In SFO, what should I do?

So I had to shoot out to (south?) san francisco / Burlingame? for work (from NJ). I'm sitting in my hotel room wishing I had more notice / planned better, cause I'm actually somewhere cool for once and am not taking advantage of it.

Anyway - Looking for something to do to occupy my time for the few hours after I get away from the client site but before I start packing in for the evening - basically dinner and stuff. So what should I do? - I've got tonight (probably going to waste at the hotel restaurant), Tues, (Wed probably going out with AE from the area, but otherwise might be around), and Thurs. Heading home friday afternoon.

I've been here once when I was younger and have done many of the touristy things, so I don't feel the need for that specific stuff, but if there is a local must-do, great. (That, and I don't really have the time / its dark out...)

For example, last night after getting in, I hit up In and Out Burger - def fresh food (for burgers and fries) and I get why people like it.

There aren't any weekly meets in the area, are there?

From a former Bay Area guy, I'll do it in bullet point format, starting with food:

Swans Oyster Depot: Lunch only place - small, usually packed, sit at the bar, great oysters and my favorite chowder place...ever. Ever. And get thee Combo Seafood salad too.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/swan-oyster-depot-san-francisco

http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/oZ12rzZos-El60PlfK5n6w/l

Yee's Restaurant: Great cheap and good Chinese food.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/yees-restaurant-san-francisco

Golden Gate Bakery: You have to stand in line to get the egg custards fresh! (close to Yee's). Do it. Buy six, and eat them later on as well.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-gate-bakery-san-francisco

http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/gd8SwbYuSKHkNaaPvURogg/l

San Tung: Gotta get the dried fried chicken wings:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/san-tung-chinese-restaurant-san-francisco

http://static1.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/2N9vaE9UrEfC3WL9rhZ7oA/l

In that area, you can pop into Northbeach - lots of cool bars. My faves are Romolo's, Savoy Tavoli, and Amanti's.

If you want a nice steak place, make reservations and go to House of Prime Rib - second best to only places in Texas.

http://houseofprimerib.net/home.html

http://cityinsights.com/sanfran/images/primerib03.gif

Cool breweries: Gordan Biersch and Pyramid (In Berkeley - across the Bay Bridge)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/gordon-biersch-brewery-restaurant-san-francisco

http://www.yelp.com/biz/pyramid-brewery-and-alehouse-berkeley

Excellent - Thanks for the tips.

Stopped by an Elephant Bar last night - for a sorta-chain place, I liked it. Good food, decent environment. Missing the set of TVs though at the bar, which usually makes eating alone more tolerable. At least it wasn't a Fridays.

So swan's oyster is lunch-only, or just typically a lunch spot? Sounds like I need to check it out, but getting there, eating, and getting back to work might be tough. After work, I've got all night...

[EDIT] So I found a web site that lists their hours are only until 5:30. I'll try to mention it today, hopefully someone else will insist I try it and take me. Then I'll have an excuse to be late getting back.

So swan's oyster is lunch-only, or just typically a lunch spot? Sounds like I need to check it out, but getting there, eating, and getting back to work might be tough. After work, I've got all night...

 

[EDIT] So I found a web site that lists their hours are only until 5:30. I'll try to mention it today, hopefully someone else will insist I try it and take me. Then I'll have an excuse to be late getting back.

Yep, that's it...they close before dinner.

Grab one of your coworkers and check it out....go EARLY!!!! Lines get LOOOOONG...

If you make your way up towards the Marina the Tipsy Pig is a fun spot... good food too.

Be prepared for some good looking women (the people there dress up to go to the Safeway to hook up with the opposite secks....).

And it's also spendy to do anything out there. A pint costs $7....

And it's also spendy to do anything out there. A pint costs $7....

i say its worth it... the trim in marina is primo.

Thanks guys! - trip was good. Beginning of the week I put in some extra time on the project and it did help. I'm hoping to get back out there soon - possibly as soon as 4 april - I don't inquire much about these engagements, always get moved around until the customer pays the bill like the week before I'm due to be there.

Tried but was unsuccessful at getting out to swans - turns out the people I was there working with/for both only moved to the area semi recently and weren't the type to explore as much - therefore they went with the 'i dont know what that is? line? we're not going.'

I wound up going out on Chestnut - could be the marina area, wasn't sure by the time I determined where I was going. Plenty of food and bars and yes, plenty of girls. Unfortunately, my hotel was down near the airport so my time was more limited and I couldn't drink too much. If I go back, I might get a hotel actually in the city and commute down to the customer (also near airport).

I wound up going out on Chestnut - could be the marina area, wasn't sure by the time I determined where I was going. Plenty of food and bars and yes, plenty of girls. Unfortunately, my hotel was down near the airport so my time was more limited and I couldn't drink too much. If I go back, I might get a hotel actually in the city and commute down to the customer (also near airport).

yes it is! in fact, tipsy pig is on that street IIRC. lots of good spots in that area.