TitleFight

Hi all,

I'm going to be in the San Fran area in the coming weeks and I was wanting to get the low-down of the city. You know, the best touristy places, historic landmarks, and of course nightlife scenes. I've been to all of the websites and seen the tours offered and what-not and do plan on taking some of them, especially to get oriented with the city. But I would really like to get an insider's view or an experienced veteran's opinion...


I'll also be there over the 31st/1st. Are there any huge New Year's bashes in the city?

Thanks in advance...

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"The radio reminds me of my home far away....."

-Ever-

Ironically, I can't give you too many ideas about SF, even though I live 15 minutes from it and go there about 3 times a week! Funny that locals tend to pick up on the smaller things and never get around to seeing what people travel far for
I'll try my best though. The most popular of touristy things seem to be riding the cable car from it's turn-around on Market and Powell through the city, fishermans warf and pier 39 then a ferry to alcatraz for the day, walking through Ghiradelli Square, driving down Lombard Street from the Pacific Heights (the "wind-iest street in the world"), and shopping in Union Square (right off of Market).
Some of my more experienced, "local" recomendations would be:
-Walk or drive across the golden gate
-Above it (if driving) is an A++ viewpoint of the entire bay. Go over the GG north (away from SF) and take the first exit once over and head up the hill on the left hand side. Stop where other people pull over and check out old batteries (retired military bunkers) and check out the view.
-The Exploratorium (if you have kids or a love for fun science) and the palace of fine arts around it (cool greek-looking structures around a man-made but beautiful pond
-Drive over the bay bridge (away from SF) and pull over on treasure island. Drive down and pull out where the car park is to get another great angle view of the city that commonly goes overlooked.
-Eat at the Cheesecake Factory on top of Macy's in Union Square
-Visit NorthBeach (historic Italian section) and eat anywhere that looks good (true italian style!). Steps of Rome and The Stinking Rose (garlic) are the two hottest tourist attractions but really are just as good as anywhere else. Take the bus if possible, parking is horrendous every hour of every day.
-Check out Haight/Ashbury up in the hills.
-SFMOMA off lower Market (sf musum of modern art)

Thats all I can think of for now. And as far as New Years goes, crowds and crowds of people flock to Emarcadero on the water for fireworks. Lots Mainly younger kids (15-30) but definitely safe for the family.
Enjoy my hometown! PM me if you have any specific questions.
-Tim

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greytone

I was there last May. Make sure you get a week pass (or several days if that is all you have) for the buses. That also gets you on the cable cars. Don't try and drive in the city, but a car is important to get across the bridges and see some of the coast line.

You have to go down to Fishermans Warf and Pier 39. Sure, it is touristy, but that is why you are there. The food is amazing and should not be missed. A long walk through Chinatown is good, and you have to eat there too. I was actually there just a few months after returning from China, and it certainly is reminiscent of what I saw over there. Little Italy is a great place to grab another meal.

Get an Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista at the North end of the Cable Car line. I don't care if you don't like Irish Coffee; get one anyway....its the law.

If you have time, drive North and cut over the the coast at the first off ramp. When the road seems to stop, keep going on the one lane road. You will see old gun turretts from WW II. That is a great place to get a view back at the West side of the city (the residential part). Consider driving up a few more miles to Muir woods to see the old redwoods.

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matthew330

I was there in May - only thing i can think of other than these guys is Napa Valley (lucky enough to be there when they had a wine festival and closed off the streets downtown). It's about an hour north. And if you hanging around Fisherman's Wharf, keep an eye out for a lone bush sitting on the sidewalk. Keep your guard up.....It's pretty frickin funny, worth watching for awhile.

Rodney

I lived there in the 80s for ten years but haven't been back much lately. For touristy stuff that hasn't been mentioned (most of it has), get out on the Bay -- either a tour of Alcatraz, or a bay cruise. Nothing more beautiful than being out there and cruising under the bridges, around Angel Island and out the Gate, especially around sundown. Ah, memories. There are various cruises and cruise lines -- you can catch some from Fisherman's Wharf, some from Pier 39, or you can just take the regular Golden Gate Ferry commute boat over from the Ferry Building to Sausalito.

If you're just roaming around and want to see a neighborhood. I always recommend the Mission Districts; back when I was there, it was a cool Latino/mixed ethnic neighborhood with lots of artists and performers, cheap food, bars, counterculture coffee houses, bookstores, and all that. Since then the dotcom boom has laid a veneer of high tech on the place, but from all reports it's still the most interesting place in the city. Like North Beach, but still real. It can be gritty, but still worth it. Try Mission itself between 16th-24th, Valencia St. in the same stretch, 16th street from Mission West, and 24th street from Mission east to Potrero. You can also head up 24th to the west and end up in the Noe Valley, a cool neighborhood of a different stripe.

Tourists always come to the city and see the sights, but the locals know it's the neighborhoods that really make the city great.
Other good ones; The Richmond District (there's a second Chinatown along Clement Street from Arguello out to 19th); the Haight (a little too much street weirdness for my taste), and there's the SoMa scene, though I'll bet it's a little quieter down there these days since all the big money pulled out. Lot of clubs in the SoMa.

TitleFight

Many-a-thanks everyone...all of the suggestions sound marvelous. I wish I had more time...

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"The radio reminds me of my home far away....."

bobw

Walk around Chinatown and North Beach... eat at R&G Lounge in Chinatown. Get either the R&G Special Beef or the Salt & Pepper Crab... They are both awesome

In North Beach, eat at Cafe Sport. It is NOT a sports bar. It is an awesome local place that specializes in shared dishes loaded with garlic.

floydthebarber

I sure liked San Francisco when I visited. The burbs sucked but the city was nice.

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BenChuy

Do NOT neglect the Muir Woods suggestion. it is quite possibly the most humbling experience. SO damn good...