NorCal : San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, Sierra Nevada, etc.

[Vera]

^Check out agoda.com

[mama squeak!]

^^Check out Tripadvisor.com for reviews. They're pretty much accurate. Everytime I look for hotels I check the reviews first and decide from there.

[junetwentythree]

I'm curious to know what you guys think about the Mehserle trial.

[Vera]

^A lot of people get killed in Oakland every month but the media doesn't give a damn about their cases.

This is an over-sensationalized case because a white cop shot an unarmed, handcuffed black man pinned faced down in the back, used  levels of incompetence as his defense and was given a jury without any black people on it.

What I think of this trial: NOTHING. I always think everyone is equal and the issue of race is already passe.

I just have one clamor here though and while I wouldn't say this to anyone in the US and I have full respect for black people, how come they always expect everyone to respect them? When they feel that you give them a once-over when you really don't they think you do that because they're black. It's ridiculous since as an Asian who just lived here for a year, I haven't experienced any types of discrimination from anyone.

It's high time people get over the race issue.

[junetwentythree]

I don't really think one can render the race issue as passe. It exists whether we like it or not. If it didn't then this wouldn't even be an issue. I think this is precisely why blacks are always at an uproar if a fellow black is discriminated. Because even in this day and age in America, there still exists those who feel that blacks are the lowest of the low in minorities. I mean it exists in just about every nation actually...just take the Philippines for instance and how they feel about blacks (unless of course they're celebrities). It's years of cultivating this constant push for blacks to go the extra mile to prove themselves that they are not who people think they are. The downside is that there are those who just can't seem to rise above this and feel the need to use their color as a means to justify why they haven't done anything in their lives. But then again it's a catch 22 for them...they do succeed, people will cry foul (just take Obama for instance)...they don't and people consider them worthless.

I believe that everyone is a little racist. It's impossible not to be. If we weren't, then we'd all be living side by side with the minorities in Oakland or the Bayview/Hunters Point district in SF. But why do we choose not to? Think about it.

The Mehserle case is a very delicate one. I personally think that the officer did not intend on killing him. Adrenaline and other things come into play. In a video I saw, he seemed to be genuinely startled that he had actually shot the guy. But on that note, there's a reason why he chose to pull that gun even when the guy was not armed. What else could it be?

[Vera]

You know what, you're right. I thought I'm more open-minded when it comes to the issue of race but if I look closely, I admin I'm a little racist. Here's why: I startle when a black person overtakes me, I try not to look at those who wear lose pants on the streets -- I might offend them, I am kinder to them (again, I'm afraid I might piss them off), I only want to live in Pleasanton or San Ramon (where blacks are minorities). What does that make me? I don't know. I have African-American friends who are the best people I've known but the scariest encounter I've had was with a black guy.

[theflygirl]

I love the Bay Area!!! I miss foggy Daly City and Vallejo! Never get tired of going around Fisherman's Wharf and the piers...always brings me back childhood memories...love love love the sourdough bread and clam chowder, too!...

[belle_in_pink]

I've been to several states all over North America and I still love the Bay Area.  Best weather and super di mo mamimiss ang Pilipinas.   I just love walking through the streets of San Francisco.  Kahit ilang beses na ko paulit ulit pumunta dun, di ako magsasawa.

[mooncake and leaves]

^ same here. haven't been to a lot of places in the US but san francisco din is my favorite, so far. pretty talaga. saka papayat ako dun kakalakad. unlike la, walang masyadong mataba sa san francisco nyaha. and yes, love the weather.

[xtine]

Hello! I will be in the bay area on the first week of January.  What would be the ideal clothing during that time?  Also, how cold will it be on January?  Many Thanks!

[mooncake and leaves]

^ winter. can be very cold. wala namang snow but i believe san francisco's at least almost always 5-10 degrees lower/colder than la or baka windy kasi sa kanila. so layers, scarves and hats. baka din maulan.

[mama squeak!]

^^Cold! I was there Christmas last year until second week January this year. Average temperature was 8 to 10C. As long as you have warm clothing/layers you'll be fine. Sarap nga mamasyal eh. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Vera]

Hubby and I joined a culinary tour around North Beach (Little Italy) in SF and were pleasantly surprised. It's true that unless an insider/local tour guide shows you around, you won't discover the best local deli's and amazing hole-in-the-walls. North Beach is famous for:

1. The best homemade truffles in America at XOX Truffles (rated #1 by several culinary magazines in the US)
2. The best Roman-style pizza outside of Rome @ Cafe Cinecitta
3. One of the best-tasting coffee @ Caffe Roma (they roast and grind on the site)
4. Mouth-watering focaccia at century-old Liguria Bakery
5. The Italian coffee shop frequented by Francis Ford Coppola and where he wrote the script for "The Godfather" @ Cafe Treiste
6. Exquisite pastries
7. Freshly-baked bread in 130 YO ovens
8. And many other surprises

Other notable landmarks in North Beach include Peter and Paul Cathedral where Marilyn Monroe married Joe D'Maggio in 1954

Overall it was a fun experience.

[bebe_igel]

hi

my family (hubby and son) are going to LA for a week (staying with relatives) and want to visit SFO during our stay. is it ok if we do a day tour (will ride a bus from LA to SFO and vice versa) or should we just stay for a night or two?

where is a good place to stay? thanks

[mama squeak!]

^sis, by car it will already take you 5 to 6 hours travel time one way what more kung mag bus lang kayo. Not advisable to overnight too. Stay at least 2 nights otherwise don't bother going kasi mabibitin lang kayo.

You can get affordable hotels around Union Square. Depends on the season the price range is USD100++ and up for a double. If you're not particular with brand name hotels you can check out hotwire.com. The website gives you the area to stay and the hotel amenities at a much lower price compared to direct hotel websites or hotel booking sites. The catch lang is you'll only find out the name of the hotel once you made the purchase. I've used this site a number of times for short stays and so far okay naman yung mga hotel na nakukuha ko.

 

[gcarrie]

hi! hubby and i will be in SFO in april-may. malamig pa ba by that time? what type of clothes/shoes should we bring? thanks! excited pareho kami first-timers eh

[theflygirl]

^Yes, chilly pa rin. I've spent the past two summers in the bay area and it's always chilly, sometimes cold pa talaga, esp sa Golden Gate area.

[junetwentythree]

^^ It's always sorta cold in San Francisco. Layering is the key since we also have microclimates within the city itself. The only time it ever gets real warm is during what we call "Indian Summer" which is late August to September.

[bebe_igel]

Thanks sis

[gcarrie]

thanks mga sis!