Hate to do this, especially since I haven’t posted here in quite a while but I’m travelling to Palo Alto for work (vendor thing) then I’ll have about 5 days in SF/Oakland to do what I please.

I had planned on staying in SF but it appears the hotels are more expensive that I had anticipated, so I was wondering if it behooves me to spend a few days in Oakland.  Tripadvisor doesn’t seem to have a lot of suggestions for things to do for non-outdoorsy people in Oakland.  Should I just stay in SF?  I’m not a nervous traveller, but I do hear I should steer clear of some areas at night.

I’ll be there Friday.  Any, and I mean any, help you can provide is great!

You should try today’s Lounge, as nobody checks anywhere else in these fora.

The A’s will be in town.  Afternoon games against the Astros on Saturday and Sunday.  I always liked the Oakland Museum, but then, I’m a big nerd.  There’s a nice movie theater/restaurant/brewpub.  And a regular old brewpub that is also great.  In Berkeley there’s the Aurora for plays and the PFA for artsy movies.  I remember there being a good alternative music scene, but my information there is several years old so I can’t point you to anything in particular.

What kind of stuff do you like to do/eat/drink/etc., and will you have a rental car?

Settled into my hotel in fisherman’s wharf. Was considering getting a car but the parking fees here are $49 a night!
I will eat anything, I like museums (super disappointed the Diego Rivera installations are closed), churches, neat stuff. I was by the bridges last night.

Thanks guys!

I’m at the A’s game on Sunday, if anyone remembers me from the Toronto SABR fest and wants to grab a beer after the game, let me know.

OK, let’s see. I’d strongly recommend trying to get to Golden Gate Park, great museums including the DeYoung (which has a really good exhibit of paintings on loan from the Scottish Museum) and the Academy of Sciences. I also love the Japanese Tea Garden there. If you go to the DeYoung make sure to go to the top of the building for a great view of SF (if there’s not too much fog).

If you like beer, there are a ton of great places in the city, although none super close to where you are. Monk’s Kettle and Toronado are probably the two best. There’s also Mikkeller in the Financial District, although it’s been a complete zoo every time I’ve tried to go. As a baseball fan you should make a pilgrimage to Lefty O’Douls in Union Square, the food/drink isn’t particularly great but it’s a local institution and has some cool memorabilia on the walls.

Foodwise, also a ton of options. Head to the Mission for a burrito, or a sausage at Rosamunde. In the Financial District, Farmerbrown for fried chicken, or Hops and Hominy for southern-ish food. House of Nanking for really good Chinese food, or you can head to Chinatown and have tons of options. Katana-ya near Union Square for ramen (get the fried chicken ramen and thank me later).

Thanks, I jotted all that down and I’ll make a special point of Left O’Douls.  I’m planning to hit Union Square for a walking tour regardless.

I was in the Financial District wandering around yesterday actually, trying to see a Diego Rivera installation at the City Club but they wouldn’t let me in!  Had lunch at a Peruvian food truck that was pretty great.

Having a pint there now after a long day, thanks!