Going to see the Pack in San Fran! Where to stay?

Where to stay: Do not under any circumstance try to stay close to Candlestick, it's located in one of the worst neighborhoods in the state. You can stay in a hotel just about anywhere in the Bay Area so long as it's near a BART station. Take BART to the Balboa Park station, and then take the bus from there to Candlestick. The wait to get on the bus for the return trip can sometimes be long, but it's your best bet for getting out unless you decide to rent a car.

About the game at Candlestick: It's getting very difficult to tell the difference between 49ers games and Raiders games these days. Be very, very careful and aware of your surroundings at all times. Expect verbal abuse before, during and after the game and be very careful when in crowded concourses. I stupidly left my seat just before kickoff to get something at the concessions stand, and on my way back, some puke purposefully slammed his elbow into my back as people were smashing up against me and moving in all directions (he knew he'd get away with it since it was impossible to tell who did it). There were more incidents that I won't bother writing about after the game last January, and I'd think they will be much, much worse if the Packers win the game. I think one of those degenerates (a shocking number of gangbangers and toothless ferris wheel operator types were at the game) probably would have stabbed me if the Packers had managed to win that game. Maybe I was just extremely unlucky with my experience, but I've heard similar stories from other people.

I'd stay in town as boredom will set in otherwise. Be sure to go to the Top of the Mark for drinks and dancing with this wonderful woman. Not sure of transportation options, but the park is a long distance from most of the action. My favorite pizzeria/Italian place in North Beach is a hole in the wall called Tomaso's. Hard to find, but a fun, non-touristy spot.

There's plenty of hotels south of candlestick sierra Point Parkway oyster point. Not certain on hotel names. Google it. They're north of the airport & certainly in taxi distance or possibly a shuttle plus you don't have to worry about your safety.

many hotels near the airport

I'dstay with Boris.

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
I'dstay with Boris.

Why not,SF is filled will free love and debachery.

I'd stay downtown. Candlestick is in a bad neighborhood and Niner fans are rough these days. Just lay low and you will be fine.

Either cab or bus to the game. It's a bit of logistic nightmare but if you are patient, you'll get where you need to go. I'd try to get in line for the bus immediately after the game to minimize your wait.

Stop by one of my restaurants. They are both on 19th Street in the Mission (Hog and Rocks and Hi Lo BBQ).
Ask for Dave, I'll buy you some beer and oysters!

Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
I'd stay with Boris.

So would I.

Well, that's discouraging. I did not know things were like that at candlestick. I was under the impression niners fans were fairly classy, and was expecting a similar experience as when we went to see the Packers play the Chargers. We had Packers and Bears fans in our group for the tailgating, and had plenty of pleasant Chargers fans join us, talk a little harmless trash, and have a great time, all day long, swapping beers, brats, burgers, and stories. Was a real nice experience. Had zero issues before, during, or after the game. Saw a few guys face down in the parking lot drunk, and one guy talking a bit too much trash to another group of Packer fans, but generally, all was great without a sour word spoken, and had zero issues in the stadium. Never, for a second, felt awkward or like we were in danger of running into trouble.

Jesus H. Christ on a crutch. It's a GAME. What the hell is the matter with people?

quote:

was expecting a similar experience as when we went to see the Packers play the Chargers.

No way... San Diego is great laid back environment. Up north, not so much.

Agree with Brianded. The laid back fan in SF is no more, if it ever truly existed.

Still safer than a soccer match.

quote:

Originally posted by Green Crustacean:
Agree with Brianded. The laid back fan in SF is no more, if it ever truly existed.

This may be the last season you experience any issues at a Niner game.

It's all due to the stadium.

The new stadium (They start playing in 2014) will cost so much, none of the undesirables will be able to get in. It'll be all corporate & I assure you they will all be laid-back.

Plenty of hotels near the airport or into the city (Union Square or Financial district). Obviously you would NOT stay in Hunters Point around candlestick

I used to be in the SF area in a former life when I worked in the semiconductor industry. I'd be at a conference or class in Silicon Valley. I'd usually be staying around San Jose or Santa Clara.

Anyway, in 1996 I chanced upon the Pack playing the Bears at 10AM. That was weird. I watched it in the hotel lobby.

Then I took a ride to SF and got lucky two ways. One, finding parking wherever the heck I was. Two, hitting the restaurant I did. I forget the name of the restaurant, but it turned out to be owned by Mike Holmgren. So, it had 49'er and Packer paraphernalia. Really nice time. Excellent food. I mentioned it to my dad who was living at the time in San Ramon and he told me that was one of the most famous restaurants in the whole city.

That was really cool. I remember talking to the bartender some sports and it was some weeks after the great Monday Nighter where Brooks went down, Beebe had the awesome game, and Jacke nailed the FG I think in OT (or as time ran out?).

If anyone knows the name of that restaurant, let me know.

How do you 'chance upon' a Packers/Bears game? Wouldn't that be appointment TV, especially since it seems you were free and basically wandering around? Especially in 1996, which everyone knew was going to be a big year?

If you want weird, try watching a GBP game in Hawaii, when they come on at 8 a.m. It was weird having to set your alarm to get up in time for kickoff. I'm sure many of our military veterans have watched games at much weirder times given the places around the world where they were stationed.

JJSD,

I hear ya. I knew it was on. It was just weird having it on at 10AM. At the time, I was living in Massachusetts (read: eastern time, 1PM start).

I got up, got moving, left my hotel room, and it was like, "Oh yeah!"

I just did not process that the start would be at 10AM.

It was a good game. As it wore on, the Pack ran the ball down their throats. I think it was pretty muddy too. A nice late fall, central division contest.

RunWithScissors,

There is a great little place by the airport called Bays Landing Hotel. It is the best value you will find. It is clean, well-insulated for noise, and next to a few major eateries called The Elephant Bar, Benihana, and a Mexican place that escapes me. There is a nice walking, biking path along the beach and you can watch planes coming in for landings about a mile out on a runway strip built on the Bay. It is literally a 10 minute drive right up the freeway to Candlestick. They offer a free shuttle to and from airport. They have free breakfast (you make your own fresh waffles). There is a huge Hyatt with a sports bar inside it within a block. There is free parking as well which is unheard of in SF area hotels.

I stay there whenever I need to fly out of SF. Trust me, you will be pleased as it only runs $110 a night.

Enjoy the trip!

Get a room through Hotwire. Just ran a quick search and found a 3 star hotel with an 85% approval rating (which means it's a good hotel) in Burlingame that weekend at $105 / night (only 1 room left though)

Don't scope out the area around the Stick. It's not a pleasant area.

And remember, In N Out Burger has a location in Burlingame. Don't make the mistake of missing it.

If you really want to make a trip out of it. There's a 6:05 Saturday night at AT&T Park against AZ. GREAT place to catch a game.

Chili,

Burlingame is where Bays Landing Hotel is. Is that the one you booked? The area around there is fine...

I won't be heading to SF the weekend of September 8th. Hotwire could be Bay's. But for $105 per for 3 nights it's tough to beat for opening weekend in SF.

Personally, I hate the 49'ers. I hate the stadium. I hate the area. I hate the fans. I've hated them since 1970. I've been to 1 49'er game in my life. My wife won a Steve Young autographed football at that game. I've done bad things to that ball over the past 16 years. I'll do more bad things. I can't stand the 49'ers.

You want to stay at the Hotel Potter at 9th and Mission in the Civic Center. You've got the Go Go Market, Club 93, and Re-Leaf right there. You're just a few blocks from San Francisco's best restaurant, Gyro King. A show at the O'Farrell Theater is something you just can't miss when you're there. Then top off your trip with some delicious Brisket at Baby Blues.

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:
There's plenty of hotels south of candlestick sierra Point Parkway oyster point. Not certain on hotel names. Google it. They're north of the airport & certainly in taxi distance or possibly a shuttle plus you don't have to worry about your safety.

many hotels near the airport

Ahhh...yes. My favorite hotel down there is actually the Holiday Inn (right off of Hwy 101) near the airport - they have an outstanding Sports Bar!!!

Address 275 S Airport Blvd - San Fran

I heard good reviews on Flaming Joes.

Stayed a few days last spring at the King George Hotel. It is near the main cable car and trolley hub at Market and Powell, and 4 or 5 blocks from the BART. If you have a car parking is included with the room, so that is a big plus considering most of the other downtown hotels charge an arm and a leg; park your car there and use the public transit, buy a 3 day pass and you're set. It is an older hotel that has been rehabbed. Not terribly pricey as SF goes. Tried Tony Nopalitano's for pizza and R & G Lounge Chinese restaurant (excellent). Lori's Diner is next door to the hotel, good breakfast.

Ride a trolley car down to the Wharf and get a steamed Dungeness crab or a sourdough bowl of chowder from one of the sidewalk vendors, and eat it overlooking the bay. Then do the Alcatraz tour. Good times!

quote:

Dungeness crab

Dungeness crabs!!!! Love them Dude!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by ChilliJon:


Personally, I hate the 49'ers. I hate the stadium. I hate the area. I hate the fans. I've hated them since 1970. I've been to 1 49'er game in my life. My wife won a Steve Young autographed football at that game. I've done bad things to that ball over the past 16 years. I'll do more bad things. I can't stand the 49'ers.

I only reserve that kind of hate for the Queens!

quote:

sourdough bowl of chowder from one of the sidewalk vendors

THIS

Never been to a game at Candlestick but Pac Bell Park is pretty nice

Lots of hotel choices in the downtown area

Good luck dude! Should be a good time assuming the gangstas and psychos don't get out of control. Based on what's been described by others it sure reminds me of attending a home Raiders game. Stay classy SF fans

SF football fans have been fine the last few times I went for Bucs games. There has been a lot of trouble lately but like any stadium, you can mitigate your risk by where you buy your seats. The corporate sponsors and season ticket holders generally have the better seats and lower central levels. It is not likely you will find thugs there. I bought my 49ers Bucs tix from General Electric corporate season seats. We went in pirate outfits and the people around us talked to us, took pics with us, and were fine.

One time we got central seats in the highest level and there, we caught a little flak. Nothing major...Just be smart and you will be fine.

The thing to watch out for is getting out of the parking back to the freeway. The most miserable traffic jam and bottleneck you can imagine...

Hopefully, most of the SF fans will leave in the 3rd qtr cuz of the butt whooping the 49ers are receiving, and the traffic jam and bottleneck won't be an issue by the time you leave

Before or after the Packers squish the 9ers?

When I was there long ago in the Navy awaiting a flight to Japan I stayed at the Willard Hotel on the street just up from Market Street.the building next door was home to a group of SF finest ladies,I was young and so I spent some time with them,so much so I went broke and had to call home a couple times for more money,the pure joys of youth were shown to me on my visit to the city by the bay,it has changed alot since those unforgettable days but that hotel may still be there. I left my heart and my cash in San Francisco,its a great city.