Going on a LONG OVER DUE vacation to SAn Francisco ...need suggestions

[hmwnick]

My husband & I will soon head to S.F. for a vacation w/o the kids and will be renting a car to do alittle sight seeing. I am looking for someplace we can go for a romantic drive. Any suggestions? Suggestions for restaurants &/ or nightlife welcome also!

Thanks for your help!

 

[Michelemouse]

Muir Woods is a great day trip from San Francisco. Not only do you get to see the awesome redwoods but you have to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to get there! On the way back you can stop and walk the bridge or take the drive to the top of the cliffs overlooking the city and the Marin Headlands.

We've also done a day trip to Napa Valley...although it is a bit further than the woods.

Have a great trip!

 

[ByTheSea]

Another vote for Muir Woods, maybe stop by Stinson Beach, or a nice place for dinner in Sausalito (spelling?)

 

[shortbun]

There is a wonderful walking tour company called "WokWizard"
They do great tours of Chinatown. Very interesting. My favorite
ends in a dim sum restaurant and they really give you a
fantastic sampling. Coit Tower at sunset. Club tour of SOMA
called "Three Babes on a Bus" was neat too. We used to go
to a great little restaurant and club in the leather bar area
called "Julies Supper Club". Famous people and musicians drop
in there to jam/eat. Someone told me it was closed but I
can't confirm. Plan on lots of walking time-I find the best little
suprises walking in SFO!

 

[shortbun]

www.wokwiz.com will take you to a fab Chinatown
walking tour company! I highly recommend walking tours
of SFO; there's a great one of the Castro too. Do a search
on google using "San Francisco Tourism" and go to the
yellow pages tab at the top. Then click on walking tours
and you'll get lots of information. Restaurants abound -
I like to check out Lonely Planet's recommends and Let's
Go guides usually have some good ones too- cheap choices
that is. If I get a favorite, it usually closes. I can tell you that
Tiburon is the "new Sausolito", trendy and cool. I personally
think Napa and the wine regions are worth more than a
day drive because you really can't explore all the nooks and
crannies, eat well, drink well AND make it back to SFO safely
to sleep, IMHO. How much time do you have?
Zagat.com allows free browsing of restaurants - if Zagat
bothers to list them, they're probably good, although one
must register/pay to get reviews.

 

[hmwnick]

keep the great tips coming! Thanks

 

[luvwinnie]

Sausalito...the boat ride over is lovely. There is a place with rooftop dining (it's a hotel too) that has the most spectacular views. I love SF. Enjoy!!

 

[luvwinnie]

Alta Mira Hotel
125 Bulkley Avenue
(415) 332-1350

 

[PigletsPal]

Many moons ago we went to Calf. and left our heart in San Fran. We also went to Muir Woods and stopped at the cliff's. But you have to watch out for the winds on the cliff's it got VERY COLD I had to pull out the poncho's (Niece's gift) to wear.

 

[lil mermaid]

I agree with all of the suggestions others have given, and I have a couple more! We moved out to the Bay area in November, and have been having a blast playing tourist..

We LOVE wine country - although we are partial to Sonoma county over Napa. It is a little more laid back and less commercial than Napa. If you want to spend a night or two there, Sonoma Plaza is a good place to base yourselves. If you want some more suggestions for things to do in Sonoma or some of our favorite wineries, PM me!

Nobody has mentioned Carmel, Monterey, or the 17 Mile Drive or Big Sur - without a doubt some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see.

We also love to drive up to Mendocino - it is breathtakingly gorgeous, but it is quite a few hours drive from the city.

I also have a book to recommend called "The Best Places to Kiss in Northern California." It is a wonderful book and will give you lots of ideas. "San Francisco for Dummies" is another one that we really like.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me and I would be glad to help!

 

[Penny2]

Just did a trip there in March (one of our favorite cities) and here are a few of our memorables:

Wine Country - even if you only go for the day with a late lunch/early dinner...it is great! If you can swing a nite, there are plenty of wonderful places to stay in all price ranges. We haven't been to Sonoma but stayed in Calistoga this trip and loved it. Wine tasting, leisurely lunches and dinners, shopping! How does this sound...theraputic mud bath, aromatherapy whirlpool and an hour massage for $95! Stop by a winery called Peju...the architecture and gardens are beautiful (and the wine ain't bad either).

Sausalito - there are tons of restaurants on the bay. Nothing like sitting and watching the sun set over the Golden Gate!

Drive or walk the Golden Gate!

Harry Denton's Starlight Room - in downtown SF at the Sir Francis Drake hotel. This lounge sits on the top of a high rise hotel...the view alone is worth the trip! The walls are almost all glass. Add your favorite libations and a band that makes even the unrythmic want to dance and you've got a fantastic evening.

Pier 39 - Touristy and hokey but loveable! Restaurants, shops and seals/sea lions. Along these lines Ghiardelli Square is a great stop, too.

Union Square Shopping....nothing better!! Biggest DSW I've ever seen.

Buena Vista - Irish Coffee en masse! Even if you aren't an Irish Coffee lover the atmosphere of this place is wonderful. They line up 30 + glasses and make Irish Coffee's faster than you can say Erin go Braugh!

Park the car when in the city. Parking is expensive and a big hassle. Take a cable car! It's fun, thrilling and cheap! Cabs are readily available just about everywhere, too!

FOOD...FOOD...FOOD...from Napa to Chinatown....Sausalito to Fisherman's Wharf some of the best food in the nation. We didn't have a bad meal during our entire stay of 10 days.

If you haven't been, I know that you, too, will fall in love with this city. The best 'little' city in the country (IMHO). My only discomfort came in seeing all of the homeless people, DH thinks I'm silly but I'm always giving money or food....just too sad, really. We were there during the war protests which was really different. I'd go back in a heartbeat...next to DW and Laguna this is our most favorite place!

 

[caitycaity]

we love pier 39. it is a little cheesy, but we always have fun just bumming around down there.

 

[hmwnick]

Penny2,
Please tell me more about the spa treatments you mentioned! That is a great price!!! Also, what kind of dress code is there for Harry Denton's I'd hate to look out of place. We definitely plan to go to the Starlight Room.

Everyone, Thanks for all the tips. We were in S.F. last summer but we had the kiddos with us so the trip had a very different focus!

This is a last minute trip (only a week & 1/2 to plan). Usually I plan WAYYYY ahead but I am SOOOO excited to be headed west again!