Heading to San Francisco first week of march

frankw

frankw

Semi Retired Bodybuilder
Silver Member
I'll be near the union square area of San Francisco the first week of march and hope to get a bit of pool playing in.

Looking to meet up with some fellow AZers or take a lesson.
Any recommendations on places to play? Will probably be relying on BART or public transportation to get around.

Thanks!
 
Family Billiards

Family Billiards is about the only pool hall left in the City. It has some tables with really tight pockets; mostly near the front of the place.
I believe you can take the #38 Geary bus out there from Union Square. Check the internet for opening time; might be early afternoon.
It will be quite a few miles; will take you about 20 min. on the bus, I would guess...
 
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Family is a nice joint. Great equipment and good food. You can also take a bus, cab, or and uber ride over the bridge to Emeryville, the Broken Rack is also very nice. There's even a full sized snooker table and two diamonds. I'd have to check the map, but it's probably equidistant to either place from where you'll be staying The only other option is in the Mission district, Palacade billiards which isn't as nice as the other two. Let me know if you come over to the Emeryville side and I'd be happy to shoot a few games with you.

Have Fun!
-Ian
 
Family Billiards is just a couple miles down Geary St. from Union Square. That's probably your best option. The other spots mentioned in this thread are fine places too, but not as close.
 
There is Jillian's at 4th and Mission or so, but it's not exactly a pool hall. It does have 9-foot tables, though. If you happen to be in that area, you might stop in.
 
I live in the city - the 38 Geary drops you off a half block from Family Billiards. Depending on the time of the day it can be somewhat crowded and I personally avoid it mid-afternoon when school lets out :}

Lyft and Uber are very easy to get around as well
 
Thanks everyone. Haven't had as much time as I wanted , but made it to Family Billiards yesterday. Pretty cool place and took a lesson with Tom Seymour, what a great guy he is. He is an absolute riot and a great teacher.

Hoping to make it to Jillians next...
 
Last time I was in San Francisco, I took the train down to Mountain View and had a lesson with Bob Jewett. Totally worth the trip.
 
krupa said:
Last time I was in San Francisco, I took the train down to Mountain View and had a lesson with Bob Jewett. Totally worth the trip.
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No pool halls in Mountain View anymore. Shoreline Billiards closed in 2012 and California Billiard Club in 2013. California Billiards will open across the bay in Fremont in the very near future.
 
pickngrin said:
No pool halls in Mountain View anymore. Shoreline Billiards closed in 2012 and California Billiard Club in 2013. California Billiards will open across the bay in Fremont in the very near future.
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The closest to Mountain View is probably Lucky Shot in Sunnyvale, about a block and a half from the CalTrain station.
 
frankw said:
Thanks everyone. Haven't had as much time as I wanted , but made it to Family Billiards yesterday. Pretty cool place and took a lesson with Tom Seymour, what a great guy he is. He is an absolute riot and a great teacher.

Hoping to make it to Jillians next...
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Are you searching for anything in particular? Are you just wanting to see pool rooms you've never been to or are you looking for a game (action)? If you're looking for some friendly competition, I seldom have any problems finding a game in the bars of SF. Not high stakes money games, but I have a good time playing with their league players and other locals. Managed to make a couple friends too.
 
frankw...I was going to mention Tom Seymour. Glad you were able to meet up with Tom. He is one of our best SPF instructors, and someone I love teaching with anytime I'm out in the Bay Area. Tom has worked pool schools with me on a number of occasions , and always brings lots to the table for the students! If anyone is interested, Tom can also certify you as a PBIA instructor!

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

frankw said:
Thanks everyone. Haven't had as much time as I wanted , but made it to Family Billiards yesterday. Pretty cool place and took a lesson with Tom Seymour, what a great guy he is. He is an absolute riot and a great teacher.

Hoping to make it to Jillians next...
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Bob Jewett said:
There is Jillian's at 4th and Mission or so, but it's not exactly a pool hall. It does have 9-foot tables, though. If you happen to be in that area, you might stop in.
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Bob, the tables at Jillian's are only 8 footers unfortunately.
 
ABall said:
Bob, the tables at Jillian's are only 8 footers unfortunately.
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And they have red cloth. And red chalk. And it's right in the middle of the Game Developer's Conference going on this week, so it'll be crazy packed.

I've lived here eight years now, and have been to Jillians exactly once. That was enough.
 
DeadStick said:
And they have red cloth. And red chalk. And it's right in the middle of the Game Developer's Conference going on this week, so it'll be crazy packed. ...
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Oops. It used to not be that way maybe 7 years ago when I was last there. On the other hand, the tables were never very good. And they charged you another $4.50 if you wanted a refill on your lemonade.

So, scratch Jillian's off the list unless you're desperate.
 
Lame, I'm in Boston all week, but you should check out Broken Rack in Emeryville if possible. Might be a kinda expensive cab ride though.
 
NitPicker said:
Are you searching for anything in particular? Are you just wanting to see pool rooms you've never been to or are you looking for a game (action)? If you're looking for some friendly competition, I seldom have any problems finding a game in the bars of SF. Not high stakes money games, but I have a good time playing with their league players and other locals. Managed to make a couple friends too.
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Not anything in particular, I like checking out pool rooms when I travel. Still a new guy at this , so really just trying to pick up my game. This is mainly a work trip and time is limited, also my sister-in-law lives in the oakland area so have to have visiting time as well :)
For the most part of the day I am up in the Glen Park area of the city. At night we are back by the Hotel.
 
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