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Post by Ozmale on May 11, 2008 10:33:02 GMT -6
Its getting to that time once every 2 years when I start to speculate about thinking about planning a trip to the US for a conference. Its in Chicago this year in October or November. Haven't actually checked when exactly yet!
Now for something different, Qantas (i am Qantas Fanboi and usually fly with them) now fly into San Francisco as well as LA (direct from Aus) and I am thinking that it might be much nicer to spend a few days in San Francisco before heading home rather than LA (done many a 2-4 day stopover in LA). Comments/recommendations anyone?
I also spotted a couple of nudist/naturalist resorts in the SF area although the ones I found were either couples based or seemed like religious ("alternative religion") or totally ("like its totally organic, man and really alligns your aura") hippies! I think one acutaly used the word "church" in its name! Anyone know anything?
And finally don't laugh cause I am serious (although I do see a certain amount of humor in this)....hows the cell phone coverage at Hedo2 these days?? (planning on visiting but my hopes have been shattered before!)
Ozmale
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Post by Chicago Jake on May 11, 2008 10:42:17 GMT -6
Hey, Oz,
I can't help you on the nude scene in SF, but in general, it is a great place to spend a little R&R time. All the usual stuff is fun: Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, ride a streetcar, eat at a charming little Italian place in North Beach, see the Coit Tower, climb a few streets, etc., etc.
The cell phone situation at Hedo seems to be getting better and better (well, maybe "better" isn't the right word, but I mean "more coverage") all the time.
Make sure you let me know when you'll be in Chicago, and I'll throw back a few pints (or martinis) with you.......Jake
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Post by Christinko on May 11, 2008 10:44:38 GMT -6
I'd say that SanFran is too chilly to be naked in October/November for the most part (but nicer than Chicago), but about an hour north of SanFran past the Golden Gate Bridge is a naturalist place (might be the hippy place) with loads o'hottubs, or so my SanFran pals tell me that I could find out more about for you if you'd like.
Know that Chicago in Oct/November is damn chilly, if you ask me. Why oh why would you want to come to Chicago besides that me, Jake and his lovely lady will be here?
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Post by Tex on May 11, 2008 11:23:01 GMT -6
You might want to PM Waterdweller (Andy). He lives in Sausalito (across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Fran) and could almost certainly tell you what you need to know about the area.
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 11, 2008 16:46:23 GMT -6
Go to LA. San Francisco sucks anytime of the year.
Joe.
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Post by Christinko on May 11, 2008 19:33:50 GMT -6
Joe Joe Joe....SanFran area is to become my adopted city next summer and I like it there. At least it has no snow unless you drive an hour or so to go look for it. SF has vistas galore all over.
Muir woods (1.5 hrs north of SanFran proper) is an incredible "garden" or "hallowed ground" of redwoods worth seeing. Just driving around the coast/hills is gorgeous. In San Jose, an hour south, you can see the famous Winchester Mystery Mansion with its more than 100 rooms.
San Francisco has so many restaurants that if you eat 3 meals a day in 3 different restaurants for a year, you'll still not ever eat at them all (because they close/open and there are so many of them).
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 11, 2008 23:15:18 GMT -6
I have hated the place my whole life. It's just happens to be in my way on the way to the Airport. After that I would rather go to LA for an weekend than San Francisco anytime.
The other places you mentioned, Muir oods and Winchester Mystert House are great and are nice areas. I just don't want nothing to do with "THE CITY".
Joe,
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Post by waterdweller on May 12, 2008 1:01:59 GMT -6
I'd say that SanFran is too chilly to be naked in October/November for the most part (but nicer than Chicago), but about an hour north of SanFran past the Golden Gate Bridge is a naturalist place (might be the hippy place) with loads o'hottubs, or so my SanFran pals tell me that I could find out more about for you if you'd like. Know that Chicago in Oct/November is damn chilly, if you ask me. Why oh why would you want to come to Chicago besides that me, Jake and his lovely lady will be here? Oh, Chris... You're letting your upcoming stay in San Francisco cloud your judgement! Muir Woods is only 30 minutes from me in Sausalito, so, unless you're WALKING across the GG Bridge, there's no way it'll take you 1.5 hours to get there... But I agree that it is a "must see". Back after WW2, when there was talk of setting up the UN headquarters in SF, the delegates who were discussing the UN had a meeting in Cathedral Grove in Muir Woods. It's commemorated by a photograph at the site; the photo shows all the delegates, as well as the surrounding rocks and trees. The rocks and trees are the same, but the delegates are gone, and with them, the spirit that sought to establish the UN as a means to avoiding cataclysmic world-wide war. Also, FYI, September/October in the Bay Area presents the best weather of the year! July and August are fine - to a point - but the incursion of the marine layer in the evenings makes most of those evenings damn cold. You can always spot the tourists in SF by the fact that they're the ones wearing ugly shorts and sweatshirts they had to buy from a street vendor for $40 - because they didn't know about the evening cool-down. You know the sweatshirts: they have labels proclaiming "Alcatraz Swim Team" or some other such witty emptiness. The naturist ("naturist" is the term, guys, not "naturalist") place you refer to "about an hour North of SF" is actually Harbin Hot Springs, which is buried in the silly rigid doctrine of the left to the same extent that Jake and Doc are hogtied by the equally silly doctrine of the right. God help you if you try to cook meat in the communal kitchen. It's a dull, over-regulated place that tries to hold back time by pretending it's still 1968, and the world's problems can be solved by acid and meditation - and not eating meat. What I'm now waiting for is a nude resort that believes it's 1980, and the problems of the world can be solved by trickle-down economics and smaller government. Oz, don't bother with LA. It's just a gaggle of ignorant suburbs looking for a downtown - on top of which, they voted heavily in favor of Ronnie Reagan when he ran. Come to SF, where divergent opinions are the lifeblood of the community, where thought and art and ideas coexist, and where nobody is excluded, save they feel they want to be. And with all respect to Jake's rundown of the attractions, stay away from Fisherman's wharf, Alcatraz, etc. There are better and more interesting things to do/places to see. There are other nekkid places too, as well as a number of nekkid beaches which the heathens don't know about. PM me, and we'll talk. Andy (he who lives there!) |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on May 12, 2008 8:43:01 GMT -6
There are other nekkid places too, as well as a number of nekkid beaches which the heathens don't know about. PM me, and we'll talk. I've heard of Baker Beach, but I've never been there (and not sure if it's a good place to be in Oct./Nov.). -- BB (who, in his 4 visits to SF -- albeit none of them lately -- has really liked Fisherman's Wharf, dinner at The Cliff House and that place where they claim the Irish Coffee was invented, but I can't remember its name) |
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Post by Christinko on May 12, 2008 9:02:03 GMT -6
Andy dearest,
So on my first trip to SanFran, is that why you and the Mrs. took me to Alcatraz and the wharf?
Grin!
And it was August and I did freeze my butt off. (Reminding me of the Mark Twain quote that goes something like: The coldest winter I ever spent was August in San Francisco).
Bestests,
C.
PS: I think SanFran is cold all the time (but almost always warmer than Chicago) unless I'm having a power surge from my female parts shutting down operations.
PPS: Thank you for the Muir woods distance correction...but given a SanFran airport location, the traffic could take Oz an hour to even get to your dwelling just past the Golden Gate.
PPPS: Yes, Joe, I agree, that SanFran airport location makes traveling north to Marin county most tedious...that's why I fly into Oakland most of the time.
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 12, 2008 9:35:12 GMT -6
Oz- Dont forget to visit Macarthur Park before its gone (I heard its melting in the dark)
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on May 12, 2008 9:38:16 GMT -6
And while in SF, remember to put on a pair of black leather chaps (and not much else) and visit the Castro district.
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 12, 2008 10:56:00 GMT -6
And while in SF, remember to put on a pair of black leather chaps (and not much else) and visit the Castro district. With that Aussie accent they will love him.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joe |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on May 12, 2008 10:59:23 GMT -6
I expect he'll hear a lot of "(Sigh!) You had me at 'G'Day, Mate'!".
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Post by Merlot Joe on May 12, 2008 11:03:22 GMT -6
I guess if you live in San Francisco or real close you must like the place. I hated it when I was kid and we used to go down there to visit relatives. We used to go down there and spend the day. What a fucking waste of time. I guess that's why I hate the place. Even only living 60 Minutes aways(depending on traffic) I would rather sped the 7 to 8 hours on I-5 driving to LA.
Much more to do down there and you can wear shorts and short selves and not freeze to death.
By the way Chris SFO is a much better Airport than Oakland. Even if you have to go right down the middle of 19th Ave to get there. There are more flights and better times. I also find it easier to get in and out of SFO than Oakland.
Joe.
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Post by Christinko on May 12, 2008 15:19:26 GMT -6
I hear you, Joe (esp. about the not freezing to death), but Southwest has more flights to/from Oakland to Midway in Chicago so that's my preferred run these days. (Midway is way better/faster than O'Hare.) Rarely do I run into traffic on the Richmond bridge, but almost always do using the Golden Gate.
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Post by waterdweller on May 13, 2008 3:23:35 GMT -6
I've heard of Baker Beach, but I've never been there (and not sure if it's a good place to be in Oct./Nov.). -- BB (who, in his 4 visits to SF -- albeit none of them lately -- has really liked Fisherman's Wharf, dinner at The Cliff House and that place where they claim the Irish Coffee was invented, but I can't remember its name) Baker Beach isn't what I had in mind.... too overrun with wannabees and weirdos. Besides which, it's overwhelmingly gay & male (not that there's anything wrong with that). I was thinking more of Grey Whale Cove, Red White and Blue beach, Red Rock and Little Stinson. All very fine nekkid beaches. I don't begrudge you liking Fisherman's Wharf - but it's kind of like a visitor to NYC liking Times Square. Everybody goes there, but once they get there, they wonder what the fuss is about. I've always found Fisherman's wharf to be sleazytacky (which is why we took Chris there on her virgin trip!). No issue with the Cliff House either, but given all the good restaurants in SF, why would one go to the Cliff House? And the Buena Vista tavern is where they allege Irish coffee was invented. Don't know if it's true, but the Irish coffee is still good, even in spite of the tourists in tight T-shirts. |
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Post by waterdweller on May 13, 2008 3:34:58 GMT -6
I hear you, Joe (esp. about the not freezing to death), but Southwest has more flights to/from Oakland to Midway in Chicago so that's my preferred run these days. (Midway is way better/faster than O'Hare.) Rarely do I run into traffic on the Richmond bridge, but almost always do using the Golden Gate. Chris - Now that Southwest has resumed flights into SFO, you might want to check that option. Oakland is still a pain in the ass to get to, what with construction on the Richmond bridge and the inevitable snarl of traffic in the I-80 corridor through Berkeley/Emeryville. From Sausalito to SFO, it's 35 minutes - even with traffic on 19th Avenue. From Sausalito to Oakland, it's minimum 45-50 minutes, with a serious downside taking it up to 90 minutes if the traffic's bad on I-80 - which it usually is (not to mention the new ramps they're building in San Rafael). And as for taking you to FW and Alcatraz - well, we knew you were from Chicago, so we wanted you to feel comfortable... |
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Post by Irish Stu on May 13, 2008 3:38:45 GMT -6
And the Buena Vista tavern is where they allege Irish coffee was invented. Don't know if it's true, but the Irish coffee is still good, even in spite of the tourists in tight T-shirts Okay, this has been bugging me since Beeb mentioned it, so I checked it out : I had a feeling that Irish Coffee probably originated in Ireland. Simon |
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Post by Tex on May 13, 2008 6:48:11 GMT -6
How about English muffins?
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Post by Irish Stu on May 13, 2008 7:04:34 GMT -6
We just call them muffins  Simon |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 13, 2008 7:09:33 GMT -6
Canadian Bacon with French Toast
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not logged in canuck
Guest
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Post by not logged in canuck on May 13, 2008 7:47:04 GMT -6
Canadian Bacon with French Toast Well, we are a bi-lingual nation (unfuckingfortunately) Dave |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 13, 2008 7:52:09 GMT -6
Your sexual preference is not my concern, dont ask, dont tell
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Post by Christinko on May 13, 2008 8:07:06 GMT -6
That's why I was freezing to death in August? You wanted to make me comfortable? Grin!
I understand re: SFO versus OAK, but still...to San Rafael, so far the time has been similar or less from OAK, and like I said, Southwest still has many more flights (often slightly cheaper) outta OAK to MDW. I do always check both before booking and 4/5 times come up with OAK.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on May 13, 2008 8:45:34 GMT -6
Baker Beach isn't what I had in mind.... too overrun with wannabees and weirdos. Besides which, it's overwhelmingly gay & male (not that there's anything wrong with that). Yikes! Might want to tell that to The Playboy Channel -- that's how I learned of the place. They had a scene from one of their TV shows with naked girls frolicking around the place. Talk about misinformation from the lib'rul media! I don't begrudge you liking Fisherman's Wharf - but it's kind of like a visitor to NYC liking Times Square. Everybody goes there, but once they get there, they wonder what the fuss is about. I've always found Fisherman's wharf to be sleazytacky (which is why we took Chris there on her virgin trip!). I hear you on the Times Square comparison, but I find that on a pleasant day, it can be an entertaining place to walk around (OTOH, if you're not a people-watcher, maybe not). No issue with the Cliff House either, but given all the good restaurants in SF, why would one go to the Cliff House? a) because the food is usually pretty damned good, b) it's a legendary SF restaurant, c) the view is worth the drive And the Buena Vista tavern is where they allege Irish coffee was invented. Don't know if it's true, but the Irish coffee is still good, even in spite of the tourists in tight T-shirts. My rapidly-fading memory of the place was that the coffee was not only tasty but that the bartenders looked like mad scientists when they were preparing the concoction. |
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Post by Irish Stu on May 13, 2008 8:52:12 GMT -6
Canadian Bacon with French Toast Well, we are a bi-lingual nation I used to have a girlfriend who was bi-lingual. Simon |
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on May 13, 2008 8:56:08 GMT -6
Simon, that is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than guest Dave being bi-lingual.
Do ask, do tell.
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Post by Irish Stu on May 13, 2008 9:14:15 GMT -6
Yeah but she had lots of bi-lingual friends too.
Simon
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on May 13, 2008 9:21:36 GMT -6
She wasn't an Irish flight attendant who worked for Aer Lingus, was she?
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