San Francisco
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Alert: Book Early Due to Special Event Weekend
We only recently learned that the Outside Lands music festival will be taking place in Golden Gate Park on the weekend of our wedding. This is a huge event that will attract 60 thousand festival goers to SF. Hotel rooms in San Francisco are expensive, and the festival is creating additional demand. So make sure you book it quickly as rooms in the city are going fast.
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Where to Stay
While we've never been there, we found a B&B on the boarder of Noe Valley and the Mission called Noe's Nest that looks nice and currently has availability. The rooms start at $195 a night (a good deal for SF!) and go up to $320. Here's the link: http://www.noesnest.com/
We looked at the Hotel Rex near Union Square. It seems kinda cool. Rooms are around $309 a night for that weekend. Here's the link: http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/san-francisco-hotels/hotel-rex/
Another one that currently has availability is the Orchard Garden Hotel near Union Square. Their rooms run about $296 a night. Here's the link: http://www.theorchardgardenhotel.com/Websites such as Hotels.Com or Trip Advisor are good resources to find hotels. AirBnB is another popular resource.
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Transportation
Consider not renting a car. Juan has become a Lyft convert and rarely drives now. Taking a Lyft, Uber, or taxi is much easier and less expensive than driving in SF. Especially as parking is expensive and scarce. If you park on-street, check the signs as parking is generally limited to one or two hours during the daytime.
Muni has extensive streetcar service with SF. We use Smart Ride to avoid waiting for the train. And on the occasions where the trains are off schedule, we just call a Lyft.
BART covers the Bay Area, running from SF to Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo and the 'burbs. It also runs to SFO, although we usually prefer to take a cab considering the luggage.
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Weather
As those of you who live in the Bay Area know, summer in San Francisco is something of an anomaly. San Francisco can be very cold during the summer months, with temperatures in the 60’s until it warms up in September and October. Having said that, August is usually a good month with temperatures in the low to mid 70’s. Rain is unlikely. However, a cold wind frequently begins around 3:00 pm. Evenings are often cold and damp due to the famous San Francisco fog. So make sure to bring a scarf and a warm sweater or coat. Ladies, you may also want to consider hair products to reduce the fog frizz!
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Things to do
If want to spend some time exploring SF, the opportunities are pretty much endless. Below we’ve listed a few of our favorite activities and places.
Sutro Baths (aka Land’s End)/Cliff House/Ocean Beach
The De Young Museum and the Legion of Honor
Visit Alcatraz
Shopping around Union Square
Explore the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and Presidio
If you’re in the mood for a movie, the Kabuki Theatre is the one to visit! We’re totally spoiled and won’t go anywhere else. At the Kabuki you reserve your seat, and in the Over 21 sections you can enjoy a glass of wine or a drink with your movie.
If you like Indian food DOSA is a great Indian restaurant just across the street from the Kabuki (you can also grab a quick and casual dinner inside the theatre). Reservations at DOSA are advised.
Oh, and you can always join the 60 thousand other people celebrating our wedding weekend at Outside Lands!