Where's Johnny Jet: Strolling Through San Francisco

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Greetings

Cheers from an undisclosed location (there's a hint at the end of this newsletter). We left off last week from the AZUL Blue Resort in Rivera Maya, Mexico. This week we fly to San Francisco to spend a relaxing weekend with some friends, before heading back out of the country. It's been a while since I visited the City by the Bay, and I had almost forgotten how beautiful and outdoorsy it is. If you want to come hiking and see some great vistas, pack your weekend bag -- we're off to San Francisco.

Cancún to LAX

From the AZUL Blue resort I drove 80 miles back up to Cancún through Playa Del Carmen, then flew 5 hours and 20 minutes home. What's crazy is that there was a nasty verbal fight between two passengers right at the gate area -- in fact, they almost threw punches. These guys (one in his early 20s, the other in his late 40s) should have been denied boarding, and arrested for their crazy episode. Surprisingly, they were not. However, I did see the captain have strong words with one of them. (I'm sure it was something like "If you cause any commotion on my plane, your butt will be headed to jail the minute we land -- if the other passengers don't tie you up and beat you first.") Other than that my Alaska Airlines flight was smooth, on time, and they served the best cheeseburger I've ever had on a plane. And because Alaska is partners with American Airlines, I accrued AAdvantage miles.

American Airlines Challenge

Unfortunately those miles don't count toward the American Airlines Platinum Challenge I am currently involved in (you can be, too). To obtain the benefits of elite membership (special call-in reservation number, separate check-in lines, better seat assignments, greater access to upgrades, pre-boarding, etc.) without having to fly the actual 25,000 air miles in a calendar year (for Gold status) or 50,000 miles (Platinum), listen up. American has instituted a Gold and Platinum Challenge. But don't go looking on American's website for it -- they don't publicize these challenges anywhere. I learned about it only when I called to see if I could finagle them to restore my elite status, which I lost because I was a few thousand miles short in my 2006 AAdvantage account. I flew close to 150,000 miles last year, but it was on more than 30 different airlines. Only 19,000 miles were on American. The agent offered me this challenge. It's perfect if you fly American a few times during a three-month period, or take a long international flight. It doesn't cost anything, and reaching Gold status requires just 5,000 points (10,000 for Platinum) in that three-month time. One mile equals one point with a full-fare economy ticket; one mile equals a half-point for discounted economy fares. Code share partners (like my Alaska flight) don't count. To apply for the challenge call 800/882-8880 -- and be sure NOT to tell them Johnny Jet told you. (However, you CAN tell your friends and colleagues to sign up for this newsletter at JohnnyJet.com.)

Airport Parking

Because I went up to San Francisco for only a couple of nights, I parked my car at Park One -- the closest off-airport lot at LAX. It's a 50-yard walk to Terminal 1. If you don't want to walk, or are headed to other terminals, a platoon of shuttle buses depart every five minutes. Daily rates are $15.95 for self-park, $19.95 for valet. Members of Southwest Rapids Reward's program can show their card for a 15 % discount; AAA members get 10% off. Airport parking can be nerve-racking: Most people rush to the airport (like moi), and you never know if the only parking garage will have a "Lot Full" sign (especially around the holidays). To alleviate those concerns, you can reserve your parking spot in advance, online. This gives you peace of mind -- and you get a discount as well. With AirportParkingReservations.com you pay online for one day; when you drive out, that one-day fee is deducted from your bill by the parking attendant. They have guaranteed deals with thousands of parking lots all across the U.S. and in Canada. You gotta love it.

San Francisco

I flew United 336 miles up the beautiful California coast. It takes just 52 minutes and if you buy far enough in advance or during a sale you can get a ticket for under $80 roundtrip. The highlights of my trip were hiking (walking really) in and around Golden Gate State Park, the Presidio Bluff Trails, and driving over the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. The views from the other side of the bay were incredible.

Dining Out

Much of my trip was spent around the dining table, so here's a short list of food recommendations. Mama's in Washington Square is very popular. It's no secret that they have one of the best breakfasts in the city. Just be prepared to wait outside in a long line with other hungry patrons. Mama's on Washington Square, 1701 Stockton St (Cross Street: Filbert Street); tel. 415/362-6421.

For lunch on a clear day, go to Park Chalet Garden Restaurant (1000 Great Highway at Ocean Beach in Golden Gate Park; tel. 415/386-8439). It's just steps from Queen Wilhelmina's Windmill, and a fabulous Dutch tulip garden. Sit outside on the patio or lounge in a wooden Adirondack chair, keeping warm with a hot drink. Specialties are flat bread pizzas and BBQ, but the mac-'n'-cheese with chicken and truffle oil is pretty darn tasty too.

For dinner I went with some friends to Solstice (2801 California at Divisadero; tel. 415/359-1222). They serve a variety of tapas; prices range from $4.50 for Edamame to $15 for Kobe beef sliders. It was the first time I went to a restaurant where we told the waitress to give us one of everything. It was fun, good and not too expensive. The next night I stayed in and ordered Chinese takeout from Eliza's. Their mango beef awesome. Eliza's, 2877 California St (Between Broderick & Divisadero), San Francisco, CA; tel. 415/621-4819.

Tom's Cookies

Now for the best part. If you are a cookie monster like me, don't miss Tom's Cookies. Located in Macy's basement, they are my favorite cookies in the world (don't tell my friends, but this is one of the real reasons I went to S.F. -- that, and the fact that I had to use an expiring United credit). These cookies were served at Clinton's inauguration, and if you buy three (they're $1.75 each), you get one free. My favorites are the butterscotch oatmeal, blueberry white chocolate chip, espresso chocolate chip, and Clinton's peanut butter banana.

Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the world's largest Chinatowns outside of, well, China. I remember when I first went to Hong Kong in 1993 I came home with a trunk full of souvenirs, including one of those Chinese straw hats. A week later I was in San Francisco, and realized that everything I bought there, I could have gotten here -- and some of it was even cheaper. So don't miss taking a walk through here. One of the best places to visit is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory down Ross Alley (a hard-to-find side street). There you can see how the friendly Chinese women make fortune cookies by hand in an outdated factory that's been around since 1962. Drop in any time between 9am and 8pm to see the process. You'll be amazed at how quickly they're made -- and you'll get a free sample too. Oh, yeah: If you take pictures (which you will want to), be sure to give the workers a tip. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, 56 Ross Alley; tel. 415/781-3956.

L.A. to Miami to . . .

I flew home to L.A. and hung out for just a few days before it was time to head back out of the country. This time I was headed to somewhere nice and warm (it was so cold in San Francisco, there was ice on the street). I don't want to tell you where I am yet, because that would ruin the surprise. However, here's a hint: I needed to connect in Miami to get to a island nation that's just 35 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Of course, I flew American so I could regain my elite status. Miami International is not my favorite airport to connect in, but this time I had no problems or delays.

John E. DiScala (aka Johnny Jet), is the founder of www.johnnyjet.com, the ultimate travel website and weekly newsletter. He logs over 150,000 miles a year, has been featured in over 850 articles (including Frommers.com, USA Today, Time, Fortune, the New York Times, CNBC and MSNBC), and has published the book, You Are Here Traveling With JohnnyJet.com.

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