Hey guys,
me taking a short trip to San Francisco in early feb. It's mainly for an interview with UCSF, but i will have a couple of days and maybe the evenings to roam around... where would be some of
the nicer/nicest areas in terms of photography and food? Hope that bros here can help me out
as it's my 1st time into US... heheh... TIA
my favourite city. lived there forever.
Let's go with food first - goto the Ferry Bldg Market on Embarcacero. It's a collection of small resturants and independent produce/dairy/deli retailers. I love the cheese from Cowgirl Creamery. There are jsut loads of variety there.
If you like oyster and seafood, goto Swan Oyster Depot on Polk St, between California and Sacramento. Best oyster in town. They only accept cash. My favourites are kumimoto and miyagi, but ask what's is available and good for the day. They close at 6pm I think.
Goto North Beach and roam around the various cafes (also lots of street shooting opps). There is this cafe, Cafe Jaquline (sp??) in North Beach, all they serve is soufle, and it's deadly good. Another fav rest of mine in North Beach is Rose Pistola on Columbus Ave. Their tappas is amazingly good, so is their roasted chicken.
If you are going to splurge, well, goto Aqua or Faralon, if you want creative seafood, but it will cost you plenty.
If you want to explore a bit there is this little place call Primo Patio Cafe, on Townsend St and Third St., try their jerck chicken, a Carribean flare in the city. I was their first customer when they opened over 12 years ago. If you run into the lady boss, tell her Antony sent you.
Photography - evening/night view of the city from Twins Peak, city view from Treasure Island, best view of Golden Gate Bridge is on Sausilito side, but don't go the the tourist view point, but instead, on the opposite side of the view point, there is a small hill. Go up there (drive) and you will be rewarded with a wonder view of the bridge with the city in the background.
Go walk around Castro (gay district), the painted ladies (Victorian era bldg on Pacific heights), Berkeley Pier (across Bay Bridge) at sunset ... just to name a few. It's a hilly city, but infinately walkable. Just walk around. It's a heaven for street shooting. people are less shy than in Singapore, but do be considerate, then you will be very ok. The neighborhood around UCSF is also very eclectic.
Places I would avoid - Chinatown, Fisherman Warf/Pier 39, Lombard St ...
PM me if you have any specific questions.