San Francisco CA Golf Weekend
Golf Digest, 10/09
Where To Play:
Harding Park GC, San Fran
4 1/2 stars, www.harding-park.com, "The site of the President's Cup was renovated before Tiger beat Daly in the '05 WGC." M-R $135, F-Sun $155, 14:00 twilight $105/$125
Presidio GC, San Fran
4 stars, www.presidiogolf.com, "With elevated greens and coastal winds, take an extra club for approach shots." M-R $125, F-Sun $145, 15:00 twilight $95/$105
Half Moon Bay, Old & Ocean, Near San Fran Airport
Old 4 1/2 stars, Ocean 4 stars, www.halfmoonbaygolf.com, "The Old Course isn't as scenic, but it's the local's choice." M-R $160, F-Sun $185, 13:30 twilight $80/$95. Fat Guy Note: You'll recognize Half Moon Bay as the setting for American Wedding, the third installment in the American Pie series. Pull out your best two-faced Stifler lines, or pull a Finch and try to get with Stifler's mom.
Cordevalle GC, about an hour SW of San Fran
Unrated, www.cordevalle.com, "The rough is rough, and the 17th hole (449 yards) can ruin a good round." $325, Resort guests only
The Course at Wente Vineyards, about 45 minutes West of San Fran
4 stars, www.wentegolf.com, "California's first Greg Norman course, and Annika Sorenstam's wine is made here." M-R $85, F-Sun $110, 14:00 twilight $55/$65
Hiddenbrooke GC, about an hour NW of San Fran
4 1/2 stars, www.hiddenbrookegolf.com, "Arnold Palmer design with rolling hills. Definitely take a cart." M-R $65, F $75, Sat-Sun $95, Noon twilight $55/$65/$85
Silverado CC & Resort (North & South), about an hour North of San Fran
North 4 stars, South 4 1/2 stars, www.silveradoresort.com, "South Course is more challenging and preferred by locals." $160, 14:30 twilight $85
Sonoma GC, about an hour North of San Fran
4 stars, www.sonomagolfclub.com, "Host of the Schwab Cup since 2003. A great course to walk." Resort guests only, $215 Apr-Oct, $185 Nov-Mar
Indian Valley GC, about 45 minutes North of San Fran
4 stars, www.indianvalleygolfclub.com, "New greens and tees, and not a McMansion in sight." M-R $36, F $44, Sat-Sun $61, Noon twilight $26/$32/$44 BEST VALUE
Stonetree GC, about 45 minutes North of San Fran
4 stars, www.stonetreegolf.com, "Drains great during winter months. Fairways slope right." M-R $85, F $95, Sat-Sun $120, 14:00 twilight $65/$75/$85
PRIVATE GOLF
The top-three private courses in the San Francisco area, according to Golf Digest's Best in State ranking:
THE OLYMPIC CLUB (LAKE) (www.olyclub.com)
SAN FRANCISCO G.C.
MAYACAMA G.C. (www.mayacama.com)
BEST BURGER
BALBOA CAFE on Fillmore Street is a local favorite: eight ounces on a baguette (www.balboacafe.com, 415-921-3944).
BEST SPORTS BAR
GREENS SPORTS BAR in Russian Hill has 25 TVs, two big screens and Golden Tee (415-775-4287).
BEST RANGE NEAR THE AIRPORT
SAN BRUNO GOLF CENTER is within five miles of San Francisco International Airport. The range recently opened a 20,000-square-foot grass hitting area.(www.sanbrunogolf.com, 650-952-1901).
GREAT GOLF SHOP
GOLF MART in South San Francisco is five minutes from the airport. It's open seven days a week and features clubfitting (putter through driver), launch monitors and four hitting bays (www.thegolfmart.com, 650-583-4653).
BEST SEAFOOD
FISHERMAN'S WHARF is a must for out-of-towners looking for entertainment and seafood. You can't go wrong with Alioto's (www.aliotos.com, 415-673-0183) or SCOMA'S (www.scomas.com, 415-771-4383).
BEST STEAK
HOUSE OF PRIME RIB on Van Ness claims it's a "San Francisco landmark," but here's the only review you need:This is where 49ers linemen eat (www.houseofprimerib.net, 415-885-4605).
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
PERBACCO is a trendy eatery in the financial district with an old-school feel and an extensive wine list (www.perbaccosf.com, 415-955-0663).
BEST WINERIES
ROBERT MONDAVI is the winery to visit if you have time for only one. Located in Napa County, it hosts culinary shows, concerts and art exhibits (www.robertmondaviwinery.com, 888-766-6328). Locals will tell you the new hip winery is CASTELLO DI AMOROSA (www.castellodiamorosa.com, 707-967-6272). STERLING VINEYARDS is another top choice. You'll ride an aerial tram to the winery, 300 feet above the town of Calistoga (www.sterlingvineyards.com, 800-726-6136).
BEST OFF-COURSE ACTIVITY
ALCATRAZ is an interesting and educational trip to the prison home of Al Capone. Be sure to take the audio tour. Boats leave from Pier 33, south of Fisherman's Wharf. Tickets are $26 for adults and $16 for children 5-11 (www.alcatrazcruises.com, 415-981-7625).
LIVE MUSIC
YOSHI'S on Fillmore Street has sushi and international jazz musicians (www.yoshis.com, 415-655-5600).
FUN FOR KIDS
EXPLORATORIUM is the museum of science, art and human perception, offering more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Open T-Su, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $11 for kids 13-17 and $9 for children 4-12 (www.exploratorium.edu, 415-561-0360).
LOCAL FLAVOR
Architect ROBERT TRENT JONES JR., 70, has lived in the Bay Area since his graduate-school days at Stanford University. He loves it for the weather, the interesting culture and all the great golf courses. He's the perfect source for some local knowledge:
WHAT SHOULD VISITORS SEE BEFORE THEY LEAVE?
San Francisco is one of the most physically beautiful cities in the world. You need to see Lombard Street, Chinatown, the waterfront, North Beach, and if you like to sail, get out on the Bay. And just to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge is an attraction in itself. Stop at the lookout and watch the fog roll in.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE WINERY?
In Sonoma County, I like LYNMAR WINERY (www.lynmarwinery.com, 707-829-3374). They have great wine and live music.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
SCOMA's is the place for seafood. I get the petrale sole because it's a local fish.
Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To San Francisco (2011):
Iconic San Francisco, or “The City by the Bay”, as its affectionately known, is the fourth most populous city in California. Located on a 46.7 square mile patch of land on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, with a population of just under a million, it’s the second most densely settled city in the United States. Spanish missionaries founded the area in 1776 and named it Yerba Buena. American settlers renamed it San Francisco in 1847 and it was the California Gold Rush in 1848, which propelled the city into a period of rapid growth. Waves of immigrants came to the city seeking fortunes, including a large number of Chinese immigrants, forming one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia. After the majority of the city was destroyed by a fire following the 1906 earthquake, it was quickly rebuilt. After World War II, the city sustained more growth and in the 1960s, it was the center of counterculture and the hippy movement, making it one of the most liberal cities in the world. Today, San Francisco is a popular tourist destination with internationally recognized landmarks and icons like the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Coit Tower, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Lombard Street and Cable Cars. This major metropolitan city is at the forefront of the food and beverage industry, leading the charge with annual weekly events that celebrate beer and cocktails. It’s the home of the craft beer movement, and the place where many popular cocktails were created. Drinking in San Francisco has never been easier.
COCKTAIL CULTURE
San Francisco has very recently developed a strong cocktail culture. Many famous drinks were created here, made famous here and are consumed here. Between Prohibition and the 1990’s, Tiki drinks and Tiki bars were synonymous with the local cocktail scene. In the mid-90s when the aesthetics of classic cocktails and lounges came into vogue, an awareness began to develop that Tiki drinks were nothing but awful cocktails in fancy glasses. San Francisco’s modern cocktail culture, featuring “farm fresh” ingredients that change with the seasons, began to develop in the late 90s and today, it’s safe to say that cocktails in SF are different than those in other cities across the nation. The newly introduced “San Francisco Cocktail Week”, now takes place every September. It’s a weeklong celebration of the community’s beverage culture filled with cocktail parties, demonstrations, classes and explorations of the city’s boozy history.
Papa Ghirardelli (The Official cocktail of San Francisco Cocktail Week)
1.5 oz Encanto Pisco
.5 oz Campari
.5 oz Martini & Rossi Rosato Vermouth
.25 oz Benedictine
.5 oz Lemon Juice
Seltzer Water, to fill
Orange Slice, for garnish
Combine Encanto Pisco, Campari, Rosato, Benedictine and lemon juice in an ice-filled
shaker and shake for 10 to 15 seconds, or until chilled. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass, and top with seltzer. Garnish with a slice of orange.
One of San Francisco’s early contributions to the beverage scene was Buena Vista Café, which opened in 1952. Famously known for their Irish Coffee, the drink which is a recreation of the same cocktail from the Shannon Airport in Ireland, they were the first in the US to make Irish Coffee and its nationwide popularity is attributed to the Buena Vista Café. Today, they sell more than2000 Irish Coffees and go through 55 bottles of whiskey every day. In 2008, they set a Guinness World Record by pouring the world’s largest Irish Coffee. The gigantic drink featured 10 liters of Irish whiskey, 4 pounds of sugar, almost 10 gallons of coffee and 2 gallons of whipped cream. It’s only fitting that a place that’s sold more than 38 million Irish coffees in its 58-year history, should hold this record.
Buena Vista Irish Coffee
Fill glass with hot water to get it hot
Add 2 sugar cubes (or a teaspoon and a half of sugar)
3.5 oz of Coffee
Stir coffee and sugar
Add Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
Float fresh cream on top
Buena Vista Café | 2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109 | (415) 474-5044
The best place to find a martini, featuring a list of over 100 martini’s is Top of the Mark, located on the top floor of one of San Francisco’s landmark hotels: The International Mark Hopkins Hotel. Opened in 1939, after owner George D. Smith decided to turn his 19th floor penthouse apartment into a cocktail lounge, it became an immediate success. With 360-degree views of the San Francisco bay, it was originally a place that WWII servicemen, entering or leaving from the Port of San Francisco, would frequent, and where after they left, their wives would convene to tearfully gaze out of the windows. With over 100 martinis to choose from, you won’t go thirsty here. While there are differing stories on the invention of the Martini, one of the most widely accepted is that it was invented in San Francisco in 1862.
Top of the Mark Martini
Fill martini glass with ice, add a small amount of Martini & Rossi Dry Vermouth
Swirl in glass and dump out ice and Vermouth
In a shaker add ice and a four count of 209 Gin
Strain gin into martini glass
Garnish with three olives
The Negroni
4 count of Bourbon
1 count of Campari
2 count of Sweet Vermouth
Stir in shaker with ice
Strain into martini glass
Garnish with a maraschino cherry
Top of the Mark | 999 California St, San Francisco, California 94108 | (415) 616-6940
Located in the Russian Hill neighborhood, you’ll find Bullitt, the first bar in the world to serve Fernet Branca on tap. A type of amaro, or Italian herbal liqueur, commonly drunk as an after dinner digestif, Fernet Branca contains 27 different herbs and spices taken from four continents. Its flavor is best described as being a cross between medicine, crushed plants and bitter mud. Among the known ingredients are aloe, gentian root, rhubarb, gum myrrh, red cinchona bark, galanga and zedoary. Made by the Fratelli Branca Distillerie in Milan Italy, they claim that the recipe has remained unchanged since its invention in 1845. Fernet gained popularity in San Francisco during Prohibition because its medicinal properties kept it legal. Today, SF accounts for 35% of the country’s Fernet Branca consumption and reportedly more per capita, than any other city in the world. The most common way to drink it in San Fran is to take it as shot and follow it with a chaser of ginger ale.
The San Franciscan
In a shaker, add ice to:
2 oz Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Splash of Fernet Branca
Orange Bitters
Pear Brandy
Top with small amount of Simple Syrup
Strain into a chilled martini glass
Add orange peel zest and garnish with peel
Bullitt | 2209 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 | (415) 268-0140
Another cocktail, often called one of the most famous and notorious pre-prohibition drinks ever created, is the Pisco Punch, which was created in San Francisco in the late 19th century. Made famous by Duncan Nichol at a bar called Bank Exchange (which no longer exists, and is now the site of the Transamerica Pyramid), it was the most popular drink in the city for more than 50 years. Other bars, like Pisco Latin Lounge, offer a similar drink recipe to the original. While it’s said that the recipe went to the grave with Nichol, many people believe this Pisco Punch recipe, taken from The California Historical Society to be the original:
Pisco Punch
1. Take a fresh pineapple. Cut it in squares about ½ by 1 ½ inches. Put these squares of fresh pineapple in a bowl of gum syrup to soak overnight. That serves the double purpose of flavoring the gum syrup with the pineapple and soaking the pineapple, both of which are used afterwards in the Pisco Punch.
2. In the morning mix in a big bowl the following:
▪ 1/2 pint (8 oz) of the gum syrup, pineapple flavored as above
▪ 1 pint (16 oz) distilled water
▪ 3/4 pint (10 oz) Fresh lemon juice
▪ 1 bottle (24 oz) Peruvian Pisco Brandy
Serve very cold but be careful not to keep the ice in too long because of dilution. Use 3 or four oz punch glasses. Put one of these above squares of pineapple in each glass. Lemon juice or gum syrup may be added to taste.
One of San Francisco’s more unique places to grab a cocktail, and a gourmet meal, is Forbes Island. Located off Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s a man-made island that is actually a barge, which weighs about 700 tons. Made to look like an island, it is actually floating vessel with a motor. Built by Forbes Thor Kiddo who inhabited it as a home for 23 years in Sausalito before moving it to San Francisco, he turned it into a restaurant in 1999. It features numerous dining rooms, some of which are actually submerged, giving diners a fish-eye view, so to speak, of the bay.
The Floating Island Cocktail
Rum
Orange Juice
Grenadine
99 Bananas Schnapps
Forbes Island | 39 Pier # 205 San Francisco, CA 94133 | (415) 951-4900
CITY SPIRITS
In a city known for its cocktails, it should come as no surprise to learn that it’s also home to many great distilleries, and some of the world’s best spirits. Host city of the The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a prestigious annual event that celebrates excellence in international award-winning spirits, the upcoming event will place on March 18, 19 and 20, 2011 at Hotel Nikko in downtown. Each year more than 1,000 spirits are entered from 50+ countries.
San Francisco’s premier boutique distillery is Distillery No. 209. Opened in 1996, after founder Leslie Rudd purchased some vineyard property in NapaValley and discovered a sign on the property that read “Registered Distillery 209”, he purchased the San Francisco facility and with the help of distiller Arne Hillesland, began producing Gin. One of the leaders of the “New Gin Movement”, 209 uses less juniper berries in order to soften the taste, instead bringing up flavors of citrus and spice. Their bottles are replicas of a 1914 Genever bottle, a nod to gin’s origins.
Distillery No. 209 | 401 Terry Francois Blvd Pier 50 Pier # B, San Francisco, CA 94158 | (415) 369-0209
Another local distillery, which makes three different kinds of vodka at their distillery on Treasure Island, is SF Vodka. All three of their vodkas are made using a different sugar base. Their Baker Beach Vodka is made from corn and is gluten-free, their Ocean Beach Vodka is made from sugar cane and their 2010 Double Gold Medal-winning China Beach Vodka is made from a blend of California grapes.
Anchor Brewing Company is well known for its beer (which is discussed more below), but the lesser known Anchor Distilling Company, which was established in 1993, is the producer of many types and styles of distilled spirits. Since 2004, they have won a total of 17 medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Their Junipero Gin, which is handmade in small batches in the classic distiller dry gin tradition, won the Double Gold Medal. They also make three different types of single malt whiskeys, and a Genever, or traditional Dutch gin.
One place in the city where you can find a unique spirit, that you can’t get anywhere else, is Red’s Place. The oldest bar in Chinatown, Red’s has a unique medicinal wine called Ng Ka Py that you can only get here. At 48% alcohol, this traditional Chinese liqueur is made with maltose, cane sugar and various plants. It’s generally consumed straight up. Another popular spirit at Red’s is Moutai Yingbin. This 106-proof high-end liquor is the National Liquor of China.
Red’s Place | 672 Jackson Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 | (415) 956-4490
BEER ROOTS
The American craft beer explosion has long had its epicenter in San Francisco, where brewing techniques and traditions have been thriving since before the Gold Rush. Anchor Brewing Company, which was founded in 1896 and purchased by its current owner, Fritz Maytag, in 1965, is famously responsible for the resurgence of craft beer in the United States. Plagued with troubles from its inception, like several fires, the 1906 earthquake,Prohibition, and fickle beer consumers who seemed more apt to drink lagers instead of ales, Maytag was able to turn the failing brewery into one of the most well known breweries in the world and lead the way for the craft beer revolution. In 1971, Maytag created Anchor Steam, an iconic San Franciscan ale that has become synonymous with the beginning of the craft beer movement, and also created a new category of ale: the California Common beer, a derivative of historic steam beer. Today Anchor has five year round beers: Anchor Steam, Anchor Small, Liberty Ale, Anchor Porter and Old Foghorn Barleywine. They also create seasonal brews throughout the year, like the Humming Ale and Christmas Ale.
Anchor Brewing Co | 1705 Mariposa St, San Francisco, CA 94107 | (415) 863-8350
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is another San Francisco Brewery that’s making its mark on the craft beer scene. Founded in 1997, their flagship ales include Prohibition Ale and Big Daddy IPA. In 2000they began bottling and now their beers are available all over the US and in several other countries.
Another popular brewpub, that has limited distribution, is 21st Amendment Brewery and Restaurant, located just a few blocks from AT&T Ballpark. Founded in 2000 by Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan, 21st Amendment is named for the law that repealed Prohibition. Their beers, like the Bitter American, Monk’s Blood, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat, Brew Free or Die IPA, and Fireside Chat are sold in cans and are currently only available in 14 states.
Offering Spanish style tapas and great beer, in the SOMA neighborhood, is Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. The bar’s unique name came about as home brewer at the time, Ron Silberstein was reading an article in the newspaper with the headline “Thirsty Bear Bites Man for Cold Beer”. He knew after reading the article that this would become the name his brewery, which he eventually opened in 1996. The man who was bit by the bear in the article, Victor Kozlov, was immortalized when Silberstein named a beer after him: Koslov Stout. Thirsty Bear doesn’t bottle or can its beer, but you can find a great selection of their certified organic beers on tap at their brewpub.
Located in the Haight-Ashbury district of the city, you’ll find another notable beer place, Magnolia Pub and Brewery and just down the street is Toronado Pub. Magnolia makes their own beer, like the Blue Bell Bitter, Spud Boy’s IPA, and Spooky Tooth Stout, while Toronado specializes in Belgian ales and is known for its impressive draft beer selection.
SAN FRANCISCO TREATS
San Francisco is known for many important culinary contributions. In the 1960s a popular commercial jingle helped put San Francisco on the map with “Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco Treat!”
The city by the bay is also home to sourdough bread, which was made popular around the time of the Gold Rush as it was the main bread that was made in Northern California. It’s proximity to the ocean, and temperamental weather makes it a prime location and climate for clam chowder, or for clam chowder that’s served in a sourdough bread bowl.
Ghiradelli Chocolate is also located in San Francisco. It was incorporated in 1852 and is the second oldest chocolate company in the United States.
A lesser-known San Franciscan culinary invention is the Popsicle. In 1905, 11-year old Frank Epperson was mixing powdered flavoring for soda and water. Heleft the concoction on the porch, with a stick in it, which he was using to stir it. Overnight, the temperature got so low that it froze. Eighteen years later, inspired by this childhood experiment, he introduced the frozen pop on a stick to the public at an amusement park in Alameda, CA, calling it “the Epsicle ice pop” which he later changed to Popsicle.
See Also: Fat Guy's Research on Harding Park GC