The Japanese Gardens in Golden Gate park are also supposed to be really nice–Amanda from UED at work has some great photos on her Flickr. And I second calls for burritos–I came back from the states with a serious addiction.

On Saturday mornings, the Farmers Market at the Ferry Building (at the foot of Market St.) is quite a scene… lots of local growers, the berries are coming into season… if you get there before 8am there are many professional cooks shopping, and after 9:30 it starts getting crowded with regular people.

That whole walk up and down the Embarcadero is interesting these days. The area behind Pier 3 is now an extensive walkway, with many historical photos. If you go south you’ll hit the ballpark, and can watch the game for free from the portholes along the boardwalk.

The Adobe offices often have events, but I’m a little unsure of what’s happening when this month. (I’m working from home a lot right now, due to a strained leg muscle, and am not sure when I’ll be in or around.)

Chinatown shopping is big on the weekends… Grant St gets the tourists, but Stockton has the actual neighborhood shopping. Clement St. is “Little Chinatown”, with more families and more ethnic mix.

If you can get a walking-guide to the Barbary Coast, then it’s fun to read the history and see old photos while following the markers in the street.

If you visit the Haight-Ashbury, then there’s the lower Haight (rougher), and upper Haight where the Dead, Airplane, Joplin and others lived… be sure to cross Stanyan to get into the park, check out the weekend drummers near Hippie Hill (Whiskey Hill)… the Panhandle is quieter, with the eucalyptus trees and Tai Chi practioners.

Lots of Web20 firms are centered south-of-Market, many between 6th & 1st, particularly around the South Park region. If you visit The House of Shields or 21st Amendment then you’ll often see open tech parties.

Craigslist.org frequently lists events. We’re getting into streetfair season now too.

Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista at the Wharf… a Hangtown Fry omelet… Henry’s Hunan restaurant… Brothers Korean restaurant… Vietnamese Pho… Thai food in the Tenderloin… a burrito in the Mission district… some buffalo chili and an Anchor Steam at Tommy’s Joynt… a cappucino at Caffe Trieste… a slice of Blondie’s Pizza at Hallidie Plaza while watching the street scene… lots of good stuff.

Congrats on the gig, and I hope you have fun!

jd

If you’re looking for something to see during the day there’s always Alcatraz, definitely worth a visit.

San Francisco really captivated me when I visited about seven years ago (god, has it been that long? I’m getting old!). It’s a lovely city with a lot of atmosphere and charm. Have a great trip mate, hope you enjoy visiting as much as I did.