What are you looking for? A church? An outdoor location? A scenic location? A meal and cake afterwards? Me, I'd go to Glide for the ceremony, volunteer to serve a meal to the homeless in appreciation of 25 good years, and have a wedding cake delivered to serve everyone at lunch. Or you could go to a beautiful location and have a JP meet you there and eat and drink afterwards.

https://www.glide.org/

Some places that I have attended non traditional weddings in SF, i.e. not big productions: Shakespeare Garden and the Conservatory in Golden Gate Park; The Legion of Honor; Various sites in the Presidio, including the Presidio Interfaith Chapel, the Chapel of Our Lady, and Chrissy Field; Ocean Beach (nighttime bonfire);and lots in City Hall's Rotunda (very popular because of the magnificent staircase).

If you have a rental car and if it's a clear day, Marin Headlands overlooking the GG Bridge/SF Bay. Breathtaking views.

If we don't do ours on Kauai, it would probably be here.
Top of Coit Tower would also be cool.

We are open to a church venue, outdoors, simple but memorable. I like the JP meeting us somewhere we have picked. LOL, How do you contact a JP in SF? Thank you for the ideas so far, I am going to google the suggested sites. I appreciate the suggestions. No rental car but we figured walking & public transportation/taxis when needed.

Would you really want a JP or cleric of some kind who doesn't know you to officiate? If it were me, I would just get gussied up with SO and go somewhere beautiful and say our vows to each other. But I'm not big on authority in general I hope you find a lovely spot, SF is full of them!

If you will be with friends or family members they could actually be deputized for the day to officiate. It's pretty simply. You just apply at the San Francisco County Clerk's Office (in City Hall) and pay a fee. Last time I checked it was something like $120--I did it for a number of same sex weddings in City Hall, but the fee was waived in order to take care of the volume of ceremonies. Anyway you can actually get deputized the day of the wedding but the hours that the Clerk does the deputization are pretty narrow.

" It is just the two of us and we want to do something casual but meaningful but not engage a lot of services"

What about the Hornblower yachts, I have seen weddings on those cruises.

Okay, since it's just the two of you (ie, no family or friends to celebrate with you), permit me to suggest the following:

Go to a place you two would find romantic, by yourselves.
Each of you recite, to each other, about a page of WHY you want to continue the marriage after having lived with the other for 25 years (I'm going to presume this should be no problem). Since it's just the two of you, each of you can be completely honest and fun: "I want to continue our marriage because you put up with my snoring when you're trying to watch a late game." Each of you might just find some aspect that your partner likes about you that you never knew was that important -- which is exactly the POINT of this!
Then, simultaneously make a vow to each other to continue to do what you intend to do. You'll have to write this ahead of time, but it shouldn't be more than a few sentences.

To invite anyone else to this event would require that you pay a complete stranger to do something that you don't need anyone to do.

Ditto PaulRabe. I don't see what a stranger adds.

~Liz

I love it PaulRabe & others! I was not thinking outside the box. That is exactly the atmosphere I wanted to create. Perfect, not just an affirmation of original vows but the reasons to continue. No strangers necessary. Now I am on to pick the right place for us. Thank you!!!

2 thoughts that came to mind is the October weather and no car.

Since the weather is likely to be windy and chilly, outdoors is likely to be uncomfortable at best.

Normally I would not consider a tour, but this might be a good option. The 2 ladies who run "Carried Away" (name sort of fits?) do custom tours and would do a fabulous job. They could provide transport & know all sorts of hidden special places. Able to customize to include weather & transport issues as well as arrange a JP & perhaps a private romantic dinner after your vow renewal...and a champagne limo ride at night over to Marin Headlands to see the twinkling lights of the Golden Gate Bridge & San Francisco.
http://www.carriedawaysf.com/

Or they could "carry away" to Napa Sonoma...much more options for perhaps a private vow ceremony in say one of the winery cottages or even a Cave.

http://www.gloriaferrer.com/winery-weddings/

The other option is to use the Ritz Carlton Concierge...they are great...win Best Concierge Awards Contest frequently. For a nice tip I bet they could offer several suggestions; even a pakage deal with Ritz for the Presidential Suite if you would consider. Best Wishes

When I told my wife (29 years and counting, thank you) about the plan I suggested yesterday, she added another twist to my idea that we will be using on our 30th next May.

Because there are so many places that you might like in the Bay Area, go to 25 of these places and, at each one, recite ONE REASON you want to continue your marriage. Keep your list a secret from the other, so there's a bit of tension at each stop ("Ten things listed and my spouse STILL hasn't mentioned anything about my cooking -- when am I going to hear about that?"). By going to several places, you won't feel like you SHOULD have gone to some other place as the "special" one.

I admit it will be a bit hectic to go to 25 different places in one day, but it's possible; and we two think it would be fun. Like I said, we're going to do *30* such places. My only problem is limiting my list to just 30 reasons I want to stay married.

Of course, if one of your reasons is, "You understand that the purpose of a vacation is to slow down and relax, instead of rushing from one spot to another", then just forget this idea.

"Since the weather is likely to be windy and chilly, outdoors is likely to be uncomfortable at best. "

Most likely not bad actually. Of course it could be cool or rainy. But typically Autumn is the best weather of the year in SF. Now, if you wanted cold - go in June/July.

Janisj-lived in San Francisco Bay area for many years, visit frequently. October is not balmy-esp for people w/no car possibly considering special once in a lifetime outside plans. Tends not to be rainy or foggy, as said in my post it TENDS to be windy & chilly and is a consideration for their plans.
Here is a summary of the San Francisco Weather next 10 day forecast.

Average High between 65-61
Average Low between 57-52
Average Chance of rain everyday between 10%-30% to Partly
Cloudy/Showers
Average Wind everyday between 13-9mph

Well, I live here now and have lived here for nearly 40 years. It is not very likely to rain, but it might (every year of his life, I planned my son's late-October birthday party for indoors and in his entire 27+ years, it has rained ONCE on his actual birthday). It won't likely be what I'd call warm (70° +) it will more likely be fall-like, but windy and chilly isn't likely either, "crisp" is more like it.

like today . . .

Perfect weather, no?

Oh the horrors of OCT weather in SF!!!

I felt so bad for all the Giants fans at ATT Park the last two nights having to bundle up in <gasp> long sleeve t-shirts and windbreakers.

And the 49er fans at yesterday's game. OMG!!! Worse than Green Bay in January. I mean the fans had to be wearing a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 to keep them warm!
Man...I wish I had the sunglass concession!

Seriously, my life long experiences of SF/OCT is that it is a great month to go but, like Kauai, the only guarantees on weather is that there are no guarantees.

I am listening to every suggestion. It is so appreciated. My husband really liked the "reasons we want to stay together" & is already writing things down so that sounds like a winner! I will call the concierge and get their input. And check out "Carried Away" Thank you, this is so much fun!

For someone who will be staying at the Ritz-Carlton, if you want to stop at a church, try Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Cathedral,_San_Francisco

If you're Catholics, try the Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach (aka Little Italy)

http://www.sspeterpaulsf.org/church/

We did 2 "GraceAnn Walden SF Tours", one of Nob Hill and then No. Beach that included stops and the history of both of these fine places. Beautiful.

We are planning on visiting Grace Cathedral since it is so close and St. Peter and Paul looks amazing. Funny, we have made a point to experience the history and churches in Rome & Paris but haven't thought of the ones right here. Embarrassing but will be corrected on this trip!
So far we are planning an unstructured anniversary day with help from the Concierge-a hotel packed picnic & adventure to find a spot that fits the weather & the mood to reaffirm our vows & future. Then dinner at Le Charm. So many restaurants are closed on Sunday but this one did look "charming". The other 2 days will be to explore the ideas we have received. A must for us will be The Tonga Room at the Fairmont since we got married in Tahiti!
Thank you for all the great ideas.

Hope the weather does hold up for you guys.
It was 69 degrees at the start of the Giants/Cards game tonight and the shots from the blimp were amazing.

I was at the game and it was amazing weather! Probably won't continue to be THIS nice, but it should still be good.