5 Days in San Francisco using public transportation and free guides.
 

Just returned from 5 days in SFO. I played while my husband attended a convention the first few days. Then we had a great day together outside the city. Here's what we did.

Hotel:
The Serrano (Taylor & O'Farrell) A Kimpton hotel in a good central location for transportation (near Union Square or Market St.) Rooms vary widely in size (ask for an upgrade). We got into a suite for $118 which included a modest Continental breakfast in their restaurant each day and an hour of wine each evening. I heard that others got this hotel on Priceline for $70.
http://www.serranohotel.com/

Day 1:
After getting up at 4AM to make our flight from the midwest, we wandered around Union Sq shopping and galleries the first afternoon. Dinner at Colibri (Mexican) near our hotel before crashing. Excellent food and killer margaritas.
http://www.colibrimexicanbistro.com/

Day 2:
Took the bus to Golden Gate Park for a City Guides free tour of the Japanese Tea Garden. Lunch at the deYoung museum. A walk through the Conservatory for orchid viewing. Back to hotel on bus -- a great inexpensive way to see the city's neighborhoods. Dinner at Sushi Groove for some amazing food and saki.
http://www.sfcityguides.org/
http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=4000

Day 3:
MUNI to The Ferry Building for City Guides tour, shopping and lunch. Dinner at Hayes Street Grill. Great fish.
http://www.hayesstreetgrill.com/

Day 4: MUNI to Fisherman's Wharf for City Guides tour, photo ops, lunch. Dinner at Albona. Wonderful Istrian food in North Beach.
http://albonarestaurant.com/

Day 5: Rented car only 1/2 block from hotel. Drove to Marin County Farmers Market for photo ops, great arts & crafts and purchasing picnic fare. Drove to Muir Beach for a picnic of bread, cheese, sausage and wine. Drove to Muir Woods for a hike. On to Sausalito for a look at the galleries and dinner at Scoma's. Wonderful, simple fish with a killer view of the city and GG bridge.
http://www.marinfarmersmarkets.org/
http://www.scomassausalito.com/

Planned all my city travel using "Transit 511". A wonderful tool for getting around SFO on public transportation. http://tripplanner.transit.511.org/m...T2?language=en

We were able to return our rental car at the airport for only $5 additional charge, thereby saving a $40 taxi fare. Tip: request this when you pick up the car, not in advance. When reserving the car the cost to return to the airport was an additional $35. When we ask at the time of pick up, it was only an additional $5.

Thanks to all Fodorites who helped with my planning -- especially Stu Dudley.

I just read somebody's question about hotel w/large rooms and evening wine - and here is one :) Only I would not recommend this location.

To all who plan to use buses: there are major changes from December 5, buses eliminated, re-routed, lots of changes. Just keep in mind, pre - 12/05/09 info may be incorrect.

Thanks for your report. I am planning a trip to SF this spring and your info was helpful. I especially appreciate the links!

Sounds like a terrific 5 days in one of my favourite cities! I never rent a car when I travel, so I'm always interested in ideas using city transportation only.

When I went to San Francisco in 2006, the de Young Museum offered a discount for those who visited via public transit (it was perhaps $2 cheaper or so if I remember correctly); if that deal is still offered, I hope you were aware of it so you could take advantage.

Thanks for sharing! Daniel Williams

Daniel, I didn't actually tour the deYoung. They have the King Tut exhibit on now. I had seen that exhibit in Chicago a few years ago, so skipped the deYoung crowds this time. They always have great food in their cafe though, so lunch was lovely. Am Ex is offering several nice discounts in SFO right now. We were able to get 2x1 admission to the Asian Art Museaum. I think I forgot to include that in my intial report as something we did on the afternoon of Day 4.

Both DeYoung and Legion of Honor offer MUNI discount. If you go to one, it gives you admission to the other on the same day, not sure if they still offer this.

Also on the first weekend on the month admission to DeYoung is free if you have a BofA card.

Great report, TC. Friends stayed at the Serrano a couple of years ago and liked it quite a bit. I went and had a glass of wine in their room with them and was surprised at how nice/relaxing it was.

I'm on MUNI every day to/from work so I'm not one to recommend it for a vacation :D but glad it worked out for you.