Hi
I'm going on holiday to San Francisco next week.
Does anyone have any must-sees or any recommendations for food etc ?

The only things we have planned are Alcatraz and a day in Napa and Sonama vallies. We'd also like to hire bikes and go across the Golden Gate bridge.

As Tony Bennett would say; "I left my heart in San Francisco"

Although I haven't been, I'm sure it will be fantastic, hope you enjoy it.

Regards, Peter.

I love walking in this city. The hills can be hard work, but worth it for atmosphere, buildings and views. If you start at Union Square and walk on Powell towards Bay, you can take diversions off to ### Hill (Some of the big houses not destroyed in 1906) or California (Grace Cathedral) or Union Street (some good shops), or go a bit through Little Italy - which could include a walk up to the 1930s Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill for a panoramic view - last time we were up there the earthquake practice siren went off

I love the sea lions at Pier 39 - could watch them for ages - lazy, loud and lovely. Other than that, though, I don't know if I'd bother with Fisherman's Wharf any more - it's a great place to stay, but not to visit or shop if you don't like crowds (though my kids made me go to Ripley's Believe it or Don't, last time were were there)

This looks like a really good site, so there could be some eating recommendations worth following. http://www.sftravel.com/sftodo2.html

If you like garlic, try the Stinking Rose



Oops - it didn't occur to me that the name of the Hill wouldn't be acceptable - It's on Clay, between Larkin and Leavenworth, and it's not at all rude

We had lunch at a lovely restaurant just South of San Francisco, on the cliff overlooking the Pacific. Amazing. There was also a great science museum called something like Palace of fine arts exploratorium. Very hands on and fun. Mind you it was 20 years ago might have all changed. I would ditto all the above suggestions, and add the cable car museum, Lombard Street, and there was somewhere to the north in the Napa Valley direction that has Geysers that squirt very regularly.

Yeuch - messy!

It's a great place! Alcatraz recommended, and not being cyclists my wife and I took the bus to the Golden Gate bridge and walked half way over it and back. Fisherman's Wharf is worth a visit in my opinion and use the cable car to get to and from there. There is a very good Sea-life "underwater" aquarium there. Chinatown, Telegraph Hill, Knob Hill (it's not spelt like that!) all very good. Another trick is to look at the postcards and visit the places which have the most card pictures!

If you get a wet or foggy day, you may like to visit the Cable Car museum which explains how it works and is the centre machinery of what is left of a once comprehensive network of cables. (I can't remember where it is other than that it is on the route of the cars - doh!)

For food, I enjoyed my first clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf, and near the town end of the cable car route I found a restaurant that played jazz while eating (but not everyone's taste).

Have a good time!

We are actually staying on Fisherman's wharfe- which will be handy for getting the earliest ferry to Alcatraz (assuming we can get tickets of course !)

Staying there is the best way to see it. And if you are even slightly addicted to chocolate, then you'll be close to Ghiradelli (sp?) Square and the chocolate factory

Book ahead.

Booked it this morning

Stinson Beach (around 20 miles away) is simply gorgeous...
I have memories of sitting there, drinking champagne and erm... let's gloss over the rest

Ianporsche,

Lucky you !!!!

All good tips above - if cyling across the bridge you can go on to Sorsolito and then catch the ferry back from there.

Muir Woods - also worth a trip if you have a car - going the other way driving down to Carmel and beyond is fun also.

Just out of the city is the De Jung musem and the Golden Gate Park.

Cafe de la Presse - just opposite the China Town Gateway has tempting coissant and hot chocolate!!!

Have a great trip.

Kind Regards,

Nigel

We are planning to cycle form Fisherman's wharfe to the bride, then cross the bidge and back. Then cycle down to Golden gate park and explore that a bit on bikes before cycling back to Fisherman's wharfe
(I also quite fancy cycling down Lombard street)

We stayed in Monterray, not far from SF the aquarium was amazing - but when I asked for a map they asked me which language and seemed surprised when I said English