Post St, Downtown

As a southbay teacher, I sign up for every conferemce offered at a Union Square hotel (The Drake, for e.g.). I don't care if the conference topic is science lab technique for the new millenium (I am an English and ESL teacher). Sit in the square for a coffee at midday and take in the daytime view of the square: shoppers, buffering themselves with Macy's and Nieman's bags filled with bourgeois booty, rub auras with regal homeless types staking out there turf on the cement benches.

Our fave outing, as I mention in another review, is to park in the square, hop the trolley on the route bast the trolley car museum, and finally to jump off at Hyde and Jackson for the most amazingly affordable, fresh, romantic down to earth meal at Hyde Street Fish (next door to Hyde Street Bistro - which can get confusing if you don't know what you're looking for).

After dinner, step right onto the sidewalk outside the restaurant and catch the trolley back to Union Square, where you can appreaciate the night light displays, or share a cheesecake at the ever-crowded Cheesecake Factort atop the Macy's establishment.

I recommend the banana cream cheesecake with a side of hot fudge, warmed, for delicious dipping.

Other favorites include:
1) Fantastic sheet music store where we found out wedding music: (The Music Center, on 2nd between O'Farrell and Geary). Wide selection and helpful staff. We ended up getting sheet music for a Carpenters' song, but read the Mission Review of the marsh Theater to understand why.
2) Trolley car museum (as mentioned above). It's on Mason and Washington, open 10-6, and Free. I loved this tour - it was eeriely cool to see these thick rusted cables churn, moving the trolley cars of the city with seemingly herculean strength,
3) The Clift Hotel (bar needs reservations for a table, large Alice In Wonderland chair in the lobby that makes you wish you were Shaquille O'Neal - maybe then you could sit in it). 495 Geary Street.
4) The traditional deli on the same street as The Clift, with yummy standbys. (Davids Deli on Geary, between the Clift and Union Square). By yummy standbys, I mean white vinyl swivel chairs at the u-shaped bar and dessert cases filled with glossy real (or wax?) slices of cake and cheesecake. Definitely worth trying the latkes and pastrami. A great easily spotted locale with it's distinctively bright orange and blue signage. Not great, but always there, always open. And the feel of it is so old school, almost like the eerie dim lighting of a scene from The Shining.
5) of course Foleys.... start with a well-poured pint and return much later for an irish coffee or jameson's.

There is much to do in Union Square. At the very least, start with a well-planned day of retail therapy, holiday shopping, dinner, and cocktails.

Post Street is a bust street with everything from fancy stores to cheap asian restaurants. Like nearby Market Street, it’s a great place for shopping. (and safer too!) If you enjoy asian culture and food, this street is a must. If you intend on shopping til you drop, there is a nearby park to rest and people watch.

Post Street between Fillmore and Van Ness Avenue does not have many houses, mostly businesses. It does cut directly through Japantown which has many different, delicious Asian foods and cute stores. Japantown is a great place to spend a day. I usually go to a café in Japantown to get a latte and do work. There is also the Kabuki theatre which was recently redone to be very nice and environmentally-friendly. However, this means that it is now a little more expensive. I would not go much pass the Kabuki since it borders the Western Addition (a not-very clean neighborhood). It still is safe but some of the homeless people wander around late at night.

Post Street between Fillmore and Van Ness Avenue does not have many houses, mostly businesses. It does cut directly through Japantown which has many different, delicious Asian foods and cute stores. Japantown is a great place to spend a day. I usually go to a café in Japantown to get a latte and do work. There is also the Kabuki theatre which was recently redone to be very nice and environmentally-friendly. However, this means that it is now a little more expensive. I would not go much pass the Kabuki since it borders the Western Addition (a not-very clean neighborhood). It still is safe but some of the homeless people wander around late at night.

the park is what makes this street so great to live on and visit. You can play sports, jog, walk, or just enjoy sitting and watching all of the people have a good time with children, and their peers. It is peaceful and great, especially in the summer.