OK. My wife and I are going to San Fran for a 4 day weekend to celebrate our 20th anniversary. What is on your short list of must do items?

Some thoughts:
1. Muir Woods
2. Go Car--motorized scooterish car with self guided GPS enabled tour
3. Walk?? across Golden Gate Bridge
4. A day in Carmel/Sausalito/Napa/Point Reyes/Santa Cruz???
5. Alcatraz tour?
6. Favorite Restaurants?

Where would you stay? Near the pier? Do you need a rental car?

Thanks!! Brian

 

TOOONNs to do there!
also, if your a history buff, go see the USS Pampanito... Holy grail of the last WWII submarines. I visit her every single time im in SFO. which is frequently.

bring an umbrella
Alcatraz tour, never been but its a big hit, touristy... sometimes there are car shows set up around the city during the weekend too.

 

Alcatraz is fun, do some reading ahead of time, if you are at all interested in the gangster era, there is a lot of history there. My brother is really into that stuff, and started talking to the Ranger there, and took him and his wife on a private tour for about an hour.

I like the Sheraton by Fisherman's Wharf, we never use our car once we are there. if you can get into the club level, they have breakfast and happy hour. 2 blocks to pier 39, T-line stops about a block away and can run you down embarcadero to downtown.

Personally, SF is a great walking city though, it is a bit of a trek, but we usually walk between downtown and fisherman's wharf, through little Italy.

Muir Woods is great.

I would also add Salsalito, nice half day trip.

Napa or Sonoma is great, keep in mind a lot of the wineries close at 4pm. I highly suggest lunch at Domain Chandon, but make reservations if you plan to go.

We used to go fishing at Point Reyes, I don't recall there being much to do there, but maybe that is because all we did was fish all day.

Bodega Bay is also not far (Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, is really all it is famous for) agian, not much there, but it is quiet and on the coast.

Cable cars, good fun

Pier 39/Fisherman's wharf have clam chowder at Boudin's

Pier 23 Cafe is really cool too.

you can get into the baseball stadium for a few innings for free, I think there is a standing area that they allow people to stand, haven't done it myself, but friends have told me about it.

Ghiredelli Square, the high school that the Dimaggio brothers is just up the hill from there.

Broadway? uhh...see a show? maybe not with the wife.

Coit Tower, Lombard Street, Presidio
Golden Gate park

the whole waterfront area is undergoing a lot of construction for America's Cup.

another option to staying right in SF is to stay out in Pleasanton and take the BART over. Depends on how much time you want to spend in the city.

 

Agree on 1 and consider hiking to Stinson beach from Muir woods. I would rent bike or walk instead of 2 but that is me. 3. great idea unless it is very foggy. 4. another great idea and suggest hitting local market in Napa area--the produce is amazing and can make for an excellent picinic or snack. 5. I really enjoyed the Alcatraz tour.

6. Gary Danko is on of my faves but SF has so many good restaurants it is hard to pick one.

Also consider

7. ferry to Sausalito and back. Great view of the city.

8. cross Golden Gate and turn left up hill to see iconic view of city.

9. bring layered clothing as SF can get a bit cold in the summer

10. cable car museum

11. Golden Gate park.

SF is small and parking is a PITA. I wouldn't rent a car if you are staying in the city. Maybe for Muir woods and side trips but consider a zip car for that. If you get tired of walking cabs are always there for you and the city is small enough that the fare never gets that high.

Have fun. I love SF and visit often.

 

Do not rent a car unless you are going outside of San Fran.
San Fran has outstanding Public transportation with Cable Cars, Trolley Cars, Buses, Light Rail, & regular Trains.

--Chuck--

 

I second Gary Danko as my all time fav restaurant. Trying to get reservations sucks, You can show up at 4:45 and get on the line to eat at the bar. They serve the full menu and it is fun talking with the other folks there.

I would rather stay in the Union Square area.

Go Car sucks. If you must, do the double decker bus tour.

Muir Woods is amazing. See if you can get a bus there. Parking sucks

Walking across the Bridge is awesome, but as mentioned, bring layers. As Mark Twain said "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in SF".

Carmel/Big Sur are heavenly, but 2 - 2-1/2 hour drive from SF

Napa/Sonoma also awesome, but totally other direction. I prefer Sonoma as less crowded than Napa and still lots of great wine

 

First, congrats on 20 years!

Some great suggestions here. I typically stay at the Mark Hopkins. Drinks on the top of the Mark are outstanding if it's a clear night. Another place I like and have stayed a couple times is the Francis Drake Hotel near Union Square.

 

Have a triple triple at In-n-Out Burger every day for lunch. It's just a few blocks from Pier 39.

 

Maybe drinks at the Clift "Redwood Room" or the "Bourbon and Branch" (A speakeasy with a password needed for the door) Make a reservation.
The MOMA is great..
If you appreciate design, I'd stay at the Clift.. it's amazing.
Dont rent those damned yellow scooter things.. they drive me nuts.. Dangerous..

 

+1 on Bourbon and Branch.

 

Alcatraz? Absolutely. Or do a combo trip with Angel Island, which is nice too.

Restaurants: Betelnut (Asian), Kokkari (Greek), Boulevard, and Slanted Door (Asian). All excellent choices. Here are more:

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog...rants/#4082-43

Go see a Giants game at AT&T, if they're in town. Yes, they have a free viewing area outside the park behind right field.

Definitely rent a car. Parking is not tough IMHO. You may have to pay for it, but so what.

Stinson Beach.

Personally, I would skip Napa & Sonoma unless you like wine and fields of grapes.

Santa Cruz Boardwalk.

How about an overnight trip to Lake Tahoe? Might be too much to pack-in on one short trip.

Sam's in Tiburon. http://www.samscafe.com/

 

Have some chocolate at Ghirardelli Square.

Ride a cable car (our nation's ONLY moving National monument) and stand out on one of the sides!!

Don't forget to have some authentic SanFrancisco sourdough bread!!

If you drive, go down Lombard Street.

 

Alcatraz tour.

Drive down Lombard Street (yes, the twisty part). Totally tourist thing to do but fun.

Stay near Union Square.

Coit Tower.

Drive over the GG Bridge, get out and look from the Marin Headlands.

Day trip to Sonoma but pick wineries you want to see in advance. Downtown is very quaint. This can be combined with trip over GG bridge.

Carmel would be fun but is pretty far away for a day trip - maybe an overnighter?

Restaurants - too many good ones to list; too many tourist traps to warn you away from. What kind of food would help with recommendations.

 

Chinatown is a must too.

 

If you like oysters, you must try Drake's Bay Oysters out Point Reyes way.

Taddich Grill; Betelnut; Rose Pitula(sp);

Giants game at AT&T Park with Garlic Fries.

Golden Gate Park.

If you don't enjoy your time there, it's your own fault.

Have fun!

Phil