San Francisco - advice

StevieP · 16 Jul 2013 at 16:09

As previously mentioned, Alcatraz is a definite and the Segway tour looks great fun (although I've never done it I've seen people on it and it looks great!)

Other than that, Coit Tower is worth a go - very old elevator with it's very own operator and the views are fantastic!

Food-wise, I can't recommend Bubba Gump's enough - the food is very good for the price and the Mississippi Mud Pie desert can feed a small army!

There is also a Chinese restaurant in the Freemont Hotel that's worth a go!

We also did the movie tour which was very interesting ending up at the Lucasarts studio!

The Funktopus · 16 Jul 2013 at 16:32

Don't fly Asiana.

Lethal` · 16 Jul 2013 at 17:30

ic1male said:
Got to go down Lombard Street. Visit Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown. San Francisco is arguably THE best city in the world. I'm dying to go back.

Not sure about this statement. I don't quite see the worldwide fascination with SF to be honest.

Cruiser said:
rent a bike from one of the piers and cycle across golden gate

one of the catamran boat tours under the golden gate?

Definitely rent a bike and just go sightseeing around the city. If you fancy a little workout, ride up to the top of Lombard street, pass all the cars and go down on cycles

StevieP said:
=

We also did the movie tour which was very interesting ending up at the Lucasarts studio!

A friend did this earlier in the year, apparently pretty interesting

Napa Valley is the place for vineyards. I've heard good things about steak at the Kitchen Door in Napa.

If you have time go up to Muir Woods (North of the GG) and explore. Even better - if you're into hiking then start at Muir Woods and hike to the top of Mt Tamalpais for a great view of the bay/SF.

ic1male · 16 Jul 2013 at 17:33

Lethal` said:
I don't quite see the worldwide fascination with SF to be honest.

Are you an American yourself or just emigrated to San Jose?

izzop · 16 Jul 2013 at 17:51

Hi,

Just wondered how long you're off for & if you booked a package or separate flights and accommodation?

Have always fancied going to San Francisco, along with a Fly Drive on the West Coast.

Regards

Lethal` · 16 Jul 2013 at 17:53

ic1male said:
Are you an American yourself or just emigrated to San Jose?

How dare you accuse me of being American

I've been here for almost a year now on an internship. I'll be returning to the homeland within the next month. One last west coast road trip before then though!

I feel like I've explored a large portion of the bay area so if anyone has any questions on places to go feel free to ask.

ic1male · 16 Jul 2013 at 17:54

Lethal` said:
How dare you accuse me of being American

I've been here for almost a year now on an internship. I'll be returning to the homeland within the next month. One last west coast road trip before then though!

LMAO. Well, why hasn't San Francisco captivated you personally?

Lethal` · 16 Jul 2013 at 18:12

ic1male said:
LMAO. Well, why hasn't San Francisco captivated you personally?

A few examples:

The weather is generally foggy and dull. Sometimes it is sunny, but most of the time it is a good 5-10C less than San Jose and cloudy with fog.
It's filthy.
Hotels are mega expensive (so is rent btw).
Homeless and beggars everywhere.

Don't get me wrong... It's NOT that bad, it's nice to visit and explore but I honestly think I would be disappointed if I made a trip all the way from the UK just for San Francisco so it's important to explore the surrounding areas and further South.

Tunney · 16 Jul 2013 at 19:54

Anchor Steam brewery tour!

Maybe catch some sports - both the Giants and 49ers have done well recently.

Malt_Vinegar · 16 Jul 2013 at 20:04

Lethal` said:
A few examples:

The weather is generally foggy and dull. Sometimes it is sunny, but most of the time it is a good 5-10C less than San Jose and cloudy with fog.

It's filthy.

Hotels are mega expensive (so is rent btw).

Homeless and beggars everywhere.

Don't get me wrong... It's NOT that bad, it's nice to visit and explore but I honestly think I would be disappointed if I made a trip all the way from the UK just for San Francisco so it's important to explore the surrounding areas and further South.

Which tech company you interning with? Quite a few of the big ones in San Jose..

funguST · 16 Jul 2013 at 20:20

Theres a good bar called Jacks, not sure where it is exactly but if you follow the sea front past fishermans warf etc and head to the golden gate bridge, just before you get to fort mason you'll see loads of bike tour companies etc.

The bar has 60 odd beers/ales etc on tap! Foods looked good aswell.

Freefaller · 16 Jul 2013 at 21:06

I prefer the Sonoma valley to Napa valley personally.

wango2 · 16 Jul 2013 at 22:13

I got married in SF at the Palace of Fine Arts - beautiful place. Pier 49 is cool and Fisherman's Wharf as has been said. A trip to see Alamo Square park to see the painted ladies is great. Golden Gate Park is well worth a visit, especially the Japanese tea garden. If you've got a good few hours to kill then Muir Woods isn't too far away and is a much easier trip to see redwoods than Yosemite. There's a company that offers filming location tours which was a lot better than I thought it would be. Would love to go back!

toshj · 17 Jul 2013 at 01:15

izzop said:
Hi,

Just wondered how long you're off for & if you booked a package or separate flights and accommodation?

Have always fancied going to San Francisco, along with a Fly Drive on the West Coast.

Regards

We've not booked a package, so wouldn't be able to advise on the best option I'm afraid. Flying in to SF on Saturday afternoon, then driving out on Thursday morning to head into Sonoma Valley for wine drinking for a couple of days and then to a wedding on the Saturday.

Tunney said:
Anchor Steam brewery tour!

Maybe catch some sports - both the Giants and 49ers have done well recently.

Genius! I'd been trying to fit in a tour of the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, but having just booked our hotels for ex-SF it looks like this won't be possible, and Anchor Steam had completely slipped me mind. Looks like it's pretty busy though so might have missed the opportunity, but will give them a call tomorrow.

Bought tickets earlier in the week for the Giants v Diamondbacks - not been to a baseball game before so really looking forward to it. Think we've got decent seats too!

-Ad- · 17 Jul 2013 at 08:49

Go to Pier 39 / Fisherman's wharf

Do it, take photos, take a boat ride, leave. Tourist pish

Go out in the Marina district, plenty of cool bars and places to eat, well away from the tourist hoards.

PAz · 17 Jul 2013 at 09:16

Which hotel are you in? Can't decide where to stay when I go in October..

HEADRAT · 17 Jul 2013 at 13:50

Don't get pecked by a Pelican like I did!!

If you like garlic:-

http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

toshj · 17 Jul 2013 at 14:11

PAz said:
Which hotel are you in? Can't decide where to stay when I go in October..

Staying at Villa Florence by Union Square. Looks ok and they've already been very helpful with regards to something I needed to organise.

HEADRAT said:
Don't get pecked by a Pelican like I did!!

If you like garlic:-

http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

Looks interesting, might have to give it a try!

daveski · 17 Jul 2013 at 14:28

Lethal` said:
Not sure about this statement. I don't quite see the worldwide fascination with SF to be honest.

I went last year for 3 days at the end of a fly drive holiday and didn't really enjoy it.

Did most of the stuff mentioned in the thread, even been in the bar HEADRAT mentioned. I loved the night Alcatraz tour but the rest of the city left me feeling cold.

funguST · 17 Jul 2013 at 15:26

daveski said:
I went last year for 3 days at the end of a fly drive holiday and didn't really enjoy it.

Did most of the stuff mentioned in the thread, even been in the bar HEADRAT mentioned. I loved the night Alcatraz tour but the rest of the city left me feeling cold.

Same i didnt think too much of SF, did a day trip to Yosemite from there which was good.