Embarcadero
Embarcadero
Downtown San Francisco
San Francisco has everything you would expect to find downtown in an American city:
skyscrapers, fantastic shopping, museums, and very expensive restaurants. The
streets are tightly packed all day as cable cars clatter their way up and down the
steep hills. No matter what your interests are, it is a great place to spend the day.
The heart of downtown is Union Square, around which are found most of the
shops and hotels. East of that is the Financial District, full of people being very
busy.
Beyond that the Embarcadero is a beautiful place for a casual stroll, affording
a wonderful view of the bay bridge and various large- scale standing art installations.
West of Union Square is the tenderloin, one of the city's least desirable
neighbourhoods, followed by the Civic Center, the seat of San Francisco's government.
Around Union Square and The Financial District
Named for the historic plaza at its heart, Union Square is at the commercial heart of
San Francisco. The square is named after the pro-Union rallies held there on the eve
of the Civil War.
The Financial District has been at the heart of business and banking in San Francisco
since the days of the gold rush. It is the only place in San Francisco you will
find skyscrapers, and one of the few places in the world you will find them set
among such spectacular hills. A sight of particular interest is the Transamerica
Pyramid, finished in 1972. The 260- meter landmark is the largest pyramid in the
world, and it's the only one on gigantic rollers that allow it to absorb the energy
of an earthquake.
Sights
Frank Lloyd Wright building: 140 Maiden Lane at Stockton
An architect world famous for structures which seem to occur naturally in their
environments, the building houses a store called Xanadu, which sells mostly
religious artifacts.
The Wells Fargo History Museum: 420 Montgomery St. between California and Sacramento
California's oldest bank has free admission, a real stagecoach, gold nugget and a
pair of telegraph machines you can send messages between. There are also many
photographs of the city before the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Shopping
Union Square is surrounded by grand department stores. Here you will find Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co, Macy's, Sak's Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. Other well-known brand stores include Levi's, Niketown, Louis Vuitton, and Banana Republic. Around the corner is the San Francisco Shopping Center, with Nordstroms, the Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, J Crew, BCBG, and much more. There are plenty of designer boutiques in the area.
Eating
There is plenty of food to be had downtown, though finding a good deal may be
difficult. Here we give a few suggestions based on the criteria of price and quality
(mostly price).
Blondie's Pizza: 63 Powell (between Ellis & Market sts.)
Located next to Rasputin Records, a huge slice with a thick crust will feed an army
and cost you $3. You can also get fried goodies like chicken fingers and onion
rings.
Ramzi's Cafe: 44 Montgomery at Market St.
This is just your standard office building deli, but it's distinguished by its $2.75
breakfast burrito and the fact that everything is under $6.50 and tasty.
Drinking
You'd be surprised at the deals to be had downtown. It must have to do with
competition for the business of the after work crowd. As always, happy hour is the
way to go.
MacArthur Park: 607 Front St. at Jackson St.
This is rather an upscale spot with expensive food and drinks, however their happy
hour includes free appetizers. Once you buy a drink, you can eat as much as you like.
The food is different every day- from fruit, cheese and crackers to buffalo wings
and french fries.
Morton's Steakhouse: 400 Post St. at Powell St.
Every Monday to Friday this upscale steakhouse offers free all you can eat mini
filet mignon sandwiches if you buy a drink at the bar. Naturally, a bottle of
budweiser costs $6.50.
Palio D'Asti: 640 Sacramento St. at Montgomery St.
Monday to Friday from 4-7, you get a free slice of pizza for every two drinks you
buy. The pizza is pretty good.
The Embarcadero
The Embarcadero is a lovely place for a nice waterfront stroll with a majestic view of the Bay Bridge. At the end of Market Street is the jewel of the Embarcadero- the Ferry Building. The best time to visit is on Saturday morning, before everyone arrives for the Farmers Market. There you'll find stands selling organic fruits and vegetables, cheeses, fresh bread, specialty meats and all manner of gourmet delicacies. In fact, you can fill up on the free samples dished out here.
Eating
Taylor's Refresher: 1 Ferry Building
Come here for the atmosphere and stay for the delicious burgers!!
Red's Java House: Between Piers 30-32
Red's has been selling good cheap meals since 1918. It has a great back patio that
sits out on the water. The patio has a full bar where you'll find a clientele
ranging from bikers to businessmen. A burger and a beer will cost you $6, and a
turkey sandwich $2.75.
The Tenderloin
The boundaries of the tenderloin are a matter of debate, but it's not an area
difficult to distinguish. It is the last place you would like to bring children due
to the high number of citizens of dubious character.
Having said that, you may be one of many travelers staying at the hostel in the
tenderloin, and this website may be of some use to you. The tenderloin does have
many places to dine and drink cheaply.
Sights
O'Farrell Theatre: O'Farrell St.
A San Francisco legend.
Eating
Food and Liquor World: 728 Post between Leavenworth and Jones
Aside from having everything a household may need, this place has a full grill and
deli which offers excellent, well-priced specials every day. The grilled chicken
sandwich is delicious and the people who run it are really nice.
Golden Coffee: 901 Sutter at Leavenworth
This is one of the best-priced diners in San Francisco. Two eggs, 4 pieces of bacon,
hashbrowns and toast will cost you $4. Unfortunately it's only open till 4pm.
Original Joe's: 144 Taylor at Eddy
At this Italo-American restaurant not much has changed since 1937. it's not that
cheap, but it's particular, and the portions are huge.
Saigon Sandwiches: 560 Larkin at Eddy
You can't beat the price of a Vietnamese sandwich in San Francisco. $2.50 will buy
you something delicious.
Wrap Delight: 426 Larkin at Turk
Yet another Vietnamese sandwich shop. Their menu has over 40 sandwiches with nothing
costing more than $2.50.
Drinking
Edinburgh Castle: 950 Geary between Larkin and Polk
Unpretentious and often seedy, Edinburgh Castle has a fine collection of whiskies at
decent prices and serves fish & chips in newspaper. It's huge, has pool and darts,
and even an upstairs venue for shows.
High Tide: 600 Geary at Jones
An old corner dive bar popular with hipsters on the weekends. The well drinks are
only $3.50.
Whiskey Thieves: 839 Geary and Larkin
Nice art on the walls, a pool table, and you can smoke inside.
The White Horse Pub: 635 Sutter at Taylor
Free chicken wings, chile and fried wontons during happy hour 5:30-?
Hemlock Tavern: 1131 Polk between Sutter and Post
A great live music venue, with a smoking patio. No show costs more than $10,
and they sell bags of warm peanuts for $1.