Touristy Things to do in fall in SF...

1. Visit the Opera - August-November
    My girlfriends and I got a great groupon for the Opera and had a dress up night.  The Opera Building is a site to see on its own!  Come early so you have time to walk around the building and see all the views.  Pick an Opera of your choice, and wear your fancy shoes.  Some people dress in black tie, and others wear jeans so you can choose.  And don't worry if you can't understand Italian, apparently these days Opera's come with subtitles.

Inside the Opera House

2. The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival - September
    An awesome concert in Golden Gate Park.  Even if you don't like bluegrass, it is a great time.  And its free!  Grab a six pack and a blanket and make your way in the afternoon.  Set up camp in front of a stage.  There are lots of food options but the best part is you can bring your own.  Must see!

Blue Grass and a Beautiful Day

3.  Blue Angels Flyover - September/October
     One of the biggest events in San Francisco, the city pretty much explodes with fun.  The weekend started because the military takes their leave in the city for the weekend.  It is now called Fleet Week.  Soldiers, beer, and fly overs from the Blue Angels.  This year it was also America Cup trials, so it was a bit of a disaster.  The best seat in the house is down by the water, either on the Marina Green or at Fisherman's wharf.  The jets are so loud that you may jump out of your seat!

Over the city...Photo from the Chronicle because it flew by too quickly

4.  Macy's Christmas Tree Lighting -Thanksgiving
    Christmas is THEE best holiday of the year.  Every year Macy's decorates their store and Union Square.  On Black Friday they have a big tree lighting ceremony with Carolers and a count down to the lights.  It is a bit like Disneyland, and I would only recommend if you have kids with you.  Its VERY crowded.  But for those not into Tree Lighting Ceremonies, visit Macy any other day and see the puppies and kitties they put in their window.  Too cute for words, AND if you love them you can adopt them!  Macy's works with SPCA to help these poor animals find a home for the holidays.

I love Christmas!

Tourist Tip: Wear good walking shows when in San Francisco.

Just Some Bomb Diggity Burgers

Oh Pearls...where do I start.  I love the fries, the shakes, the burgers.  It is so tasty.  However, I will let you know its also in the ghetto.  However, they have safe harboring in their restaurant for those that want to eat in, but you can also call ahead to go. 

Menu for Days.......

The last time I went I got a Turkey Burger in hopes to be healthy.  DON'T DO IT!  Don't try to be healthy and skip the fries, the onion rings, the malts and more importantly the beefy goodness that is a burger.  The turkey burger was just sad, don't do it.  My friend Ronnie ALWAYS gets the Buffalo Burger - yes Buffalo.  He loves it.  My other friend Mike and I have compared the chocolate shake to the chocolate malt - get the malt, its heaven.  I really can't say anything bad about this place except that I cannot go to often or I will have a heart attack.  Must eat in the Civic Center AND anywhere in SF!

Mushroom Burger Scrumptious

Buffalo Burger with Bacon and Cheese - yes this is a menu item

Garlic Fries - Standard in SF

Frings - Fries and Rings

 Man now I am hungry...

Tourist Tip: Get the 50/50, onion rings are the best I have ever had, but of course you need to have fries with a burger.  DO IT!

Happy Hour on the Town

I met up with a friend Kellie after many months of not seeing each other.  She is getting married next year so we had a lot to catch up on.  We decided to grab happy hour (I'm a law student and she's getting married...aka we are poor) at Crow Bar.

Funny Crow Bar Sign Outside...guess its true.

It was pretty empty when we got there at 5:15.  Their happy hour ends at 6:00PM, but by the time we left at around 6:45 it was PACKED.  Lots of people come here after work or to meet up with their friends.  LOTS of Cougars.  If you don't know what that means, great for you.  Anyway we both ordered a glass of wine from their happy hour menu.  Kellie got the parmesean gnocci which looked good.  I had to order an app from their main menu because I'm lac-tard and most things had cheese in it.  Such is life...

Crow Bar Happy Hour until 6

I got the three sausage and pretzel appetizer.  It was so good.  The pretzel is homemade and the little sausages each come with their own sauce.  It definitely did not make me full for the night, but it was a great snack.

Gnocci and Meatballs on the Happy Hour Menu

Sausage trio with homemade Pretzel Bread, delish!

After we finished our plates, they were quickly taken away but our waitress did not come back once to ask us how we were doing and if we needed anything else.  The next time she came she just dropped off our check - without us asking!  I thought this was pretty rude, but I have heard a lot of bad comments about their service.  I also think their food, albeit delicious, is overpriced.  What happy hour entree is $9!  And its pasta in a tiny dish.  Anyway, I would come again, but just for happy hour.  Even though the burgers supposed to be good, I think other places in CDM are better food, prices, and service.

Hefty Glasses of Wine I will say!

Tourist Tip: If you order flavored iced tea, you WILL NOT get a refill - they don't tell you this.  Also you must ASK for a Happy Hour menu, its not just given to you.  Weird.

Brunchies with the Boo

So like every Sunday, I did not get up early and go to the gym.  Instead I fixed my fantasy football line-up, went back to sleep until noon and then started yelping places to have brunch.  My boo and I are visiting my parents in LA so we decided to try something new.  We love Yelp, and it did not fail us this time.

When in doubt, Yelp!

Brunch was at Cafe Buna.  I was hesitant because it looked kinda of shady, but as soon as we walked in I was pleasantly surprised.  Lots of young Venice kids in their mid-20s.  The special board was literally three feet long. You will be overwhelmed by the menu, I promise.

And this is JUST the Special's Board!

After asking for some suggestions from our waiter, I ordered the open-faced omelet with cornbread french toast and the boo got the 2+2+2, chicken sausage, eggs over easy (always), and french toast.  My meal was so big I literally only ate half of it and couldn't eat for the rest of the day.  And that's saying a lot because I eat.  The cornbread french toast is the best thing I have ever eaten.  EVER.  If you don't get this you may as well not come here.  The open-face omelet has everything you could ever want, and if you don't love eggs you won't even know they're there.  The boo ate his whole plate plus some of mine.  His french toast was with cinanmon bread and was very tastey.  But I will say mine was much better.  He's currently eating my leftovers as I finish this...

2+2+2 with Hashbrowns and Chicken Apple Sausage

This is supposed to be amazing - Cornflakes French Toast, crunchy yet sweet

Open Faced Omelet...a little bit of heaven.

Tourist Tip: A cup of coffee is $2, but is unlimited refills and they give you a to-go cup when you leave!  This place is a new favorite.