San Francisco Travel Forum

I'm planning to spend a couple weeks in California this summer and am trying to see as much as possible. Because of this, I'll probably only spend 2, maybe 3 days in the city of San Francisco before using SF as a jumping-off point for Sonoma.

What are the absolute must-see/do places in SF? I'm thinking about Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Pier 39. Can anyone suggest other places I shouldn't miss while I'm there?

Thanks!

Hi Marissa,

I like to go over the bridge to the town of Sausalito. It's got interesting shops and good restaurants. Worth spending a couple of hours there. Other areas to visit are Castro - bars, shops and people watching, Mission - Hispanic part of SF with restaurants and shops. There is also a good Aquarium which is situated at Pier 39 if your into that. There is the SF Zoo which is very good. The Presidio but that's probably enough for two days!

Hope this helps
John

Cable Car
Lombard Street
Alamo Square
Coit Tower
Palace of Fine Arts
United Nations Plaza
Golden Gate Park

Walk the Haight. Haight Street splinters off Market St, then runs West till it ends at Stanyan St, at the Eastern End of Golden Gate Park. 90% of the Haight runs through a slum called The TEnderloin, but I like to walk! The Haight becomes more touristy once you hit the famous intersection of Haight and Ashbury.
Now you start seeing locals, tourists, and these curious homeless teens and young adults. They are Not washed up bums who drank away their careers or families; they ran away from their Butte, Montana homes specifically so they could live in Golden Gate Park. This may interest you. Also, take the N Judah line all the way to the end (it turns around on a turntable...so cute!) and witness the cold clammy Pacific Ocean beach. Eat and check email at the Java Beach Cafe. It is Not touristy, but local. IF thats what you're looking for.

If you wish to visit Chinatown, and the Wharf area, you might wish to also visit the North Beach neighborhood which sits between the two areas. You could visit the City Lights Bookstore and the Sentinel Building while there. A vintner you may have heard of before, Francis Ford Coppola, has a small cafe in the Sentinel Building, as well as the offices for for his production company. If you enjoy music, you might take a look at the following website: www.jazzatpearls.com. For lodging in the area, try the Washington Square Inn: www.wsisf.com. Gary

Another web site you might wish to look at is: www.whatsonwhen.com. Gary

People have given you great suggestions.

My only advice is to skip Pier 39. A waste of time. Nothing but tourist shops selling junk.
The view is nice but you can get the view from Fisherman's Wharf.
San Francisco is not a very big city. YOu can see all the major attractions in 3 days.
Don't forget that you need reservations for Alcatraz during the summer months.
Jeannette

My favorite place is the Filbert Steps, the top end of which is close to Coit Tower.
http://www.sisterbetty.org/stairways/filbertsteps.htm

http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7677

http://virtualguidebooks.com/CentralCalif/SanFrancisco/TelegraphHill/FilbertNapierLane.html

It a staircase with boardwalks off of it, lush gardens and charming little houses (reachable only by the stairs), a resident flock of parrots---you'd never believe you're in the city !

Yes, I agree about the Filbert Steps. A wonderful place and not too touristy. I don't know why they don't have postcards of these steps :-)
J.

If you like parks then I'd also suggest a walk through the Japanese Tea Garden, the botanical gardens and the conservatory of flowers. They are all in the same area by the DeYoung Museum. You can even visit the museum while you are there.

Marissa, A site that has maps that may help orient you a bit to The City: www.baycityguide.com. Gary

I agree tha Pier 39 is a waste; full of the same chain stores you see in every other mall in the US.

There are so many neighborhoods to explore like Hayes Valley, Cole Valley, The Haight, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, etc. Look them up here:

http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/

I second The Filbert Steps and Coit Tower.

If you want to visit Sausalito, take the ferry from Fisherman's Wharf. It is cheaper and better than a bay tour and gives you the same sights.

<< They are Not washed up bums who drank away their careers or families; they ran away from their Butte, Montana homes specifically so they could live in Golden Gate Park.>>

They adopt their subsequent lifestyle early on.