Places to stay/Things to do in San Francisco

[Nutdotnet]

Girlfriend and I are planning a little vacation with stops in Portland and San Francisco. We've both lived in Portland before and know the area real well but I've only been to San Fran once (for about an hour) and she's never been.

Does anyone here have any suggestions on where to stay and things to check out? Or at least what area is best to stay in? We're not going to rent a car so mass transit, cabbies, and walking are our options.

I'm doing plenty of research as well but I figured I'd ask here. Thanks!

 

[ElFenix]

castro street. go to someplace with a name like 'manhole' or '3 dollar bill'

 

[MiniDoom]

smoke pot

 

[JulesMaximus]

There's nothing to do in San Francisco. You should go home now.

Seriously though, Fisherman's Wharf is always cool. I spent some time there, ate lunch on the pier overlooking Alcatraz. I'd like to visit Alcatraz someday.

Lots of good restaurants and bars in the area. I haven't been up there much though.

I'd like to go there for a few days with my wife. Let us know what you do.

 

[trmiv]

Pier 39 is the obvious tourist trap, might as well give that a look. I also used to love to go to the Exploratorium, not sure if that's something you're into though. If you go to Alcatraz just make sure to get tickets in advance, they sell out.

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
castro street. go to someplace with a name like 'manhole' or '3 dollar bill'

what about blue oyster club?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
castro street. go to someplace with a name like 'manhole' or '3 dollar bill'

Lol. I don't want to know how you know the names of places there

Sony has a kind of fun Imax theater (saw the 3rd matrix on it), and go eat some sushi (some great sushi places if you're into sushi).

 

[mrSHEiK124]

I was just in San Fran with family, stayed at the Courtyard Marriott on 2nd & Folsom. OK rates for SF, extremely clean hotel, it's no resort, but it's only a couple of minutes away from Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 and within walking distance of Market Street.

 

[zoiks]

Use the muni to get around. Dunno about the lodging though. I'm sure you can get a good rate on one of those travel websites. I would however rent a car for excursions away from the city that you can't get to by public transportation. Go check the Marin Headlands out which is at the north end of the golden gate bridge. Also you can go to Sausalito to check the shops there when you take the Alexander ave exit right off the bridge.
There are lots of things to do in the city. The restaurants and food there is awesome. You should check out Chinatown/Japantown as well for some stuff you don't need. While you're in the city, I would rent a car and go to Half moon bay along the ocean or down to Santa cruz or check the beaches in between (it'll be cold and the waves might be rough but you can still explore the tidepools and rocky areas). Go to Monterey and Carmel as well. Those places are pretty nice as well.
I could go on, there's just so much stuff here to do. Plan your vacation well and time it out.

 

[jdoggg12]

I like walking downtown - the gf always makes me stop in the mall with the spiral escalator. You can walk/drive lombard street.
Visit the exploratorium
Visit some of the fine hotels like the sir frances/drake
For a cool dinner theres the tonga room, carnerlian room, and many others
Go to a Giants game
There are tons of night clubs, its been years since i've gone. When i was 21 i used to go to club x/city nights. Wasn't great, but a friend worked there.

I'll try to think of more

 

[zinfamous]

If you have time (a day that you can spend on one thing) the Alcatraz + audio tour is worth it. Fisherman's wharf is kinda touristy and fake, but maybe wothwhile for a first-time visit. I enjoy going into the Haight whenever I'm there. lots of good restaurants w/ tasty beer.

Other things that would require transportation: Bay bridge to Berkelely or Oakland (if bullet-dodging sounds fun), or rent a car and cross the Golden Gate to Muir woods.

(GF and I spent 12 days in the Bay area over the holiday; visiting my Brother's family. We're planning to move to Berkeley at the end of summer)

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
castro street. go to someplace with a name like 'manhole' or '3 dollar bill'

Polk St is good too. And see if you can go to Hunters Pt. It's a good family adventure after dark.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: jdoggg12
I like walking downtown - the gf always makes me stop in the mall with the spiral escalator. You can walk/drive lombard street.
Visit the exploratorium
Visit some of the fine hotels like the sir frances/drake
For a cool dinner theres the tonga room, carnerlian room, and many others
Go to a Giants game
There are tons of night clubs, its been years since i've gone. When i was 21 i used to go to club x/city nights. Wasn't great, but a friend worked there.

I'll try to think of more

Hell no, I hate the Giants. One of the reasons we're going is so I can go watch my A's play! OH YEAH!!!! Even though it'll be a bunch of guys I won't recognize...still...I love my team!

Thanks for the advice though, to you and others who helped.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Use the muni to get around. Dunno about the lodging though. I'm sure you can get a good rate on one of those travel websites. I would however rent a car for excursions away from the city that you can't get to by public transportation. Go check the Marin Headlands out which is at the north end of the golden gate bridge. Also you can go to Sausalito to check the shops there when you take the Alexander ave exit right off the bridge.
There are lots of things to do in the city. The restaurants and food there is awesome. You should check out Chinatown/Japantown as well for some stuff you don't need. While you're in the city, I would rent a car and go to Half moon bay along the ocean or down to Santa cruz or check the beaches in between (it'll be cold and the waves might be rough but you can still explore the tidepools and rocky areas). Go to Monterey and Carmel as well. Those places are pretty nice as well.
I could go on, there's just so much stuff here to do. Plan your vacation well and time it out.

So renting a car would be worthwhile? That's not a bad idea, I do know where going over to Oakland at least once, if not twice, to watch baseball and I know she'll want to go explore as well. We're planning on spending 4 nights there (then we're flying to Portland for 3). I figure evenings in SF are good and a day there will be worthwhile but getting out and seeing other areas might not be a bad idea. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Kadarin]

Be sure to check out Power Exchange while you're in SF.

 

[gotsmack]

I'm going April 11-14

Let me know if you're going those days because I have no idea what to do there either. I'm only going because I got free tickets from the last Dockers promo.

 

[CaffeineAndStuff]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: zoiks
Use the muni to get around. Dunno about the lodging though. I'm sure you can get a good rate on one of those travel websites. I would however rent a car for excursions away from the city that you can't get to by public transportation. Go check the Marin Headlands out which is at the north end of the golden gate bridge. Also you can go to Sausalito to check the shops there when you take the Alexander ave exit right off the bridge.
There are lots of things to do in the city. The restaurants and food there is awesome. You should check out Chinatown/Japantown as well for some stuff you don't need. While you're in the city, I would rent a car and go to Half moon bay along the ocean or down to Santa cruz or check the beaches in between (it'll be cold and the waves might be rough but you can still explore the tidepools and rocky areas). Go to Monterey and Carmel as well. Those places are pretty nice as well.
I could go on, there's just so much stuff here to do. Plan your vacation well and time it out.

So renting a car would be worthwhile? That's not a bad idea, I do know where going over to Oakland at least once, if not twice, to watch baseball and I know she'll want to go explore as well. We're planning on spending 4 nights there (then we're flying to Portland for 3). I figure evenings in SF are good and a day there will be worthwhile but getting out and seeing other areas might not be a bad idea. Thanks for the tips!

Do not rent a car in SF. Parking will frustrate you and cost you a fortune.
Take BART to Oakland for the A's games

Only rent a car for a day if you want to go to Napa/Sonoma or Monterey/Carmel. Then take it back when you return to the city - there are rental places downtown.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: gotsmack
I'm going April 11-14

Let me know if you're going those days because I have no idea what to do there either. I'm only going because I got free tickets from the last Dockers promo.

We're going May 5-9 (before heading off to Portland).

Have any ideas where you might be staying?

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: CaffeineAndStuff

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: zoiks
Use the muni to get around. Dunno about the lodging though. I'm sure you can get a good rate on one of those travel websites. I would however rent a car for excursions away from the city that you can't get to by public transportation. Go check the Marin Headlands out which is at the north end of the golden gate bridge. Also you can go to Sausalito to check the shops there when you take the Alexander ave exit right off the bridge.
There are lots of things to do in the city. The restaurants and food there is awesome. You should check out Chinatown/Japantown as well for some stuff you don't need. While you're in the city, I would rent a car and go to Half moon bay along the ocean or down to Santa cruz or check the beaches in between (it'll be cold and the waves might be rough but you can still explore the tidepools and rocky areas). Go to Monterey and Carmel as well. Those places are pretty nice as well.
I could go on, there's just so much stuff here to do. Plan your vacation well and time it out.

So renting a car would be worthwhile? That's not a bad idea, I do know where going over to Oakland at least once, if not twice, to watch baseball and I know she'll want to go explore as well. We're planning on spending 4 nights there (then we're flying to Portland for 3). I figure evenings in SF are good and a day there will be worthwhile but getting out and seeing other areas might not be a bad idea. Thanks for the tips!

Do not rent a car in SF. Parking will frustrate you and cost you a fortune.
Take BART to Oakland for the A's games

Only rent a car for a day if you want to go to Napa/Sonoma or Monterey/Carmel. Then take it back when you return to the city - there are rental places downtown.

That's what I was thinking myself...I know when I went to San Fran, even just for that hour, that the traffic seemed hectic and confusing. I'm an Alaskan...I'm not great around congestion...plus my road rage will probably end up getting me shot.

 

[IronWing]

Walk west on California St until you get to the ocean. Follow the coast back to the Golden Gate. Lots of neat coastal plants and WWII batteries.

 

[OdiN]

When I go there I like to stay at the Fairmont hotel atop Nob Hill. It's very nice.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

BART goes everywhere, make sure you go to the Golden Gate Bridge, very cool walk.

 

[LtPage1]

Spend an afternoon walking around Chinatown, and end up in North Beach- take your pick of Italian restaurants.

 

[KeithTalent]

All I ever do in San Francisco is shop (with the lady) and eat. The number of great restaurants in that city is astounding.

KT

 

[Shortcut]

Find a hotel in the Union Square. From there, you could walk to the Ferry Bldg (for their hoity toity farmer's market), and Fisherman's Wharf. If you're a hardcore walker...you can continue all the way to the Marina, Ghirardelli Square, the Presidio, and Golden Gate Bridge.

And there's plenty of good eats in the Marina and Ghirardelli Square, so you can fill up on the way.