Topic: San Francisco

My better half and myself will be in SF in a couple weekends. We're staying up in Fisherman's Wharf (even though it's a blatant tourist trap). Am I right in thinking we might be late enough in the year for it to not be a completely crowded mess?

Any recommendations of things to look for or to avoid? So far I've read everything from "everything there is great" to "everything there completely sucks (except for the sea lions)."

Our list of things to do right now is pretty much:
- watch the sea lions
- take the Alcatraz tour
- get out of the city for a day (or most of a day) and go up to Napa

Any other "must-see's" or "must-do's"? Where's the best place to get a beer after a long day of being one of those annoying tourist-types?

--

Any sufficiently advanced bug is indistinguishable from a feature.

Anyone who tells you that "everything there completely sucks" needs dramatic anal electroshock treatment.

First, this time of year is just perfect - less tourists and much warmer weather than the summer. In passing you can have a 10-20 degree increase in Temp going just north or south of SF's Bay Area.
I'm not into the "tourist thing" so Alcatraz is not on my list:

If you like nature and the outdoors:
- the SF Zoo
- Muir Woods (giant redwoods - during the summer you can't even park there due to the tourists)
- Golden Gate Park
- Monterey Bay Aquarium

Science?
The Exploratorium is lots of fun.
The Academy of Sciences (still mostly closed though)

Scenic Drives/great parks:
The drive down the Pacific Coast from SF to Monterey/Carmel is about as beautiful as it can get.
The ride from Monterey to Big Sur (just further south) is beyond description.
The 17 mile drive in Carmel (including Pebble Beach) is awesome.
Napa and Sonoma are beautiful as well.
Walk the Golden Gate Bridge.
Sausalito
The Presidio

Italian Food? I love it. North Beach has better Italian restaurants than Rome. I've eaten in both cities.
Chinese? SF's China Town is hard to beat.

Shopping? Not my cup of tea but Market Street and Union Square don't get much better - more fun in my opinion than New York City.

I could go on and on about SF - my favourite city in North America.

If interested, I've blogged my last trip to SF here:

http://www.sleepingwolves.com/blog/?p=262

Nature & Travel Photography
Visit the Sleeping Wolves

(Edited by SleepingWolf on 11-02-2007 22:53)

quote:

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Lord_Fukutoku said:

Where's the best place to get a beer after a long day of being one of those annoying tourist-types?

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staying at the wharf?
http://www.jacksbarsf.com/brew.html

Nature & Travel Photography
Visit the Sleeping Wolves

Of course be sure to..


Those who look for monsters should look to it that
they do not become monsters. For when you gaze
long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

quote:

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Tao said:

Of course be sure to.. Those who look for monsters should look to it that they do not become monsters. For when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

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hmmm, if you do that, then this could happen SF.

Nature & Travel Photography
Visit the Sleeping Wolves

LOL

quote:

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SleepingWolf said:

Anyone who tells you that "everything there completely sucks" needs dramatic anal electroshock treatment.

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I've got the prod up and running if you need it, so let me know.


___________________________
Suho: www.liminality.org | Cell 270 | Sig Rotator | the Fellowship of Sup

quote:

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SleepingWolf said:

Anyone who tells you that "everything there completely sucks" needs dramatic anal electroshock treatment.

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I think that comment was directed specifically at the Wharf (being one big tourist trap), and not SF in general.

We only have 3 days, so any of the longer trips are probably out this time.
Muir Woods and Golden Gate park have made it onto our list. Also at least a short drive down the Coast Hwy (I'd actually forgot about it when I was making my list, that was one of the things I've wanted to do forever).

What about beaches? I have a feeling we're gonna want to just sit and relax and listen to the waves one afternoon. It looks like Ocean Beach might be a winner, yes?

Thanks for all the suggestions SW.

--

Any sufficiently advanced bug is indistinguishable from a feature.

Ocean Beach is fine. If you have an hour, try this:
http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/3Dbayarea/html/Pescadero.htm

Nature & Travel Photography
Visit the Sleeping Wolves

Best place to get a beer after a long day:
The Toronado its in the lower haight so you may want to check out the Haight proper and then head down there for a pint. RNM is close by to grab a bite. You're not going to be far from North Beach so if you want a pint closer to your hotel I like The North Star

or! If you get some really nice weather Zeitgeist its a bike messenger type bar with a huge patio. On a nice day it will be packed.

SFMoma, Exploratorium are great. Ride a cable car! The California line can be easier to get on than the other lines. also cool is Musee Mechanique

If you want a beach Ocean beach ain't really where its at its probably going to be foggy and you're not going to want to swim. Try Chrissy Field - still too cold to swim but its nice. Then from there you can hit Fort Point and/or the Golden Gate.

In Napa check out the Robert Sinskey Winery and grab some lunch a V Sattui

I can keep going but if you have some ideas I can point you in the right direction.


.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

(Edited by bitdamaged on 11-06-2007 01:16)