1 day in San Fran.--what to do?!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1 day in San Fran.--what to do?!
Alas, the only day we have to see SF is the day after Thanksgiving--any suggestions? warnings about areas to avoid on the biggest shopping day of the year? parking tips (coming in from silicon valley).
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi sylvia, I don't live in Silicon Valley but I "think" there is public transportation from there into SF. Hopefully someone can advise you.
Regarding SF the day after Thanksgiving, that is one of my favorite days! Union Sq. will be crowded due to all the stores there but it is a fun time IMHO. Enjoy!
Regarding SF the day after Thanksgiving, that is one of my favorite days! Union Sq. will be crowded due to all the stores there but it is a fun time IMHO. Enjoy!
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The traffic, especially in the Union Square area will be at least bad, if not a complete nightmare. If you can drive up to a BART station, park there, it will be the best choice.
If you get off at Powell street first, you can buy a one-day MUNI pass to go to other areas of the city.
If you get off at Powell street first, you can buy a one-day MUNI pass to go to other areas of the city.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would definitely take public transportation. We live in San Jose and have taken BART into SF many times - we either drive to the Colma station or the Fremont Station.
Colma is only a few stops from downtown SF so the ride is short, but the drive is longer.
Fremont is closer to SJ so the drive is shorter, but the ride on BART is longer.
Either way, parking is free so you just have to pay for the BART ticket.
We get the one day MUNI passes and then just take public transportation anywhere we want to go once we are in SF.
Another option is the Caltrain. It is a heavy rail system that connects SJ with SF. I have taken this to SF Giants games and it is quite convinient. There is a MUNI light rail line right by the station, so connection transportation is easy.
Colma is only a few stops from downtown SF so the ride is short, but the drive is longer.
Fremont is closer to SJ so the drive is shorter, but the ride on BART is longer.
Either way, parking is free so you just have to pay for the BART ticket.
We get the one day MUNI passes and then just take public transportation anywhere we want to go once we are in SF.
Another option is the Caltrain. It is a heavy rail system that connects SJ with SF. I have taken this to SF Giants games and it is quite convinient. There is a MUNI light rail line right by the station, so connection transportation is easy.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, thanks for the tips, I thought driving on a holiday would be a breeze, but looks like public transport. NOW, where do we go and what do we see? (We have a teen along, but she does whatever we say...)
#8
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CalTrain's the way to go from the peninsula.
http://www.caltrain.com/
Do you want to sightsee, shop, eat, or see museums and the like? Or all of the above?.
http://www.caltrain.com/
Do you want to sightsee, shop, eat, or see museums and the like? Or all of the above?.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello sylvia, our daughter always looked forward to going to SF the Friday after Thanksgiving. In fact she still does (she is now a mother of teens). Our daughter loved to do her Christmas shopping, enjoyed all the Christmas decorations, having dinner in SF etc. I don't know your daughter but I would imagine she would really enjoy SF. Well I would hope so.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you take Caltrain during peak hours (weekdays), you can catch a baby bullet that can zip you up to San Francisco in less than an hour (35 minutes from Palo Alto, 44 minutes from Mountainview, and 59 minutes from San Jose Diridon). There's a Muni Metro connection at Caltrain Depot, which can take you to downtown.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So what to do while you are there?
Definitely ride a cable car. If you get the MUNI pass at the Powell St visitor's center, cable car rides are included - such a deal since I think single ride tickets for cable cars are up to $5 or some crazy price like that. Lines for the cars that go from Powell down to Fisherman's wharf can be pretty long. If you don't feel like waiting, then the California line generally has a lot fewer people.
To go from downtown (Market St) to the wharves, a good bet is to ride the F Line streetcars - these are old street cars from defunct lines around the world. Lots of fun.
Chinatown is good for some wandering around and dim sum.
You could take a trip out to Alcatraz or just a cruise around the bay. Get some good views of SF that way.
Definitely ride a cable car. If you get the MUNI pass at the Powell St visitor's center, cable car rides are included - such a deal since I think single ride tickets for cable cars are up to $5 or some crazy price like that. Lines for the cars that go from Powell down to Fisherman's wharf can be pretty long. If you don't feel like waiting, then the California line generally has a lot fewer people.
To go from downtown (Market St) to the wharves, a good bet is to ride the F Line streetcars - these are old street cars from defunct lines around the world. Lots of fun.
Chinatown is good for some wandering around and dim sum.
You could take a trip out to Alcatraz or just a cruise around the bay. Get some good views of SF that way.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
newlyweds13
United States
11
May 7th, 2013 09:31 AM
niona
United States
13
Jun 12th, 2012 04:51 AM