Going to San Francisco for vacation. What not to miss?

[tigereye]

thanks for any ideas. I am aware of the more obvious ones, like the GG bridge, Lombard Street, Telegraph Hill, Chinatown, City Lights!, etc.

What would you tell a first time visitor not to miss?

Thanks!

[GoneOffShore]

1. The bar

that Dashiel Hammet used to frequent.

[mulsh]

9. John's Grill

mentioned in The Maltese Falcon, here's a like to the site:
http://johnsgrill.com/frmst1a.htm

Catch the California St cable car ( fewer tourist) up to the top of nob hill and ride the outside elevator at the Fairmont Hotel.

something else a visitor might want to do is catch a ferry to Tiburon, good view of the bay, cool little town.

If you have a car get over to the east bay and take a slow drive along Grizzly Peak/ Skyline Blvd, great scenery.

[tigereye]

16. I saw an ad for a hotel used in Chandler's The Maltese Falcon

looked pretty cool.

What is the name of the Hammett bar?

[Kadie]

2. May I suggest....

Boudin Sourdough at Fisherman's Wharf. Delicious!

http://www.fishermanswharf.org/Boudin.htm

http://www.boudinbakery.com/

Lots happening down at the wharf.

http://www.fishermanswharf.org

There is also Coit Tower.

Have a great time.

[tigereye]

5. thanks!

[bridgit]

3. palace of fine arts ~

http://www.nps.gov/prsf/places/palace.htm

[tyedyeto]

23. The Exploratorium

A great hands on experience for kids. Took mine there when they were younger and spent hours discovering and learing about science.

[bridgit]

28. the exploratorium is pretty kew'l...

it wasn't always near so pricey as you may recall, but it's still a great exposure to applied science & multi-media for people young & old :thumbsup:

[blue neen]

4. Oh tigereye, you're going to love San Francisco.

Little Italy is a good place to visit. There are some fantastic restaurants there.

Haight Asbury is also worth seeing. It's not the best part of town anymore. We saw a lot of homeless people there, but you get to see the places where the 60's basically got it's original groove on. You probably can just take a drive through there.

If you have a chance to leave the city, go to Los Gatos. It is probably the most beautiful little city I have ever seen. People get on waiting lists to live there.

I would also highly recommend going to one of the redwood forests. What an awesome gift for your senses. Everything looks, smells, and sounds wonderful.

Have a great time. Give us the report when you get back. :hi:

[tigereye]

7. thank you blue neen! I have always wanted to go!

How are ya?

We are visiting some friends who live near the city and will be taking the kid, as well. So it should be very interesting.

[ailsagirl]

29. San Francisco is beautiful... I love it there. No place like it.

Wherever you go, you'll have a ball. Guaranteed not to disappoint!!
(You might want to avoid Fishermen's Wharf-- very crowded and
touristy.)
I envy you, seeing the City for the first time. If you're across
the bay in Marin, and it's night, make sure you check out the
view.

And Sausalito is fun (albeit a bit touristy).

:)

[gardenista]

31. If you go to Sausalito, there are a couple of good restaurants

that are slightly removed from the touristy area.

Poggio, in the Casa Madrona hotel.

Alta Mira, also a hotel, has a wonderful Sunday brunch with breathtaking views. It's only open to the public on Sundays, and the brunch is expensive, like $35 per person, but they have loads of shrimp, oyster shooters, etc. It's worth it if you go hungry.

Finally, the best sushi in the Bay Area is at Sushi Ran, on Caledonia street. This is where the locals go.

[priller]

6. Just got back from there myself.

Drive 45 minutes north of town to see Muir Woods, the famous Redwood Forest. A very unique and wonderful place to hike around in. After that, drive up Hwy 1 along the coast for a while. Stunning views.

If you like good food, really good food, SF has some great restaurants. I highly recommend Zuni Cafe on Market Street. Be sure and get the Bread Salad. And also you can drive over to Berkley to Chez Pannisse, which is deservedly world famous.

[tigereye]

10. oh right, ChezPanisse - I forgot about that

the head of my son's school visited there to talk to them about our school's Living Lunch program. Great idea!

[gardenista]

32. Chex Panisse also has an upstairs cafe, for which it is easier to get in.

You usually need to make reservations well in advance for the downstairs, where the prix fixe menu is served.

The menu on Monday nights is less expensive.

[democracyindanger]

8. Martini at Tosca

A beer at Specs

Sea lions at Fisherman's Wharf

The Bush Man, also at the Wharf

[swag]

11. Come on.

If she's at Tosca and Spec's, why not complete the triangle with Vesuvio?

Too douchebag?

[swag]

13. p.s. - if you're at City Lights

you can spit on Tosco, Spec's, and Vesuvio. They're all right there.

My compliments to the suggestor, whose name I've spaced.

[tigereye]

18. this should be good

my kid can tell his class in the fall about the tour of highly literary dive bars we took him into on vacation!

dunno, maybe we should take a sitter along so we can do a proper literary pub crawl with our friends.

[democracyindanger]

14. Damn. You're absolutely right.

But after a martini and a beer, I wasn't sure if it'd be safe to cross the street. ;)

[swag]

17. Your post was great.

That's exactly what she has to do. Tosca and Specs, in the perfect order.

I won't mention happy hour at the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel.

One must go when the band is playing on the barge, adrift on the artificial lagoon. One must see the thunderstorm, and experience the eggrolls and sauces.

[Floogeldy]

12. San Francisco

By Scott McKenzie

If you're going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you're going to San Francisco
You're gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there
In the streets of San Francisco
Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation such a strange vibration
People in motion
There's a whole generation with a new explanation
People in motion people in motion

For those who come to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair
If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco
Summertime will be a love-in there

[tigereye]

19. I love

the curious juxtaposition ( cognitive dissonance) of the Wolfman and those lyrics. ;)

[Floogeldy]

25. You must be an artist.

B-)

[tigereye]

37. nope I'm a therapist

with an arty, literary, musical bent.

But I live with an artist.

[bridgit]

20. bwahaha...

What's there to live for?
Who needs the peace corps?

Think I'll just DROP OUT
I'll go to Frisco
Buy a wig & sleep
On Owsley's floor

Walked past the wig store
Danced at the Fillmore
I'm completely stoned
I'm hippy & I'm trippy
I'm a gypsy on my own
I'll stay a week & get the crabs &
Take a bus back home
I'm really just a phony
But forgive me
'Cause I'm stoned

Every town must have a place
Where phony hippies meet
Psychedelic dungeons
Popping up every street
GO TO SAN FRANCISCO

How I love ya, How I love ya
How I love ya, How I love ya Frisco!
How I love ya, How I love ya
How I love ya, How I love ya
Oh, my hair is getting good in the back! Every town must have a place
Where phony hippies meet
Psychedelic dungeons
Popping up on every street
GO TO SAN FRANCISCO...

Hotcha!

First I'll buy some beads
And then perhaps a leather band
To go around my head
Some feathers and bells
And a book of Indian lure
I will ask the Chamber Of Commerce
How to get to Haight Street
And smoke an awful lot of dope

I will wander around barefoot
I will have a psychedelic gleam in my eye at all times
I will love everyone
I will love the police as they kick the shit out of me on the street
I will sleep...
I will, I will go to a house
That's, that's what I will do
I will go to a house
Where there's a rock roll band
'Cause the groups all live together
And I will join a rock & roll band
I will be their road manager
And I will stay there with them
And I will get the crabs
But I won't care

[Floogeldy]

26. Awesome! Who wrote that?

B-)

[bridgit]

30. dweezil's dad ~

:kick:

[Floogeldy]

33. OH. You mean Moon's grandfather's son.

Thanks. ;)

[bridgit]

35. moon's mom's baby daddy ~

:rofl: :patriot:

[tyedyeto]

15. While you're there

could you please bring me some raviolis from Molinari's on Columbus? Thanks!

[tigereye]

22. they might be a little funky by the time I figure out

where you are! ;)

[tyedyeto]

27. But they taste so good!

I'll be in CA next month and my bro who lives in SF will be bringing the Ravs, Molinari's salame and Boudin sourdough to a family gathering.

[R. A. Fuqua]

39. yes! you must go to Molinari's Deli!

That is--if you appreciate a good old-fashioned Italian style Deli--the kind of place with all kinds of marvelous tasty treats you won't find just anywhere--and it is also a place with atmosphere--you know the kind of place where you see old men hanging out all day playing checkers....

[Zuni]

21. Zuni's Bar and Grill

*swish

:hi:

[tigereye]

24. will there be shark of some sort?

hey there, you!

[gardenista]

34. The Ferry Building on Saturdays

Has a wonderful Farmer's Market. Then you can hop on the ferry for a cruise over to Sausalito, about a 1/2 hour boat ride.

If you want to see Alcatraz, you'll need tickets well in advance. Order them now if that's someplace you don't want to miss. I've lived here for years and haven't ever seen it, but I understand it's very interesting, and scary.

If you want to see the sunset over the Pacific, go to the west end of Golden Gate Park, and have dinner at either the Beach Chalet or The Cliff House. Both are close to Ocean Beach, a wide, sandy beach right in the City of San Francisco. Kind of miraculous when you think about it...

If you like art, SF Moma always has interesting exhibits...

This is a wonderful town, hope you enjoy your trip.

[welshTerrier2]

36. two of my favorite restaurants

Kuletos (Italian) in Union Square
Greens (Vegetarian) in Fort Mason

great wine at both places ...

[RoyGBiv]

38. It may sound obvious, but ...

Since it hasn't been mentioned, I'll mention it.

Make sure not to miss Golden Gate Park gardens and museum. I didn't realize what all was there when I went, and I now wish I had allocated more time to that part of my visit.

[tigereye]

46. thanks!

there seem to be a lot more to the typical attractions than meet the eye.

[XemaSab]

54. museum may be closed

it was closed a few weeks ago when I was there.

[LeftCoast]

40. You might want to check out the Asian Art Museum

It's across the square from City Hall (which in and of itself is worth a peek). They're running a Tibetan art exhibit until Sept.

I'll also 2nd the suggestion about the Ferry Building, esp. if you like gourmet food. It's a lot of fun, and easy to get to via public transport.

You can easily take the historic F-line street car from the Castro, stop at the AA Museum, continue on with the F-line to the Ferry Bldg, then continue on (again with the F-line) to Fisherman's Warf.

Hope you have fun!

[tigereye]

47. this is why I posted this

I was afraid I would forget about cool things I had read about. :hi:

[R. A. Fuqua]

41. I enjoy going out to Angel Island--

I like to rent a bike--take a picnic lunch--and spend the day wandering around.

There are all kinds of historic buildings and beautiful scenery---and it is an incredibly interesting and fun place to go (without spending a lot of $$$).

Oh--and if you like physical things--check out the ice rink in the Moscone Center--they also have glo-bowling and it is pretty fun!

I like to rollar blade in the parks--the Golden Gate in particular.

(I am pretty into physical activity) the theater is also great--last time I was in town I saw a hilarious play (Greater Tuna) which you would really enjoy if you have ever experienced small town life--it is a humorous play about life in a small town.

My girlfriend loves going to town to shop and then she enjoys having high tea at one of the fancy hotels.

[SuffragetteSal]

42. try this restaurant 'Betelnut'

In the Union District - a contemporary Asian restaurant called Betelnut...I guarantee you'll love it! Also the Cheesecake factory in the Macy's building...great view! San Francisco my favorite city to visit.

[tigereye]

48. cool!

and great name, by the way.

[malmapus]

43. Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden

Both in Golden Gate Park, also there are a couple of Dutch windmills that use to pump water to the park, gotta see them.

The ruins of the old SF bath house that overlooked Ocean Beach is cool too, along with a Penny Arcade (all those old picture machines and what not).

Those were some of my favorite haunts when I was unemployed heh.

[malmapus]

44. Grace Cathedral!!

Can't believe I didn't bring that up as well, a must see, plus its like right next to Chinatown so you can hit there as well.

[Gormy Cuss]

50. Also in GG Park

There's a bison paddock (yep, buffalo in the city), a small "lake" where model boats are sailed, flycasting ponds, the rose garden, the Conservatory of Flowers with the adjacent dahlia garden, Kezar Stadium (nostalgic for football fans,) and as malmapus said the windmills which are at the far west end of the park near Ocean Beach. The beach runs the length of the western border of the city and too few tourists get out there to see it.

The penny arcade (the Musee Mecanique)has been moved to Fisherman's Wharf for a few years.

Here's a link for your planning enjoyment:
http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/

[Theres-a]

45. Happy hour at the Tonga room

In the Fairmont hotel! If they still have it,this was back in '90 last time I was there. Tiki drinks are half off,free snacks aand the atmosphere is unusual.Also North beach,great food and an interesting neighborhood.

[tigereye]

49. this Tonga Room seems to be highly recommended!

[tigereye]

51. kick

need more details! :)

[Theres-a]

56. Someone's review

http://www.degeneratepress.com/travel/san_francisco_2003/day_5.htm

[John Q. Citizen]

52. Try the Saloon in North Beach just a short ways from City Lights

It's kind of kiddi corner and up the street on an ally corner from CL.

They get some truley great local musicians in there from time to time and the place has been a Saloon since before the turn of the last century.

Drive North or South on the Coast, many awesome seascapes/landscapes and beaches.

The park had a lot of things kids can do. The Mission district has populations from all over Latin America and wonderful mom and pop resturants and shops.

[Scout]

53. second the recs for Muir Woods, Alcatraz

is the Cliff House restaurant still there? I really liked that place.

Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square are interesting places to shop and to people watch.

Mmmmmmm have some fresh sourdough bread for me!

[Twenty3]

58. Another vote for

Alcatraz. And the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.

[XemaSab]

55. I wouldn't miss

gg bridge across to Marin county.

The Marin Headlands, Muir Woods, Mt Tam, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, Pt Reyes...

Very "family friendly." Take a picnic and maybe a kite for the beach.

I'd rather do that than spend the day at some of the more famous tourist traps.

The only real touristy area besides some of the museums that I like is Chinatown.

[maveric]

57. The Arcade Museum by Ocean Beach. There's a "Camera Obscura" there.

There are some cool, old arcade games and exhibits. Just a cool place!

[Arugula Latte]

59. *Sigh* used to live there when I was young.

It's so great.

I've been back in the Bay Area visiting family countless times, but never get enough time to just hang out in Berkeley and San Fran.

I've heard the converted Ferry Building, with its gourmet food offerings, is really cool, and that the Slanted Door there is a great restaurant.

[Arugula Latte]

60. Also, go up to the top of Coit Tower for the view. At night. n/t

[pinniped]

61. I would stay away from that Fog City Diner tourist trap along...

the waterfront. Their food is wannabe high-end and their service can be horrendous. I went back a second time to confirm my first assessment. There will be no third assessment.

If you're into dining, these are two cool joints:

www.grandcafe-sf.com

http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/

The interior of these two are very cool.

Oh ya, if you go to the Cliff House, the remnants of Sutro Baths is fun to explore. This is a historical site and an excellent place to take pictures of the entrance to the San Francisco Bay Estuary.