46th ANNUAL MEETING

Welcome to Our Beautiful City of San Francisco!

Chanhung Lee, MD

Chahung Lee, MD

San Francisco (SF) is known for its wonderful food, diverse culture, natural and manmade landmarks (Golden Gate Bridge being the most famous!), as well as booming technology and social media. Consensus shows that in general, visitors to SF rank their most preferred activity as eating (believe it or not), followed by shopping and sightseeing.

Here, we will try to point out some open “secrets” and hidden jewels, given your time allowance outside the meetings.

If you only have time to eat and drink, are you ready to peek over the modern millennial’s list? You’ve probably heard of or tried a few of the timeless classics or new-traditional places, to name a few: Boulevard, Gary Danko, House of Prime Rib, Kokkari Estiatorio, Nopa, Nopalito, Delfina, R & G Lounge, and Zuni Café. Well, how about some more recently emerged hot and trendy places?

Birdsong (SoMa): American, Northwest. “It’s inspired by the natural habitat of the past and is looking to bring back some of the ingredient/styles/techniques that were used then to present day - a harmony of past and present.”
Cala (Hayes Valley): Mexican seafood. “A Mexico City superstar chef brings some of the best Mexican seafood dishes to SF.”
Califonios (Mission): Mexican. “A ten-ish course tasting menu of food that shares dish names with simple Mexican food (menudo, queso), but goes way beyond in innovation and execution.”
Cotogna (Financial District): Italian. “Rustic Italian cuisine offers a daily-changing menu of spit-roasted or grilled meats and fish, wood-oven pizzas and house-made pastas.”
Lazy Bear (Mission): New American. “Midcentury space serving New American cuisine. One menu each night, a tasting menu with many courses.”
Liholiho Yacht Club (Nob Hill): Hawaiian, Indian, Chinese, fusion. “Heritage driven food with California ingredients in downtown San Francisco. Full bar, open kitchen, friendly staff, and fun atmosphere.”
Mister Jiu’s (Chinatown): Chinese, fusion. “High-end Chinese cuisine with a California accent in a restored historic space with high style.”
M.Y. China (SoMa): Chinese, fusion. “TV chef Martin Yan’s namesake in the Westfield San Francisco Centre, featuring hand-pulled noodles, cocktails & a flashy, open-kitchen setting.”
Octavia (Pacific Heights): American, creative. ”Elegant New American dishes served in a polished, casual corner restaurant decked in neutral tones.”
Rich Table (Hayes Valley): American, California. “Californian fare from local ingredients, served in a salvaged-barn-wood space with an open kitchen.”
State Bird Provisions (Fillmore): New American. “Urban-rustic storefront setting for a changing menu of American small plates served dim-sum style.”
Stonemill Matcha (Mission): Japanese, Pastries. “Elevated takes on everyday Japanese food, innovative matcha drinks, pastries and other baked goods in collaboration with Tartine Bakery.”

For the bar lovers or anybody who has a moment, are you interested in unique SF rooftop bars for sunset cocktails or night caps?

Charmaine’s (Proper Hotel at mid-Market): “Energetic culture and chic of a European terrace meets the laid-back ‘California cool’ lifestyle.”
Cityscape Lounge (Hilton hHotel at Union Square): “Unobstructed 360-degree views of the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.”
The View (Marriott Marquis—yes, our SNACC meeting headquarters!): “Hand crafted cocktails and locally inspired small plates accompanied by the most awe inspiring views.”

Others, not so high up in the sky, but for more grounded literature lovers:

Local edition (SoMa): “An extensive cocktail menu is offered at this underground lounge with a vintage newspaper theme.”
Novela (SoMa): “A book-themed bar where classic literary references present themselves in new and intriguing ways, with drinks named after characters, punch on tap and book-lined walls.”

(P.S. Hope you like the quotations above—they are just much better than my own words.)

If you have a couple hours, it will be fun to explore our famous, culturally diverse neighborhoods, such as the Castro, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, Mission, and the fast-growing, flashy East Cut.
If you have a few hours to one day, you may consider some serious sightseeing!

The infamous Alcatraz Island is an adventure you should never miss out on. As one of the most well-known landmarks of San Francisco, Alcatraz is filled to the brim with haunting tales and unique history. If you’ve got the guts to explore the jail cells of the greatest criminals in American history, this will be a treat!

Embarcadero, along the city’s eastern shoreline, is home to several waterfront attractions. The iconic Ferry Building is a major food lover's draw, plus gourmet shops and a popular farmers' market three days a week. A series of piers offers ferries to Alcatraz Island, science exhibits at the Exploratorium, restaurants and views of the Bay Bridge.

Needing some exercise? Lands End is a rugged, windswept portion of the shoreline at the northwestern corner of San Francisco, a trail with stunning views at every turn, complete with a spectacular panorama view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’ll surely wow you.
Pier 39 is a choice you won’t regret if you’re a shopaholic! But if you’re not one, you can still have loads of fun. The frequently visiting, cute, blubbery sea lions, awe-inspiring shows, scrumptious seafood dining, and the beautiful views of the bay are sure to draw anyone in. If you have a child with you, don’t worry, because the Aquarium of the Bay is close by!

Last but not least for places to visit is… the Golden Gate Bridge! (Saving the best for last!) This historical, not-so-golden cable bridge has a pretty expensive toll fee, but no fears, you don’t have to drive across it; you can Bike across the bridge. If you’re biking from San Francisco to Sausalito, there’s a ferry that can take you back, which may be free from your bike rental! Or, take a bus tour—just make sure it has the route that will take you across the bridge!

Last piece of advice—make your reservations early (now) for everything!