I did some searches on some local news sites.

Lombard street & neighboring blocks is(was?)closed to traffic for the July 4th holiday.

The city decided last month to close the street
during major holidays.

If we plan around a holiday we should be fine?!
I will still be sure & call the Dept. of Parking & Traffic
on Monday.

Originally posted by piperpilot
Of course, for those who want to come from outside the immediate Bay Area, the definition of "early" might be pretty important...

Well count me in as long as it is a weekend. I'd be willing to make an early morning drive down, but even better I'll make it a weekend in The City trip so that I'm already there in the morning.

I will be there!!
My MINI is on the Pegasus Leader due into Port Hueneme on 7/14. Should be driving it home at the end of the month.


Bob

I drove down Lombard the first night I had my MINI and almost created a scene as a passing trolley of tourists looked west (towards the MINI) instead of East (down Lombard), annoying the trolley conductor. I pass it all the time and "regular" traffic is still going down it.

I think its a great idea, plus I think we could pack 50+ MINI's on it each clocking record speed.

Originally posted by ctownsend
I think its a great idea, plus I think we could pack 50+ MINI's on it each clocking record speed.

That'll get them to close it for sure!:D

Lombard Street it is then. This should be cool.

This seems a ways off - anyone in San Francisco interested in a casual meet and/or drive any time sooner?

Maybe something semi-regular for people who live close enough?

Private message me if this interests anyone.

-shawna

I agree with Mini_Girl...

We should plan for a sooner MINI meet!
What about Saturday August 17th @ 8:30 a.m.?:)

Please keep me in the loop about any decisions you guys make. I'd love to be part of the San Francisco Bay Area Meet & Greet!

Juan:D

OK,how about doing Lombard Street on August 17th?

Drive the crooked street & then go someplace for brunch.
Maybe Delancey Street restaurant on the Embarcadero?

Might be foggy, but what the hell!

Minirosa,

Count me in!!!:D

Let's see how many more people can make it!:)

Don't know if I'll have my MINI by then, but I'll try and be there if it comes in.

Originally posted by minirossa
OK,how about doing Lombard Street on August 17th?

I'll be there!

BTW, if anyone actually lives in The City, what is the traffic going to be like at Lomabrd St at that time of day...has anyone scoped it out?

Is there anywhere nearby where we can assemble?

I might take a run up there this weekend and check it out...any excuse to motor around in the MINI :D

Monterey Historics that weekend. I still like October.:D

Wife just reminded me we have a wedding in Modesto to go to on 8/17, it is a late one, but it does make going to SF more doubtful. I'm not trying to get everyone to not meet on 8/17, but are we stilling planning on October?

I'd say we should still aim to meet in October as well as August. I'm sure there are going to be several who can't make it to both, but could do one or the other. Besides, there should be even more Mini's here by October.

Just my 2c worth.

October? Hey maybe I will swing down that way! I should have my Cooper in plenty of time for that. Keep me posted!

Both dates should be ok with me.
My Mini will be in the Bay Area by the end of the month.
But I agree with Piperpilot that we will have more Minis for Lombard St. in October. If we can fill the street, it will make a great picture or even poster.


Bob

Cooper, Pure Silver/Silver, CVT, Premium package.

I did the July Critical Mass bike ride a few years ago when thousands of bicyclists showed up (and a hundred or so were arrested). We did Lombard Street and it was an absolute ZOO. I'm not sure I'd want to do this in a MINI on the weekend.

Originally posted by FlaggerStan
Monterey Historics that weekend. I still like October.:D
Speaking of the Historics, BMW CCA card-carrying members can park their MINIs in the BMW corral:

$30 per car (including all occupants) for corral parking (Saturday and/or Sunday)
$35 - $70 for race track entry depending on which and how many days
$10 for express mail delivery

Notes:

1. Corral entry fee includes 1 fee T-shirt
2. One race ticket ($45 Saturday, $35 Sunday, $70 both days) must be purchased

I am up for a meet & greet as well, If I am in town. I'm taking my road trip down south finally end of July-start of August.

Knowing San Francisco Traffic, I don't think I am up for any "Mass Motoring" around town, even if a bunch of honking Minis would be a site and sound to behold!

:p

-RedBackFur

Hey folks; I'm still planning on October 19th. say 10AM
at the Presido. I chose that date so more people would have
their cars by then & the weather should be good.

That weekend works best because of Fleet Week & a running
race being held in the Presido.

Hopefully those of us who want to get together sooner
can make it Lombard street on Aug. 17th.

I'll try to spend some more time organizing these things
soon. Going to be changing jobs soon so I am rather busy now.

I hope it all goes smoothly for you -

a job change and two MINI functions.

Looking forward to being there for both, en shallah.

Originally posted by MINIAC
I did the July Critical Mass bike ride a few years ago when thousands of bicyclists showed up (and a hundred or so were arrested). We did Lombard Street and it was an absolute ZOO. I'm not sure I'd want to do this in a MINI on the weekend.


Originally posted by RedBackFur
Knowing San Francisco Traffic, I don't think I am up for any "Mass Motoring" around town, even if a bunch of honking Minis would be a site and sound to behold!


I wouldn't think Lombard would be too busy at 8:30am on a Saturday and we've only got about 20 or so people posting here so we shouldn't have quite the same impact as thousands of cyclists (be a heck of a bit more popular though I bet!:D ) As for downtown or down by Delancy St. that's also usually pretty quiet on a weekend morning (my folks live a few blocks from there) as long as the Giants are away (and they are on 8/17).

Speaking of the Historics, BMW CCA card-carrying members can park their MINIs in the BMW corral:

$30 per car (including all occupants) for corral parking (Saturday and/or Sunday)
$35 - $70 for race track entry depending on which and how many days
$10 for express mail delivery

Notes:

1. Corral entry fee includes 1 fee T-shirt
2. One race ticket ($45 Saturday, $35 Sunday, $70 both days) must be purchased [/B][/QUOTE]



As a card carrying member of the SCCA and a race official, I will be working the race and parking at the worker camp (frog pond.) I’ll be staying over and using my wife’s Vibe to sleep in and won’t have the Mini. I’ll come down and visit you though.;)

FlaggerStan

Hmmm... Seems there are only two options now - wait for October at the Presidio or do Lombard street on the 17th?

I'm with MINIAC on the Lombard street plan. I've seen people gawking at 11pm at night - as a city dweller it is a section of SF I try vigilantly to avoid. We are also more likely to be "busted" as a parade without a permit should we try to orchestrate something like this (see earlier post about fussy homeowners on Lombard street).

Might I suggest the Presidio parking lot as a "regular" meeting point. For those who want to do Lombard early in the morning you can still head over to the presidio after. 10ish? The 17th works for me. (I originally posted an alternate suggestion - but have edited to keep things simpler.)
Plenty of parking and a great potential departure point for motoring on the twisties in Marin if the mood strikes us. I'll bring the Doughnuts (Krispy Kreme if I really motivate)... you bring your MINIs. If you don't have your MINI by then - you're more than willing to stop by and torture yourself by hanging out with a bunch of people who do.

See you there?

-shawna

So we're set for 8/17 at 10 at the Presido then? Where on the Presidio exactly? (still next to the parade ground?) Is anyone still planning to zig down Lombard earlier in the morning?

August 17th. @ 10 am sounds good to me!
I am supposed to pick up my car this Wed. the 24th.
God willing & if the stars are right....... etc.!!

I think the Parade ground parking lot in front of the Visitor center is a good spot. Just follow the signs
for the visitor center.

I appreciate minigirl's remarks on Lombard street traffic
but still think a photo would be cool. One of co-workers
lives on Russian Hill near Lombard Street. He says we would
be OK if we just went down the street early & obeyed the
traffic signs. Apparently alot of tourists go up adjacent
one way streets the WRONG WAY!

It will probably be too foggy for a photo anyway.

Krispy Kremes sound good! A good sugar buzz before hitting
the curvy roads!!!

Hello everybody!

Anybody could let me know if the MINI Meet on August 17th is still on.
Also, if those of you folks who are familiar with the San Francisco/Presidio area could post some directions on how to get there from Sacramento, I would really appreciate it.

Juan

PS: Sejanus, have you taken delivery of your MINI yet?:D

Originally posted by Juanello
Hello everybody!

Anybody could let me know if the MINI Meet on August 17th is still on.
Also, if those of you folks who are familiar with the San Francisco/Presidio area could post some directions on how to get there from Sacramento, I would really appreciate it.

Juan

PS: Sejanus, have you taken delivery of your MINI yet?:D

Still no MINI. It is now sitting on a pier in SoCal. I think it has taken up fishing.

As far as I know we're still on for the 17th. My directions are a little rusty since I don't live in SF anymore. Some road names have faded from my memory and some of the freeways and exits in a few of my old haunts changed after the '89 Quake. Basically, you've got two main choices for getting there. Forgive me if I'm giving you directions you already know, since I don't know how familiar you are with going down to the Bay Area.

#1 Take 50 west (if I remember you are in the 50/Watt area right?) to where it merges with I-80 west and follow I-80 all the way down to SF and the Bay Bridge (approx. 100 miles). After crossing the bridge stay somewhat to the right and follow the 101 signs for the GG Bridge. This should lead to an exit on your right that will put you on Van Ness. Head north on Van Ness for a fair ways till you get to Lombard. Go left on Lombard (note if you go right up the hill you will be heading for the crookedest street part). Stay on Lombard on the left side. Eventually it will curve off to your right as Richardson, stay left on Lombard (essentially a left hand turn) and that will take you into the Presidio. I'm afraid within the Presido I'm not much help. I used to live near there, even have a dog buried there, but I never really learned any of the street names, I just kinda navigate by feel. Hopefully, someone else can come through with exact directions to the parade ground (as well as checking the rest of my directions).

#2 Take 50 west to where it merges with I-80 west and follow I-80 all the way to the Highway 37 exit at Marine World in Vallejo. Take 37 through Vallejo and across the marshlands till you hit 101 in Marin. Take 101 South all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. Cross bridge, pay excessive toll and take the very first exit to your right immediately after the toll booths (and I do mean the very first exit, immediately afterwards). You are now in the Presidio, follow the road around and you should come to Lincoln Blvd., go left and then, well we're back to navigating by feel again.

Route number 1 is faster to The City, but you have to drive through more of SF once you get there to get to the Presidio. Route 2 features a higher toll on the bridge, but then you are getting to drive your MINI across one of the most famous bridges in the world and it brings you straight to the Presidio. Good luck! If my MINI packs its reel and rod up in time I hope to see you there.

Forgive me if I add another question regarding the meeting place, The Presidio. Once inside the Presidio area, is there a specific meeting point? Is there a street name or address for reference?

May be one of our friends form the Bay Area could let me know!

Sejanus: If you have not taken delivery of your MINI and you still suspect it has taken off fishing, I suggest you call the 'Fish & Game Department' to revoke your MINI's fishing licence so it want to come back to you!
Good luck!;)

Originally posted by Juanello
Sejanus: If you have not taken delivery of your MINI and you still suspect it has taken off fishing, I suggest you call the 'Fish & Game Department' to revoke your MINI's fishing licence so it want to come back to you!
Good luck!;)

LOL. Hey, I live on an island, it can fish all it wants when it gets here!

I believe the meeting place is the parking lot next to the parade grounds.

Both days - Aug 17 and Oct 19 sound good to me. Will try for both.

Regarding the Monterey Historics, try Friday. Practice day - much fewer people. Get to see ALL the cars. Free to walk around the paddock. I'll be there along with the MINI. :p

Plus if you go on Friday then you can be in SF on Saturday.

Lombard sounds like a kick. Let's not be so worried about what the rest of the beauracracy thinks!