what you recommend for San Diego and San Francisco

[Brumeiser]

There is so much to do in these cities. What would be your top 5 do not miss things to do in San Diego and San Francisco and the Los angeles area? We have 3 days in each city so I need to narrow this down on what to do in each city. This will be a once in a lifetime trip for us so we want to make sure we see everything. We enjoy museums, zoos, historical things. We are trying to stay away from Knotts, Sea World and the San Diego zoo for now. We feel if we have time to fill in we can fit one of these 3 things in the agenda, but I feel there is plenty to see. My son will be 12 at the time of the trip. We will also have a rental car to get around. Thanks everyone.

 

[alex881]

SD-Balboa park even without going to the zoo has tons of museums and is a cool place to walk around. You could spend a day there visiting a few museums (though food options aren't great at Balboa Park).

I was more impressed with the Midway museum then expected. That can take 3-4 hours if you take your time.

Old Town was a lot of fun to walk around and had some good Mexican places to eat.

Coronado Beach for some ocean/beach time. Awesome beach.

 

[jenpace]

For San Francisco I would recommend the Alcatraz tour and also the Walt Disney Family Museum.

 

[wbl2745]

I used to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and here are some of my favorite things to do:

Walt Disney Family Museum. This is a fantastic museum developed by the Disney Family with some assistance from the Disney Company. The museum shows Walt's and his family's life. They've done a fantastic job making this very interactive and interesting. There's a huge model of an idealized Disneyland that has moving rides. Next to the museum is a special exhibit area that recently (I don't know if it is still there) had an exhibit about the development of the Snow White film. Again it was fantastic. The museum is in the Presidio near the Golden Gate Bridge.

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The views from the bridge of the bay are outstanding. You don't have to walk all the way. It is quite something to be that high above the water and watch ships sail underneath.

Fort Point. This is actually underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. I wouldn't go here so much to visit Fort Point itself, but to watch the surfers, the waves, and breathtaking views of the bridge. Fort Point was built during the Civil War to defend the Bay. It never had to do that.

Get a picnic lunch and go down to the Marina. There is lots of lawn and lots of people. It is fun to watch the people flying kites. The Marina is between the bridge and Fisherman's Wharf.

Muir Woods. This is actually north of the Golden Gate Bridge, maybe about an hour north of the bridge. This is an old growth giant redwood forest. The walk in the cool of the woods is wonderful. The forest chase scene on the Moon of Endor from Star Wars (Ewoks) was filmed here. You can merge this with a visit to Sausalito if you want.

Sausalito, a small town on the edge of the bay with lots of restaurants. Good views of the bay. Can be VERY crowded and hard to park.

Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39. This is REALLY touristy and can be missed without a problem.

China Town. This is on Grant Street. Find parking near by and do not try to drive through the area. It can be fun. If you want really good Dim Sum, rather than looking for something in China Town I'd eat at Yank Sing in the Rincon Center. (I might have misspelled that.) Dim Sum is described as Chinese tapas. The waiters wander around the restaurant with carts with lots of little dishes. You point at what you want. The pork buns (steamed not baked) are outstanding.

Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey is south of San Francisco about two hours. There are a lot of things to see in Monterey but the aquarium is outstanding. It was originally built by Packard money (of Hewlett-Packard Company) but is self sustaining now. There's a two story tank with fish from the Monterey Bay. The window into the tank is two stories tall and worth the entrance. By the way this was where some scenes from the Star Trek movie with the whales was filmed.

Just some ideas to consider.

 

[wbl2745]

For San Francisco I would recommend the Alcatraz tour and also the Walt Disney Family Museum.

I second the Alcatraz tour. You take a boat from Fisherman's Wharf area. Historically it is very interesting, but also some fantastic views of the City.

 

[ncc1701]

Another vote for Alcatraz and the Midway in SD. We took a 2 day double decker bus trip in SF that had hop on/off and went over the Golden Gate bridge.Had multiple stops around the city.
If you are near Monterey you should do the aquarium.
You should check a beach out so I'd recommend Coronado. We did the Old Town trolley 2 day tour that stopped over in Coronado plus Balboa park, Old Town & other stops.. I know you have a rental car but sometimes a hop on/off tour is a great way to see the city. Especially since you are in for only a couple of days

 

[bcla]

I second the Alcatraz tour. You take a boat from Fisherman's Wharf area. Historically it is very interesting, but also some fantastic views of the City.

It's not exactly Fisherman's Wharf. Close though.

I remember when Blue & Gold had the contract. The did it from Pier 41-1/2. When Hornblower took over the contract, Pier 33 was the best they closest they could get to Fisherman's Wharf.

 

[sasywtch]

San Francisco-Cable car, painted ladies and I had to go see Haight Ashbury (just to say I'd been there), Ghiradelli, Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street

They have the hop on/off tours which would take you to the bridge, painted ladies, lombard street...oh and clam chowder in a bread bowl.

 

[Brumeiser]

This will give us some ideas to work with, thanks everyone.

 

[PixieDustD]

I would second the "Hop on-off " Busses. They are plentiful and you will get an overview of San Francisco. Get off the bus and walk across the Golden Gate bridge. The Alcatraz tour is really fun, we always take our out of town guests there. If you have a car, the Marin Headlands (just across the Golden Gate Bridge) is incredible. The Farmers Market at the Ferry Building on Saturday mornings is fantastic!

 

[jenpace]

I would second the "Hop on-off " Busses. They are plentiful and you will get an overview of San Francisco. Get off the bus and walk across the Golden Gate bridge. The Alcatraz tour is really fun, we always take our out of town guests there. If you have a car, the Marin Headlands (just across the Golden Gate Bridge) is incredible. The Farmers Market at the Ferry Building on Saturday mornings is fantastic!

We were in San Francisco yesterday and the 'Hop On-Off' busses were everywhere.

 

[bcla]

We were in San Francisco yesterday and the 'Hop On-Off' busses were everywhere.

Yes they were everywhere, including stopped and blocking the on ramp to 101 at Vista Point in Marin rather than properly parked in the bus parking space which was available and 8 ft to the right. So my recommendation would be no, since they don't seem to have much concern for other traffic trying to get around.

The infamous "Google buses" are another matter, but at least I don't typically drive around on a weekday in San Francisco.

 

[Galaviz]

San Diego- must stop and have a burger at Hodad's! USS midway, great tour. Visit old town, cross over Coronado bridge & visit Coronado island.

San Francisco- visit Alcatraz. Golden gate park is beautiful and has a variety of museums, see fortune cookies being made and eat a freshly made fortune cookie in Chinatown (hole in wall in an alley. Forgot name but can be googled). MUST RIDE A CABLE CAR! We always do a hop on/off tour round trip as soon as we get into town. Get an overview of city then go back to visit areas of interest.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Rent bikes, ride to Fort Point, then across Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and take the ferry back to San Francisco. Get the whole thing from Blazing Saddles Bike Rental.

Alcatraz, the night tour. If you opt for any Alcatraz tour, go online and get tickets in advance.

Since you have a car, do the parts of the 49 Mile Drive that you have not seen.

 

[Brumeiser]

But what about la?