We'll be staying in Palo Alto for 5 days for the Senior Games, renting a car, taking day trips from there...

Participating in the games means not knowing in advance how much free time we'll have every day, and --- so that we use our free time efficiently and don't waste any -- I need to create an alternative itinerary for a full day in SF - but also for those shorter days...

Could I please get a kind of a tour plan to follow, from leaving Palo Alto (take the car? use public transportation?), arriving in SF (where to park?), and what path to follow so we really see the best of it, within the short available time....

Thanks so much!

This is so weird. Your message was nearly exactly what I was ready to write!!
We'll be at the Senior games and want to know where to park when we come into San Francisco if we want to ride the cable car and go into Chinatown????
It can get confusing if you don't know where to go..
Also - any special place to eat on Fisherman's Wharf??
(Hope it was OK to tag onto your message)
Good luck on your Senior Games. What is your sport?

My wife plays basketball....

Good to know I'm not alone.....

Hi
When we had a day an a half in SF some years ago - we drove the 49-mile route and saw heaps of the city that way. The only problem was that we kept losing the 'seagull' sign and missed a couple places!

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/maps/49miledrive.asp

The 49 mile drive is a great suggestion. Print out the map before you go because there are some missing signs. One easy place to park is at the Embarcadero Center, especially on a weekend. You can get validation for parking if you buy something in one of the center's stores or restaurants. In front of the Hyatt Regency you can catch the California St. Cable Car line. The best thing about this route is no line. The Hyde St. route can have terribly long lines and while some say hop on a block or two up the route, they are usually jam packed and hard to find space on.

A few blocks up California St. from the start is Grant St. and the entrance to Chinatown. When you explore Chinatown, be sure to get off Grant St. and onto some of the smaller side streets for a more authentic view of Chinatown.

I wouldn't eat at the Wharf but would pick a place either in North Beach (just a block over from Chinatown) or somewhere along the Embarcadero. Depending on your price point you can find some great places with outdoor seating and excellent views. I've really been enjoying outdoor lunches at Waterbar. Their shrimp tacos are so good. It's not cheap though. The Ferry Building has a couple of good options. In North Beach I like Pinochio's and their salmon with lobster sauce is mouth watering delicious!

Along the 49 mile drive you'll find plenty of places to park and stop and take photos. You'll get a wonderful comprehensive view of the City on that route.

Want some authentic Mexican food? Go into the Mission and drive down Mission Street til you find the appropriate hole in the wall spot. You can always do a quick search on Yelp if you want reviews.

Enjoy and good luck at the Games. You'll find some excellent restaurants in Palo Alto too. My current favorite is Evvia.

See, that's why I LOVE this forum so much...... This is maybe the BEST info I've got so far, in preparation to our trip to CA....

Thanks, Grassshopper. I printed the material, downloaded some maps but once we're there I'll just get some good SF maps, and follow the 49-mile drive directions....

And, of course, thanks to you too, wildblueyonder.........

There are SO many wonderful places to eat in SF, please don't waste a meal eating at FW.

Deb

Another partial day thing to do is take the ferry from the Embarcadero to either Sausalito, Tiburon or Larkspur. You'll find some great restaurants with wonderful views of the city and/or the Bay.

Glad to be of help, mamamia2. Yes, I think you can get printed 49-mile maps - maybe from the San Fran tourist office?

Agree with Grassshopper about Sausalito - there are beautiful views. When we visited, we came into the city via Sausalito - enjoyed the views and then entered the city over the GG Bridge. It was magical.

Also you might consider a 1/2 day bus tour to see most tourist attractions.

It is very easy and inexpensive to take the train to San Francisco from Palo Alto, and you will be let off near buses and taxis, and within walking distance to Giant's stadium, the Ferry Building, Union Square, Yerba Buena Center and the Museum of Modern Art.

It's a bit further to North Beach and Chinatown. Those are fun areas to explore with a short time in San Francisco.

We really don't spend much time eating, when we're on a trip.... Great restaurants we have in our own neighborhood, so when traveling, especially when time is so tight, we easily settle for a burger, or even a Subway sandwich...

You all are GREAT!! Very helpful information!
My husband plays BB too.