So of course gotta make my first post back a question ;)
I have been gifted a 3 day trip to san francisco as a birthday present/company bonus.
of course my first thought was to drive to the LA fashion district- till I realized its 7hrs each way.
So next step
finding San Francisco's fashion/fabric/costuming district.
I definitely plan on hitting up china town in hopes of some fabric stores.
Aside from that, anyone have any good store reccomendations??
We will not have a car so by foot or public transport only.
You absolutely, positively MUST hit up Britex in Union Square. Even if you don't buy anything, just going is an experience.
http://www.britexfabrics.com/
Last time I was there was about 15 years ago, and I think I could afford a button. LOL
OH GODS NO! Smack Gem no cookie for you!!!
Please do not enter Britex ever unless you are so wealthy that you don't care you are spending more than 3 times anyplace else.
We have
Discount Fabrics
201 11th St. at Howard
San Francisco, CA
(650) 948-8611
Thai Silks
252 State St,
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 948-8611
Just to name a few! I think you will find some really great stuff because I know I do!
Cilean
Fabrics R Us
1745 Berryessa Rd,
San Jose, CA 95133
(408) 929-4330
I am envious of your upcoming trip!! SF is my #1 city. I miss the Golden Gate, Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the Ocean.
I recall pon my last trip to SF, Chinatown had shops where lovely imported Silks could be had for very reasonable. But that was 14 years ago.
;D
hehehe you made me laugh Cilean
Thank you for your list, I will program it into my gps.
I sorta feel bad for my beloved, I don't think he realized just how much time we will be spending in fabric stores, japantown and chinatown
im going to have to feed him some great foodcar food to keep him happy in between shops :)
Lady Kathleen, I have never been and am very excited to go (aside from the sheer enormity of the cost of lodging).I have always wanted to go to Chinatown there.
The best way to get to Choinatown, Auryn, is to take the Cable Cars up Powell or California Streets to Grant or Jackson Aves. Walking is murderous up those steep hills.
Eating in Chinatown is some of the BEST Authentic Chinese Food anywhere.
Happy shopping. I guarantee you will fall in live with San Francisco.
Quote from: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on September 06, 2012, 04:47:11 PM
The best way to get to Choinatown, Auryn, is to take the Cable Cars up Powell or California Streets to Grant or Jackson Aves. Walking is murderous up those steep hills.
Eating in Chinatown is some of the BEST Authentic Chinese Food anywhere.
Happy shopping. I guarantee you will fall in live with San Francisco.
Don't do what Steve & I did! We stayed in the Tenderloin district and took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. After eating and walking around, we looked at the map and decided it wasn't too far to walk back to our hotel. So we started walking - never thinking about the hills. And walking. And walking. A couple of hours later, we reached our hotel, about ready to keel over. Yes, we could have found a taxi or another cable car, but we kept thinking, "it can't be much longer NOW" and kept walking. Of course, we were about 25 years younger and in better shape. Now we know better. ;D
The cable cars are wonderful, and soooo much fun! You can buy a day pas, or a three day pass, I believe, and that is MUCH more reasonable than the cost of individual fares. Can't help with the fabrics, but I'm sure you'll find something amazing!
Sorry for the HUGE Font, I put in 14 but it took 40 instead!
Don't forget the 100s of Indian Sari places they are all over, San Jose is about 60 miles from San Fran, I live up here too (obviously!!) There so many more fabric stores about like Home Fabrics and others. For my money (or yours!) I would suggest heading to San Jose to Fabrics R Us,
East West Saree Music Gifts
1046 E El Camino Real,
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 261-3003
Sagar Exclusive
939 W El Camino Real, #101,
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 730-1126
Fusion India
1111 W El Camino Real, #134,
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 530-9357
Also? If you get the chance? Check out Einsteins for lunch, also a truck to find? Check them out on Twitter, @BaconBaconSF which will tell you where they will be in the City and I can attest? Try them out! Even if you are a Veg? You will change your habit!!! Up on the Haight/Ashbury you will see Gobble Gobble II and do try their food! Awesome!!! Rainbow Ice Cream is also there and lovely. Do get to Pier 39th and check out Bubba Gumps, so much fun and purchase a Oyster to get a pearl! So many things to say about the City! I absolutely adore it!
LOL
Cilean
Thanks Cilean
next trip I will definitely come up to your neck of the woods.
This time around we don't have a car so we are on public transport systems only.
Already put DiscountFabrics in my to do list and I plan on doing a lot of wondering around in Chinatown and Japan town hoping to score some Asian fabrics, and maybe some cosplay supplies
I am writing all those food places down in my notebook. I already found that the bacon truck is going to be near our hotel the saturday night and we are definitely NOT vegetarian hehe
Wendy- I think we are gonna get the MuniPass- for $30 its unlimited transport on the bus, cable cars and trolleys- cant beat that considering that a cable car ride 1 way is $6
Thanks for the tip Lady Renee, we are indeed the type that would do something like that.
A couple of years ago we walked all of Washington DC- an average of 10 miles per day
We've done the whole "accidentally walked all of SF" thing, too! That was the last time I unquestioningly trusted Milord about directions. LOL
I would say the single DO NOT MISS site in San Francisco is the Palace of Fine Arts (http://www.palaceoffinearts.org/Welcome.html). The views are STUNNING.
Also, you know about the weather, right? "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco?" Bring layers, and don't be afraid to pack mittens. Particularly if you're coming from parts of the nation where it's been in the 90s+ all summer. The locals joke that the way to identify tourists is by their layers and layers of San Francisco sweatshirts, fleece jackets, and rain ponchos! (Like identifying tourists in Seattle by their umbrellas! LOL)
Gem is so right on it being cooler, in fact San Fran has been having a very cold summer, averaging 67!!
When will you be here? Cuz Renaissance Faire begins Sept 15!!!
Cilean
gem, my aunt who lives in LA warned me about the weather.
Coming from 90o+ days in south Florida, we are looking forward to getting to wear jeans and sweaters :) I have been told that no matter what, never leave the hotel without gloves and a scarf.
I am taking the opportunity to make myself a hooded capelet for the occasion :) hoping to have it done tonight or tomorrow
Cilean, we are going to be there next weekend.
Quote from: Auryn on September 07, 2012, 02:04:06 PM
Wendy- I think we are gonna get the MuniPass- for $30 its unlimited transport on the bus, cable cars and trolleys- cant beat that considering that a cable car ride 1 way is $6
Wow! It's gone up just a bit in the few (say, ohhh... 20, maybe?) years since I've been there!
Don't forget to take the trolley all the way to Market!!! It's worth it, for the views AND for the shopping!!! And make sure you ride BART at least once, just to say you did... (but don't take it to Oakland, or we'll never hear from you again!) ;)
Hehehe
if we do end up in Oakland, it will be for the Raider game that just happens to be going on that Sunday.
I think I will be safe since I am technically part of the Raider Nation- it wasn't by choice,I married into it ;)
Oh I plan on taking every kind of public transport
definitely gonna go to Trader Joes- its not fabric but still one of my all time favorite stores
and gonna try to take the bus to the Marin Headlands
Auyrn..
I have been an Oakland Raider fan since 1966, through thick and thin. My Fantasy Football team has the Kicker on it.
You will find that the Oakland Raiders have some of the BEST dressed fans that come out to the games. They spend as much on thier getups as we do for fabrics, trims, etc, to make out garb!
Some examples of what you might see. Do take pictures!!!
(http://www.azcentral.com/i/sized/C/4/F/e905/j1000/PHP4CA0DDCA21F4C.jpg)
(http://jackcentral.com/wordpress_2.8/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Bengals-Raiders-Footb_News1.jpg)
(http://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/raiders-fans.jpg)
Enjoy the game and Pre-Game shows.
I know strange but...if you are wanting to come to Faire? I have a van seats 8, if you and your SO want to do sight seeing like the museums and the like? Just let me know honey, I adore San Fran and I can be there in an hour (Less if the cops don't catch me! Giggle). I would love to show off this part of the state!
I can promise you, just send an email and I can coordinate, I mean how can I show hospitality? If I am not at your disposal?
Cilean
Anyone else you can come too anytime!
Quote from: Auryn on September 12, 2012, 09:00:31 AM
Hehehe
if we do end up in Oakland, it will be for the Raider game that just happens to be going on that Sunday.
I think I will be safe since I am technically part of the Raider Nation- it wasn't by choice,I married into it ;)
Oh I plan on taking every kind of public transport
definitely gonna go to Trader Joes- its not fabric but still one of my all time favorite stores
and gonna try to take the bus to the Marin Headlands
I'm not worried about you getting hurt in Oakland so much as getting LOST! It's a maze over there!!! :o
Trader Joe's is fun no matter where you find it, so yeah, I'd go, also! You just about can't cross the street out there without running into one, either, so it shouldn't be too hard to find... :D