Nice Game but keep your eggs to yourself next time

[Teke]

I took my first trip to Monster Park yesterday. I was pretty excited because I've been a 49er fan for over ten years and this was my first live game.

Rented a car, and drove 7 hellish hours Saturday so I could see my team play with my wife. I couldn't really afford plane tickets, but we figured it'd be an adventure. Were we ever right. You don't really know what a 7 hour drive is like until you actually live it.

So anyways, Sunday morning my wife and I headed toward the park. We figured there'd be some sportsbars in the area, or some restaurants for breakfast but boy were we wrong. The was a McDonalds and some place called B&J's burgers, it looked like hell.

So we got back in the car and headed to Fisherman's Wharf. Luckily we had about 3 hours. We parked and ate at a diner right next to Ghiradelli's. I have to say the food and service was awesome. I can't remember the name of the place though. We sat outside and ate with a view of the bay. Very nice. Then after searching the wharf for some Niner gear we decided we better just get some at the game. There were some shops that had gear but it seemed to be of poor quality.

Next we went to the stadium, parked and walked in. Let me say this was the most 49ers fans I have ever seen in my life. I had a smile from ear to ear the whole way to the field. Next we got my wife a shirt, bought some beer and headed to our seats (sec. LR16, row 1). I took a few pics of the players and then we got our picture taken. I was standing close to the field and Vernon Davis was close. So I yelled "Davis!". And he sorta turned but then continued what he was doing. So then these jerks start heckling him. "Davis, click clack, click clack. Hey VD, click clack. click clack.". Over and over again, and this is from Niner fans. Imagine how annoying that must be for him, and he has to get it from his own fans. After his drop I was thinking, what if he would have gotten some words of encouragement. Maybe if the guy would've yelled "speed kills" or something more positive he might not have dropped it. Just a thought that went through my mind at the time...

As the game started I was just in awe. Our seats were great for one. We were sitting near some of the player's wives. We were a few rows from Tony Parrish's mom, girlfriend, and son (I think). Sopo's wife and family (including his son) were one row ahead of us, and maybe 3 seats to the right. There were other various ladies who had this odd appearance like they didn't belong . They all seemed to be dressed really nice for a football game, with designer sunglasses and clothes. Anyways, as the game progressed it seemed surreal. And the best part was that we won. Throughout the game I screamed so loud that by the end I had lost my voice. I especially loved getting the Rams in third down situations. Score one for the fans when they got that false start on third down. I don't think the Rams expected us to be so loud.

After the game I got to my car only to realize someone had egged it. When I had parked the car there was a group of Niner fans directly to the left and right of my car tailgating. They seemed hunkered down to me. Then immediately across from our car there was another group of fans, so my only conclusion can be my car was egged by one of our own faithful. Why? Don't ask me. The egg seemed to have been baked into the paint and windows in the midday sun.

After getting out of the stadium (more on that in a sec) I went to a gas station to wash off the egg but to no avail. I tried scratching it off with my fingernail but that did work either. It's worse than glue. So now I'm hoping the rental car company doesn't charge me for the damage done to the car because I really can't afford it.

As for the drive home, it pretty much blew. It took us an hour to get out of the stadium, and then thanks to mapquest another hour until we were on the right road home. I just got home, it took about 9 hours.

All in all I've come back with mixed feelings about San Fran. I had a blast at the game, probably one of the top three best times of my life. However, the city really left a bad taste in my mouth. The stadium exit/entrance plan seems very poorly planned. The street signs are particularly frustrating. At one point while we were lost we saw a sign that said the 101 North was straight ahead. We kept going and going, and the at the last second we see a new sign the says turn left. The sign was literally on the corner of where you are supposed to turn and it was so small you could only read it as you are passing by. I guess it's not the big of a deal, but couldn't the city have put the sign a little further from the actual turn to give people time to change lanes or slow down for the turn?

Another thing that irked me was the freeway will have a sign that says, for instance, I-80 on the left, then directly right it says I-880. So, being a normal person, I figure: stay in the left lane to take the I-80. But about 30 yards from where the turnoff is the signs are switched. To get on the I-80 I have to be in one of the two rightmost lanes. Now I have to change 3 lanes in traffic in about 5 seconds. This seems to be a theme in S.F. Nothing to make you hate the place, but those things add up.

I guess i'll end this rant here. I will definitely be returning for many more games to come, but most likely I'll be flying in, and after the game I'll be flying right back out. I love my team, but not so much their city. To all the Niner faithful out there please leave your eggs at home next time...

http://b.1asphost.com/teke218/IMGP1029.jpg

p.s. One memory I'll always have is walking through the tunnels after the game yelling "15-1!" and listening to all the hilarious things being yelled out at Rams fans.

[majesstik1]

That was your car? :ohmy:

My bad bro. :ph34r:

j/k

Glad you had a good time, and the Niners won for your first visit.

[Teke]

Yea, that is definitely something that I am thankful for. It would have been an even longer trip home if the 49ers would have lost. Like I said, one of the crowning moments was watching the Rams fans get heckled in the tunnel. Also, when the Rams got that false start because we were so loud, that was nice too.

[val49erfan]

Glad you had fun at the game! Isnt it amazing to be around that many like minded fanatics??? :sam:

Dont let your first experience of SF leave a bad taste in your mouth. It truly is a wonderfully beautiful and diverse city with many wonderful characteristics.

[D-Man]

I'm glad you had a great time at the wharf and at the game. Screw the a-holes that jacked up your rental car! I hope it all turned out well on that.

[jjbankhead]

I took my first trip to Monster Park yesterday. I was pretty excited because I've been a 49er fan for over ten years and this was my first live game.

Rented a car, and drove 7 hellish hours Saturday so I could see my team play with my wife. I couldn't really afford plane tickets, but we figured it'd be an adventure. Were we ever right. You don't really know what a 7 hour drive is like until you actually live it.

So anyways, Sunday morning my wife and I headed toward the park. We figured there'd be some sportsbars in the area, or some restaurants for breakfast but boy were we wrong. The was a McDonalds and some place called B&J's burgers, it looked like hell.

So we got back in the car and headed to Fisherman's Wharf. Luckily we had about 3 hours. We parked and ate at a diner right next to Ghiradelli's. I have to say the food and service was awesome. I can't remember the name of the place though. We sat outside and ate with a view of the bay. Very nice. Then after searching the wharf for some Niner gear we decided we better just get some at the game. There were some shops that had gear but it seemed to be of poor quality.

Next we went to the stadium, parked and walked in. Let me say this was the most 49ers fans I have ever seen in my life. I had a smile from ear to ear the whole way to the field. Next we got my wife a shirt, bought some beer and headed to our seats (sec. LR16, row 1). I took a few pics of the players and then we got our picture taken. I was standing close to the field and Vernon Davis was close. So I yelled "Davis!". And he sorta turned but then continued what he was doing. So then these jerks start heckling him. "Davis, click clack, click clack. Hey VD, click clack. click clack.". Over and over again, and this is from Niner fans. Imagine how annoying that must be for him, and he has to get it from his own fans. After his drop I was thinking, what if he would have gotten some words of encouragement. Maybe if the guy would've yelled "speed kills" or something more positive he might not have dropped it. Just a thought that went through my mind at the time...

As the game started I was just in awe. Our seats were great for one. We were sitting near some of the player's wives. We were a few rows from Tony Parrish's mom, girlfriend, and son (I think). Sopo's wife and family (including his son) were one row ahead of us, and maybe 3 seats to the right. There were other various ladies who had this odd appearance like they didn't belong . They all seemed to be dressed really nice for a football game, with designer sunglasses and clothes. Anyways, as the game progressed it seemed surreal. And the best part was that we won. Throughout the game I screamed so loud that by the end I had lost my voice. I especially loved getting the Rams in third down situations. Score one for the fans when they got that false start on third down. I don't think the Rams expected us to be so loud.

After the game I got to my car only to realize someone had egged it. When I had parked the car there was a group of Niner fans directly to the left and right of my car tailgating. They seemed hunkered down to me. Then immediately across from our car there was another group of fans, so my only conclusion can be my car was egged by one of our own faithful. Why? Don't ask me. The egg seemed to have been baked into the paint and windows in the midday sun.

After getting out of the stadium (more on that in a sec) I went to a gas station to wash off the egg but to no avail. I tried scratching it off with my fingernail but that did work either. It's worse than glue. So now I'm hoping the rental car company doesn't charge me for the damage done to the car because I really can't afford it.

As for the drive home, it pretty much blew. It took us an hour to get out of the stadium, and then thanks to mapquest another hour until we were on the right road home. I just got home, it took about 9 hours.

All in all I've come back with mixed feelings about San Fran. I had a blast at the game, probably one of the top three best times of my life. However, the city really left a bad taste in my mouth. The stadium exit/entrance plan seems very poorly planned. The street signs are particularly frustrating. At one point while we were lost we saw a sign that said the 101 North was straight ahead. We kept going and going, and the at the last second we see a new sign the says turn left. The sign was literally on the corner of where you are supposed to turn and it was so small you could only read it as you are passing by. I guess it's not the big of a deal, but couldn't the city have put the sign a little further from the actual turn to give people time to change lanes or slow down for the turn?

Another thing that irked me was the freeway will have a sign that says, for instance, I-80 on the left, then directly right it says I-880. So, being a normal person, I figure: stay in the left lane to take the I-80. But about 30 yards from where the turnoff is the signs are switched. To get on the I-80 I have to be in one of the two rightmost lanes. Now I have to change 3 lanes in traffic in about 5 seconds. This seems to be a theme in S.F. Nothing to make you hate the place, but those things add up.

I guess i'll end this rant here. I will definitely be returning for many more games to come, but most likely I'll be flying in, and after the game I'll be flying right back out. I love my team, but not so much their city. To all the Niner faithful out there please leave your eggs at home next time...

http://b.1asphost.com/teke218/IMGP1029.jpg

p.s. One memory I'll always have is walking through the tunnels after the game yelling "15-1!" and listening to all the hilarious things being yelled out at Rams fans.
hate to brake this to ya, but Fotball games=Tailgating, Tailgaiting=Drinking/drunks drunk people do stupid S##t...

i found a broken bottle of bacardi right behind my car (and some under 3rd row's truck) and i didn't bring any bacardi to the game. you know the saying; ___ happens!!

anyway next time you come out for a game i would wait an hour to an hour and a half before trying to get out of the parking lot, its much less stressful and much easier navigating your way out of the city. us you can have another soda, eat another brat/hot dog and listen to the post game wrap up.

another option for getting home is to take 101 north across the golden gate(this involves going through the city using 19th avenue) than take the birdge into richmond then head up 80.

try Google maps its free and usually gives better directions. plus you can use that satelitte imagery map to locate land marks for your trip

sorry the parking lot was such a bummer for you good luck with the egg on the rental car.

[Eng74]

I am not sure where you are from Teke but the thing with the freeways in SF is the wre built around a city not the city around the freeways. It takes some time to know the area. I know people who get lost on L.A. freeways because it is Golden State going north and Sacramento going north they don't say I-5 north or I5 south. If you wanted some good 49ers gear you should have checked Pier 39's NFL shop. They have a good selection not like it has been in past years but it is getting better. As for what happened in the parking lot there are always a few morons everywhere. Like others have said it is better to wait in the parking lot and do a post game tailgate and let the traffic clear out. It uses less gas and the druks get out of the way also. As for the rental car always take the the extra insurance when they offer it. Think of it as a $3 dollar bet that you want do not want to win. I hope you can get to another game they are very addictive.

[Ronin 49er]

Good post except for the egg stuff at the end.

Anyways I always enjoy reading Fans first game experiences and their enthusiasm. It's great stuff but I think you learn as you go as with most everything. Also it's a good idea to post ahead of time that you will be spending time in the city so posters who live there can give you some ideas and just the formalities of going to a game this way your prepared to take it on. :flex:

I agree I'm not a big fan of SF and their roads, etc. but it does get easier with familiarity. And like the other poster said just wait around until most of the traffic gets out of the way. Chill out, listen to the radio(KNBR) or hang with some friendly tailgaters or your own. I never understood why people are in such a hurry to get out it's not like their day is just starting and they have to be somewhere.

[Niner Jan]

As far as the eggs are concerned, you really can't tell who the culprits were. They could have been Rams fans or Niner fans who came along after you left your car. Whoever they were, they were irresponsible PEOPLE.

Sorry you had to experience that. Let us know about the rental car problem, please.

Glad that the Niners were at least able to hand you a WIN for your first game at the Stick! Next time, you will be a little more familiar with the roads and signs, I guess. Make friends with some fans on the MB so you'll learn the intricacies of the Bay Area.

You're going to find good and bad people everywhere you go, so don't brand all San Franciscans by some "bad eggs." Better luck next time.

[Teke]

Thanks for the posts everybody. I wrote that message before I went to bed Sunday night and it had been a very long day. After some time to cool off I think the experience was much better than I let on. After being lost in the city I did gain some familiarity with the city. Basically, I know if you need to get to the 101 you have to get to Van Ness.

As for the NFL Shop, we went into a shop and asked someone where we might be able to find some 49ers gear and they pointed us towards this shop at Pier 39, and said it was 6 blocks away. However, we never were able to find it. It wasn't that big of a deal, as you can see from the photo my wife ended up getting a shirt in the stadium.

The car ended up being returned fine. They didn't notice the egg on the window, but I'll let you know if anything changes.

Thanks again,

Teke

[D-Man]

Thanks for the posts everybody. I wrote that message before I went to bed Sunday night and it had been a very long day. After some time to cool off I think the experience was much better than I let on. After being lost in the city I did gain some familiarity with the city. Basically, I know if you need to get to the 101 you have to get to Van Ness.

As for the NFL Shop, we went into a shop and asked someone where we might be able to find some 49ers gear and they pointed us towards this shop at Pier 39, and said it was 6 blocks away. However, we never were able to find it. It wasn't that big of a deal, as you can see from the photo my wife ended up getting a shirt in the stadium.

The car ended up being returned fine. They didn't notice the egg on the window, but I'll let you know if anything changes.

Thanks again,

Teke

The NFL shop is in the Pier 39 "shopping center" by the aquarium.

[da808n]

Good post except for the egg stuff at the end.

Anyways I always enjoy reading Fans first game experiences and their enthusiasm. It's great stuff but I think you learn as you go as with most everything. Also it's a good idea to post ahead of time that you will be spending time in the city so posters who live there can give you some ideas and just the formalities of going to a game this way your prepared to take it on. :flex:

I agree I'm not a big fan of SF and their roads, etc. but it does get easier with familiarity. And like the other poster said just wait around until most of the traffic gets out of the way. Chill out, listen to the radio(KNBR) or hang with some friendly tailgaters or your own. I never understood why people are in such a hurry to get out it's not like their day is just starting and they have to be somewhere.
exactly,,,fire up the grill again have another beer chill

[jjbankhead]

Thanks for the posts everybody. I wrote that message before I went to bed Sunday night and it had been a very long day. After some time to cool off I think the experience was much better than I let on. After being lost in the city I did gain some familiarity with the city. Basically, I know if you need to get to the 101 you have to get to Van Ness.

As for the NFL Shop, we went into a shop and asked someone where we might be able to find some 49ers gear and they pointed us towards this shop at Pier 39, and said it was 6 blocks away. However, we never were able to find it. It wasn't that big of a deal, as you can see from the photo my wife ended up getting a shirt in the stadium.

The car ended up being returned fine. They didn't notice the egg on the window, but I'll let you know if anything changes.

Thanks again,

Teke
i have been to that sports shop on Pier 39, you have to walk down the little mall area a bit, its no better or worse than any selection you could find in your local shopping mall,too

I don't know how far you are from SAc, but i was at Arden Faire and they have a store called "Sac Fan" or something like that, they had knock off (looks like authentic with the stitched letters but its still a knockl off replica) Rathman Jersey and they have roger craig, steve young and some newer throw backs for the Retto Jersey day this season (i believe it was a V davis)

if i were you i would stick to ordering from the 49er web page....

[The Vin]

A couple things:

1) Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are fun places to visit if you've never been over there, but they are gigantic tourist traps as well in terms of buying merchandise. To really enjoy the place or to find certain stores you need to plan a day towards exploring the city, that area, and in and around there.

2) Traffic out of the Stick is hell. I'm surprised nobody told you about that before hand. I don't know where you were headed, but whenever I attend a game when I exit I immediately head for 280 South after the game and then take the 280-380-101 N connection. Saves a ton of time. But getting out of the parking lot can be hell. I also tend to take 280 N there and bypass the airport completely.

3) Freeways around here can be tricky when you're taking connections. But basically it's just the 101 to everywhere else.

4) Mapquest blows sometimes.

5) The eggers must die a terrible death.

[BigB_85]

At least the niners came out with a win.

The first niner game i went to they got massacred by the Bills 41-7.

But Erickson was the coach so that explains it. :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:

[Tahoegirl]

So happy you had a great time...

SF, is a horrible for traffic. When i took my son to the colt's niner game last year, it took us 4 hours just to get to the bay bridge and another 3 plus hours to get home.. Never go to a niner game when fleet week is ending and the gay pride parade is happening.

Sorry about someone egging your car. I hope that does not happen to my truck when I go on 10/15. I would be very pissed off.

Thanks for sharing your story..

[The Vin]

So happy you had a great time...

SF, is a horrible for traffic. When i took my son to the colt's niner game last year, it took us 4 hours just to get to the bay bridge and another 3 plus hours to get home.. Never go to a niner game when fleet week is ending and the gay pride parade is happening.

Sorry about someone egging your car. I hope that does not happen to my truck when I go on 10/15. I would be very pissed off.

Thanks for sharing your story..


I parked my BMW nearby to where the MB Tailgate takes place. That's really the better area to do so, because usually you get at least a few cars and people around you that you know. That won't egg your cars....except Jerm.....after I give him a noogie.. :jay:

[Teke]

No worries I guess because the rental company didn't see the damage. As for the freeway (mapquest) problems, I wanted to take the 101 to the 580 South. However, for some reason mapquest said to take the 101 north, 7th street exit and go until I got to the 101 south. Like lemmings we followed and it took an extra hour to find out what to do.

I really can't believe how small San Fran is. I got across town in a very short period of time taking the streets. However, once I figured out where we were going, we ended up on Van Ness. That street is hell during rush hour. And by the way, what's the deal with Sunday night rush hour. Where are all these people going? In my hometown of San Bernardino, CA (near LA), there's no such thing as Sunday night rush hour. It seemed like everyone was out during this time including people who didn't seem like they were headed home from the game.

After we got out of the city it was a little interesting. We stopped in Pleasanton. As we were getting off the freeway I was telling my wife I definitely needed coffee. We saw a starbucks as we were on the offramp and we got really excited. Once we got there we realized that it had closed 20 minutes earlier. Disappointed (but at this point we were ready for anything) we went to a chevron. I got the biggest coffee I could get and we headed out on our 7 hour drive.

My wife drove a lot on the way home because I had pretty much driven the whol way there. We got all the way to Kettleman before I took over the reigns. At Kettleman, I bought another coffee, fueled up the car, cleaned the bugs off the windshield and we were off.

For those that don't live in SoCal, I'll explain the I-5. It's a long road, in the middle of nothing. If you're driving North, you have crops to the left and right all the way there, with a set of mountains on the left. This goes on for hours and hours. But going South (as we did on our way home), about 30 miles South of Kettleman, you have to go through a canyon, once through the canyon the freeway turns into the 210. My wife was adament about not having to drive through this. Thus, I took over at Kettleman.

The canyon is a pretty decent drive. Windy roads, but nothing too bad. It's not too hard of a drive. Driving out to San Fran I did it like a pro. Going 80 the whole way. I could have pushed it but I wanted to stay safe. Coming back however, I was extremely tired. I had woken up at 7 AM, was out of the hotel by 8:30, did all that other stuff at Fisherman's Wharf, went to the game, drank beer, sat in traffic, got lost, etc. Now here I am driving through the windy roads of this canyon (which should be a breeze).

Let me tell you, there is no amount of coffee good enough to make it seem esier after that day. I drove 55 the whole way through. Cars were passing me left and right, and I didn't care. despite this, I feel like I lost control several times. I guess I was extremely tired and didn't realize it.

Once we were through the canyon I drove as fast as I could so we could make up for lost time. We were going on about 7 and 1/2 hours in the car with 2 more to go. My wife had fallen asleep 15 minutes out of Kettleman. I was extremely tired.

Driving the 210 while I was exhausted it was a challenge. It's a flat drive, but the problem is there isn't much to keep you on your toes at midnight on a Sunday night. I started to drift off. I remember feeling my mind drift off into my deep thought and not caring at all. I'm thinking about things you normally think about when drifting off to bed at night. All of a sudden I come to. The first thing I see is white lines flashing on the right and left. Wow! What a jolt that was. I remember my eyes being wide open even the moment I woke up. I must've been sleeping with my eyes open. It was Mmy first time falling asleep at the wheel. I hope it's my last.

At that point I woke up my wife and told her she better try to keep me up if she wanted to live. It worked. We made our last miles home without incident. When we got home we didn't bring one thing inside. My wife just went inside and passed out on our bed. I dont know how or why, but I felt energized to write that post I made at the beginning of this thread. I guess it was stewing inside me on that long drive. Now, I just feel really happy about the whole trip. It was a long journey, one I'm sure my wife will never take again, but it was worth it because the 49ers won.

[Donut!]

Very nice ending there. Rep your way. :go9ers:

[NJ Faithful]

despite the egging & traffic, I am glad you got to enjoy a win at the Stick. I went to 2 games there in the 90's--gotta take the bus from downtown to the park. I couldn't believe there is only 1 road in & out of the park. Felt like I was back in NJ traffic jam, but at least I wasn't driving.

Go Niners!

[Eng74]

Teke I am east of Bakersfield off the 14 and 395. I take sundays and mondays off for home games. We drive home on monday take the 101 to the 152 then over to the 5 and on down. We do this trek 10 times a year (maybe we get to do it 11 or 12 with playoffs :whistling:) it can be a long drive. we prety much know where we are at and have set stops to get out and strech the legs. Van Ness is the 101 through the city. It is about like Euclid down in your area you can get to anywhere from that steet. Someone said Fleet Week, well this year will be a great one again. You have the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying Saturday and Sunday plus it is the Battle Of The Bay against the Raiders. It will be a fun weekend got some friends going up for that game also.