San Francisco tips needed!

[quiltymom]

Hello! I'll be joining my DH on Thursday evening in San Francisco (without kids!) after his week-long conference is over, and returning home via red-eye late Saturday night. We'll be staying at a hotel across the street from the Civic Center and will have both BART and cable car access, but we will not have a car. Now, what should we do? I know that two days is not long, but it's all we've got.

It's been years since I've been there, so it will be like seeing it for the first time. I love the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate park, but I'm afraid it would be a costly taxi ride, so I can skip it. And, of course, there's Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Warf, any of which we can hit or miss.

So, fellow DISsers, any opintions on how we should spend our time? We've already checked on the Giants - they'll be on the road.

Any thoughts will be very appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[kasar]

We were in SF last year and had such a nice time. I really liked the tour we took - picked up the bus at Fisherman's Wharf. We got a little overview of the whole area and then picked the places we wanted to go back to.

Would a wine tour interest you? That was my favorite part of SF. Napa Valley is so beautiful. There are all kinds of tours through the hotels.

 

[minniecarousel]

With only two days, I'd do the Wharf & Ghiradelli Square. And do a boat ride out to Alcatraz (bring warm jackets!) I haven't gone yet - but would you consider going to Beach Blanket Babylon? I hear it's a fun & irreverent show. There's Chinatown to look and eat at.

Union Square shops are fun - but don't bother if shopping (even window-shopping) isn't your thing.

 

[Davids-Coco]

You should probably make reservations with blue and gold before going. SOmetimes you can't get one if you just show up. Alcatraz is really interesting and leaves from the warf.

Here's the site with info on advance reservations: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/welcome.html

 

[Glenn]

The 2 times ive been to san francisco i rode the busses & cable cars. Lots of things to do, ride at least 2 lines of the cable cars, pier 39, fishermans warf, the maritime museum there on the bay, the cannery for shoping, coit tower, ride the F line which are old trolleys. Before you go search the net for coupons , usually a dollar or 2 off some of the boats and things. A half day tour to muir woods to see red woods is nice but takes awhile. Have fun!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Try and visit Sausalito, across the Bay............

http://www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/

San Francisco is such a great city, enjoy.

 

[Chris2597]

SFO is one of my favorite places to visit....which I have several times....With only two fun filled days....I would hop on a cable car and go to China Town....My kids love it there and can spend hours going through all of the shops....they were especially intrigued by the market area of China Town with all of the live produce....definetly something you dont see in your typical Farmer's Market or grocery....Then I would book a tic to Alcatraz....I didint think I would like the tour but it was very interesting...be sure to get the headsets...and I agree with the other poster that said to bring a jacket....It is so cold there....You should easily be able to do China Town, the cable cars, and Alcatraz in one day and possibly the peir. We always get Joe a street artist to do a caricature...He has been on the wharf for over 5 yrs...and is very interesting. The second day I would take in more of the sights of the city...Be sure to have a bowl of clam chowder in a sour dough bowl at a sidewalk cafe by the wharf....We love watching "The Bushman" a street performer that startles passerbys....Everything is so conveniently located by the wharf you can do alot with a little time.

 

[Honu]

Go to the Muni site. It will tell you how to get to the Tea Garden on the bus or BART and the bus.

I like to watch the sea lions fight for deck space over at Pier 39. People used to be able to keep boats there, but the seals took over.

Go to Scoma's for dinner. It's a bit of a hunt to find, but it's where the locals (including fishermen) go on the wharf for seafood.

If you want a real taste of Chinatown, go to Sam Wo. You used to have to bring your own drinks, if you didn't want tea, but there is a chinese grocery with those ducks hanging in the window next door. If you are a party of 2, sitting at a table for 2, be prepared to make some new friends if they need more tables. "Move over" is their mantra.

Beach Blanket Babylon is fun, as is Teatro Zinzanni.

Have fun!