Looking to talk to people about a brain-game startup, complain about Zynga and get a feel for the place in general. Greener than green over here.
(first post)
Speaking of friends, I came to SF alone. I stayed at the Green Tortoise Hostel because at $30 per night, it was super affordable. I've met people here from all over the world. Last night at Ocean Beach, I was hanging out with a girl from England, 3 Irish, a Scottish guy, and an Italian girl. I highly recommend the hostel experience. If you're only here for a weekend, really try to minimize your computer/gadget usage and actually get to know people and the city.
As for some cool things I did yesterday -- I got a clam chowder bread bowl from Boudin's bakery and ate it while on a pier. I stopped at San Francisco Norman's and had some halo halo (it was ok), and while I was eating that I listened to a couple ladies playing some live acoustic guitar and singing. Nearby were a young guy and girl doing free abstract chalk portraits... they drew me, and then I joined them in drawing someone else. I then walked through Ghiradelli Square, where I stopped to sketch Alcatraz, and I proceeded up to Fort Mason, stopping along the way to sketch the Golden Gate bridge from afar as the top disappeared into fog. I slowly went through the Fort Mason Community Garden, which was quite beautiful. On the way back to the hostel I stopped at Naia for some delicious gelato. Then we rode the N to Ocean City and had a fire on the beach.
I had four nights here, and it has gone way too quickly. I'd plan on staying here as long as you realistically can (advice that applies to any trip, really).
I'm far from an artist. I mentioned to the chalkers that they looked like they were having fun, and she said they were and that I should join them. It was great! As for the sketching, I didn't bring a camera, so I used a pen and memo pad to make the best sketch I could.
Some additional info: http://www.exploratorium.edu/
It's so mighty, it has a .edu instead of .org Make sure to get a reservation for the kinesthetic dome. Totally worth it.
If it's going on at the time: http://superhappydevhouse.org/
Once you are finished there, hop on the muni light rail (N-Judah line) at 9th & Irving (it's the intersection up the street from Park Chow. Take that to Powell Street, and then walk around Union Square for awhile. Once you get bored with that, go back to Powell St. station and hop on BART. Go to 24th & Mission station, and make a U-turn into El Farolito (http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-farolito-san-francisco-2), which has the best burritos ever. Believe me, I've had a lot of burritos in my life. Make sure to have the salsa verde. It has small chunks of avocado and is the most amazing salsa ever. Seriously.
Next, walk up a block or two to Valencia street and check out the shops. If you start to get tired, grab a cup of coffee at Ritual Roasters (http://www.yelp.com/biz/ritual-coffee-roasters-san-francisco...) or Four Barrel (http://www.yelp.com/biz/four-barrel-coffee-san-francisco#que...).
For dinner, go to Monk's Kettle (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-monks-kettle-san-francisco) for amazing pairings of beer + delicious food.
Also, if you know someone with a car, check out Baker Beach (http://www.yelp.com/biz/baker-beach-san-francisco#query:bake...) for the beautiful beach and the incredible view of the Golden Gate (though beware that it is informally a nude beach).
go to philz coffee at 24th and folsom
check out the kilowatt bar on 16th street (just east of valencia)
check out the noisebridge hackerspace (its somewhere between 18th and 21st on mission, i can't remember)
if you're around on sunday night, check out the dark room on mission st. for some hilarious overdubs for "bad movie night"
also, let me know when you're in the area and we can grab a brew (dave [at] thathigh [dot] com)
Taqueria Can Cun at 19th and Mission. You'll be tempted to get something else, but get the veggie burrito--you won't be dissapointed.
Shalimar on Jones between Geary and O'Farrel. Authentic Pakistani food that's awesome.
We plan on camping around the Bay Area for about a week...any thoughts on must do geek things while there (that aren't specific to the startup community)?
You should explore SF first, though. It's more condensed, and easier to understand on a short trip.
And thanks everyone for the help, I'm much more optimistic knowing that the community is this this helpful and supportive. Now just to cram it all into 3 days...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Difference_engine
Also, for the record, winter in SF is cold, at least for CA. Plan for lows in the 40s and highs in the high 60s.
Some of the hacker spaces down south, in the valley proper, might be fun too. Dunno. Depends what you want out of the vacation.
Also, I wouldn't go to Ocean beach. Too many junkies and too many needles. Rent a car and drive south along CA 1. It parallels the coast more or less and there are beaches along the road for at least an hour south.
