How can you see San Francisco in just 1 full day?

I would make a list of what you want to see.

A couple of weeks ago I took my daughter and 4 1/2 yeaold granddaughter to Yosemite.

On the way back we arrived in San Francisco about 5:30 PM.

I decided we had enough time to see a few things before heading to the airport for an overnight flight.

We went to the top of Lombard Street and found a parking space. We spent about an hour walking down the crooked part and one additional hilly block and then back up. My granddaughter had a ball walking down the curves.

From there we could see Coit Tower as well as Alcatraz and a cable car coming up the hill.

Then we drove over to Fisherman's Wharf and walked around there for a few hours. Stopped in and had a sourdough bowl of soup.

I think we saw enough in a couple of hours.

I suggest you stay in the Union Square area (for big city ambience), take a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and there take a sightseeing cruise of San Francisco Bay (for an up-close look at the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz).

The Alcatraz tour is a big attraction, but it probably won't interest your 16-month-old.

After your bay tour, visit North Beach (for a meal) and Chinatown (for the scene).

HTTY

Hello,

I agree with Myer about making a list of what you would like to see, especially by regions within the city. For instance Union Square activities could be paired with Chinatown since they are so close, etc.

Also if you venture out to Golden Gate park, there is so much to see just in that zone alone. With a toddler, I would consider the park as there is a lot to do there, and also have open space so you wouldn't feel as confined to just museums or what not. In Golden Gate park, the activities that I like for a family are:

- de Young Museum: my favorite thing is to go to the very top of the tower, to get 360 degree views of the entire city, just amazing. Right now there is the Picasso exhibit, and I highly recommend the audio tour, so worth it. The cafeteria restaurant has a nice atmosphere and good food.

- Japanese Tea Garden: beautiful scenery, picture perfect scenery really. Tea there is really inexpensive and they serve small snacks as well.

- California Academy of Sciences: very cool for a nature lover and also good for spotting albino alligators (ok, there is only one, but still cute).

- Dutch windmill at the western edge, where it's just a hop, skip, and jump away from:

- Ocean Beach: western edge of the park, on the other side of the road.

- Conservatory of Flowers: great selection of flowers and plants from around the world.

- At the eastern gate of the park is Haight Ashbury. Personally I prefer to dine and shop along Lincoln, which is the southeastern edge of the park.

Other ideas for neighborhoods are:

- Mission for food, and also artsy home and personal wear (art, decor, clothing/jewelry).

- Union St/Marina for shopping.

- North Beach for food

- Yerba Buena Gardens (SFMoMa museum, and also the kids play area at Yerba Buena Gardens, complete with carousel)

Thank you Mademoiselle!! We have a list going.. but the more I research the more I want to see. And unfortunately that is not going to happen on this short 1 day trip. Is it possible do all of the things you have suggested in one afternoon and then the following morning? If you had to pick just a handful of things to do.. what would you pick?

Also, does anybody have any suggestions for reasonably priced hotel rooms in SF? I was shocked at how much the rooms were going for! They are as expensive as most European cities I have visited!

If you had to pick just a handful of things to do.. what would you pick?

I picked them for you in my post: Union Square, cable car ride, Fisherman's Wharf, harbor cruise, North Beach, and Chinatown.

You'll have a much more satisfying experience if you concentrate your efforts rather than try to see every nook and cranny of the city. As you walk through the neighborhoods I mention, you will find many opportunities for serendipity.

HTTY

San Francisco IS as expensive as European cities (lol) That's a fact.

I have spent just one day in SF several times. I stayed off Union Square at the Andrews Hotel. www.andrewshotel.com

From Union Square, you can walk around in the central part of the city, over to Financial district and Embarcadero, take a cable car down thru Chinatown and to Fisherman's Wharf. I think that makes a fine introduction to the city in a single day. Have a couple meals. I really like Mocca for a lunch with atsmophere http://www.unionsquareshop.com/pages/mocca.html, just the other side of Union Square from the hotel.

If you have a car, follow the 49 Mile drive. One of my friends and I did this one day and saw things neither one of us had seen before (and he LIVES in SF). I recommend printing out the map first. Some of the signs were missing when we did it.

Grasshopper- How long did it take you to do te 49 mile drive? We have a toddler with us who might get restless if we spend half a day stuck in traffic.

Suze- Thanks the info. The Andrews hotels looks nice and not too expensive either!

HTTY- Thank you for the advice. What exactly is there at north beach?

The 49 mile drive can take all day. There are lots of opportunities to get out and explore. The route makes sure you see what SF has to offer. You're not going to be sitting in the car the entire route without stop, unless you choose to.

I think it's a really cool hotel. It's an old one and certainly not the Ritz but it's clean and well located and I think a good value for San Francisco. I've stayed there several times, and sent friends adn coworkers (everyone liked it fine).

Check out the Cow Hollow Motor Inn. It's gotten very good reviews from fellow Fodorites and if you have a car, there's free parking. Union Square is fun but parking can cost an arm and a leg.

Ok good deal. How long does it take to get from the airport to union square?

By the way, North Beach abuts Chinatown and is the Italian community.

<<<How long does it take to get from the airport to union square?>>>

Are you driving? If so, about a half hour, depending on traffic.

Good point about the car. I've never had one in SF and wasn't considering that part when I suggested the hotel.

I would describe North Beach as a little Italy district, with mostly Italian restaurants and cute shops (also home to my favorite Hot Chocolate in all of SF, at Cafe Greko), but this has more info: http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/northbeach/

Neighborhoods where I would try to stick to if I only had 1 day:

http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/unionsquare/ can combine with http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/chinatown/ and North Beach

http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/goldengatepark/ and pair a drive to the Golden Gate bridge or http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/marina/

This feels a bit more urban, but cool and I love SFMoMa: http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/soma/ I would combine with http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/mission/ but this would be of a more food centric region.

I am not a Fisherman's Wharf kind of gal, but if you do Union Square, then you can just take a cable car up to Fisherman's Wharf instead of Chinatown then North Beach.

Ok Mademoiselle, North Beach is now on our list!! Thanks for all of the links.

And yes Suze, we will have a rental car because most of our week long trip will be going towards the Monterey/Carmel area and then on down the coastline. I am a little nervous about traffic in SF and parking.

Oh yeah, that's an important consideration if you'e going to have a car. Parking fees for hotels in Union Square can be upwards of $45/night, altho if you park it yourself in a garage, it'll be a bit cheaper, about $32-$38 for overnight.

Driving in San Francisco is nothing like other big cities - it's pretty tame by comparison to Boston or LA, so not to worry. It would make sense though to stay in a motel with free parking, unless the rate you get somewhere else (e.g. Union Square) is so great that you can afford to pay $35-50 a night to park.

Wow!! I had no idea parking was so expensive! I drive in Dallas traffic sometimes, is ithe traffic similar to that?

Parking meters are $3.50/hr, I would suggest leaving the rental car in an easy to access (close to your hotel) place, and commuting via BART, MUNI, cab, or walking. Parking can be a challenge all over the city, not just cost wise, but availability.

I use this handy link if I am parking out of my comfort zone (I go into the city in the evenings, since the parking meters are free after 6pm in most of the city, the exception is the Embarcadero area in SoMa, they charge special rates from 7pm-11pm, or until 7pm):

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/pgar/garages.htm

Even for me, I normally park after hours and take BART, MUNI, or walk to get around the city.

I have never been to Dallas, but I have been in gridlock traffic on the highways in major cities around the world. The thing about San Francisco is that the highways pretty much circumvent the city, the central freeway does go into the middle but it ends there. So by SF traffic I am thinking of street by street, and it is not only busy, but I would describe the driving as being a bit aggressive. Even highway 101 north, that connects from 80, and 280 is really going through the streets (Van Ness Ave) for a long distance until you reach the Golden Gate bridge. If you do drive, keep an eye out for cabs (darting), busses, cyclists, and lots of one-way streets.

Ok good to know.. This may sound silly, but is a small toddler allowed on BART, in cabs, etc.? I ask because he has to be in a carseat and I didn't know if it was illegal for him to not be in one while in a vehicle? Do you see other Moms with their little ones on them?

Here in Texas everone drives their big SUV's, even downtown into Dallas. I have only taken DART once.. and that was just for fun... lol thats kinda sad!

Load your family onto a daylong Grayline tour with hop off options... no parking, traffic and 25 stops... skip those you don't want, wander those you do... it's hard to see everything on your own in such a short time...

Add a cable car ride and add the Alcatraz tour and you see about 90% of everything for a great taste of the city...

Another option for hotel location might be The Embarcadero, close to many things, but especially across from the Ferry Building for some nice eats.

Embarcadero is a very nice area, but parking around here (I work in the Embarcadero Center) is VERY expensive, both at hotels and in private lots. That said, I understand you can often get the Hyatt Regency (right on the Embarcadero) on Priceline or Hotwire.

We may end up staying in a cheaper location outside of the city center. Any suggestions? I just dont want to have to pay for hotel parking on two rental cars.

Also the next morning we are planning to leave SF around noon and head down to Big Basin Redwood State Park. Is the Skyline drive road/SR 35 a scenic route to take? Also is that the best park to see mature redwoods in the area?

After spending a few hours at the park, we plan to drive in to Monterey and spend the night.

Is all that even possible in one day?

Also what's in Santa Cruz?

Thanks everyone for all the help. I really appreciate it!

Santa Cruz is a beach town with traditional boardwalk (including rides).

One thing to be aware of is that the road into Big Basin from Hwy 35 is VERY twisty and windy. It not only takes longer than you'd expect to get there, but if anyone in the car is prone to motion-sickness, make sure they take some Dramamine or equivalent beforehand. My sister is very sensitive in that regard and she just can't handle the drive to BB.

But yes, this is definitely the place to see the redwoods in the area - there's a short loop trail, easy enough for the toddler, that highlights the big guys in the park. Nice little interpretive center there, too.

Here a place that is:
* In the city center
* Cheap
* has free parking

http://www.cowhollowmotorinn.com/

At least give them a call before you commit to staying in the 'burbs.

I have never stayed at Cow Hollow Motor Inn but that link sounds very good and with free parking! I would choose the area you want and bid 4stars on Priceline just to see what you could get for, say, $100.00. You could then afford the high parking. OR, if you can't get anything for that, go to Cow Hollow.
I think your little one would enjoy the barking seals on Fisherman Wharf, heck, I'm old and I enjoyed them I think they are on pier 39. We had lunch at a restaurant that had views of them.
My husband drove into the city, we parked the car and didn't use it agian til we left. What I remember is all the hills and how on Taylor Street, I felt as if I was on a rollar coaster.
We went to Muir Woods and walked the redwoods but it sounds like Big Basin is more convient for you. I think your little one will also like the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz

AS long as you realize that staying "cheaper location outside the city center" will even further cut down on your already incredibly short time to try to see the city.

Hazel- thanks for the tip! I do get carsick.. but I have driven the Hana highway in Hawaii, and the Amalf coast in Italy and was fine.. Is it worse than that? How long do you think it takes to get to the park from the highway?

Bardo- I am going to check out Cow Hollow Inn.. I need to call them to ask a few questions. The website isn't as informative as I would like.

cd- I have tried priceline for a sf hotel.. but without luck!! I am bidding too low! Especially in union square!! Hotels there are several hundred a night. If we were going to spend any time in the hotel I wouldn't mind paying that.. but that's alot to spend just for a bed.

chriskd has this same question (ttt)

<<<AS long as you realize that staying "cheaper location outside the city center" will even further cut down on your already incredibly short time to try to see the city.>>>


Maybe, maybe not. If they mean outside the city, definitely true. If they mean outside the city center (meaning, for ex., Lombard Street), the motel might actually be closer to certain things they want to see, like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Crissy Field and the Marina Green.

Depends on what you consider the "city center". It doesn't sound to me like the OP is planning to do a lot of shopping, the primary activity for Union Square (or going to the theater). San Francisco is all about the neighborhoods. The Marina is a pretty decent neighborhood. The Cow Hollow Inn is walking distance to many options; restaurants, cafes, the Marina Green, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square.... It's easy access to public transportation to get to the Embarcadero and Union Square. Having free parking makes it easier to go to Goldengate Park, the Zoo, the beach...

Seems like a good option if it's in their price range.

Just to see what Google Maps directions said, I plugged in Cow Hollow Motor Inn as the starting point and Big Basin Redwoods State Park as the destination (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&om=1&ll=47.931066,6.723633&spn=13.223184,29.970703) and it says it's an hour and 45 minutes, start-to-finish, but I'd say probably two hours for someone unfamiliar with the area and driving perhaps more slowly. Hwy 35 is indeed a very pretty drive, basically along the ridge of the coastal mountains separating the coast from the inland peninsula.

I haven't been to Hana, but I have been on the Amalfi Coast, and the majority of the drive is no worse, but there are some places the last few miles into the park where the road is barely more than one lane. If you can handle the road to Hama, from what I've heard, you'll be okay.

Cow Hollow would be great if you'd like to spend time with your 16 month old in an open area (Crissy Field and Marina Green). Crissy Field is a nice mellow walking beach area with amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Not sure if the visitors center is open now because of some road construction, but the warming hut cafe probably is (anyone know?).
Also, with a 16 month old it is probably better to see the bridge form here or Fort Point (underneath the bridge) rather than going ON the bridge. The idea of young kids walking on the bridge scares me because of all the pedestrians, the bicycles and the traffic so close by. Not enough room for a toddler. If you go on the bridge, keep your kid in your arms.
doing a walk before the drive to Big Basin would probably be a good idea, depending on your kid's typical schedule. Have a great time.
And here is a great place to stop for a casual meal or snack if you are hungry near Moss Landing
Phil's Fish Market (yummy and so California Central Coast) http://www.philsfishmarket.com/

Thanks Suz24- we weren't planning on going across te bridge for exactly that reason.

Grasshopper- you are right, we are not planning on doing alot of shopping.. (on this visit!)

I am going to have to come back in a few years when my little guy gets a little older.

Any other suggestions on places to eat in SF? What is SF famous for? In Texas it's all about the BBQ and Tex-Mex.

Marlena,

What neighborhood will you be staying in and what is your plan for the day?

It would help tailor dining suggestions to what is most convenient. I wouldn't want to recommend a place in North Beach if you plan to spend the day in Golden Gate Park, for example.

We still haven't booked the hotel.. I finally got the SF tourism book into with a detailed map. So hopefully that will help us with an outline of our day, as well as a hotel.

Ugh.. one day is just NOT enough time!!

hi Marlena06,
I've been away from the forums for awhile so just now seeing you question about toddlers on BART and most definitely, yes they are welcome. Even if a train is full and someone sees a passenger with a small child whom is standing, most nearest the door would offer that seat to the parent and child, so I think BART is great for getting to and fro with a family.


Like I mentioned before about driving and parking, I think one is better off just getting around via public transport or cabs as finding parking is a challenge most anywhere in the city and can be quite pricey. Also, keep in mind that most street parking or metered spaces have time limits. Most residential neighborhood or street parking without meters is limited to 2 hours blocks when that parking can even be found. Most metered spaces vary anywhere from 30mins-2 hours, often in the 1 hour range. Of course, one can park in a garage for a longer duration.