Familiar with San Francisco? Help on stuff to do!

[beesha77]

We will be in San Fransisco and go to Napa for the day...we will be there friday, saturday and sunday. What is something or some things that we HAVE to do while we are there?! I believe we are staying downtown at the W. Thanks for your help!

 

[movie zombie]

go to the ferry building and get some acme walnut bread. buy some cheese. sample other foods.
have lunch at the Slanted Door while you're there.

head out to golden gate park if the weather is good. visit the japanese garden.

so much to do.

MoZo

 

[sillyberry]

I was just a visitor to the city, but my favorite thing we did was a GoCar Tour. Yes we looked dorky, but it took us way west to the ocean and we had so much fun seeing neighborhoods we never would have ventured to on foot.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I'm going to SF for the first time in March - looking forward to reading the responses on this thread!

 

[fleur-de-lis]

If you're somewhat athletic, renting bikes in Fishermans Wharf, cycling through the Marina and Presidio, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, and cycling down to Sausalito or Tiberon to have some lunch before heading back on a ferry across the Bay is a *wonderful* way to spend a clear day.

I second MovieZombie's suggestion to eat as many different things as you can at the Ferry Building. I'm a big fan of Cowgirl Creamery's cheeses, which are available for sale at one of the stalls there. (Red Hawk if you like 'em smelly and complex, Mt. Tam if you like creamy triple creams. Both are great to bring on picnics during which wine will flow, like your day trip to Napa.) Never had anything but an excellent meal at Slanted Door, and give a BIG plus-one on that too.

The W is just across from the museum, and a short-medium walk to the shopping district around Union Square. If views are your thing and your shopping bags are getting heavy, grab a drink at at the bar on the 36th floor at the Grand Hyatt on Sutter, 1 bl. N of the square. Though highly touristy, riding on the outside of the famous cable cars (which begin near Union Square) through the city is as much of a blast as an adult as it was when I was a kid!

If your budget allows, Boulevard is a gem of a restaurant; if it doesn't, walking on (Christopher) Columbus Street in North Beach/Little Italy and picking a random restaurant based on the density of patrons dining there can be a fun crapshoot. Though now busy with tourists, if you are very observant you can still see traces of when this part of town was where sailors went while on leave during the last 100 years.

HTH!

 

[movie zombie]

in March the Olmec exhibit will still be at the de Young out in Golden Gate Park. lots of pieces from the anthropology museum in mexico city as well as contributions from other museums.

oddly, check out the cartoon museum: we've always just gone to fill time and we've never regreted it. this one is around the corner from SFMOMA: http://cartoonart.org/

Zuni down on Market Street is good for lunch....but you will need a reservation if you're going to try for the traditional lunch time.

but skip it and do Slanted Door and/or all the goodies at the Ferry Building.

take a very over to Sausalito if for nothing more than the view from the water.

more great views from the Legion museum. and if you get out that way, try out this place: http://www.a16sf.com/

haight ashbury never gets old for me. Pork Store isn't what it used but is still crowded 9 out of 10 times anyway. Magnolia Brewer is good beer, not so great food.

Columbus street near the Financial District:
City Lights Bookstore is legendary because of it association with "the beats". across the alley is Vesuvio where all the beats did hang out.

http://sfbrewing.com/ building survived the 1906 earthquake and fires. if nothing else make sure to look at the ceiling and see the early 1900's air circulation system [copper piping and paddles]...still works.

Tosca Cafe with the most interesting jukebox....lots of opera...i call it the opera bar. while you're there head down Columbus [towards Fisherman's Wharf} and see if you can find Specs which does not open until 4p. lots of seafaring memorabilia. and if your in the mood for blues go further to Grant, turn right and a couple of blocks on the right will be The Saloon.

want some cutting edge Indian food? checkout: http://www.dosasf.com/df_index.html there are other locations.

its a toss up which city i love most: SF or Amsterdam.......

MoZo

 

[soocool]

Ditto what everyone else said (especially the japanese gardens!), but I'd also like to add Alcatraz. When I first went I thought, an old prison what is so great about it? But I was so intrigued taking the tour. I learned so much !

 

[Ara Ann]

We visited last year at this time. We really enjoyed the Japanese Garden at the Golden Gate park, it's not in the city, but worth the trip...and of course the bridge! And Fisherman's Wharf was a lot of fun too. We also enjoyed the China Town area.

Also, something I wasn't really prepared for, most of the stores and shops are closed on Sunday...just something to keep in mind!

Have fun! It is a great city!

 

[rubybeth]

I loved San Francisco! We totally skipped Fisherman's Wharf and didn't feel like we missed out on anything. We went to the Japanese Garden in Golden Gate Park--very lovely. We also really enjoyed the Presidio and seeing all the crazy beautiful houses in that area. We walked everywhere, for the most part, and liked getting the feel for the different neighborhoods. We liked the Asian Art Museum a lot. One of the bloggers I read, Holly Burns of Nothing But Bonfires, has a good post on places to eat (she lives in SF): http://nothingbutbonfires.com/travel-guide/san-francisco

ETA: My absolute favorite place was Huntington Park. It's this tiny little park but neighborhood folks really seemed to use it as 'their' park for walking dogs, etc. It's right by Grace Cathedral and the beautiful Huntington Hotel.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Make sure you buy a pass for the public transit for the two days. My favorite thing we did last time we were there was take a
sunset cruise on a sailboat. They served wine and cheese. The sailboat flies! It was beautiful and fun. It gets a little cold, but
worth it. They had jackets on the boat if you didn't bring one. You can buy tickets online or at pier 39.

 

[movie zombie]

the Golden Gate Park is in the city. in fact, the city is also a county. don't let the large size fool you: its all san fran. certainly a distance from the financial district and fisherman's wharf but still part of the city.

do not expect the bus drivers to be as friendly and/or helpful as bus drivers in other countries. still good transportation, though.

the sunset sail is more than likely the Hornblower. do it or as i mentioned the sausalito ferry. its a great way to "see" the city. or if you get to alcatraz you've done that and seen the island.

there is also Angel Island which is a park.

you're not going to have enough time to see the city properly. start planning a return!

MoZo

 

[CherryBlossom]

Castro!!

 

[movie zombie]

there are a lot of good restaurants in the castro and/or upper market. the castro theatre has been restored and is gorgeous on the inside. if you have the time:

http://www.thecastrotheatre.com/index.html

catch an oldie but goodie there.


MoZo

 

[Gypsy]

go to the ferry building and get some acme walnut bread. buy some cheese. sample other foods.

have lunch at the Slanted Door while you're there.

head out to golden gate park if the weather is good. visit the japanese garden.

so much to do.

MoZo

Second Ferry Building but recommend going to the butcher there and getting the hot pastrami with mustard on Acme Bread. Followed by going to the french bakery and getting... pistacio macaroons which are absolutely and completely to die for. But the Slanted Door is fabo too, just more stuctured. And I prefer less structure when I'm sight seeing.

Beach Blanket Babylon isn't something I've been too but people keep mentioning it so you can look into it.

I love going to Pier 31 and just watching the sea lions. I can do it for hours.

Go to Coit Tower on a clear day. Just enjoy the view.

If you like modern art (personally can't stand it) go to the MOMA.

And if you want another day trip and just love the Ocean (I adore the ocean so for me this is the bomb) drive to Muir Point, bundle up (it is FREEZING up there but so worth it) and take a lunch and just have a lovely (cold but beautiful) picnic.

Those are the things I love to do as someone who lives here. They are the less 'touristy' things to do (except the sea lions but I just love the critters!), but that's my idea of fun in the city.

 

[slg47]

thanks to everyone! I am in the East Bay and don't get to SF much (except during baseball season) but we are always looking for new things to do!

I wanted to add that the Presidio is nice (but really cold). Last time I was there we saw a couple getting wedding pictures taken at Fort Point!

 

[movie zombie]

completely forgot about Fort Point! civil war constructed to protect the bay entrance! windy as all get out and cold, Cold, COLD. make sure to have plenty of layers to put on.

MoZo

 

[Yimmers]

Ditto on most of these things, except for the Wharf - pretty touristy. I've lived here for nearly 10 years, but have yet to see Alcatraz. I would really like to visit there.

Saturday mornings at the Ferry Plaza is the big farmer's market - a lot of fun! Personally, I've eaten at Slanted Door, and while it's good, I find I can get the same food elsewhere without the fancy price tag. (Try Yummy Yummy on 11th and Irving Street)

Asian Art Museum is very interesting; SF Moma is you prefer the modern art as others have said.

Personally, I don't eat at most Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, with the exception of Henry's Hunan and R & G Lounge (get the salt/pepper crab). I think the better ones are found on Irving St. (located in the Sunset District, south of GG Park) or on Geary/Clement (located in the Richmond District, north of GG Park). There are a TON of restaurants on those streets.

It is the start of Lunar New Year, so grab some dim sum or do a nice dinner if you can! (Yank Sing is also listed, but is mega $$$) If you have a car and can travel a little bit (get there early), you can try Koi Palace in Daly City, just south of SF (also $$$). In the city itself, I've been to Hong Kong Lounge between 17th and 18th on Geary Street - it's on the other side of town, and get there EARLY if you want dim sum, but it's good price. Oh yea, and be prepared for waiters whose English isn't quite the best, they're kinda hard core.

Hmmm, you can see what I like to do...lol

 

[Clairitek]

I just moved to the area so I can't help as much with the city but I've made a few trips to Napa. Are you in need of any guidance up there? I haven't been to many places but I'm happy to share about where I've been if you want any help making selections.

My husband and I have only really eaten in the city and not done as much site seeing but we love the inexpensive but delicious Thai food available. King of Thai Noodle is great. $5 an entrée! We went cocktailing in the city last weekend and the Rickhouse was out of this world.