San Fran experts: need help with Bay vista points
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San Fran experts: need help with Bay vista points
I am having hard time figuring out the vista points (onto the Bay) from the city - which we could -ideally -reach without climbing (e.g, by cable car or taxi) and to make things even better-- where we could linger and take in the view (in a cafe or on a blanket). I would appreciate if you mention these details (how to get there and where to position opps). Many thanks.
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alamo square is an awesome picturesque place to view not only the great "Painted ladies" (Victorians) but behind the row of Victorians is the skyline of the city. Sit in the park, enjoy a book, or lunch and take in the view..However, you will need to take a bus or cab to get there.
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1. South end of Dolores Park, Church and 20th Street. Directly accessible (with no walk) by taxi, J-Church MUNI metro, and by various bus lines with a short walk. This is one of the most popular spots for enjoying the downtown city view with the Bay in the distance, the vibrant green park in the foreground, and the Mission District vibe. Bring a bottle of wine for a beautiful afternoon or evening and have fun people watching as well. Extra bonus: walking distance to some great restaurants and cafes in the Mission.
2. Mt. Davidson, the highest point in San Francisco. Accessible by taxi or by #36 bus, followed by an uphill walk of less than 10 minutes to the top. Bring your own provisions because there's nothing there but the gorgeous views in 3 directions, but it's a beautiful place to sit on a blanket and take it all in.
3. Twin Peaks. Taxi or #37 bus. More amazing views, closer to the Bay than Mt. Davidson. No services, more populated with other tourists.
4. Bernal Hill. #24 bus or taxi. Super views across the city, parts of the Bay, and to the south. Requires a climb up the hill but you can get fairly high before you have to walk. Bring your own provisions, then descend to Cortland Street to enjoy one of the coffee shops or restaurants in Bernal Heights, one of the hottest real estate markets in the city (and country, supposedly).
5. The Tower at De Young Museum, Golden Gate Park. Glass enclosed, unlike #1-4. Only 9 floors up, but the view is stunning and the entrance to the tower is free (you don't have to pay the museum admission fee). After you've taken in the view, you can enjoy drinks and a light meal in the museum cafe.
These are all distant views of the Bay, with the spectacular city and its hills arrayed before you. Others might provide suggestions for a closer view of the water, if that's what you are looking for.
2. Mt. Davidson, the highest point in San Francisco. Accessible by taxi or by #36 bus, followed by an uphill walk of less than 10 minutes to the top. Bring your own provisions because there's nothing there but the gorgeous views in 3 directions, but it's a beautiful place to sit on a blanket and take it all in.
3. Twin Peaks. Taxi or #37 bus. More amazing views, closer to the Bay than Mt. Davidson. No services, more populated with other tourists.
4. Bernal Hill. #24 bus or taxi. Super views across the city, parts of the Bay, and to the south. Requires a climb up the hill but you can get fairly high before you have to walk. Bring your own provisions, then descend to Cortland Street to enjoy one of the coffee shops or restaurants in Bernal Heights, one of the hottest real estate markets in the city (and country, supposedly).
5. The Tower at De Young Museum, Golden Gate Park. Glass enclosed, unlike #1-4. Only 9 floors up, but the view is stunning and the entrance to the tower is free (you don't have to pay the museum admission fee). After you've taken in the view, you can enjoy drinks and a light meal in the museum cafe.
These are all distant views of the Bay, with the spectacular city and its hills arrayed before you. Others might provide suggestions for a closer view of the water, if that's what you are looking for.
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Thank you April for detailed suggestions! A lot to process and choose from indeed! We will have less than a day before catching a return flight home after our road trip and the vistas i felt we didnt do justice to as we first visited the city upon our arrival to ca
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I think frequent poster Stu Dudley is in France right now so I'll post his helpful list of best viewing spots on his behalf (taken from his much longer post on touring San Francisco on this forum):
Without a car
Downtown, North Beach, Wharf areas
1. Coit tower – views west & toward financial district. Early in the morning.
2. Jack Early Park – East of Grant between Chestnut & Francisco. Perhaps smallest park in SF.
3. Top floor of the parking garage above the Police station on Vallejo between Stockton & Powell
4. Where Vallejo ends (temporarily) just east of Jones. There is a lookout & small park for a picnic. If you arrive from Vallejo & Jones (vs. the stairs from Taylor), there is an unusual street entrance to this area. This is a public street so don’t feel like it is a private residential area & avoid it. You can also walk there from the prior view spot #3 – go up Vallejo stairs west of Mason. This is one of my favorite lookout spots.
Farther out – take Muni
5. Twin Peaks in the afternoon
6. Randall Museum – go up to top of hill. Best in the late afternoon.
7. Bernal Heights hill
8. Billy Goat Hill (off Beacon St or walk up hill from south end of Castro). Best in late afternoon
9. Kite Hill – Yukon & 19th St. Best in late afternoon.
10. Anywhere along Broadway between Webster & Lyon. Best spot is at Lyon. Two of the richest men in the U.S. live close buy on Broadway. Lots of luxurious mansions. Walk down the stairs at Lyon.
11. El Camino Del Mar & then Lincoln Blvd going East through GGNRA & Presidio – killer views of the Golden Gate and the bridge. I always take guests on this route. Stop at China Beach. No Muni available on El Camino Del Mar. Take #18 to Palace of Legion of Honor & walk El Camino Del Mar to Lincoln & then take #29, or walk entire route. Lots of places to stop. Great for biking. A perfect ½ day tour would be a visit to the Palace of Legion of Honor (great Rodin statues) and then a beautiful walk down El Camino Del Mar (It’s downhill), through Seacliff, and then up Lincoln until your legs start to holler, then get on the #29 bus. This is a spectacular area. Try to do this on a clear day. DO NOT MISS. See Attraction #14 also.
12. Golden Gate Bridge – late in the day.
13. South West corner of Mission Dolores Park (20th & Church). Take the J-Church there & sit on left side going outbound & right side inbound. Get out & enjoy the park & view. J-Church stops there
With a car
14. From Treasure Island early in the morning. (left lane exit off Bay Bridge)
15. Lookout at north end of GG Bridge (late in the day) – but continue on to next viewpoint (#16)
16. GGNRA north of GG bridge. This is probably the BEST view of SF. You can look through the bridge & then above the bridge to SF and all the way south down the San Mateo County Coast on a clear day. Do this late in the day. Take the first exit past the lookout (#15) off the GG Bridge going North (marked Alexander Ave). Turn left the first chance you have, & go under 101. Follow the sign back to SF, but just before getting on 101, make a right turn up the road & follow this road. It’s easier to find than this description might indicate (get a AAA map & take a road called Conzelman). Old WWII bunkers & gun turrets along the way. DON’T MISS.
17. From Sausalito – late in the day
18. From Tiburon – late in the day (or take the Tiburon ferry from Pier 1)
By Boat
19. Alcatraz - late in the day or in late June/early July
Without a car
Downtown, North Beach, Wharf areas
1. Coit tower – views west & toward financial district. Early in the morning.
2. Jack Early Park – East of Grant between Chestnut & Francisco. Perhaps smallest park in SF.
3. Top floor of the parking garage above the Police station on Vallejo between Stockton & Powell
4. Where Vallejo ends (temporarily) just east of Jones. There is a lookout & small park for a picnic. If you arrive from Vallejo & Jones (vs. the stairs from Taylor), there is an unusual street entrance to this area. This is a public street so don’t feel like it is a private residential area & avoid it. You can also walk there from the prior view spot #3 – go up Vallejo stairs west of Mason. This is one of my favorite lookout spots.
Farther out – take Muni
5. Twin Peaks in the afternoon
6. Randall Museum – go up to top of hill. Best in the late afternoon.
7. Bernal Heights hill
8. Billy Goat Hill (off Beacon St or walk up hill from south end of Castro). Best in late afternoon
9. Kite Hill – Yukon & 19th St. Best in late afternoon.
10. Anywhere along Broadway between Webster & Lyon. Best spot is at Lyon. Two of the richest men in the U.S. live close buy on Broadway. Lots of luxurious mansions. Walk down the stairs at Lyon.
11. El Camino Del Mar & then Lincoln Blvd going East through GGNRA & Presidio – killer views of the Golden Gate and the bridge. I always take guests on this route. Stop at China Beach. No Muni available on El Camino Del Mar. Take #18 to Palace of Legion of Honor & walk El Camino Del Mar to Lincoln & then take #29, or walk entire route. Lots of places to stop. Great for biking. A perfect ½ day tour would be a visit to the Palace of Legion of Honor (great Rodin statues) and then a beautiful walk down El Camino Del Mar (It’s downhill), through Seacliff, and then up Lincoln until your legs start to holler, then get on the #29 bus. This is a spectacular area. Try to do this on a clear day. DO NOT MISS. See Attraction #14 also.
12. Golden Gate Bridge – late in the day.
13. South West corner of Mission Dolores Park (20th & Church). Take the J-Church there & sit on left side going outbound & right side inbound. Get out & enjoy the park & view. J-Church stops there
With a car
14. From Treasure Island early in the morning. (left lane exit off Bay Bridge)
15. Lookout at north end of GG Bridge (late in the day) – but continue on to next viewpoint (#16)
16. GGNRA north of GG bridge. This is probably the BEST view of SF. You can look through the bridge & then above the bridge to SF and all the way south down the San Mateo County Coast on a clear day. Do this late in the day. Take the first exit past the lookout (#15) off the GG Bridge going North (marked Alexander Ave). Turn left the first chance you have, & go under 101. Follow the sign back to SF, but just before getting on 101, make a right turn up the road & follow this road. It’s easier to find than this description might indicate (get a AAA map & take a road called Conzelman). Old WWII bunkers & gun turrets along the way. DON’T MISS.
17. From Sausalito – late in the day
18. From Tiburon – late in the day (or take the Tiburon ferry from Pier 1)
By Boat
19. Alcatraz - late in the day or in late June/early July
#10
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If you want a great view with a drink or a meal, go to Epic Roasthouse or Waterbar on the Embarcadero. Or you can just sit outside without buying a thing. The views aren't panoramic because you're at "ground level", but they are sensational, especially at night looking at the art installation (lights) on the Bay Bridge.