San Francisco Tips
- Thread starter rawfa
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rawfa
Veteran
We're going to San Francisco because my sister is doing a 3 year doctorate in biology there...actually she lives 30 minutes by metro from San Fran. But like I said 8 days is probably too much, so we're looking into visiting places within a 2 hour an a half ratio from SF (by train).
The shark thing sounds really amazing. I've never even been near a live shark. Is there such a thing as a tour boat to see the sharks? That would be pretty amazing.
Ferret Lady
Well-known member
you are going to LOVE san francisco. i visited it for the first time last summer for a week. then i went again this august for a few days again. i want to move there, really.
i think you've already been advised of all the best tourist spots. if i repeat what anyone else has said, i apologize, but some great things to see during the day are of COURSE a harbour cruise (around alcatraz, under the golden gate, you get a good history lesson, etc) and then the actual tour they give you INSIDE of alcatraz, which is awesome, COIT TOWER, The Mission District which has amazing murals and culture, Lombard St (aka the Crookedest ST in the WORLD, you MUST see this) san francisco Zoo, Ocean Beach which is just outside of the Zoo, Dolores Park (When i was there, they had an outdoor movie showing at this park of 16 Candles. one of the greatest things i've ever done), go see a football game, OAKLAND is easily accesable by taking the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, aka, the subway) or the 49ers, or a baseball game if it's baseball season but i wouldnt know about that ha ha, i saw barry bonds but that was last july.. anyways also the painted ladies AKA Postcard Row across the street from Alamo Square (the houses from the opening scene of Full House), ride a cable car (be prepared to wait in a HUGE line up tho.. i just took pictures of them cuz i hate lines...), chinatown (altho it smells there, i didnt much care for it ha ha), if you are gay-friendly they have a major gay district called The Castro which actually has some good restaurants and pubs (hey you never know), stay aWAY from the Tenderloin (the SKID ROW of san fran), the different methods of transportation are cool to experience (THE BART, the trains, the cable cars, the trolleys, etc), Fisherman's Warf, yes, of course.
Go to Pier 1 and walk all the way to Pier 39. it will take you about half an hour. there are beautiful sights along the way. when you get the Pier 39, that is Fisherman's Warf, the very popular tourist area. it's from here that boats go into the harbour for cruises or to take you to alcatraz and stuff. there are great shops there to get all your SF gifts for good prices and awesome restaurants and entertainment. there's an aquarium there as well altho i havent checked it out.
There is a shopping mall on market st. aside from that I didnt check out much of the shopping because there is just so much to see in this city. you can walk all over the place and never get bored. the financial district contains the Transamercia Pyramid. wow i could go on and on.
I'll leave you with one thing. Down at Pier 1, also known as the Embaradero, there is a big fountain and some grass. The last time I went down there, the first thing i did every day was go lay in the sun next to the fountain, under the palm trees, and listen to the wild parrots. yes, wild parrots. absolutely amazing.
and i hear it's hottest in the winter months, so you should be good, but there's usually a cool breeze, even on the hottest day, so be prepared just in case.
hope this helps, have a GREAT time, and thanks for reminding me that it's been too long since I was in san francisco...
i think you've already been advised of all the best tourist spots. if i repeat what anyone else has said, i apologize, but some great things to see during the day are of COURSE a harbour cruise (around alcatraz, under the golden gate, you get a good history lesson, etc) and then the actual tour they give you INSIDE of alcatraz, which is awesome, COIT TOWER, The Mission District which has amazing murals and culture, Lombard St (aka the Crookedest ST in the WORLD, you MUST see this) san francisco Zoo, Ocean Beach which is just outside of the Zoo, Dolores Park (When i was there, they had an outdoor movie showing at this park of 16 Candles. one of the greatest things i've ever done), go see a football game, OAKLAND is easily accesable by taking the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, aka, the subway) or the 49ers, or a baseball game if it's baseball season but i wouldnt know about that ha ha, i saw barry bonds but that was last july.. anyways also the painted ladies AKA Postcard Row across the street from Alamo Square (the houses from the opening scene of Full House), ride a cable car (be prepared to wait in a HUGE line up tho.. i just took pictures of them cuz i hate lines...), chinatown (altho it smells there, i didnt much care for it ha ha), if you are gay-friendly they have a major gay district called The Castro which actually has some good restaurants and pubs (hey you never know), stay aWAY from the Tenderloin (the SKID ROW of san fran), the different methods of transportation are cool to experience (THE BART, the trains, the cable cars, the trolleys, etc), Fisherman's Warf, yes, of course.
Go to Pier 1 and walk all the way to Pier 39. it will take you about half an hour. there are beautiful sights along the way. when you get the Pier 39, that is Fisherman's Warf, the very popular tourist area. it's from here that boats go into the harbour for cruises or to take you to alcatraz and stuff. there are great shops there to get all your SF gifts for good prices and awesome restaurants and entertainment. there's an aquarium there as well altho i havent checked it out.
There is a shopping mall on market st. aside from that I didnt check out much of the shopping because there is just so much to see in this city. you can walk all over the place and never get bored. the financial district contains the Transamercia Pyramid. wow i could go on and on.
I'll leave you with one thing. Down at Pier 1, also known as the Embaradero, there is a big fountain and some grass. The last time I went down there, the first thing i did every day was go lay in the sun next to the fountain, under the palm trees, and listen to the wild parrots. yes, wild parrots. absolutely amazing.
and i hear it's hottest in the winter months, so you should be good, but there's usually a cool breeze, even on the hottest day, so be prepared just in case.
hope this helps, have a GREAT time, and thanks for reminding me that it's been too long since I was in san francisco...
joemiked
Well-known member
bay area native 35 years here!!!!,
my advice first weds of the moth state parks are free!
see palace of fine arts on a weds first of the month to save!!!!!!!auquariums and exploratoruim for your science fix.
china town for inexpensive eats.north beach for finer dinning and night life.
and haight street for what whould be a deadhead scene.
golden gate park for a picninc and sunshine.
the warf for well spending more doh on trinkits and souveniers!!!!!!!
s.f. has the bulk of entertainment for the bay area, most surroundings are urban and industrial ,san jose has soem nightlife its 1 hour away.
oh the cliff house in s.f. may be a point of intrest for historical pictures ,as well as the
persidio(golden gate bridge)
and try a ghost chace on alcatraz island
mike d
www.dailymotion.com/mikedvideo
my advice first weds of the moth state parks are free!
see palace of fine arts on a weds first of the month to save!!!!!!!auquariums and exploratoruim for your science fix.
china town for inexpensive eats.north beach for finer dinning and night life.
and haight street for what whould be a deadhead scene.
golden gate park for a picninc and sunshine.
the warf for well spending more doh on trinkits and souveniers!!!!!!!
s.f. has the bulk of entertainment for the bay area, most surroundings are urban and industrial ,san jose has soem nightlife its 1 hour away.
oh the cliff house in s.f. may be a point of intrest for historical pictures ,as well as the
persidio(golden gate bridge)
and try a ghost chace on alcatraz island
mike d
www.dailymotion.com/mikedvideo
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Hi Rawfa:
Your chances of seeing a real Great White out there are slim, but not impossible. No, no boat tours for seeing them that I am aware of. I was up there last year about this time and we did sit out on the beach for a couple of hours and we did see what looked like a Great White, judging by the dorsal fin color and size. It definitely wasn't a Pilot Whale.
The Muir Woods are sublime as well. Sausalito is beautiful too and has some good places to eat. Just sitting on a cliff overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge can mesmerize me for a few hours, it is so majestic.
You'll have a good time in SF, it's a great city.
Dan