What to do in San Francisco on Thanksgiving?

Usually, the International Car Show is over Thanksgiving. It'll be crowded that day, but it's fun to do before eating.

http://www.sfautoshow.com/

And for dinner..... http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/28/DD7D1A9D2U.DTL

Thanks you so much for your response. We're not "car people", but we'll still keep it in mind.

Thanks for the link to the article about Thanksgiving restaurants. I actually called Yankee Pier (sounds good) and am keeping it in mind. I think right now though, I'm leaning towards Crab House. Seems to have very good reviews and sounds yummy. A little on the expensive side, but since we couldn't celebrate my son's 21st birthday with him and won't see him for Christmas, I thought a splurge wasn't out of line. Any opinions on Crab House?

Thanks!

I've never eaten at Crab House but it gets 4* on yelp.com (and 208 reviews, so that's very good).

http://www.yelp.com/biz/crab-house-at-pier-39-san-francisco

We had T'giving at a SF institution Fior di Italia last year and it was tutto bene! T'giving prix fixe or off the regular Italian menu.

Google "Open Table"-San Francisco and look at the T'giving specials.

Where are you staying? Union Sqaure the day after is a MADHOUSE!

Tree lighting ceremony too.

I'll post more detail tomorrow. Thanksgiving is one of our favorite days in the City. Great day to drive around and admire all the fabulous views in the Bay Area. Ft Point & Crissy Field are very popular places to just enjoy the day.

Stu Dudley

Details:

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite days in San Francisco. Almost all stores will be closed, and locals are out & about enjoying the day & entertaining their Thanksgiving guests. There are lots of people strollinmg along the bay walkway at Crissy Field - walking, riding their bikes, and throwing balls for ther dogs to retrieve (in designated areas). If the surf is up at Ft Point, there will be surfers catching the waves below the Golden gage bridge - truely a unique experience for the surfers and for those watching the surfers.

Here would be a typical day for us - get a AAA map to follow this - don't rely on any mapes offered by your hotel.

We usually start the day at Crissy Field. It is the area at the extreme north end of the City between the Marina Green (St Francis Yacht Club) and Ft Pont (directly below the Golden Gate Bridge). There are many areas to park the car there. This area was completly re-developed about 10 years ago (I should say un-developed - it was made to look like what it was 150 years ago). There is a paved walkway along the beach, several piers you can walk out on (west end) & obtain fantastic views of the GG Bridge & Downtown skyline. We'll spend about an hour there. Then we'll head to Ft Point (follow the signs - it is a little tricky) and park the car & watch the surfers.

Then we'll take my favorite drive through the City, across the Golden Gate Bridge, up to the GGNRA for the best views in the Bay Area, then over to the Marin Headlands. Below is a description of this drive that I posted for a Fodors person - but she decided to go to Vegas instead.

After Ft Point, head east on Lombard to Divisadero and turn right (south) on Divisadero. Head uphill (steep) and travel a mile or two to Hayes St. Turn left (east) on Hays and proceed 2 blocks. Alamo Square Park will be on your left. You will see the famous "Postcard Row" ahead of you & to the left - a row of Queen Anne Victorian homes with the Douwtown building in the background. get outo f the car & walk into the park for better views. return to the car & turn around & head west on Hayes. At Divisadero, turn left (south) & proceed 1 block to Fell and turn right (west) on Fell & soon you will be driving by the Golden Gate Park Panhandle and then into the Park. Keep going down JFK drive till you hit the Pacific Ocean. This will be Ocean Beach, and it's kinda fun to watch the waves on a stormy day. Get out of the car & watch the surf. Then head north on the Great Highway (road along the coast), and keep going as it passes the Cliff House (lunch or, at the Beach Chalet) and bends east onto Pt Lobos then becomes Geary Blvd (Geary is a major street). Keep heading east on Geary, and turn left (north) on 34th St and enter Lincoln Park. Continue on to the Palace of the Legion of Honor. This is one of our major art exhibition places (along with some other uses). It was built by Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, who married into the Spreckels fortune (sugar), built the museum, and donated it to The City.

After passing the Legion, take the right (only way you can go) on to El Camino Del Mar. Get the camera ready for some fantastic views of the Golden Gate. I always take guests on this route. You will be driving along a golf course. Just before you leave the course and enter a residential area, park the car & walk to the viewing platform to your left – you’ll see it from the road. Return to the car & continue along El Camino Del Mar. You will enter the Seacliff Area which (I suspect) has the most expensive homes in the City. Robin Williams lives there – look for a dinosaur topiary peeking over a hedge on his home (it’s not on the immediate waterfront). When entering Seacliff, keep left whenever you can – especially paying attention to a “Y” onto Seacliff Ave. Just after this Y, turn left on to a dead end & perhaps have a look at China Beach & the views from there. Continue along Seacliff Rd as it snakes around and exits the Seacliff area at 25th St. Turn left (east) off 25th on to Lincoln. Proceed north on Lincoln for some more exceptional views of the Golden Gate and the Bridge.

Lincoln will eventually twist around, and go under the Golden Gate Bridge. Immediately after it goes under the bridge, look on your left for a sign to the Golden Gate Bridge. Follow this up and cross the Golden Gate Bridge.

Head north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Just past the bridge, take the Alexander Av. exit towards Sausalito. When you get to the stop at the end of the freeway off ramp, turn left & go under Hwy 101. Proceed like you are going back across the bridge to SF, but take the road to the right that goes up-hill, just before actually getting on 101. There will be a sign that says you are entering the Golden Gate National Recreational (GGNRA) area. Continue up on this road – it’s called Conzelman on the map. You will see what are (in my opinion) the best views of San Francisco – The GG Bridge in the foreground & The City behind it. This was formerly a military area that is still laced with bunkers, gun turrets, underground tunnels etc. It was opened up in the ‘70s. The views of The City, the Bridge, and the Golden Gate are breathtaking. You can see down the San Mateo Coast from up here. Go all the way to the top until you hit a much smaller one-way road. On the way up, get out & enjoy the sights. Kids will love the bunkers & gun turrets. At the top where the main road ends, there is the largest gun turret, where you can climb up to for an almost 360 degree view. This view is best in the evening when the sun is in a position to light up the bridge & highlight downtown.

After you have thoroughly explored the area where "the main road ends", continue down "literally" the smaller road - which is a one way road. You'll now enter the Marin Headlands. This is a lovely area to walk to lighthouses, beaches, more batteries & bunkers, views back to the City, etc. There are some roads that wander around in this area, but try to get an AAA map of Sausalito to see where you are going. There are really only 2 ways out of this region - so eventually you'll return to civilation even if you don't have a map. Follow the signs to Sausalito. Drive down the main road through Sausalito (Bridgeway), and perhaps take a walk around. Great views across the Bay to San Francisco. Return to San Francisco and follow the sighs to Lombard St & back to your hotel.

Stu Dudley

Stu,

Thank you so much for the suggestions and all the details. I am definitely going to save your response for the future and for another trip to SF.

Unfortunately, it sounds like a lot of driving and looking, which my son does not enjoy. He's passed by many a vacation (even a Thailand tour) because he doesn't enjoy the go-stop-look kind of trips. Normally, both he (21) and my daughter (23) would be up for hiking, but I'd have to check and see how he (and his coach) feel about him doing this. Hopefully, he'll be tired from the game the night before and also hopefully, he'll need to rest up for their game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday. I say hopefully because that would mean he actually got/gets to play.

Do you know of anything that might be open on Thanksgiving? Stores, museums, tourist spots, bowling, etc. What is the weather normally like at the end of November?

Thanks again for the time you put into your response. I sincerely appreciate it.

Walking along Crissy Field is a slow, flat, level walk - not what I would call a hike.

I lived in LA (actually, San Gabriel) years 2 through 28 of my life. We drove 1 1/2 hrs to a Laker game, 30 mins to get an ice cream cone, 1 hr to work, 1 hr to go to the prom. When we moved to San Francisco, one of the things I liked the most about our new "home" was that you could really do a lot of neat stuff withing long drives - or no drives at all. The drive I suggested is not long at all. San Francisco is 7 mi X 7 mi.

There won't be many (if any) shops open. Check the De Young Museum and the Academy of Science web sites to see if they are open on Thanksgiving. Don't know about bowling.

My wife is a volunteer guide with San Francisco City Guides (part of the public library - sort of). They offer around 200 walks in the city each month. There are arond 40 different "themed" walks (most are offered multiple times each month, obviously). All walks are cancelled for Thanksgiving, the day before, and the day after. San Francisco "commerce" pretty much shuts down on Thanksgiving - that's why we like to go out & about on that day.
www.sfcityguides.org

Most Thanksgivings I can remember for the past 34 years here have been quite nice (not quite as nice as LA, however). Probably 1 in 5 chance of some rain, 1 in 3 chance of overcast skies. Never real cold - like in the 30s.

Stu Dudley

I already checked the Academy of Sciences -- no dice.

LOL. I think you've been away from LA for too long. Not real cold, like in the 30s? BRRRRR!!!

Hmmm...looks like I might have to think about bringing my Wii with me for the "kids" for Thanksgiving.

My daughter and I will be staying an extra day after my son leaves, so maybe we'll check out some of the sights you mentioned. She's much more amenable to taking walks and drives and looking at scenery. Although, since things will be open again, we do want to go to Fisherman's Wharf (clam chowder in a bread bowl!) and to Ghiradelli Square (chocolate!!). I don't think she's ever been on the cable car, so we'll have to do that too. Do you know if the cable cars will be running on Thanksgiving?

Come to think of it, I don't think either of my kids have been to Coit Tower, so maybe we'll take a drive up there on Thanksgiving to check out the view. The last time I went to Coit Tower was back in the early 80s. Independence Day in a stick shift car. Obviously not a good idea. lol

j, I think Stu meant it never gets as cold as the 30s. It'll likely be in the 50s during the day. It could be rainy.

Ah, that makes more sense!

I just remember decades ago when my ex-inlaws were talking how nice the weather was (in Ohio) and I was FREEZING cold.

If you have read any of my past posts - you'll know that I am not a fan of Fisherman's Wharf at all. Very touristy/tacky & un-San Francisco.

Here is what the Fodor's '09 guide to San Francisco says about the wharf:

page 16
Once part of a thriving fishing industry, Fisherman's Wharf has deteriorated into a giant harpoon aimed straight at your wallet. Throngs from all over the world come to watch the floping, barking, or napping sea lions; buy cheap T-shirts, and chow down on overpriced, mediocre food. It's all an utter mystery to locals, who don't come here. Ever. See the magnificent historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, then take your money and run.

page 96
It may be one of the city's best known attractions, but the wharf is a no-go zone for most locals, who shy away from the difficult parking, overpriced food, and cheesy shops at third-rate shopping centers like the Cannery at del Monte Square. If you just can't resist a visit here, come early to avoid the crowds and get a sense of the wharf's functional role - it's not just an amusement park replica.

Most of the wharf is shlocky and overpriced, with one notable exception: the splendid Musee Mechanique.

End of quotes from Fodor's

This is Stu again:
Go to the Wharf to take the Cable Car downtown or to take a boat to Alcatraz. Instead of spending any amount of time at the wharf, I suggest that you visit Crissy Field and Ft Point - which should be open on Friday. The Civil War fort is quite interesting to explore, and there are fantastic views of the Golden Gate (entranced to the Bay), the Bridge, and downtown from the Ramparts atop the Fort.

Here are some other ideas of things to do as alternatives to the Wharf.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1&tid=35129049

Warning - my wife from Indiana & I lived on a top-floor penthouse apartment in Laguna Beach in the early 70s when we got married. We had fantastic ocean views from the Apt. I took my 23 yo wife (same age as your daughter) to San Francisco on our honeymoon and several subsequent trips. She fell in love with San Francisco. We moved up here permantly in '75 and it was the best thing we have ever done (besides getting married to each other). Lots of people your daughter's age love The City, and are willing to pay outrageous housing costs to live here.

Stu Dudley

OH NO...you used the "FW" word in front of THEE Stu!

What about a nice walk up/down Lombard?

Walk up to Coit Tower/Telegraph Hill and peek at the Parrots?
Then walk down the Filbert Steps on the east side of Tele Hill.

Mrs Kal took me on a SF death walk a few times where we walked up to Nob Hill, then down to No Beach, then up Lombard's Crookedest Street, back down then over to Tele Hill and down the steps.
PHEW!!!!
But what a view!
And you can stop at any little interesting hole in the wall restaurant you stumble upon.

That's really sad to read about Fisherman's Wharf. Like I said, I haven't been to San Francisco (driven through, but not stayed) since the early 80's. Don't really remember my impressions too much, but I don't recall thinking that FW was tacky and horrible. Seemed like a fun place to hang out.

Did stop in SF briefly about 10 years ago when I took my kids on a road trip to Oregon (last one I was able to get my son to go on). I don't remember going to FW then. Maybe we tried and it was too crowded and we didn't stay in SF very long as I wanted to get up closer to the redwood forest before the end of the day. I did take them to Lombard though (the crooked part) as I thought they would find that fun and interesting (they did).

Stu, thanks for the warning, but I'm not worried. My daughter would have to go absolutely CRAZY over a place to move that far from home. She's very rooted and doesn't want to leave. My parents are still in Santa Monica, my brother in Venice, my sister's family in Mar Vista (with 2 young cousins who she adores). Even if she LOVED somewhere else, she'd miss all her family too much. Not really the wandering, independent type.

>>early 80's. Don't really remember my impressions too much, but I don't recall thinking that FW was tacky and horrible. Seemed like a fun place to hang out.<<

That was almost 30 years ago. You were much younger then, and it might have been more 'fun" for you at that age.

My family was in Laguna Niguel (parents, sister) when we departed for San Francisco for what we though at the time would be a 2 year "adventure".

Stu Dudley

You know, the SF Botanical Garden is open 365 days a year
http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/
Combining that with a meal or knosh at the Bistro at the Cliffhouse would be fun.

R5
PS. Not to ruffle Stu, but Mr R5 and I had a great time at
FW the Friday of Fleet Week this year-and we're locals.
Truly did not expect to, yet we did, so there you have it !

There are some places near Fisherman's Wharf that aren't so bad, including Gary Danko's, Green's, Fort Mason, the historic ships.

I even like a Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundae, and the murals, art, views at the Maritime Museum are a favorite before relaxing with an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista.

Pier 39, where I haven't been for many years, can still be OK when touring with a range of ages and interests, with the carousel, free entertainment, attractive floral plantings.

We used to like to walk around the wave organ http://www.roadtripamerica.com/places/waveorg.htm I'm not sure it's still there, but the area is fun to explore as long as you don't focus on the bad souvenir shops.

The Sea Chantey sing is something I really have enjoyed, and I'm due to go again (first Saturday of the month). http://www.nps.gov/safr/historyculture/chantey-sing.htm

Haven't been to the Musee Mechanique since it moved from the Cliff House, but that's a a lot of fun. http://www.museemechanique.org/

The Maritime Museum can be very interesting.

Your daughter may like Greens out at Fort Mason (west of Fishermens Wharf, around the hill). It is a classic Bay Area vegetarian spot. Even if you can't get a table, you can get wonderful Chili and other foods to go.

A lot of holiday shopping begins at Union Square on the Friday after Thanksgiving, so expect lots of cars and people in that neighborhood on Friday.

If you like chocolate, you can find lots of good options. I like Rechiutti (sp?) in the Ferry Building near the bottom of Market Street. If you go to chow.com you can get more ideas for favorite chocolate stores and other places to eat.
And ifyou like cheese, Cowgirls Creamery has a store at the Ferry Building. For Oysters, I like Hog Island's place at the Ferry Building (but your daughter may not be up for Oysters)

Thank you all for your responses!

suz24, thanks for the reminder about Black Friday shopping. I haven't made our hotel reservations yet and I've been wondering what area to stay. I think I may try to avoid the Union Square area, if possible. Any recommendations for safe areas to stay? Plus, I'll have a car so I'd prefer not to have to spend an arm and a leg for parking (is that possible?).

Thanks again to all!

Kailani,

Just took a look at all your links.

The 'wave organ' sounds intriguing and, apparently, it is still there. My only concern is the review that said it was isolated and one person who said they got there only to find a bunch of teenagers getting high and a man peeing. Since it'll be just me and my daughter, I'm a little apprehensive. But, I am curious (just the kind of thing I like), so I'll have to put it on a "must do" list for when I'm in SF again with either my boyfriend or more people.

The Sea Chantey singing sounds like so much fun, but we'll be back home by then.

Ironically, the mechanical museum looks like it will be open, but there's something about it that actually kinda scares me. lol.

Even though it seems like I'm not accepting anyone's suggestions, I do really appreciate all the responses. Trying to find something to do that will satisfy all three of us is challenging. But, I'm certainly making notes of many of the suggestions because *I* would maybe like to do them myself on another trip.

I can't imagine what would be scary about the Musee Mechanique. I love it - it's about the only reason I visit the Wharf (I like the Maritime Museum too - but that's kind of a guy thing). I usually take a pocketfull of quarters & have a great time. However, my wife went there with me once, and didn't find it very interesting at all. I guess because I'm kind of a mechanical tinkerer it's more interesting for me than for her.

However, like I implied earlier, Thanksgiving day is a great time to explore the unique scenery in the Bay Area - the Bridge, the entrance to the Bay, the Bay, GG park, Crissy Field, Marin Headlands, etc.

Find a motel on Lombard St - it gives you quick access to the GG Bridge, is very close to Chestnut St where LOTS of people your kid's age live/hang-out/party, and they have free parking.

Stu Dudley

<<<it gives you quick access to the GG Bridge, is very close to Chestnut St where LOTS of people your kid's age live/hang-out/party>>>

And walking distance from both Chestnut Street and Union Street, both of which have lots of restaurants to choose from (Betelnut is on Union Street, A16 is on Chestnut).

Just occurred to me, if the weather is good, you could walk across the Golden Gate Bridge on Thanksgiving Day.

Thanks for the hotel location recommendation. Is that area categorized under any specific name? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm assuming that Lombard may run through different areas? Is there a particular part of Lombard that I should be looking for?

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge sounds great! I will definitely try to convince my kids that we should do that.

Stu, I don't know why I found the pictures of the mechanical figures a little spooky. I'm thinking that it may have been a hidden memory from some kind of scary movie (Chucky?) that still evokes emotion without my actually remembering the source.

The section of Lombard that has lots & lots of motels is called the Marina district. Adjacent just to the south is Cow Hollow. Hotels are located between Van Ness and Broderick. The closer you get to Fillmore St, the shorter the walk to restaurants, bars, etc on Chestnut St and Union St. If you can get a half-block off Lombard, it will be a little quieter - Lombard is a busy street.

Stu Dudley

Ferry to Alcatraz should be running on T-giving. Or you can take a cruise on Hornblower or a duck tour - I think they will operate too.

Really excellent advice. Last year, I had to fly to San Francisco on Thanksgiving day for a 2-week business trip. DH came out for the first couple of days. We ate garlic crab at the Crab House and enjoyed it completely. After eating traditional Thanksgiving dinner for my entire life (except for pheasant one year, goose one year, and cornish hens once or twice -- all fowl), this was a real "rebel moment."

I did a search and did find some fabulous Thanksgiving dinners (also usually pretty pricey). I'm sure they are absolutely delicious. But San Francisco has more to offer than turkey, so choose something you just cannot expect to recreate at home.

Aside from dinner -- we stayed at the Hyatt Embarcadero. As others have described, that area is awash with seasonal decorations, festivities, and really was fun. Take some of those suggestions or just explore ad hoc. And have a wonderful time.