"San Francisco recommendations" Topic

Hi all,

I'm thinking about taking the Mrs to San Francisco for her birthday. Currently looking at flying in on a Sunday and back home on the following Saturday, which by my reckoning will give 5.5 days to look around.

I've heard that San Francisco has a great public transport system, so I'm not planning on hiring a car. Thinking about staying in a hotel near Fisherman's Wharf or Chinatown's Dragon Gate.

Currently planning to goto Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, trip around the bay etc, but what else is worth visiting within walking distance or easily accessible by bus, tram etc?

Fort Point and if it is still there the Presidio Museum. They may be a little harder with just public transportation, but I'm certain there are tours.

Also look into the Phillip Marlow's SF tours. This is a walking tour of the Maltese Falcon and other Sam Spade stories

if you go for a trip around the bay, see if you can stop at Sausalito. It was nice and quiet after being in the city for a while, has some great restaurants and cute little shops.

The Haight Ashbury is kind of worth a visit as well, its was great getting my picture taken under the street signs and think about the history, was a bit downbeat. I'd recommend not going first thing in the morning when the homless shelters let out.

When I think about it, that was the thing that amazed me most about San Franscisco, the number of homeless. On my first visit I was always getting up early so as not to waste my time. It sure was a shock.

See f you can catch a dinner cruise on the bay.

If you guys are interested in Disney things…
There is a really neat Walt Disney Family Museum at The Presidio…
link
It's pretty fascinating…

Also the California Science Academy is pretty neat. calacademy.org
and…
The De Young Art Museum… deyoung.famsf.org

The Palace of the Legion of Honor is a cool museum…as much for the building as anything else. Also, you should have a meal at the Cliffhouse at sunset and Brandi Ho's is pretty good chinese. Walking around North Beach is cool, all the way up to Coit Tower. Suggest staying at a hotel in the Marina district.

Contact me via PM if you want any particulars.

Rob

Yep, Sausalito for a great view of the SF skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

I think I'd go to Angel Island instead of Alcatraz, but that's up to you.

There is a very good bus tour around SF which takes in all the sights and the city centre but also has a set of standard stops and runs to a regular schedule so you can get on and off again as often as you like. IIRC the tickets are good for 48 hours. It starts on Fishermans Wharf, but I can't recall the line name, they are big red buses, some with open tops. We'd dumped the car by the time we got to SF and certainly didn't need one, just an expensive hinderance, unless you want to get out of the city as well of course.

Also if you want a fun place to eat… kinda costly…
The Tonga Room over at the Fairmont. link

link