San Francisco -- How to see the sights in 2 days?
May 12th, 2008, 12:16 PM
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San Francisco -- How to see the sights in 2 days?
I'm going with my sister to SF for her 40th. Well, I wish we had longer, but we don't. Aside from travel time, we'll have 2 full days (a Saturday and Sunday) to see things. We're staying at the Hotel Adagio (west of Union Sq. area) and we won't have a car. Here's what I was thinking, regarding making the most of our time... please let me know your thoughts and additions!
DAY ONE:
1. Walk to Powell-Hyde cable car turnaround, and take it to Fisherman's Wharf (is it worth it to hop off at Lombard Street?)
2. Fisherman's Wharf -- not really into the touristy stuff, but I'm a musician and REALLY want to visit "Lark in the Morning" store of international instruments.
3. Walk to Coit Tower (walkable from the wharf?) We're 2 women in our early 40s, decent shape (but flatlanders, as we're from Florida!)
4. Walk around North Beach area... want to visit City Lights Bookstore, shops, eat lunch. Recommendations?
5. Walk to Chinatown.
6. Walk (or taxi) back to hotel (not sure of distance... hotel is basically Geary and Jones).
7. We've got tickets to "Beach Blanket Babylon" -- the early show (need to be there at 5:30). I think the day is do-able?
DAY TWO:
1. Taxi to Haight-Ashbury (we're very into all things 60s). Is going to Alamo Square first worth it? (Victorian houses?) Please recommend cool stores, if you know them!
2. Walk through the east side of Golden Gate Park -- Japanese Tea Garden area, other must-sees?
3. Taxi to walk the Golden Gate Bridge (where should we be let off?)
4. Other ideas for the day?
I'm not as sure about this day, and I believe we can add more to it. We're not interested in Alcatraz. We usually love art museums, but have been to MANY fantastic world-famous ones, and I'm not sure we want to spend time inside when there may be more to see outdoors. Seeing the photography collection at SFMOMA, however, seems interesting.
I've read good things about the Ferry Plaza Marketplace (always gets a bunch of stars in guidebooks), but I can't imagine what would be so great about it... is it just gourmet food stalls? Please let me know your thoughts!
I'll be sure to post a trip report once we're back. Thanks in advance for your help!
Carol
DAY ONE:
1. Walk to Powell-Hyde cable car turnaround, and take it to Fisherman's Wharf (is it worth it to hop off at Lombard Street?)
2. Fisherman's Wharf -- not really into the touristy stuff, but I'm a musician and REALLY want to visit "Lark in the Morning" store of international instruments.
3. Walk to Coit Tower (walkable from the wharf?) We're 2 women in our early 40s, decent shape (but flatlanders, as we're from Florida!)
4. Walk around North Beach area... want to visit City Lights Bookstore, shops, eat lunch. Recommendations?
5. Walk to Chinatown.
6. Walk (or taxi) back to hotel (not sure of distance... hotel is basically Geary and Jones).
7. We've got tickets to "Beach Blanket Babylon" -- the early show (need to be there at 5:30). I think the day is do-able?
DAY TWO:
1. Taxi to Haight-Ashbury (we're very into all things 60s). Is going to Alamo Square first worth it? (Victorian houses?) Please recommend cool stores, if you know them!
2. Walk through the east side of Golden Gate Park -- Japanese Tea Garden area, other must-sees?
3. Taxi to walk the Golden Gate Bridge (where should we be let off?)
4. Other ideas for the day?
I'm not as sure about this day, and I believe we can add more to it. We're not interested in Alcatraz. We usually love art museums, but have been to MANY fantastic world-famous ones, and I'm not sure we want to spend time inside when there may be more to see outdoors. Seeing the photography collection at SFMOMA, however, seems interesting.
I've read good things about the Ferry Plaza Marketplace (always gets a bunch of stars in guidebooks), but I can't imagine what would be so great about it... is it just gourmet food stalls? Please let me know your thoughts!
I'll be sure to post a trip report once we're back. Thanks in advance for your help!
Carol
May 12th, 2008, 01:51 PM
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Beach Blanket is basically at the junction of Chinatown and North Beach, so if you can do 4 & 5 and NOT go back to your hotel you'd save yourself some walking. It's not hugely far, but it's probably a good 20 minute walk.
May 12th, 2008, 02:04 PM
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Sounds perfect!
There will also be a Frida Kahlo exhibit at SFMOMA on the days you are there, and you can get advance timed tickets.
In North Beach, drop into Spec's across the street from City Lights, and explore the Grant Ave coffee houses.
In Golden Gate Park, near the Japanese Tea Garden, is the De Young Museum with an awesome tower view of San Francisco, and a bit further down is the Victorian glass Conservatory of Flowers which holds enchantment for dreamy types.
In Fisherman's Wharf have an Irish Coffee where they originated, at the Buena Vista.
There will also be a Frida Kahlo exhibit at SFMOMA on the days you are there, and you can get advance timed tickets.
In North Beach, drop into Spec's across the street from City Lights, and explore the Grant Ave coffee houses.
In Golden Gate Park, near the Japanese Tea Garden, is the De Young Museum with an awesome tower view of San Francisco, and a bit further down is the Victorian glass Conservatory of Flowers which holds enchantment for dreamy types.
In Fisherman's Wharf have an Irish Coffee where they originated, at the Buena Vista.
May 12th, 2008, 02:12 PM
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If you want to use public transportation some of the time, use
http://www.511.org/home.asp to plan your routes. This site was really helpful when we spent a couple of days in San Francisco two years ago.
Lee Ann
http://www.511.org/home.asp to plan your routes. This site was really helpful when we spent a couple of days in San Francisco two years ago.
Lee Ann
May 12th, 2008, 02:47 PM
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I just stayed at the Monaco on Geary this past weekend and we took a bus down Geary (the 38) to get to Golden Gate Park then took it back from Haight Ashbury--we had to transfer at one point but it was easy, we just asked the driver (it was the 44 going to Golden Gate, the 43 from Haight Ashbury). So while you can obviously take a cab, the bus system is easy. We got 3 day MUNI passes and thought they were very handy even though we really just used them for 2 days (if you use the cable cars 3 times, it nearly pays for itself).
Definitely go up in the DeYoung tower--great view! And I really enjoyed walking around the botanical gardens in addition to the Japanese garden.
For my taste the stores in the Haight were not all that interesting (at least the ones we saw), except in the sense that there was kind of a time warp going on with the smoke shops and tie dye.
You can take the Powell-Mason line cable car back to the hotel from North Beach or the 30 bus runs up Columbus to Stockton (we found it easier to catch the bus than find a cab when we got out of a comedy show in North Beach just after midnight). Walking back to the hotel from Stockton (the eastern edge of Union Square) was not a problem for 2 women even late at night.
Definitely go up in the DeYoung tower--great view! And I really enjoyed walking around the botanical gardens in addition to the Japanese garden.
For my taste the stores in the Haight were not all that interesting (at least the ones we saw), except in the sense that there was kind of a time warp going on with the smoke shops and tie dye.
You can take the Powell-Mason line cable car back to the hotel from North Beach or the 30 bus runs up Columbus to Stockton (we found it easier to catch the bus than find a cab when we got out of a comedy show in North Beach just after midnight). Walking back to the hotel from Stockton (the eastern edge of Union Square) was not a problem for 2 women even late at night.
May 12th, 2008, 02:51 PM
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Some good advice above. Also:
1. yes, I think it's worth hopping off the cable car to see the twisty block of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth. You can take it all in briefly enough. Filbert Street between Hyde and Leavenworth is two short blocks from Lombard and is even steeper, though not twisty.
2. one fun thing to see at Pier 39 (Fisherman's Wharf) are the sea lions. They're usually hauled up on a series of small floating docks at one side of the pier area.
3. Fisherman's Wharf to Coit Tower is walkable, but it's definitely more than a mile away. Be prepared for a steep hill with steps leading up to Coit Tower from the North Beach area.
4. the Palace of Fine Arts is the last leftover from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition, as Fodor's San Francisco website puts it, "a San Francisco architect's version of a Roman ruin." It's walkable from the Golden Gate Bridge and serves as a pleasant park area for Marina District residents if you're looking for an add-on for the second day.
5. Alamo Square is a pleasant diversion that shouldn't eat up a lot of time. If memory serves, there's a city bus that runs from downtown to the Haight-Ashbury district that goes right past it. It's mainly a nice photo-op -- if you stand in the park directly across from the much photographed row of Victorian houses, there's a striking view of the downtown skyscrapers behind them.
1. yes, I think it's worth hopping off the cable car to see the twisty block of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth. You can take it all in briefly enough. Filbert Street between Hyde and Leavenworth is two short blocks from Lombard and is even steeper, though not twisty.
2. one fun thing to see at Pier 39 (Fisherman's Wharf) are the sea lions. They're usually hauled up on a series of small floating docks at one side of the pier area.
3. Fisherman's Wharf to Coit Tower is walkable, but it's definitely more than a mile away. Be prepared for a steep hill with steps leading up to Coit Tower from the North Beach area.
4. the Palace of Fine Arts is the last leftover from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition, as Fodor's San Francisco website puts it, "a San Francisco architect's version of a Roman ruin." It's walkable from the Golden Gate Bridge and serves as a pleasant park area for Marina District residents if you're looking for an add-on for the second day.
5. Alamo Square is a pleasant diversion that shouldn't eat up a lot of time. If memory serves, there's a city bus that runs from downtown to the Haight-Ashbury district that goes right past it. It's mainly a nice photo-op -- if you stand in the park directly across from the much photographed row of Victorian houses, there's a striking view of the downtown skyscrapers behind them.
May 12th, 2008, 10:14 PM
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The cable car stops long enough at the top of Lombard Street for a good look. If you get off, there may be many, many full cable cars before one with room for you to get back on. If you're lucky, people will be getting off there, but most waited so long to get on they know better.
From the wharf to Coit Tower would be a HIKE - UPhill! There's a city bus that drops you right at the entrance. Recommend taking the Filbert Street steps down to the Embarcadero afterward and heading to the Ferry Building for lunch, snacks, beverages...and those views! From there, you can catch a vintage streetcar back to the wharf to to Market St, or ride to North Beach.
We love the Ferry Building for relaxing on the enormous terrace (and those views!). So peaceful and beautiful.
You may want to consider a transit Passport and a bus map. You will after you see all those sidewalks that are steep hills! Not only will all that walking exhaust you, it will use up a lot of precious time. On a map, everything looks closer together. Last I checked, the Passport includes cable car rides. And, the California line is usually a lot less busy, and it's almost as scenic and thrilling.
There's a wonderful transit map you can download. I enlarge and print sections for folding up and tucking in a pocket. You can also get a free copy when you arrive. But, it's a rather large fold-up.
Alamo Square is definitely worth a visit.
Also recommend checking the Library's free walking tour schedule. I've gone on many of these and all are fantastic. Hopefully, you'll find time for at least one. My favorite, so far, was Haight-Ashbury.
Highly, highly recommend the motorized trolley tours that leave from the wharf area. They go over the Golden Gate, with a stop for photo ops in a park, and back and cover a lot of territory and scenery. Views are terrific from the open air vehicles. (Have a jacket along.)
Though you may not be intested in Alcatraz, the boat tours are really nice - and scenic!
Be sure to pack the very most comfortable walking shoes you can possibly find. And, bring something warm for evenings, as it gets really chilly the second the sun sets and can be very misty and breezy, making it seem more frigid.
From the wharf to Coit Tower would be a HIKE - UPhill! There's a city bus that drops you right at the entrance. Recommend taking the Filbert Street steps down to the Embarcadero afterward and heading to the Ferry Building for lunch, snacks, beverages...and those views! From there, you can catch a vintage streetcar back to the wharf to to Market St, or ride to North Beach.
We love the Ferry Building for relaxing on the enormous terrace (and those views!). So peaceful and beautiful.
You may want to consider a transit Passport and a bus map. You will after you see all those sidewalks that are steep hills! Not only will all that walking exhaust you, it will use up a lot of precious time. On a map, everything looks closer together. Last I checked, the Passport includes cable car rides. And, the California line is usually a lot less busy, and it's almost as scenic and thrilling.
There's a wonderful transit map you can download. I enlarge and print sections for folding up and tucking in a pocket. You can also get a free copy when you arrive. But, it's a rather large fold-up.
Alamo Square is definitely worth a visit.
Also recommend checking the Library's free walking tour schedule. I've gone on many of these and all are fantastic. Hopefully, you'll find time for at least one. My favorite, so far, was Haight-Ashbury.
Highly, highly recommend the motorized trolley tours that leave from the wharf area. They go over the Golden Gate, with a stop for photo ops in a park, and back and cover a lot of territory and scenery. Views are terrific from the open air vehicles. (Have a jacket along.)
Though you may not be intested in Alcatraz, the boat tours are really nice - and scenic!
Be sure to pack the very most comfortable walking shoes you can possibly find. And, bring something warm for evenings, as it gets really chilly the second the sun sets and can be very misty and breezy, making it seem more frigid.
May 13th, 2008, 07:49 AM
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Wow, thanks to everyone for your input so far! Great advice.
Regarding public transportation, I'm from an area (South Florida) that has virtually none (and what exists you wouldn't want to use)... so when traveling I tend to shy away from buses, even when I shouldn't. I also spend a lot of time in NYC, so I'm spoiled about jumping in a cab when necessary. I've read you pretty much need to call taxis when you need them, right? I love the convenience of not worrying about bus schedules and just getting where I want to go when traveling (cost notwithstanding), but do buses run frequently enough that this isn't a worry?
Regarding getting a Passport and bus map, can you direct me to a site? (Someone posted the 511 site, but I haven't looked yet.) Thanks for the heads up on the uphill hike from the Wharf to Coit tower! Yikes!
Our 2nd day will be a Sunday, and since a lot of stuff is closed until 10 or 11 am, our hotel is within walking distance to the Glide Memorial church... so we're totally into heading over and checking out some great gospel music. Afterwards, we'll hit SFMOMA (summer hours opens at 10:00 am thankfully), then head over to Haight area. It looks like this would be travel all up and down Market St., and so probably do-able by bus, right?
Regarding public transportation, I'm from an area (South Florida) that has virtually none (and what exists you wouldn't want to use)... so when traveling I tend to shy away from buses, even when I shouldn't. I also spend a lot of time in NYC, so I'm spoiled about jumping in a cab when necessary. I've read you pretty much need to call taxis when you need them, right? I love the convenience of not worrying about bus schedules and just getting where I want to go when traveling (cost notwithstanding), but do buses run frequently enough that this isn't a worry?
Regarding getting a Passport and bus map, can you direct me to a site? (Someone posted the 511 site, but I haven't looked yet.) Thanks for the heads up on the uphill hike from the Wharf to Coit tower! Yikes!
Our 2nd day will be a Sunday, and since a lot of stuff is closed until 10 or 11 am, our hotel is within walking distance to the Glide Memorial church... so we're totally into heading over and checking out some great gospel music. Afterwards, we'll hit SFMOMA (summer hours opens at 10:00 am thankfully), then head over to Haight area. It looks like this would be travel all up and down Market St., and so probably do-able by bus, right?
May 13th, 2008, 08:19 AM
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>>our hotel is within walking distance to the Glide Memorial church.<<
That's a pretty gritty area - be warned & be prepared (mentally). We were there the last 2 Sundays between 9 & 11 AM taking a City Guides tour of the Tenderloin. Stay off the 000 & 100 block of Turk.
You might consider a City Guides tour of the Haight on Sunday morning.
http://www.sfcityguides.org/desc.html?tour=38
Stu Dudley
That's a pretty gritty area - be warned & be prepared (mentally). We were there the last 2 Sundays between 9 & 11 AM taking a City Guides tour of the Tenderloin. Stay off the 000 & 100 block of Turk.
You might consider a City Guides tour of the Haight on Sunday morning.
http://www.sfcityguides.org/desc.html?tour=38
Stu Dudley
May 13th, 2008, 08:37 AM
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Thanks Stu, for the heads up on the area... I figured that much, but also figured Sunday morning we should be ok (safety wise). We're at Hotel Adagio (pretty much Geary and Jones), and on the map the church looks REALLY close, and we won't have to go as far down as Turk.
May 13th, 2008, 09:15 AM
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A word about cabs in SF--getting cabs here is nothing like NYC. First they cost a great deal more to go even shorter distances and second, they are not plentiful or easy to flag down on the street in most areas way from downtown. So in the Park for example you will have to call for one and then wait for one to arrive, which will not be immediately.
There is no reason to shy away from buses here--hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists safely navigate the CIty by bus every day.
Re Almo Square--it is a popular stop to get a view of the City skyline over the top of a row of Victorians. I personally have never understood why it has become such a big tourist attraction as there are hundreds of beautiful Victorians all over the City, maybe it's the convenience. Anyway if you take the walking tour of the Haight that Stu recommends, you will see some lovely Victorians.
There is no reason to shy away from buses here--hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists safely navigate the CIty by bus every day.
Re Almo Square--it is a popular stop to get a view of the City skyline over the top of a row of Victorians. I personally have never understood why it has become such a big tourist attraction as there are hundreds of beautiful Victorians all over the City, maybe it's the convenience. Anyway if you take the walking tour of the Haight that Stu recommends, you will see some lovely Victorians.
May 13th, 2008, 09:48 AM
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>> if you take the walking tour of the Haight that Stu recommends, you will see some lovely Victorians.<<
Including the one where the Grateful Dead lived.
At the time Victorians were very unpopular in the 40s, 50s, & 60s, many people were ripping off the gingerbread & replacing it with stucco, shingles, or anything else that made it look like an "ordinary" house. At that time, the Haight was rathar poor & people didn't have the money to make these changes - so Victorians in this area escaped the "mis-guided improvements" that prevailed in other areas.
People like the Victorians in Alamo Square Historic District because there are several "Grand" Victorians like the Westerfield Mansion on Fulton & Scott, the largest section of contiguous Stick Style Victorians on the south side of the 1343-1499 block of McAllister, Chateau Tivoli (20 different colors) on Steiner & Golden Gate, the "Seattle Block" next to Chateau Tivoli, several along the west side of Alamo Sq, and (of course) "Postcard Row with the set of Queen Anne Row houses with the City skyline in the background.
More than you wanted to know about Victorians.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Including the one where the Grateful Dead lived.
At the time Victorians were very unpopular in the 40s, 50s, & 60s, many people were ripping off the gingerbread & replacing it with stucco, shingles, or anything else that made it look like an "ordinary" house. At that time, the Haight was rathar poor & people didn't have the money to make these changes - so Victorians in this area escaped the "mis-guided improvements" that prevailed in other areas.
People like the Victorians in Alamo Square Historic District because there are several "Grand" Victorians like the Westerfield Mansion on Fulton & Scott, the largest section of contiguous Stick Style Victorians on the south side of the 1343-1499 block of McAllister, Chateau Tivoli (20 different colors) on Steiner & Golden Gate, the "Seattle Block" next to Chateau Tivoli, several along the west side of Alamo Sq, and (of course) "Postcard Row with the set of Queen Anne Row houses with the City skyline in the background.
More than you wanted to know about Victorians.
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
Stu Dudley
May 13th, 2008, 11:28 AM
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Stu, I should have modified my response--I understand the attraction of taking the Almo Square tour, just not the attraction of stopping at the park, taking a picture of the Queen Anne's and checking it off a list of must sees. But then again I live in SF in a neighborhood full of restored Victorians.
BTW in the early 70's Victorians in the Haight were really cheap--just talked to a neighbor who bought her Queen Anne for $36,000 in 1974!!!
BTW in the early 70's Victorians in the Haight were really cheap--just talked to a neighbor who bought her Queen Anne for $36,000 in 1974!!!
May 13th, 2008, 12:00 PM
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We purchased a 5 room/1 bedroom "Here Today" Stick-Style Victorian in the Noe Valley in April '75 for $40,000. The Haight was probably still a little scarey in the early & mid 70s.
Some tour buses stop below (east) of Alamo Sq & let people off. They only get about 7-10 mins - so they take pics of the Queen Annes. Often, I'll hang out in Alamo Sq while my wife conducts the City Guides walking tour of Alamo Sq, and I'll direct these bus-trippers to walk up higher into Alamo Sq to see the view of the City in the background. I guess the bus tour doesn't even tell the riders the best spot for views.
Stu Dudley
Some tour buses stop below (east) of Alamo Sq & let people off. They only get about 7-10 mins - so they take pics of the Queen Annes. Often, I'll hang out in Alamo Sq while my wife conducts the City Guides walking tour of Alamo Sq, and I'll direct these bus-trippers to walk up higher into Alamo Sq to see the view of the City in the background. I guess the bus tour doesn't even tell the riders the best spot for views.
Stu Dudley
May 13th, 2008, 03:59 PM
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You're going to have a blast, Carol.
What some maps don't show so well is the hills that are everywhere. What looks like a 3 block walk may be completely up steep hills.
When you get to the Cable Car turnaround, buy your 3 day bus pass. You will be so glad you did. You can get on any bus or cable car and it's a great bargain. The maps show every route. Bus stops usually have a screen telling how many minutes until the next bus will arrive and it never seemed to be more than 10 minutes when we were there 2 months ago.
My sister and I became experts on the buses and loved visiting all the neighborhoods. We pretty much did everything you're doing and never took a cab.
What some maps don't show so well is the hills that are everywhere. What looks like a 3 block walk may be completely up steep hills.
When you get to the Cable Car turnaround, buy your 3 day bus pass. You will be so glad you did. You can get on any bus or cable car and it's a great bargain. The maps show every route. Bus stops usually have a screen telling how many minutes until the next bus will arrive and it never seemed to be more than 10 minutes when we were there 2 months ago.
My sister and I became experts on the buses and loved visiting all the neighborhoods. We pretty much did everything you're doing and never took a cab.
May 14th, 2008, 11:15 AM
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Thanks for the info. I'm hoping the bus system won't be too mysterious.
One follow-up question to something djkbooks mentions... regarding taking Filbert St. steps down to the Embarcadero, and then going to the Ferry Building, would I need to catch a streetcar to the Ferry Bldg. and back to North Beach?
One follow-up question to something djkbooks mentions... regarding taking Filbert St. steps down to the Embarcadero, and then going to the Ferry Building, would I need to catch a streetcar to the Ferry Bldg. and back to North Beach?
May 14th, 2008, 11:29 AM
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A few thoughts..... getting on a cable car is extremely difficult on the weekends. Try to start early or prepare for long waits; and I agree, do not get off at curvy Lombard street if you hope to get back on!
I loved the historic ships at Fisherman's wharf; the Balclutha in particular. May not be your thing though.
it is very easy to hop on the bus from Golden gate park to your next stop. Just look at a bus map or schedule. I think the #29 gets you close.
palace of fine arts is under renovation; may be not worth the stop now though it is gorgeous. I thought the marina district was lovely though and worth a stroll through.
maybe you should do your north beach stroll before or after your beach blanket babylon? aren't they close by? seems like back tracking to do that first and then return later.
SF has so many gorgeous Victorians...Alamo square is nice but they are all over that area.
I loved the historic ships at Fisherman's wharf; the Balclutha in particular. May not be your thing though.
it is very easy to hop on the bus from Golden gate park to your next stop. Just look at a bus map or schedule. I think the #29 gets you close.
palace of fine arts is under renovation; may be not worth the stop now though it is gorgeous. I thought the marina district was lovely though and worth a stroll through.
maybe you should do your north beach stroll before or after your beach blanket babylon? aren't they close by? seems like back tracking to do that first and then return later.
SF has so many gorgeous Victorians...Alamo square is nice but they are all over that area.
May 14th, 2008, 11:53 AM
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Being from Seattle which has lousy (or at least inconvenient) public transportation, my friend and I were thrilled with the public tranportation in SF--it felt like a "real" transit system. The buses run frequently enough that you don't have to worry about a schedule.
You can also pick up the MUNI passes at the airport in the baggage claim area while you're waiting for your luggage (it's cash only though at the airport--not sure if that's the case at the cable car turnaround info booths).
You can also pick up the MUNI passes at the airport in the baggage claim area while you're waiting for your luggage (it's cash only though at the airport--not sure if that's the case at the cable car turnaround info booths).
