Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I'm going to map some of these out tonight and figure out how to get everywhere from my hotel 
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Going to San Francisco
- Thread starter MattG
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I'd avoid all the touristy crap if I were you. I personally think alacatraz, fisherman's warf, Haight Ashbury, etc to be extraordinarily boring. And there's plenty of really cool stuff around. Go over the golden gate and go to Muir Woods and see giant redwood trees. have a bonfire down on ocean beach. Hit some of the local music clubs. spend a day in Golden gate park. Go to an irush pub for breakfast (there's a great one in the haight, but I can't remember what its called). Maybe take a drive down to monterrey and see the aquarium. Check out Angel Island (Ellis Island of the west), its got some great history, and its a lot prettier and bigger than alcatraz which its close to. Check out SF MOMA.
Pick up a free newspaper like the SF Weekly and you'll find loads of cool stuff going on.
At all costs avoid the cable cars! Sorry, they just annoy me. no one who actually lives in the city uses those damn things. They are just cutsey crap for the tourists and cost way too much and don't go where you want. MUNI is difficult to figure out, but its the real transporatation of the city unless you're driving.
Pick up a free newspaper like the SF Weekly and you'll find loads of cool stuff going on.
At all costs avoid the cable cars! Sorry, they just annoy me. no one who actually lives in the city uses those damn things. They are just cutsey crap for the tourists and cost way too much and don't go where you want. MUNI is difficult to figure out, but its the real transporatation of the city unless you're driving.
What are you interested in? As a SF resident of over 25 years and a native of the Bay Area I can make a few recommendations, but there is plenty to do in just five days. I'm big on walking tours; if you want to see a city walk its streets. Start out at the Grant street entrance to Chinatown (at Bush) and walk north on Grant to Broadway. You can browse the shops and get a flavor of old Chinatown. At Broadway you get into North Beach and some great shops. If you're interested in literary history, make sure you stop at City Lights bookstore (founded by Beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti) on Columbus near Broadway. Continuing on Grant north of Broadway you get into some of the old Italian area of town. From there it is a steep climb up to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. Inside the tower are some great old '30s era murals that are worth the time to see. The view from atop the hill is great as well.
If you're into the tourist stops then take a Cable Car over to the Wharf - I like the ride on the Hyde Street car on a clear night - and it drops you off at the old historic piers if you're interested in maritime history. From there it is a short walk through Ghiradelli Square (the chocolate factory is a must for the sweet tooth) to Fisherman's Wharf. If pocketbook permits try Scoma's, Sabella's, or Alioto's. There are better restaurants in the City, but these are old time Fisherman's Wharf places that give you a feel of what it once was like. On the other end of Fisherman's Wharf is Pier 39, which is a tourist trap - kinda fun, but little to do with Old San Francisco. The best part of Pier 39 is all the seals and sea lions that like to bask on the pier and bark at tourists.
To the south and west is the Haight. Walking from Haight and Masonic to Haight and Stanyan will give you a feel of the old 60s. Just be sure not to breath to deeply if you have to pass a drug test for work. South of the Haight is the Castro District, a largely Gay neighborhood, that has the wonderful Castro Theatre.
Too long for walking is a beautiful drive through the Presidio and down to the Cliff House and to the Sutro Baths and Beaches.
San Francisco is a great city of amazing neighborhoods and I've just scratched the surface of what is available. Plus there are great destinations in the surrounding area - Muir Woods, the Napa Valley, etc. If you want more tips feel free to ask, either here or send a pm.
If you're into the tourist stops then take a Cable Car over to the Wharf - I like the ride on the Hyde Street car on a clear night - and it drops you off at the old historic piers if you're interested in maritime history. From there it is a short walk through Ghiradelli Square (the chocolate factory is a must for the sweet tooth) to Fisherman's Wharf. If pocketbook permits try Scoma's, Sabella's, or Alioto's. There are better restaurants in the City, but these are old time Fisherman's Wharf places that give you a feel of what it once was like. On the other end of Fisherman's Wharf is Pier 39, which is a tourist trap - kinda fun, but little to do with Old San Francisco. The best part of Pier 39 is all the seals and sea lions that like to bask on the pier and bark at tourists.
To the south and west is the Haight. Walking from Haight and Masonic to Haight and Stanyan will give you a feel of the old 60s. Just be sure not to breath to deeply if you have to pass a drug test for work. South of the Haight is the Castro District, a largely Gay neighborhood, that has the wonderful Castro Theatre.
Too long for walking is a beautiful drive through the Presidio and down to the Cliff House and to the Sutro Baths and Beaches.
San Francisco is a great city of amazing neighborhoods and I've just scratched the surface of what is available. Plus there are great destinations in the surrounding area - Muir Woods, the Napa Valley, etc. If you want more tips feel free to ask, either here or send a pm.
plinden said:
Wow, I wouldn't wish that drive on anyone
We usually stay in Santa Rosa with family and one year we got a wild hair and drove all the way up the coast to Point Arena to go see the lighthouse. That was such the fun drive.. Sonoma and the sonoma and napa valleys are also beautiful. Especially if you are into wine.
strider42 said:
It is a good drive but totally worth it. Hope you enjoy your trip. I hope to be back next year.
As a regular SF tourist, there are some things you have to do but you'll want to keep them short - like walking through Fisherman's Wharf and taking a few pics of the sealions. Most tourists want to hang off a cablecar - although I'd either hop on halfway along their route or go early/late to a terminus. There are some times of day when you see people hanging around for the better part of an hour... nuts! Wandering around North Beach and sitting in small cafes to watch the world go past for an hour or so is always fun too.
If you like beer, then give the Anchor Brewery a call or send them an email. They run tours of the brewery, where they make Steam Beer and Liberty Ale amongst others. You have to book it in advance but it's free and offers lots of tasting afterwards. I'm looking forward to going next week.
Take the ferry over to Sausalito rather than doing one of the Bay cruises - it's a nice little place to wander around and you get some great views of the city looking back across the Bay. If you're the energetic type, hire a cycle and go along through the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge and over it.
If you like beer, then give the Anchor Brewery a call or send them an email. They run tours of the brewery, where they make Steam Beer and Liberty Ale amongst others. You have to book it in advance but it's free and offers lots of tasting afterwards. I'm looking forward to going next week.
Take the ferry over to Sausalito rather than doing one of the Bay cruises - it's a nice little place to wander around and you get some great views of the city looking back across the Bay. If you're the energetic type, hire a cycle and go along through the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge and over it.
Thanks everyone -- going tomorrow -- I'm psyched!
My hotel is like half a mile from that huge Apple store so naturally that will be my first stop
My hotel is like half a mile from that huge Apple store so naturally that will be my first stop
Have fun!MattG said:Thanks everyone -- going tomorrow -- I'm psyched!
My hotel is like half a mile from that huge Apple store so naturally that will be my first stop
Buy some spraypaint and a flashlight. Go past the Golden Gate and drive up to the Point Bonita Lighthouse in the Marin Headlands. Park in the abandoned army barracks just past the entrance and look for the barred window with a cut one which is bent up. Wiggle through, turn on the flashlight, explore the art and make some of your own.