Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - DIVER'S San Francisco Trip Report

Hi
First let me say that we found everyone on our trip to be friendly, courteous and helpful.
We arrived San Jose Airport Wednesday 10pm for a long Labor Day weekend. Picked up my Ford Explorer(like the one I own)at Hertz and drove up 101 to San Francisco. Very little traffic, slightly over an hour later I was checking in at the Hilton on O'Farrell St.(near Union Sq.). Choosing the hotel I would stay at for 4 nights was the hardest part of the trip, but I must say helped make the trip. $150 a night AAA rate(Executive Towers Floor)price included very easy in and out hotel parking garage. Beautiful room 31st floor with Golden Gate view, included exec. tower floors only, continental breakfast(everything you could want to eat)on 45th floor, what a view. The hotel has a beautiful 46th floor dining roon & bar, 360 view. We were so on the go we never had a meal at the hotels many restaurants. We found Union Square and the area aroung the hotel very safe, all hours.
Naturally, we took the cable car the first day, Fishermans Wharf, sea lions and all, had late lunch at a great place on Pier 39 "Pier Market Rest". Shopping, etc all day.
Friday we took off for Golden Gate, Muir Woods and Korbel Winery for a nice tour & tasting of our favoride Champagne. Then up the Russion River Rd where it meets the Pacific, then down to Bodega and Bodega Bay. Being late in the afternoon we headed for the River Rock Casino in Geyersvilloe, probably 50 miles. I choose to take narrow back roads through the wine country, what a wonderful experience. The Casino(even though very large)was not easy to find as the town people take down all the signs. If you do go, go early as the parking at this new casino is limited on top of this little hill. It's a nice facility only slots and poker. No, we didn't win any $. Was an easy drive back to SF.
Saturday was another busy day. Drove thru all the neighborhoods, up & down, up & down, Lombard St., Telegraph Hill & Coit Tower. Accidentally went by the World Trade Ctr. farmers market between Pier 1 & 2 around noon, saw all the people and had to stop. We really enjoyed tasting all the different fruit & veg. We ate lunch there, everything the vendors had looked delicions. Then down the street to see the baseball stadium. We spent the afternoon walking around China Town. I found, with a little help from a Chinese Pharmacy lady the "Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Co." in the Jackson & Grant Ave. area, in a little ally, 56 Ross Alley St. What a treat. You wouldn't believe this little old, old place that bakes fresh fortune & lemon cookies. With a little of the day left we headed to the beautiful little town of Sausalito, after a stroll around town & ice cream, we headed to the SF side of the Golden Gate & walked half way across & back. Very windy & cold, about 44-52 degrees.
Sunday morning, we left SF down 280 toward Monterey & Cannery Row, Bubba Gump Restaurant(Tom Hanks look-a-like was there for pictures)then to Carmel for shopping & looking at the seaside homes. Took off for Big Sur, what a drive, then back to Monterey for late lunch at Blue Moon Restaurant. After more sightseeing & shopping spent last night at Wyndham Hotel near airport(AAA rate)$56.00, nice room & outstanding morning buffet breakfast. Left San Jose at noon, arrived Orlando 10PM. I would like to say I found the driving in SF & elsewhere very easy, but of course I did study the map. We drove 632 miles total, most of which was Friday & Sunday.
I can't began to thank those on this site who contributed to making this trip(from arrival late Wed.-Mon. noon) "THE BEST".
Thanks especially to Betsy, Calitrav, Ellison, Raqhu, Grasshopper, SFImporter, SAB, Seamus, J. Correa, QualalaLisa, RassLedazzle, Ciqalachanta, Yonker, Kikahead, GailLk, BayArea, JackOneill, Jean, Dawsen, jason888 & Rsebastian.
"MAY ALL YOUR TRIPS BE GOOD ONES".
DIVER