71YellowJacket
Damn Good Rat
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2002
- Messages
- 1,262
The following is a quote from a FSU fan for all planning to attend this momentous event in Tech football history:
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Just some more info for those who have never been out here, or have not been here in a while. I am just going to try and be truthful to give you an accurate picture. Some will disagree with me, but this perspective is coming from a 45 year old guy with two kids and a wife.
First of all, there ARE some decent parts of San Jose. There are some nice, major hotels downtown, which are not too bad to stay at. It's an OK area around these hotels, but I wouldn't go wandering too far away from the hotel. It's not a real nice experience.
The stadium where the game is, quite honestly, is a dump. They have made a few improvements, but it's like a junior college stadium. The plus side for Tech fans, is that you are on the home side, so it's much nicer over there. The boobs that run the bowl always stick Fresno State on the visitor's side (we have been to the bowl 3 years now in a row), because they know we will buy tickets no matter what. You will probably feel like you are attending a game in 1960 or at a high school. The concessions suck. Parking is awful (last year it was a mud pit, and a lot of people had to get towed out of the mud). The area where the stadium is, basically, is the ghetto. You would be OK walking from your hotel in groups, but it's not the kind of area I would walk in alone or after dark.
The bowl is a lot of fun though because of the fans...the Michigan State fans and Fresno State fans last year really got into the game, and it made for a great experience. Fresno fans were also treated to the Michigan State marching band, which was fantastic. I hope Ga Tech brings their band!
Some people have suggested to stay in San Francisco. Really, it depends on what you like. You will here lots of opinions on San Francisco...that it's a world class city, that it's a cultural mecca, etc.
Here is my take on San Francisco. I used to love that city immensely. From 1960-1990 it was really a great place. While it still has some great things, it's really no longer my cup of tea. I have been to San Francisco twice on New Years. Once in 1974, and it was fantastic. Wanting to celebrate our 20th anniversary, my wife and I went there in 1998 for New Years. I will never do that again. We stayed on Union Square, which is a pretty big land mark. Essentially it was like one giant gay pride parade like Mardi Gras, which is not my cup of tea. In 1974, this kind of thing was really confined to the Tenderloin and Mission districts.
If you are thinking about staying in SF, I would encourage you to give it a try, but it has really changed 180 degrees from where it was 10 years ago. The mayor, Willie Brown, is a scumbag. To give you an idea of where he stands, he has publically stated on numerous occasion that OJ Simpson is innocent. He is also good friends with Johnny Cochrane, Simpson's attorney. Since he has taken over, San Francisco has become a very dirty city...literally and figuratively. The number of mentally ill and homeless wandering the streets has exploded. It's almost impossible to open a legitimate business in San Francisco unless it's a place that deals "medicinal" marijuana, is a night club/strip bar, or sells pornography.
Every large city has it's share of these types of things, but I have been to Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, and San Francisco is by far the worst.
If you are going to stay in San Francisco, I would suggest one of the following areas...
The Financial District - it pretty much becomes a ghost town after 7pm.
Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 - This place is touristy, but it's safe because there are lots of people there and a decent amount of cops. But it will definitely be bustling on New Years eve.
Japan Town - It's kind in the west part of the city, and is more a cultural/residential area.
Near the Moscone Center - This is about as close to Union Square as I would want to get...it's on the edge of the financial district, but within reasonable walking distance to Union Square. I stay here when I am on business. There is a great little hotel that not many people know about called the Argent, where is the only place I stay. It's reasonably priced (around $100 a night usually, and for downtown SF, anything under $200 is a deal), and is close to being a luxury hotel. Their website is www.argenthotel.com and I have recommended many people to that property.
Places to avoid...
Tenderloin and Mission districts - AVOID AVOID AVOID!!! There areas are very poor, and riddled with panhandlers, pick pockets and deviants.
China Town - Not as bad as Mission and Tenderloin, but still has a pretty rough edge to it.
Unions Square...there are several hotels right on Union Square...this place gets wild on New Years.
Golden Gate Park - This is a nice area, but it is pretty far from everything...if you want to be away fromt the city portion, this is more residential and quiet.
If you DO stay in SF, plan on about an hour drive to get to the Stadium.
Best of luck to those making their way out for the trip. If you have any specific questions about travel, places to eat or stay, or about attractions/sites, feel free to e-mail me at igrowalmonds@yahoo.com and I will do my best to answer what I can.
_______________________________________________
Just some more info for those who have never been out here, or have not been here in a while. I am just going to try and be truthful to give you an accurate picture. Some will disagree with me, but this perspective is coming from a 45 year old guy with two kids and a wife.
First of all, there ARE some decent parts of San Jose. There are some nice, major hotels downtown, which are not too bad to stay at. It's an OK area around these hotels, but I wouldn't go wandering too far away from the hotel. It's not a real nice experience.
The stadium where the game is, quite honestly, is a dump. They have made a few improvements, but it's like a junior college stadium. The plus side for Tech fans, is that you are on the home side, so it's much nicer over there. The boobs that run the bowl always stick Fresno State on the visitor's side (we have been to the bowl 3 years now in a row), because they know we will buy tickets no matter what. You will probably feel like you are attending a game in 1960 or at a high school. The concessions suck. Parking is awful (last year it was a mud pit, and a lot of people had to get towed out of the mud). The area where the stadium is, basically, is the ghetto. You would be OK walking from your hotel in groups, but it's not the kind of area I would walk in alone or after dark.
The bowl is a lot of fun though because of the fans...the Michigan State fans and Fresno State fans last year really got into the game, and it made for a great experience. Fresno fans were also treated to the Michigan State marching band, which was fantastic. I hope Ga Tech brings their band!
Some people have suggested to stay in San Francisco. Really, it depends on what you like. You will here lots of opinions on San Francisco...that it's a world class city, that it's a cultural mecca, etc.
Here is my take on San Francisco. I used to love that city immensely. From 1960-1990 it was really a great place. While it still has some great things, it's really no longer my cup of tea. I have been to San Francisco twice on New Years. Once in 1974, and it was fantastic. Wanting to celebrate our 20th anniversary, my wife and I went there in 1998 for New Years. I will never do that again. We stayed on Union Square, which is a pretty big land mark. Essentially it was like one giant gay pride parade like Mardi Gras, which is not my cup of tea. In 1974, this kind of thing was really confined to the Tenderloin and Mission districts.
If you are thinking about staying in SF, I would encourage you to give it a try, but it has really changed 180 degrees from where it was 10 years ago. The mayor, Willie Brown, is a scumbag. To give you an idea of where he stands, he has publically stated on numerous occasion that OJ Simpson is innocent. He is also good friends with Johnny Cochrane, Simpson's attorney. Since he has taken over, San Francisco has become a very dirty city...literally and figuratively. The number of mentally ill and homeless wandering the streets has exploded. It's almost impossible to open a legitimate business in San Francisco unless it's a place that deals "medicinal" marijuana, is a night club/strip bar, or sells pornography.
Every large city has it's share of these types of things, but I have been to Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, and San Francisco is by far the worst.
If you are going to stay in San Francisco, I would suggest one of the following areas...
The Financial District - it pretty much becomes a ghost town after 7pm.
Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 - This place is touristy, but it's safe because there are lots of people there and a decent amount of cops. But it will definitely be bustling on New Years eve.
Japan Town - It's kind in the west part of the city, and is more a cultural/residential area.
Near the Moscone Center - This is about as close to Union Square as I would want to get...it's on the edge of the financial district, but within reasonable walking distance to Union Square. I stay here when I am on business. There is a great little hotel that not many people know about called the Argent, where is the only place I stay. It's reasonably priced (around $100 a night usually, and for downtown SF, anything under $200 is a deal), and is close to being a luxury hotel. Their website is www.argenthotel.com and I have recommended many people to that property.
Places to avoid...
Tenderloin and Mission districts - AVOID AVOID AVOID!!! There areas are very poor, and riddled with panhandlers, pick pockets and deviants.
China Town - Not as bad as Mission and Tenderloin, but still has a pretty rough edge to it.
Unions Square...there are several hotels right on Union Square...this place gets wild on New Years.
Golden Gate Park - This is a nice area, but it is pretty far from everything...if you want to be away fromt the city portion, this is more residential and quiet.
If you DO stay in SF, plan on about an hour drive to get to the Stadium.
Best of luck to those making their way out for the trip. If you have any specific questions about travel, places to eat or stay, or about attractions/sites, feel free to e-mail me at igrowalmonds@yahoo.com and I will do my best to answer what I can.