San Francisco Auto Show is in town through November 27

I might be in the market for a new car in the next year but am not sure what I might buy. My gut feeling is that I will stick with the same brand that I've been driving for the last 17 years...not the same car, just the same brand.

But, before I purchase a car, I like to check out all brands that might have the car for me.

Since the San Francisco 54th Annual International Auto Show is in town this week, I headed off to the show today to get a first look at all the new models of cars.

Admission for adults is $9 and they only accept cash. Children age 12 and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The show is fun because you can sit in most cars and, from what I experienced, at most displays, the people working there actually know something about the cars. Each company has a desk with sales info and there are a few interactive activities at the show as well. You can drive the all-electric Nissan Leaf (be sure to sign up when you get there or reserve a drive time online to schedule your drive). There is a drive simulator which I really wanted to try my hand at, but it was too crowded today with pre-teen boys!!!

And, if you have a '65 Mustang sitting in your garage, you might want to consider turning it into a pool table à la this one that is at the show




The show features such luxury cars as the Fisker Karma,



McLaren, and Lamborghini.

On the other end of the spectrum, you can check out the new Scion IQ (they are even giving one away!!),



see the newest VW Beetle,



check out the Volvo S60



and touch and feel the complete line of Fords, Toyotas, and Hondas. Just about every auto company that sells in the United States is represented.

For me, going to the show was an efficient way to see a lot of cars in one place. Unfortunately, I didn't see any cars that made my heart beat a little faster. I prefer a smaller car with high performance, and there are very few out there that appeal to me.

When I got into San Francisco, I was famished and stopped on my way to the show at The Melt, one of the City's new Grilled Cheese sandwich restaurants. Grilled Cheese sandwiches are the current new food trend and The Melt is a fun place to go.
Choose one of the selections of Grilled Cheese sandwiches with or without the free options of bacon and sliced tomatoes, add a cup of soup, if you want to make your meal a "Combo," place your order at the counter, and wait while your sandwich is made to your order. There is plenty of seating inside and at sidewalk tables and I observed that many customers got their sandwiches to go, probably to take back to their offices.



My lunch choice was "The Outlaw" combo: Grilled Colby Jack on Eight Grain Bread with a cup of Spicy Black Bean Soup and a small bag of potato chips...perfect for a cold drizzly day that today is, but pretty perfect anytime.



The Melts are $5.75 and The Combos are $8.75. You can also order just a cup or bowl of soup or a sweet melted sandwich.



One last word on strategy for the Auto Show: unlike most big shows at the Moscone Center, there is very very little in the way of food for lunch or a snack; I only found one rather unappealing Food Court in Moscone North. So, either plan to eat somewhere in the neighborhood as I did, or bring your lunch. The Melt closest to Moscone Center is at 115 New Montgomery Street. It is open every day except Sunday and a few holidays.