San Francisco help, please!

Hi all,

My Mum and I are planning a trip to the USA and Canada later this year and we are getting down to the nitty gritty of considering accomodation options and attractions etc that we want to include. For most of our destinations we are finding lots of info online, but I am really struggling with San Francisco.

I would love to know what the best area to stay is? Taking into consideration that we are not hiring a car and so will be relying on public transport to get us around.

What are the best options for public transport? Are they affordable?

Any recommendations for attractions, and things to see and do? Obviously Alcatraz is high on the list but what else is there? ? ?

Are there any tours any one could recommend that go from San Francisco and what could we see??

I really appreciate any helpful hints, or tips that anyone can offer. We are planning 5 nights in San Francisco and really want to make the most of it as it is probably the only time either one of us will make is there! !

Thanks again.
Nic

Hi

Love love love San Francisco - some touristy things to do

1) Golden Gate Park
2) Golden Gate Bridge
3) Fishermans wharf, Pier 39
4) Ride a cable car
5) evening tour of Alcatraz - makes it so much more exciting in the dark!
6) Coit Tower
7) Union Square
8) Cruise of the Bay
9) Chinatown

In respect of areas to stay i stayed near Union Square which is central for public transport, shops resturants etc.

In cities i like to get the hop on hop off sightseeing buses - they are a good way to get idea of layout of city and often easier to get to more out of way tourist areas - im sure if you google this will give you a few more options

I also imagine that there are tours leaving San Fran going into wine country Napa Valley and prob also to Yosemite NP

Hope that gives you a few more ideas

Michelle

Visit Berkeley and Rockridge on the BART some afternoon.

Take a tour out of SF to Yosemite National Park. You can't come to California without seeing Half Dome and the Giant Sequoia trees. It will take a full day but you won't regret spending the time.

I stayed in Chinatown at the Royal Pacific Motor Inn and really enjoyed it. It's around the corner from City Lights Bookstore, and was fairly comfortable and affordable. Nothing special, but allowed us to walk to Fisherman's Wharf, downtown, and obviously around Chinatown.

As for things to do, go to the Taqueria El Buen Sabor in the Mission District (Valencia and 18th) and get a carne asada burrito and a horchata. If it's a nice day, you can take it to Dolores Park two blocks away to eat on the grass with all the hipsters.

Do not eat at Fisherman's Wharf! Most of the food there is way overpriced and not very good. If you want seafood, get a recommendation from a local or someone who's spent a lot of time there.

What do you like to do? Here are some of my favorites, although you may feel differently:

Asian Art Museum
Exploratorium
Chinatown

I agree that Fisherman's Wharf is overrated.

I also agree that eating at Fisherman's Wharf is overrated - San Francisco has so many amazing restaurants to choose from. You have to drive to the top of Twin Peaks - AMAZING views of the entire City!!

This post was from a while back, but I just stumbled onto it and as a Bay Area local I might be able to offer a few ideas. I don't actually live in San Francisco, but a suburb 30 mins away. Still, I used to work there and still spend lots of time there doing touristy things and enjoying all the city has to offer. I agree, even as a local I found a tour of Alcatraz to be fun, especially at night. I went on a late afternoon tour, so when i went it was still warm and sunny and by the time we left it was dark and cold. One thing that the Alcatraz tour affords you is fantastic views of the city skyline and of Golden Gate Bridge during the boat ride to and from.

I also recommend the Presidio. Beautiful scenery. It was a former military base (closed own 20 years ag) and so there are still many former military buildings which have since been converted to housing and commercial establishments. There is a great, great bargain sporting goods/travel/outdoors activities goods store there that used to be a super market. If you want to enjoy the beach and forgot to bring a swimsuit, you'll find a great deal there. Or if you need an extra bag or pack to carry all your souvenirs, great deals there. There are all varieties of wetlands, nature, and even a historic fort, nestled under the Golden Gate Bridge. So yeah, the Presidio can be a great day out, especially if the weather is nice.

Chinatown is also fun. There are both terribly tourist aspects to Chinatown and very very local. If you want to experience real local Chinese culture, visit a local bakery or cafe and then go produce shopping at one of the markets.

Anyway, tons to do, just ask!