Visiting Sacramento and San Francisco this May, need advice...

[tiesto]

I know there's a few Bay Area peeps in here -

My cousin's getting married in Sacramento on May 5, so my mom and I are gonna fly out there (after a quick pitstop in Tempe AZ to see another of my cousin's graduation)... and then rent a car and drive down to SF to visit for a few days (Sun May 6 to early Wed May 9). Was looking for some advice on:

-where in SF to stay? That's affordable, not a roach motel, not too far from the main tourist areas (we'll have a rent-a-car though), and in a safe area
-what are some good restaurants? I'm pretty much a fan of all types of food but Viet. And my mom is cool with anything as long as it has vegetarian options.
-any other good tourist sites, that both a 30 year old and a 63 year old Italian lady might like? Museums, art galleries, shopping, touristy stuff. Probably won't have any time to hit up the clubs.

Thanks for the advice!

[Mr. Gundam]

Don't drive in SF.

This. Walking, BART and bus is just fine. If you're going to head out to Sonoma or Napa, then I'd say rent a car.

[I'm a Puppy!]

Screw the wedding come visit me in Sactown!

As for SF, check out the burboun and branch, well for drinks. Probably don't wanna take the mom unless she's cool.

Also don't drive in SF.

[tiesto]

Don't drive in SF.

I drive in Manhattan frequently, (and have experience in Boston, Jersey and DC) is it worse than that?

[etiolate]

Do you need places to go in Sacramento as well?

I suggest the Legion/Golden Gate Gate Park/de Young area.

[Positive Touch]

does your mom like strip clubs

i had a good time at the gold club

[rodi]

You could walk along the Embarcadero. It's pretty touristy, but the street performers are a hoot.

[Positive Touch]

iirc the italian section of town was up north, way the fuck out of the way of the bart.

[tiesto]

No, my mom's not a fan of strip clubs sorry Positive Any restaurants you guys would recommend? Like -must eat- places that won't break the wallet?

[Positive Touch]

ive got very limited experience with the bay area but honestly the best places that i tried (and the location of most of the recommendations i heard) were in berkeley and oakland 

[Shadow Mod]

When Timedog was here he stayed at a hotel in Berkeley since it was way less than SF and a stones throw away from bart. There are good places to eat there too. We hit up Jupiter (he liked the pizza a lot and the Spinach Artichoke dip appetizer), we hit up Telegraph which has a variety of stores, and we just went into SF on bart. Took him to some more pizza (Pizza Politana near the Ferry Building (tues/thurs lunch hours), then hit up Japantown (Suzu Noodle house has some great Udon) for a bit, then we hit up that place that was named Best Pizza in the Nation, then went to the meet. I would have shown him more of SF if he was in the area longer. If you need more places to visit or see just tell me.

[etiolate]

Kirala's is good japanese food. It's east bay though. There was a french place in San Francisco that CG and I went to. She should know the name. I like a nice bowl of chowder from the pier, but I haven't been there in like a decade. I don't know which spot to recommend.

[CrystalGemini]

No, my mom's not a fan of strip clubs sorry Positive Any restaurants you guys would recommend? Like -must eat- places that won't break the wallet?

What do you consider "breaking the wallet"?   

SAN FRANCISCO (Call it "San Fran" and you're just asking to be robbed, call it "the city" and you'll be fine)
Inner/Central/Outer Richmond
If possible, I would highly recommend visiting the Exploratorium.  They've been scheduled to move from the Palace of Fine Arts (which is also worth visiting by itself!) to the Embarcadero for some time now.  That whole area has a slew of other attractions: de Young, Legion of Honor, Golden Gate Park, California Academy of Science, Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach (nude beach with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge). 

***If I may advise, if you can do the trip to the Bay Area BEFORE the wedding FREE MUSEUM TUESDAY is the first Tuesday of every month!  If it's possible to move your trip to the week before I would highly recommend it!  In addition to that, first Wednesday of the month is free Exploratorium admission!  BAM TWO DAYS IN A ROW OF FREE ADMISSION. 

Lower Haight
There are some great shops and little eateries on Haight.  Personally I like the intersection of Haight and Fillmore: great little record shop, Rosamunde sausage bar, Cafe du Soleil....etc.  Plus it's just a few blocks from the Full House house if you want to do the touristy thing!
Rosamunde (about $5/person)


Cafe du Soleil (about $5-$15/person depending on what you order)




Mission District
Mission Dolores Park is a nice place to relax - they sometimes have festivals there too if you go on the right day.  A block from the park is a few must go-to tourist places: Birite Creamery and Tartine.  Tartine has some pretty good stuff as long as you don't mind the lines.  Overall I still prefer Cafe du Soleil - not as touristy or expensive, plenty of seating, and free wifi to just chill.  Just sayin'.
Tartine ($5-25/person depending on what you buy)





Civic Center/Tenderloin
My favorite burrito place of all time - Taqueria Castillo B!  Huge burrito for $6.  Food made to order in front of you - like the guy asks you if you want this and that and as you say yes/no he'll put it on right there.  I always get the quesadilla castillo:

You're also like a block from City Hall and the Main Library so check those two out.  There's the Asian Art Museum next to the library but they bowed out from free Tuesday so you're going to have to pay either way if you want to go - nice museum though.  Also visit the Federal Building while you're there - great strides in architecture in that place.  It's a public building so it's open to the public - just a warning, they will frisk you.

***If you're on Civic Center on Wednesday there's the "heart of the city" farmers market: Roli Roti Chicken , freshly popped kettle corn ($5 for a small bag - more than enough for two people), fruits, veggies...etc.
Roli Roti (about $10-12/person)



Downtown/Financial District/Chinatown
Restaurant Ducroix - casual little French place on the edge of Chinatown. (about $30 per person)









Like some others have asked: are you planning on venturing outside of the city?

[CrystalGemini]

Come to Oakland.  I'll take you to my taco spot where 5 people have been shot in the past 2 years.

That's why I never stop there.   

[rodi]

Best tacos in the bay.  Aint shit stopping me from tacos.

u crazy

[Phoenix Dark]

Guess we'll be putting "I should have gone to Taco Bell" on Cohen's tombstone