Upcoming Trip- Advice

I will be making a trip to San Francisco at the end of April for several days for a Financial markets Conference. I will staying at the Omni Hotel, 500 California Street.

I was curious about state regulations on EDC of knifes and also the general area in which I will be staying. Is it relatively safe? What's around there?

Can anyone from the area help me out? I would have sent PM to individual users, but I couldn't get into Groos map of users.

Well first off you'll have to visit the TAD store while you are there. There's also a good German place to eat. Like any big city, there are the street problems. I go up to SF a few times each year and spent a long weekend there earlier this year. No problem with a tac folder clipped in my pocket, or carrying EDC bag or daysack. It's a tourist/visitor rich environment so no body looks twice at people with shoulder bags etc. Waving swords, machetes or kukris will get the attention of the SFPD. They patrol pretty heavy in the downtown and tourist areas. Be more carefull at night. It's an anti gun haven, so don't bring any. Pier 39 with a USN Submarine and Liberty ship is easy to get to. BART and the Cable Cars get you around pretty well. I'll get some specific info together and PM you tonight. The old US Army Presideo is a fun place to wonder around and there's a outlet store for outdoor gear there. across the bay you can tour an Aircraft Carrier, redwoods are close, too.
Dave

Here is the link for California's weapons laws:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=19954512940+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve

In a nutshell, no dirks or daggers concealed, no blade length limitation (except on school grounds), pepperspray is OK if small container, California does not honor any CCW's from other states, unless you are a peace officer in another state.

Enjoy your visit. Bring rain gear, as we have been seeing lots of it (March broke all previous records). Use situational awareness and you should be OK in the tourist areas.

If you are going to drive bring quarters. The good parking is on the street and they are metered.

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Any links or addresses for TAD, Timbuk2 or that outlet store place? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

www.tadgear.com The gear outlet is on Mason street in the Presideo. It's in the old PX or Commisary building I think, near Crissy Field.

Dave

I was there a month ago; their store was mostly empty and they told me that they did not have in stock items that were on sale on their website. They must drop-ship a lot of their products.
The store was MUCH better when it was in Oakland.
Be sure to check out We Be Knives on Pier 39. Peir 39 is the ultimate tourist trap but We Be Knives selection is great; prices are full retail on most stuff. They have a huge inventory.

The Omni seems like a very nice hotel, at least from the outside. It's in the middle of the Financial District, so it's safe around there, but most of the small businesses in the area cater to the office worker crowd. That's OK if you're interested in happy hour or a sit down meal, but generally boring for sightseeing. Chinatown and the North Beach neighborhoods are close by and would be interesting to walk around. The streets of Chinatown can get packed with people on the weekends. One of the cable car lines passes about a block from the Omni. I think that particular line heads towards the Embaracadero. That's a mall (nothing special for a tourist) and you can see the Bay. I forget if you can see a bridge from there--either the Golden Gate or the Bay Bridge.

The only area I would steer you away from downtown is the Tenderloin district, but that's a ways from the Omni and there's little reason for you to head that way anyway. Just be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine anywhere you're likely to visit on this trip.

Yes, check the weather before you leave. They had 25 days of rain in March and still going strong in April (I was there for about 7 of those rain days). Make sure to take a wind-resistant outer layer regardless of the forecast. San Francisco is temperate, temperature-wise, but that ever present damp ocean breeze makes it feel much colder than the thermometer indicates. People from "cold" regions often complain about how cold they feel in San Francisco, even on a 55 or 60 degree day!

It's a beautiful city. Of course, there's a not-so-perfect side to it, like all cities, but enjoy the good parts and forget about the bad parts. Cheers.

Definitely do the tourist sightseeing... Pier 39, Coit Tower, cable cars, etc. Alcatraz if you have time. Angel Island if you have lots more time.

Also the SF Fire Museum is pretty neat:
http://www.sffiremuseum.org/

The SF Maritime Museum and Park:
http://www.nps.gov/safr/

And there is the Presidio (now run by the NPS):
http://www.nps.gov/prsf/

And of course the GGNRA:
http://www.nps.gov/goga/

There is an REI in San Francisco, too:
http://www.rei.com/stores/sanfrancisco/index.html

You're probably not going to have a vehicle, but the cabs and MUNI buses cover the city pretty well. If you do have a vehicle, getting around isn't too bad, but parking can be a pain. Also watch out for the red light cameras.

Have a safe & fun trip! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I live in San Francisco, and I love it. Make sure to visit Naan'N'Curry across from the Hilton on O'Farrell St. between Mason and Taylor. Or if you're felling adventurous, go to the one in the Tenderloin on Leavenworth and Eddy. Tell Arif and Atik that Jeff sent you.

I've had nothing but good interactions with the police here, and never been troubled about my edc.

A few within the homeless community are pretty agressive while panhandleing, but their used to rejection, so don't worry about saying a firm "no". There are so many feeding programs in the city that no one is starving. Glide church serves almost 3,000 meals daily in the TL alone.

The mayor has actualy done a lot to reduce the number of homless actually living on the streets. The whole "care-not-cash" program that takes money out of peoples hands and puts it to use to get them housing and other services.

All that said, there are plenty of theives about. Don't leave a cell phone or laptop laying about while at a coffee shop. Just keep your eyes open and you'll be fine.

Peace,

Jeff

If your doing the tourist thing - right across from the Precidio (sp?) is "The Exploritorium" - one of THE great science museaums - totally hands on - wonderful

Ok. I wasn't big fan of TAD either after xmas problem long time ago (it seems that gear companies give me trouble around that time anyway) But they were flowless which consecutive orders. Also they did help me out A LOT last week and since I deal with them on personal level on a different forum I find them to be pleasant, attentive and they do happen to address problems without hassling the customer. If they screw up they admit to it and take care of the problem. So for the past 3 years I've been a loyal customer. They also did move recently and they do take care of the big amount of EMS/LEO/FIRE/MILITARY personel and at present times equipment needs are great. Also in times of internet it is hard for a merchant to even keep store front when great share of income comes from online sales. It is very hard for a merchant caterring to such specialized need to make it without having a push from some spokesman out there who would choose them to carry a specialize/famous product. SO ten thumbs up to TAD and hope they stay in bussiness.

My backpack was stolen from my car few weeks back and some misc stuff that I need for upcomming Nepal trip were gone. I also recently switched camera gear and that costed me a pretty penny. I needed some gear but couldnt afford to pay retail. One of the few things I wanted to replace the most was TAD hoodie which is excellent piece of equipment for climbing or trekking. TAD owner not only got me one even if they were sold out, price was taken care of and they rushed it to me.

No doubt their stuff is great. But I used to go to the Oakland store often. Now that they are in SF the store has lost its appeal. There was very little merchandise on the sales floor. I tried to buy a knife that was online that morning but they did not have any stock on hand.
I know some of the guys there including the owner. They were always friendly when I went in. This time I didn't recognize anyone and half of the store was devoted to some kind of toy figures from Japan.
I just don't think a trip to the store is warranted; it is out of the way in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood and had very little inventory.
Some ecommerce sites need a storefront to do business with some brands. So maybe that is why it was so weak; it is a token so they can order from some bigger suppliers.