Hello!
My husband and I will be visiting San Francisco in Sept. He is on business, and I want to occupy myself during the day. Aside from exploring SF, any recommendations on day trips not to miss? Thanks!

Book the Wok Wiz tour of Chinatown. It's a super way to spend half a day and have company for dim sum. You could also take the ferry over to Sausalito. There are tours going to Muir Woods to see the redwoods. Check the visitors bureau website. I think you might find the city offers enough by itself.

I'd recommend a visit to Napa Valley.
It's possible to do in a day if you set off in the morning. Some of the best wineyards are Stag's Leap,Beringers(take a tour here)and Mumm. The scenery is lovely and the winetasting interesting and fun.

continuing to bury the wierd stuff...

I would suggest not to go in China Town. I was in San Francisco last year and it was not the most pleasant place to be. They do have some good restraunts there but we didn't ask about any before we went so we did not eat anything there. I would suggest going down to Giridelli Square. There is delicious chocolate and shops. Also, best of all if you are going to San Fransisco, you must go to Alcatraz. It is a defiite must!!!

Claire's experience in Chinatown is exactly why I suggested to book the Wok Wiz tour. It was started by a Chinese-American lady who is a graduate of Berkeley with a fantastic sense of humor, tremendous knowledge of history and mind boggling energy. She or one of her associates will walk with you, showing you things in Chinatown and then will take you for dim sum while explaining the culinary aspects. To wander around by yourself is to wander in a foreign country with no background. The tour is a great way to learn a bit of Chinese culture, history of SF and eat well too. She has a website--try a yahoo search.