet up is in order. I also have room too (bedroom and bathroom) if needed but Travis is way closer to your age and closer to the city. Excuse me, The City (liberals aren't into that humble shit).

64

Like Travis, I can offer Gabriel a place to stay, and like Gabriel, I am interested enough in the subject to make the trip into the city if he wants company. I am in Palo Alto (about 40 miles south of SF) and can drive the last bit for us.

My post on why gay marriage is not a right:

http://tinyurl.com/ydzfxdq

(Airtight and solid as a rock. It is NOT a right.)

Alec Rawls

alec@rawls.org

65

66 What's best for you, personally and professionally? Go.

67 Go. Or don't. I don't know.

68 What are you driving? If it's underpowered, there's the Conejo, Gaviota, and Cuesta grades near Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo respectively that can be a bit of a challenge.

All in all, it's a great idea -- and kicking around SF can be a lot of fun -- but I'd have to say that I'm a bit dubious about the weather. It won't be dangerous but it'll make it more difficult to have fun -- one of the things about SF is that it's relatively compact, and you can do a lot of walking around. Chinatown, Pier 39, Golden Gate Park, and Fisherman's Wharf won't be quite the same in the rain -- not to mention any side trips to Telegraph Avenue in Berzerkly or Muir Woods in Marin.

69 Is the 3g service along I5 ok? Setup your notebook so I can see whats going on with  the web cam. I'll  help watch the road and keep you company. Put a mustache on the monitor if you want. Should be able to use them carpool lanes with me riding shotgun. Don't forget to buckle me in, I don't want a ticket.

70 The train sounds like a great idea.  Southwest's flights are cheap... but you need about 6 days advance (they they're $69 each way from Ontario to San Jose). 

71 On the other hand, you could easily gang up with all the fellow morons in the area, and the hobos couldn't see it coming with all the rain gear.

72 Gay marriage was done through a lawsuit in the Massachusetts Court System.To the best of my knowledge the law has not changed .

73

Posted by: East Bay Jay at January 15, 2010 11:32 PM (oNeKI)

Hey, what's up brother?  Yeah, that was me at the moron meet-up.  Your handle was "East Bay Patriot" at that time, wasn't it?

74 Well, the weather is gonna be bloody awful. I appreciate the driving tips. I was thinking of driving up on Sunday, sightseeing Monday, trial Tuesday, and then home Tuesday evening.

Those of you who offered places, I will be in contact via email to see if any of that will work out. Also to make sure you're not ax murderers.

And we might as well see if there's interest in getting a meetup together on Monday night.

More info on all of that will be forthcoming tomorrow. Now it's movie time.

75 young man! i said young man! you can stay at the Y.M.C.A! just dont forget your chaps with the buttcheek holes cut out.

76 And now that I think about it, I can't be gone Wednesday because one of my former judges is retiring and I'm supposed to be at the party. So, definitely coming home Tuesday night, come hell or high water.

77 Plans revised, now should be back in town midday Monday (though the last time I said that about driving home from Reno it turned out to be midnight), may be available Monday evening.  Will something further be posted here or is someone coordinating contact info?

I guess I ought sign up for the yahoogroup...

78 Gabe,
 Burn all your clothes and shoes when you come back.  The city has turned into a disgusting toilet.  They have to hose down and bleach the sidewalks every night.  Be prepared for lots of panhandlers.  I won't go there anymore.  It's lost all it's appeal.

Good luck.

79 MPFS - it turned into a toilet about the time I was in college, it's been that way for at least 20 years, the current state of affairs is nothing new.

Unfortunately.

District elections and demographic changes chased just about all the adults out of city government a very long time ago.  The last grownups on the Board of Supervisors were Feinstein and Quentin Kopp. 

The place is now basically run by a Spartacist Youth League student government.  It's always kind of amazed me that the Chinese haven't thrown all these idiots out and elected sane people, if they'd actually register and vote in significant numbers they'd run the town. 

A few too many of their kids, though, toddle off to Berkeley and come back as Democrats.

80 Heh. I know a gay married couple you could stay with in the city. ;-)

81 If you can get rolling before 12 noon Saturday, drive up Saturday instead -- it'll take the time pressure off of things. Personally, I'm always disappointed with jaunts where you spend more time getting there and back than being there.

Probably the best way to make sure they're not ax murderers is to inform several friends of where you'll be staying.....like, I dunno, posting it on a blog or something.

As far as moron meets go, I'm in the South Bay -- so SF or Oakland probably wouldn't work that well. Palo Alto, by contrast, would be peachy -- and the hobos there wear sweaters with little alligators.

82 Yeah, grab a flight and go. It's once in a lifetime and you'll be out, what, a couple hundred bucks.  Give up lattes for a month to pay for it.

You do NOT want a car in SF. Parking, hills, one-way streets. Scary for a flatlander.

83

"... definitely coming home Tuesday night, come hell or high water."

Then you should plan on flying. Your probability of getting back to LA on time is very much higher. Snow on 5 will not be a problem.

This means either a rental car or no car.  "No car" is cheaper.  Flying in to SFO, and getting a hotel in Millbrae or SF (there are some on Market St. that are cheap, safe and used by tourists and their families) that is a short walk from BART makes almost all of your costs calculatable. 

Use Travelocity & Yahoo Maps. 

Assuming ":no car", check everything; make sure that the hotel is a short walk to BART, and that there is a BART or Muni station near the courthouse. Yes, this is cheap and a pain, but it's simple and the costs are fixed.

I'm guessing about $340 for plane tickets, a (decent) hotel room for 2 nights, and BART fare. Food and entertainment are additional.

In any event, try to stay in Millbrae or some place north. I'm south of "cthulhu", and driving from San Jose to SF on a work-day morning is not a good choice, even though tens of thousands of people do it 5 days per week.

 

84

You fuckers are out of control, but, like, whatever. :-)

85 I want you to go so you can give us the inside low-down, but understand if you think it's too much hassle. Went to SF a few months ago to visit a friend. She works in the Mission District, was a fantastic place to just wander around (except for the hobo men hitting on me, coulda used you guys.) I took the BART and bus sightseeing during the day while she worked; easier than the NYC subway I think once you get the hang of it. We ate here; I recommend it. Awesome crepes. Ti-Couz 3108 16th St. (at Valencia), 415 251-7373

86 Try to allow 7 or even 8 hours for the drive--I can do it in 5.5, but I'm insane. Unless you're an expert at long-distance driving, you will want to stop off and get lunch, and possibly have one other break from the monotony of the road.

Be sure that you take the 5--using the 101/Highway 1 is more fun, and it's very beautiful. But it takes 11-12 hours (consider it as a time splurge on your way back, so you can see Carmel and Big Sur).

I think you should do it if you can.

87 OK, to clarify -- when I wrote "I-5 over the Grapevine is a pain. I wouldn't recommend. If you're going to drive, absolutely take 101. And, since you'll just be dossing down and driving again, use a hotel no farther north than Gilroy. Of course, if you can get a moron's couch, go for it." -- I was assuming that you'd drive up in the evening Friday or Saturday, and start the day's adventures the morning after.

If this is the plan, you can save a bunch of money by staying overnight for that one night south of Gilroy -- and you won't be so tired when you pack it in, so you won't be driving around an unfamiliar city trying to find a hotel while your sleepy and cross and prone to error. You can get up early on Saturday or Sunday and eat some McBreakfast horror while tooling up the road to SF, and save yourself $150 and considerable stress.

On the other hand, once your adventure begins, I completely concur with Arbalest saying, "In any event, try to stay in Millbrae or some place north. I'm south of "cthulhu", and driving from San Jose to SF on a work-day morning is not a good choice, even though tens of thousands of people do it 5 days per week." You'd be heading up to enjoy being "where the action is", not observing it from a safe distance.

We do a similar thing heading southbound -- you can spend the night in someplace like Buellton for next to nothing, and still get into LA by 10 am the next day. Why spend extra for a hotel in LA that's noisier, more expensive, more prone to having your car broken into, and has spas and convention facilities -- when all you're doing is racking out?

88 Yo Gabriel,

By all means come on up to SF, and get in touch if you do.  I'd be happy to join you in heading to court to watch the trial if you do: I'm also a law geek, live in SF, and don't have to go to work during the week.  Would also be up for getting together with you & any other area morons for drinks at some point.

89

Do it Gabe!

Fly, don't drive, especially if you are coming from SoCal. The cost of gas along will kill ya. Be forewarned that everyone in 'Frisco is a prick, but it is generally a pretty city if you stay out of the crap parts. I used to have to go there regularly when I worked for the UC system.

Maybe you can stay with a moron that wont stab you in your sleep for your shoes and whatever pocket change you may have. That leaves me out, but only because I'm down here in San Diego.

90 Little Miss Attila: "Be sure that you take the 5--using the 101/Highway 1 is more fun, and it's very beautiful. But it takes 11-12 hours (consider it as a time splurge on your way back, so you can see Carmel and Big Sur)."

Highway 1 is ABSOLUTELY an all-day excursion -- and is one lane in each direction with switchbacks and cliffs. And is glorious and beautiful, and beyond the scope of this excursion.

Highway 101, by contrast, is just as much of a highway as I-5 (2 lanes each direction, large center median) for pretty much all of the relevant distance. The speed limit is higher on 5, but so is the monotony level, and it is somewhat straighter (doesn't do the dogleg at Gaviota, for instance), but ends up in SF where I-5 goes to Sacramento.

You'd do two significant grades taking 5 (Grapevine and however you crossed back over to the coast), and you have three on 101 (Conejo, Gaviota, and Cuesta). But Grapevine is by far higher, colder, and more prone to closure.

I've done San Jose to Newhall, CA in 4.5 hours door-to-door in an old-style Nissan Sentra going flat out (passed a Porsche that night and got the weirdest look...) by going on 5 -- but I can reasonably budget from Santa Clara to Santa Barbara in 6 hours on 101, at a comfortable pace without traffic. In the dead of night, Hollywood is about an hour, hour-and-a-quarter past that.

91 We do a Friday feature called "San Francisco Diary--Journal of an Exile.  The lead Diary entry for Friday was the Prop 8 trial.  I haven't figured out how to enter links on this site, but if you go to Commentarama, you'll find it.  The trial so far has been boring, and there isn't much excitement inside or outside the courtroom.  The Hollywood contingent is here, mugging for the cameras, but the weather's lousy, and you can see those guys closer to home anyway.  Still, we always welcome kindred spirits.  The previous commenters are right--a car is a pain if you're not familiar with The City (actually, they're a pain even if you are familiar).  The buses smell, but the cable cars are great, BART and the Muni Underground are OK, and cabs are cheap and plentiful.  Good restaurants are plentiful, and in every price range. 

92 .....and another thing.....

I've gone over the Cuesta grade 15 minutes before it closed, as fire was crossing the highway. If I'd missed that window, the detour is something like five hours. But I've never seen it closed for snow.

93

If you are going to take the I5 up, bring along a friend to keep you awake. The I5 North completely sucks some kind of infected donkey genitalia.

IT NEVER F*CKING ENDS!

Other people may dig it, but it ain't my thing.

94 Every time you go over a pass, the radio stations change and your cellphone goes out for a bit.

It should also be noted that it is essential to have a car in LA, and it is nice to have someone else's car in SF -- 'cause parking is a complete pain, and can cost you $30+/day, easy....when you can find a space at all. And then you'll likely end up hiking across half the city to get to where you wanted to go, anyway.

If you end up staying on some moron's couch, leave your car there. See if they can be conned into driving you to a BART station in the morning and picking you up at night. Or if they seem really drunk retarded accommodating, see if they'll drive you to nice tourist spots and pay the exorbitant parking rates while you schlep around.

If you have a manual transmission, it's quite easy to go through a clutch in one visit. I don't know who designed the streets, but you frequently find yourself on a grade steep enough to have steps in the sidewalk while waiting to cross a street that is flat. You have to be quite comfortable with the emergency brake/foot brake/clutch/accelerator/steering wheel shuffle.

95

I'd go. Never been to CA, and I can't now because of the wife's medical conditions - she couldn't take a trip that long.

It's something of a historic trial as well. Made my then 7 year old son watch Obama's inaurguration even though he didn't want to. I wanted him to see it - it was history (hate him or not, it was a historic event) - so he could say he'd seen it when he was older.

96 I learn lots of new stuff here !
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Thanks & Best Regards

97 Just one one thing to remember when going to SF. The scientist say "We do not believe mosquitoes transmit HIV". Have a nice trip!

98

I've done the train ride...in was in the late 1980s, sure, but it still beats that drive in bad weather.

I gotta go with the recommendations of public transportation all the way. Definetely do the drive...in good weather when you have time and company.

99 RobD--SF's too fucking cold for mosquitoes, especially during Summer. I used to make the drive from Monterey to San Diego in 7 hours, using 101/5 (transitioning at the merge in northern LA). But that was in the 80s and early 90s. Haven't made that drive since visiting in the late 90s, and we took our time driving up the coast from SD to SF, so I don't know how easy the trek is these days. The worst part is always getting through LA, so you've already got that part mostly out of the way, especially if you leave late at night to avoid the worst of the traffic. If you take 101 up, then when you get to San Jose, you have a choice of staying on 101, or hopping on 280 to go directly into the city. Or, if you find a place to stay in the East Bay, and find an easy hop on BART/public transit to SF, then you can take 680/880, and crash in Fremont, Oakland, Berkeley, etc. Hope you go. Road trips are fun, and putting yourself in the center of history is always memorable and worthwhile. I know you don't know me from Adam, but I've got a ton of family and friends in the Monterey/Silicon Valley/Bay Area corridor, so if you want to see a friendly face, let me know. Be warned, my family is much more liberal than I am. I'm extremely libertarian (politically and socially), which continues to confuse the hell out of them. They think I'm some sort of ultra-right wing capiterrorist. Makes for interesting family reunions!

100 You could bag a homo hobo for a wall mount. Just one more reason to go!
(Heard theres lots of 'Mo's around there..they must feed them or something.)

101 A few more thoughts, Gabe:

* I find driving in San Francisco a lot more enjoyable than driving in LA, but I know my way around here.  If you're a nervous driver, have a bad sense of direction, or don't do hills well, you might be better off leaving your car parked most of the time except when you go to the outer neighborhoods.  You can get around pretty well on BART/MUNI and taxicabs within the "core" northeast section of the city from Civic Center to downtown / Chinatown / Union Square / North Beach / Mission.  I can give you a couple tips on places you can park your car for the day and walk to MUNI, depending on where you stay.

* Let me know if you need advice on where to stay.  There are some reasonably priced hotels/motels in town, but some of them are real dumps or located in bad neighborhoods -- and the neighborhood can change dramatically from one block to the next: it'll be relatively safe & clean and next thing you know there's a crackhead every twenty feet.

* You might get a little better value staying outside the city of SF, but that becomes a pain in the ass if you want to go out at night & drink, unless you stay right on the BART line someplace (& BART only runs until 12:30 or 1 AM, I think).  And there aren't a lot of nice areas with reasonable hotels right on the BART line: downtown Oakland is not bad, but doubt you'll get much of a better deal at the Marriott there than you will in SF.

* Fuck Fisherman's Wharf / Pier 39.  It's the epitome of a tourist trap -- i.e. its purpose is to attract the herds of dumb, rude, pushy, fat, pasty out-of-towners and their screaming kids, concentrate them, and sell them tacky, silly trinkets and fatty, sugary foods while keeping them out of the rest of the city's hair.  If you go to Alcatraz or Angel Island -- either of which are worth doing at least in good weather -- you'll have to pass through the area: that's about enough of it for anybody with any sense to put up with.

* Touristy things worth seeing: Ferry Plaza if you're a foodie.  Golden Gate Bridge / Marin headlands.  Alcatraz.  Views from Twin Peaks and other high places.  Mansions of Pacific Heights.  Legion of Honor museum (as seen in Vertigo).  Union Square shopping.  Golden Gate Park if weather's decent.  Other art museums are pretty good if that's your thing -- esp. SFMOMA & Asian.  King Tut exhibit @ De Young I found a bit underwhelming -- most of the really good stuff doesn't leave Egypt anymore.  I was also not really impressed by the reopened Academy of Sciences, but the aquarium is at least cool there.

Again, get in touch if you make it.

102 The scientist say "We do not believe mosquitoes transmit HIV".

Heard theres lots of 'Mo's around there..they must feed them or something.

Man, what knee-slappers.  "Hyuk, hyuk -- hey, they got a lotta queers there, Gabe.  Better watch your cornhole, man!  Hyuk, hyuk!"

103 Go! You said you plan to drive... That's good. Wouldn't it be nice if there were courtroom procedural provisions for spectator opinions?

104 "You could bag a homo hobo for a wall mount."

Or of you need some extra cash, take pictures and sell them to hobosexual.com

105 Gabe,

If you need to get back I think you should reconsider going. Weather is supposed to be terrible, the grapevine will probably be closed for several days. We had a storm like this 2-3 years ago and it was closed for 5 days IIRC.

106 Forgot to mentino LUN is to the weather repors, looks like rain/snow for Monday through Thursday...

107 It takes longer on the 101, and it's a harder drive, overall, with all those curves. I only take the 101 the whole way when I've stopped over in Santa Cruz or whatever.

The main disadvantages to the 5 would be 1) the very thing that makes it a less-stressful drive, and a more direct, shorter route [straightness] can make it more monotonous for some, so having excellent CDs becomes a good idea, and be very aware of any sleepiness that might creep up on you. And 2) the Grapevine, which I know some people find difficult--but I've been driving it since I was a teenager. And I know it gets shut down sometimes in blizzards, but that hasn't happened to my family in 40 years. A quick phone call / web surf would let you know if that's a danger.

I've only skimmed this thread, but I have the impression that Gabe doesn't necessarily want to stay right-outside the L.A. area (which would be absurd, since he lives here), or right-outside the Bay Area (because then he'd have to actually pay for lodging, as opposed to just crashing with another blogger or moron in the area).

Therefore, if I'm reading this correctly, he wants to spend as little time on the road as possible, and do the trip in one fell swoop. Which means taking the 5. Keep in mind that the grapevine is the first thing you tackle, getting out of the area, and it's over with soon. After that, it's all smooth sailing, without that full extra hour one has to budget in taking the 101.

If Gabe wants to break the journey up and spend the night somewhere along the way, then the possibilities do expand enormously, of course. (Even the 5 has its enticements, such as a steak dinner at Harris Ranch. My stepmother refuses to go all the way to the Bay Area in a single day, so she and my dad generally stay overnight at Harris Ranch or the motel next door to it. The outdoor environment leaves a lot to be desired, but the steak does not.)

But if you want to break it up and taking the 101 (without quite living it up and taking Highway 1), then the best midway point is Pismo Beach, and there's a great motel there (several of 'em, but there's one I stay at all the time--its rooms are all mini-suites, and it's pretty reasonably priced for what you get). Anything in the Arroyo Grande / Pismo / Shell Beach is fun, and the shore up there is beautiful.

* L.A. to Pismo = 3 hours at a have-it-down-to-an-art-but-not-unduly-speeding pace
* Pismo to Berkeley = 3.5 hours at similar pace (don't have a figure for SLO to SF, since my brother lives in Kensington; we usually meet in Shell Beach)

108 Gabe:

Just re-read your entry. Can you get half a day off on Wednesday? I'm not sure I want you working on Tuesday and then driving home in the middle of the night. I'd rather see you crash somewhere south of SF and then finish the drive the following day.

109 Take the train to San Jose and either transfer to Cal Train or have someone pick you up there.  If you are going to have someone pick you up, staying on the train to Oakland or Emeryville more convenient.

It is only $100 bucks.  You will spend that on two days of parking in SF.

110  Alright, got lodging figured out in Oakland. Gonna do this. I've got all day tomorrow, so I'm taking 101 for scenic funzies. If the weather's not bad I'll take 5 back. If the weather is as bad as expected I'll just come back down the 101.

Bay Area Moron Meetup post will publish this evening.

111

I've never been to SF before

You should be drummed out of  LAMBDA. If you fly - Oakland is great to fly in and out of.  If you drive, leave early and it is a breeze all the way up I-5. If you've never driven up 101, take it. But, it can get boring awlfully fast.  Best time to drive up 101 is in September.  Ever been to Carmel/Pacific Grove? The air smells great.

Chinese New Year is Feb 14 this year. But they start blowing things up a month ahead of time.  So, check out Chinatown.  Buy tangeines and pussywillows for good luck.

 

112

Oh, and go to 1733 Leavenworth St and ask for Blackie Toy.

 

113 You will freeze thy ass off - take some wool gloves and a heavy jacket and even a pair of thermal underwear.

Fun stuff

Exploratoruim/tour Anchor Steam brewery/walk chinatown. The herb shops are cool - steamed pork buns are yummy, filling and cheap.

Chinese new years just ended but shopkeepers in Chinatown will be hiring dragon dancers to ward off evil spirits - this is a must see. The dancers light off firecrackers at the storefronts and do the evil-ward-dance-thing.

114 I lived downtown SF for a couple years and some things never grow dull.

real sourdough bread - fresh from Boudins
steamed crab cups at the wharf.
clam chowder.

SF is a beautiful city and is best seen by foot - time limited as you are - ride the cable cars. And don't bloody sit down.. hang it out baby!

Don't let the cynical Bay Area folks talk ya out of the fun

115 Gabe, do Travis a favor and redact his email and address, above.

116 On balance, I say go, but will you be crestfallen if you can't get into the courtroom?  I'm guessing there will be some demand for seating.  Personally, my own self, an extra free day in SF is always welcome, even if wasted.  It's a great place.  To visit.  On an expense account.  The one touristy thing I would recommend to anyone is to ride the Powell Street cable car.

117 Alright, got lodging figured out in Oakland. Gonna do this. I've got all day tomorrow, so I'm taking 101 for scenic funzies.

Cool.  Watch your speed around King City -- there's a CHP office there and it's a notorious enforcement area.

However, if you're passing through around lunchtime, there are some excellent and cheap Mexican joints all along the main drag in town: Michoacan-style, Sinaloan, Jaliscan, you name it.


You will freeze thy ass off - take some wool gloves and a heavy jacket and even a pair of thermal underwear.

I've been wearing a T-shirt and zip-up hoodie the last couple days; no jacket.  It's currently much warmer here than in most of the rest of the country.

But it's going to get "cold" soon: highs in upper 50s, lows in lower 50s.

118 Gabe I used to live in Dayton, OH. I went to Akron, 4 1/2 hours on a weeknight. I drove home at 1AM, in a snowstorm. I drove straight to work, the school I worked at was delayed 2 hours that's how bad the snowstorm was that I drove through. A whiteout from Columbus to Dayton! But I partied like a rock star.

Do it man! The bigger the price you pay the more you'll enjoy it. And when people complain about having to drive an hour or so the night before they have to go to work you'll feel really good about yourself.

119

Years ago, I lived on Russian Hill and would catch the first cable car of the day downtown. It would still be dark and the streets empty. It was great.  And about once a week we would get into an accident because somebody parked on the tracks. Those things don't stop on a dime, you know.

120

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