FLYING SE7EN Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I visited a buddy in SF two weekends ago for his big 30th birthday shindig. I was simply left awestruck at the amazing city of San Francisco. Its hard to find words to describe it all. Not a great place to raise three small children (too bad for me) but a great place for young single people/couples. The town seems like one big college campus. Every saturday for four months in the summer, they close down one street in a different neighborhood and have HUGE street fairs. We went to one and it was a blast. Great nightlife, lots of outdoor activities, awesome weather and breathtaking landscapes. I really had a great time. Here are some pics. Me at the Golden Gate Bridge The view of the Marin Headlands (basically panning right from the shot above) The view from my buddy's palatial imitation apartment in Russian Hill. I just thought I'd share. If you've never been to the city, you should go. Cheers. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcalx Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 It's been awhile since I was last in San Francisco, but it was very impressive. I can't say I enjoyed driving around in a manual transmission as my initiation, but I loved the city. Cool pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyjaw Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Too bad there weren't any earthquakes while you were here, then you could have had the complete experience :twisted: I'm glad you had fun. The pictures are great, and that's quite a view your friend has. I like it here, but I grew up in the area so it's easy to take it for granted. We have our share of problems, like homelessness, which is common because of the liberal attitudes and the climate. And the cost of living is very high. You're right about the street fairs, there are a lot, from the "How Weird" fair on Howard street in May, to Haight, Union Street, the infamous Folsom Street Fair, Castro, and the last one of the year on Halloween. Those are just the big ones. I hope your friends took you to the top of Twin Peaks. It's one view I never get tired of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYING SE7EN Posted June 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Interesting side note: The street my buddy lives on is the same street in the movie THE ROCK where the cable car gets disconnected and slides down the hill and explodes. There is a circular panning shot of Nick Cage at the end of the scene that ends with this sign above his head. Its the sign for the Russian Hill New Market Groceries which is literally 30 feet away from the front door of my buddy's apartment. Cool. We have our share of problems, like homelessness, which is common because of the liberal attitudes I didn't see many, but my friend told me that the city gives the homeless people something like $1,200 bucks a month which is, of course, insane. And the cost of living is very high Yeah, no kidding. A drink will cost you about $10 no matter where you go. We were spending more than $100 per night, per person on drinks alone. :shock: My friend's apartment has a great view and all, but its only about 500 sq. feet and he pays $1,300 a month for it. :shock: :shock: You're right about the street fairs, there are a lot, from the "How Weird" fair on Howard street in May, to Haight, Union Street, the infamous Folsom Street Fair, Castro, and the last one of the year on Halloween. I believe the one we went to was the Union Street fair. Good times. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlot Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Thanks for sharing Jeff. It does look like an awesome city. the city gives the homeless people something like $1,200 bucks a month What?! So being jobless and homeless can net you $14.4K a year?????? Something doesn't smell right. :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bryan Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Mike's just mad that you didn't photograph yourself with wax under your fingernails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrillho Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Originally posted by FLYING SE7EN@Jun 17 2004, 07:41 AM I didn't see many, but my friend told me that the city gives the homeless people something like $1,200 bucks a month which is, of course, insane. J. What the.... :shock: How do you collect that money if your homeless, is there a card you have to carry around stating your an official homeless person in San Fransisco. And is this money tax free. i couldn't imagine filling a tax return. What would the address or occupation be. Address: 3rd grate on 15th street. Occupation: freeloader. Otherwise those are some nice pics. It does look like a beautiful city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I always wanted to see more of San Francisco. The only time I have been there was essentially little more than a 'passing through' journey on the trip I took with the HTF moderators to Skywalker Ranch in late 2002. We stopped at the bridge on the way to the Ranch, and having left there we did actually visit the THX facility on our journey back which was closer into San Francisco. We also had dinner closer into town, but beyond that and the morning arrival and evening departure spent at the airport, it was a shame to experience so little of the place. We did have some fun contemplating re-enacting Bullit on the roads though. Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTello Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 And the cost of living is very high. Yep, I read a news report yesterday stating SF is the most expensive US city to live in. my friend told me that the city gives the homeless people something like $1,200 bucks a month which is, of course, insane. My friend's apartment has a great view and all, but its only about 500 sq. feet and he pays $1,300 a month for it. What a cheap ass city, they can't give a poor homeless person another lousy $100 so he can get an apartment with great ocean views! What is this world coming too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyjaw Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I didn't see many, but my friend told me that the city gives the homeless people something like $1,200 bucks a month which is, of course, insane. Not sure where that number came from, what I've heard is that the monthly stipend is up to $450, not sure if that includes foodstamps or not. Nevertheless, for a city the size of SF (both geographically and population size) we have a heck of a lot of homeless. The new Mayor has started a controversial new program (which he calls "Care Not Cash") that cuts the homeless payout to something like $70 and diverts the rest into homeless care facilities, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baiter Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Originally posted by FreakTornado@Jun 17 2004, 09:45 AMI didn't see many, but my friend told me that the city gives the homeless people something like $1,200 bucks a month which is, of course, insane. Not sure where that number came from, what I've heard is that the monthly stipend is up to $450, not sure if that includes foodstamps or not. That number is how much is spent per homeless person, good old government bearocracy (sp). Spend $1200 to get $450 to the intended recipient. :? Glad you had a good time, I'd like to check out SF one day on my way to Hawaii, but that's many moons off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMike Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I've been there only once when I was little. Yeah the weather was great, the scenary was wonderful and the food yummy. But to this day the only thing that stands out from that trip was how many homeless and rude bums there were. They were EVERYWHERE! Its unfortunate that that is what I remember more than anything else. I haven't been back since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlucci Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Yeah, the homeless situation really tainted my visit too, in 2000. I hear a lot of other cities will give their homeless a one-way bus ticket to SF, out of "compassion" since the climate is better there. Other than that, I had a great time. We walked almost the entire city in one day. I also had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of a scare by "the bushman". (I think that's what he calls himself). Basically, he's a street performer that hides behind a few branches, and then jumps out and scares the hell out of you. That's his whole act. I hope no cameras were rolling as I swear I jumped 10 feet back and nearly collapsed. Then the guy has the nerve to expect me to pay him for this "performance". I told my friends to pay since they were the ones that got the laughs. All I got was a near-coronary. Carlos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xPieter Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I saw that guy in May when I was in SF! We were walking down the other side of the street and there was a huge crowd of people standing there staring across the road. We're thinking, "What are they looking at?" Finally we get past the crowd and look back to see a guy hiding behind a bush, ready to pounce! The scam I fell for while there was a man who was dressed in a uniform who stopped me and said I was getting a citation. He was extremely serious and had me 95% convinced I'd done something wrong. Then he pulled out a sticker and said I was being cited for not smiling while walking with a beautiful woman! I told him he had the wrong guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoisonJam Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I saw that guy in May when I was in SF! We were walking down the other side of the street and there was a huge crowd of people standing there staring across the road. We're thinking, "What are they looking at?" Finally we get past the crowd and look back to see a guy hiding behind a bush, ready to pounce! The scam I fell for while there was a man who was dressed in a uniform who stopped me and said I was getting a citation. He was extremely serious and had me 95% convinced I'd done something wrong. Then he pulled out a sticker and said I was being cited for not smiling while walking with a beautiful woman! I told him he had the wrong guy. Holy crap, nothing ever changes it seems, since my wife and I went there a few years ago and both of these things happened to me as well! That bush man jackass startled the hell out of my wife and I, and it really soured me for a few hours afterwards. Ruined my afternoon, but hey as long as 30 or 40 strangers got a hearty chuckle out of it, I guess it was worth it, right? :x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcalx Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I was never blessed by a scare from the bush man, but I got my fill of people painted in metallic colors and posing as statues. I was also offered what I consider to be the oddest proposition of my life while along Haight-Ashbury (sp?) one day. I was with a female friend of mine, checking out the sights when we were approached by two young women with strong Nordic accents. They explained that they were visiting from another country and wanted to see the wilder side of SF and proceeded to offer me money if I would follow them to their hotel room and...uh...pleasure myself while they watched. My first thought was that I would not return from that hotel room with anything even remotely valuable, if I even returned. The hair standing up on the back of my neck alone was enough to convince me that I should politely decline their offer. I still haven't made sense of that encounter and it was seven years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 My friend's apartment has a great view and all, but its only about 500 sq. feet and he pays $1,300 a month for it. That's cheap! Wish I could find a place that cheap here. $1,300 will get you a studio with a view of... a brick wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTello Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 Is this your scary bush guy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DataTox Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 We go to San Francisco usually about once a year. My in-laws live in Chico, California, which is about 2.5-3 hour drive from the Bay Area. I think I have been there now about 7 times since 1995. The last time I was there, we were driving toward the airport from around the Bay and drove right past the front of the TechTV studios. Even better was that Morgan Webb was hanging out in front of the building with a couple of other folks. :tu: In all of the times I have been there, I am kind of angry that the Bushman has never crossed my path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustyjaw Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 That's cheap! Wish I could find a place that cheap here. $1,300 will get you a studio with a view of... a brick wall. Actually his friend does have a decent deal, with the view taken into account. I'm curious if it's a studio or a 1-bedroom. If it's a 1-bedroom then it's a good price, if it's a studio then it's merely average. I'm extremely lucky to have a studio for less than half that amount. I have no view to speak of, but I am in a cottage off the back fo the main house, which keeps it quiet and safe. And I live in a fairly desirable neighborhood. As far as the bush guy, I faintly recall hearing about him, but I've never seen him myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYING SE7EN Posted June 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Its a studio. Pretty much the size of my kitchen and living room put together. I forgot to mention that he also pays an additional $300 a month to park his car. :lmfao: As far as the homeless situation goes, we must have gone to the less populated parts of town because I only remember being approached by one crackhead...er homeless person. Even if I saw a bunch of homless, it still wouldn't dampen my enthusiasm for the city. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbert Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 As far as the bush guy, I faintly recall hearing about him, but I've never seen him myself. That's because you live in San Francisco & avoid Pier 39/Fishermen's Wharf like most natives do, bar showing visitors around [and yes, evil thread necromancy] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted July 5, 2006 Report Share Posted July 5, 2006 We have our share of problems, like homelessness, which is common because of the liberal attitudes and the climate. And the cost of living is very high. The homelessness was there and they were really scary when I visited last May. Needless to say it soured me alot on the city. I felt that my trips to NY and Chicago were safer and on top of that I didn't get bugged by beggars. I also felt and maybe it's an isolated incident that people there were ALOT ruder than NYC and Chicago. I did enjoy great shopping(that closed at 8pm atleast where I was) and great food. Carmel is a nice place to visit as well This is the hotel I stayed at: http://www.grantplaza.com/index.php $57 a night with $17 a day(full day) parking(come and go). That's cheap I thought for SF. No frills but a cheap and clean place to stay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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