If you had 1 full day in San Francisco...

[XYSRUS]

what would you do?

 

[monkeybug]

I would eat clam chowder in a bread bowl!
Are you looking for more of the touristy type things?
I think Alcatraz is pretty cool, Pier 39 is fun, and I like browsing China town!
Sanfran also has a lot of good second hand stores, but that's not something I would necessarily do on a vacation trip.
I would also eat lots of fresh seafood!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think I would sign up to go on a winery tour. I would not have to drive and could just kick back.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Pier 39 is filled with all the typical touristy stuff along with some really good food! We spent an afternoon across the bridge in the town of Salsalittlo (sp?) and it was great! Such a cute area with lots of great little shops!

 

[SandrA9810]

this is the thread i need. I want to go over there for a day this summer. So many things to do in California....

 

[Planogirl]

I'd definitely go to Alcatraz and otherwise just explore the touristy areas. Find somewhere fun to eat too.

 

[minniecarousel]

Ride a Cable Car.
Maybe take a Greyline Bus Tour to just see the really popular sites. There are "Walking Tours" that show great architecture and another one touring chocolate shops.
There are also boat tours with the Red & White Fleet.
Or just get over to Golden Gate Park and walk around.
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[MELSMICE]

Alcatraz tour
Fisherman's Wharf
Golden Gate Bridge
Chinatown

 

[goofy's friends]

With kids? Firetruck tour of San fran is a must! Alcatraz--be sure to make reservations. Cable car ride. Pier area, but the sealions aren't there any more. Definately eat seafood!

 

[monkeybug]

With kids? Firetruck tour of San fran is a must! Alcatraz--be sure to make reservations. Cable car ride. Pier area, but the sealions aren't there any more. Definately eat seafood!

I thought I had just read that the sea lions had returned?

 

[goofy's friends]

I thought I had just read that the sea lions had returned?

oh, I hadn't heard that!! That's great if they have!

 

[monkeybug]

oh, I hadn't heard that!! That's great if they have!

I just googled it to make sure, and there were quite a few articles saying that they were starting to come back, the earliest one I found was from March though.
It sounds like they aren't anywhere near their numbers in the past, but that they were starting to show up again.
Unless of course that's changed since March!

 

[krcit]

Alcatraz without a doubt!! When I went about 10 years ago, DH and I spent a whole day just walking. We walked from Fisherman's Wharf to the city and just window shopped and ate and walked back to the wharf. I loved San Francisco and really hope to get back there one day.

 

[TwinsinCA]

Alcatraz is creepy, but worth the trip. Ghiradelli square is worth a stop if you like chocolate. I'd drive down Lombard Street just to do it. If you have time and like to hike, Muir Woods (across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Marin County) is beautiful.

 

[mamacatnv]

Love SFO - FYI on the Cali board there is a couple of good, recent SFO threads. With lots of suggestions

Columbus Ave from ChinaTown to the Wharf makes for a really interesting walk.
CityGuides offers tours of all the major attractions (free)

Exploratorium would be a must if my DD had any say

Alcatraz is really cool, especially the night tour but honestly I would not take small kids, I don't think they get it and that it is enjoyable for them.

We were in SFO in early March and there were about 10 sea lions hanging out at the pier.

A cable car ride is certainly a unique experience and one I would highly recommend. The Market/VanNess line is far less crowded and goes up over Nob Hill, past Grace Cathedal, the Fairmont and the Mark Hopkins hotels. You can catch the cable car at the south end of Grant or Stockton Street on the outskirts of China Town (near the main gate to CT). I prefer to wander Stockton as Grant is the tourist street and Stockton is the "locals" street. The food markets are something to see.

Ice Cream sundae in Ghiradelli is a "must do" for a tourist as is a walk out onto the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[dejr_8]

I'd definitely go to Alcatraz and otherwise just explore the touristy areas. Find somewhere fun to eat too.

Make sure you get tickets well in advance.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Lucky you. I dearly love San Francisco. I would go to dim sum in Chinatown for lunch, Supper would be from a take-out deli.

Golden gate park is nice. They have an extensive botanical garden. There's an art museum in the park. And the Japanese gardens are worth a look, have some green tea.

Japantown is also interesting.

I like the Pier 1 (?name) at Fisherman's wharf.

Also love the lobby of the Hyatt Regency near Embarcadero.

The Mark Hopkins and another hotel are worth looking at the lobby.

Grace Cathedral is majestic and it has a labyrinth for you to walk and focus your thinking.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Alcatraz is creepy, but worth the trip. Ghiradelli square is worth a stop if you like chocolate. I'd drive down Lombard Street just to do it. If you have time and like to hike, Muir Woods (across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Marin County) is beautiful.

Can i tell you I got freaked out going to Muir wood. IT was a rainy day and the windy roads I couldn't take. Drove into the woods and had dh turn around and drive right back to SF We were there for 3 days but missed out on Alcatraz. They stopped running the boats over the day we had tickets.

 

[luvflorida]

This has already been mentioned several times, but I must say it, too. Definitely get tickets WELL IN ADVANCE if you're interested in Alcatraz!

We visited San Francisco a few years ago and did all the touristy things, except Alcatraz. I really wanted to do the tour, but I didn't order tickets in advance. I don't why I didn't, especially since I'm big on planning ahead. Every tour was booked solid for the two days that we were in SF.

Even so, we had a great time. I would say riding a cable car is a must! And if you do, be sure to stand on the edge and hold on tight. Best way to experience your ride!

We also took a trolley tour which gave us a good overview of the city, and allowed us to see what attractions/sites we wanted to go back to and explore.

Have a fun day in SF!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Look for the nuclear wessels.

Visit Candlestick Park.

Visit Alcatraz.