San Francisco Pride 2011

AvaKinder

Hey all,
I'm starting to plan my first trip to America, it's for San Francisco Pride 2011. Just wondering if anyone had any tips, travel guide suggestions, advice on what area to stay in etc.

I'm hoping to go over for 10-14 days and maybe squeez in a couple days in New York as well, but don't want it to cost the earth:)

Any advice from people who've made the trip before would be much appreciated:)

Sir Ophiuchus

First of all, it's a wonderful city and Pride is a great time to visit it.

Avoid the Tenderloin and some parts of the Mission district for places to stay.

The buses (Muni) are reliable, run very late, and go everywhere. Learn the timetable and use them.

The main shopping centre on Market Street is lovely, stores are open late, and it contains a cinema.

For Pride itself, bring water. The parade is long and you'll end up wanting to sit down. If you visit Leather Alley, be unshockable. If you're planning to be topless (seriously) wear sunscreen - you will burn. Badly.

If you're looking for things to do, I recommend the Musée Mechanique on Fisherman's Wharf, which is a collection of really, *really* old arcade and fairground machines. It's very cool. Most of Fisherman's Wharf, however, is a tourist trap. You should try to ride a tram across the city at least once, though - it's a wonderful experience. Also, the Science Museum is incredible. Bad Movie Night at the Dark Room (http://www.darkroomsf.com/) is a laugh if you're a film buff, and costs very little.

Food! John's Grill (http://www.johnsgrill.com/) is famous from being featured in the Maltese Falcon, and it's a lovely place but rather expensive. A cheaper but very, *very* nice place I can recommend is Q Restaurant (http://www.qrestaurant.com/), which is my favourite.

Accommodation in SF is expensive. Stay in a hostel is my advice, unless you have friends/relatives you can impose on.

Em, that's about it, unless you have more specific questions.

Marshy

I'm spending the summer in SF atm. Attended the parade which I guess was about a month ago now.

All in all I found the parade quite long, lasts a good 3 or 4 hours, certainly longer than the Dublin Paddy's Day parade. It was fun but there was a lot political and corporate participation which I was cynical about. Definitely worth seeing at the same time.

The music afterwards was probably the best part. This year they had Backstreet Boys and Erasure playing. There's also a street party in Castro on the Saturday night which is a good laugh.

I'd second the advice about sunscreen, I had to hide in the shade until I found some.

Accomodation wise, make sure you book early enough. From my experience, the hostels here are expensive compared to Europe and of a poorer standard. Spent a couple of nights here in a real dive and it cost about $25 a night. A cheap hotel might be worth your while.

There's plenty of sights here, cultural and otherwise, so you'll have no trouble finding stuff to do.

AvaKinder

Thanks so much for the advice so far. What do you reckon is the best area to look for a hotel? I thought maybe near Fishermans Wharf as most of the attractions are that end of the city from what I can tell. Obviously plan on going to the Castro one or two nights but figured it was a ways from alot of other stuff.

Sir Ophiuchus

It's not really that far - you can just get a bus or train there. I recommend the Bar on Castro as a fun place.

And, again: Fisherman's Wharf is *really* touristy. Most of the city's interesting stuff is in the centre (around Market Street) and miles away from FW. It's a small city anyway, your travel times won't be much.

Marshy

I'd echo that. Would stay somewhere downtown (close to Market St). That way you'll never be far away from Muni and BART to get to other parts of the city. Wouldn't advise staying in the Wharf as its more difficult to get around from.

AvaKinder

Okay, that's cool. I was only basing my plan on the fact that FW seemed nearer to more stuff on the tiny guide book maps:)

Market Street it is so.

Has anyone done self-catering eg, apartment rental rather than hotel/hostel?

Sir Ophiuchus

Good luck with that. In my experience if you're looking to sublet a place people will want HUGE deposits plus first and last month's rent (people staying for less than two months aren't usually considered)... It can certainly happen, but expect to have to pay a LOT in advance.

AvaKinder

I meant more sort of holiday apartment rental, i.e. a week long rental.

L.Jenkins

I've been to San Fran before but not for the pride. I was busy working at the time and didn't get a chance to go in for a look. Go down by fishermans wharf, there's quite a bit to see down there in terms of markets and street art. The bridge is a must see, so is Alcatraz and the castro.

If you can, head to Santa Cruz. It's an epic little surfing city and much hotter during the day than San Fran depending on how San Fran actually is. Don't take my word for it, just go travelling and you'll love it. Oh ya, if you get the chance, drive the coast road to LA. Its only 8 - 12 hours depending on your stop breaks and you could fly to New York from LA on the cheap still.

Heebie

Make sure that while you are in San Francisco, you go see the AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park.

It's an absolutely stunning, beautiful, and living way that people have memorialised the loved ones they have lost. It's very moving. (even for those of us who've not lost anyone to it.)