Empty Days in San Fransisco
 

My wife will be attending a conference in San Fransisco the week before Thanksgiving and I will be going along with her.

Here's the problem...Neither of us have ever been to San Fran so we both want to see the "must-dos" (i.e....Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Fishermans Wharf, etc) so we will be saving those activities for when she's not in the conference.

What can I do for the 6-8 hour periods that she is in the conference? They need to be neat and interesting things to do, but not necessarily things that are on the must do list for San Fran that she would feel cheated if she didn't get to participate in.

Also if you have any advice on San Fran at all, it would be appreciated.

I've traveled to San Francisco often with my husband (while he was on business).

Among my favorite activities (while he was at work) were a trip to Coit Tower and a walk down those steps (quite the thrill) nearby (there are signs to the path from the tower).

Also fun is a day or several day MUNI pass and just riding the cable cars over and over again! The California line is almost as thrilling and not as crowded as the Powell/Hyde.

The walking tours given (no charge) by the Public Library are terrific. All the ones I've taken have been very interesting, led by knowledgable and enthusiastic guides. Especially enjoyed Haight/Ashbury.

Just wandering about Chinatown is fascinating.

I think all of djk's recommendations are great. The web site for the walking tours through the library is www.sfcityguides.org - we did the Chinatown tour and it was a lot of fun.

You might also enjoy going out to Angel Island.

Walk! Lots of interesting neighborhoods to explore. How about the Barbary Coast Walking tour? Rent a bike and ride along the Embarcadero or even over the bridge. If you want to get out of the City, take BART to Berkeley and walk around the campus.

If you like books, a visit to City Lights Bookstore in North Beach is a real trip. While you're in the neighborhood, have a beer at Visuvio's next door.

If you like museums, and your wife won't mind, the SF MOMA is a must-see, as is the new Asian Museum.

G'hop is right on the nose with that suggie.

One of my fave routes in SF when staying near the Fin Dist or UnSq is walk down to Market to the Ferry Building then up to FishWharf along the Embarcdero then hop a cable car at the Buena Vista and take it back to Un Sq. and then walk over to Chinatown and maybe thru NoBeach. If you don't want a cable car ride w/o the better half, walk back up Columbus then over to Grant so you can hit NoBeach and Chinatown.
((P))((P))((P))

If you're in shape, try to take on California, Powell, Lombard or on of the many hills available.

Ahhhh...8 more days until the Calamari Special at The Original US Restaurant in NoBeach.((Y))
Kal

If you're an exercise freak (like me), WALK up to Coit Tower (the views AND the walk are fantastic). Rent a bike at Pier 39 and ride it across the Golden Gate to Sausalito and Tiburon, take a ferry to Angel's Island and ride some more, then take a ferry back to SF.

(well...that's what *I* did when I was in SF on business, and all my coworkers had to attend a conference except me - woo hoo!)

With regard to bike rides, you can do short (Sausalito), medium (Tiburon) or long (Larkspur). All three allow you to take a ferry back. A great way to spend the day and earn dinner calories!

A lot depends on your interests (and whether you have a car). Some non-car things to do: Fort Point - old civil war era fort beneath GG bridge, spend some time in golden gate park, take BART over to Berkely and browse bookstores and galleries, visit maritime museum. Going a bit farther afield: Drive up to Muir woods and Point Reyes, head up to Napa or Sonoma, Blackhawk auto museum in Danville, head down to Half-Moon bay on Hwy 1 and watch the surfers at Mavericks, go to San Jose (your wife won't feel cheated by missing out on that one :) )

The bike ride from Pier 39 to Tiburon sounds fun.Is there a website that would have a map for this route?

All the hints so far have been great. Especially taking BART somewhere like Berkeley and wandering around.

My favorite though would be (but be prepared for a disappointed wife) - take the ferry to Tiburon and then another very short ferry ride from Tiburon over to Angel Island.

Angel Island can fill a couple of hours or a full day. The most amazing views of the Bay and San Francisco, Civil War barracks, deer and other wildlife, a few victorian bldgs but mostly open land with a trail completely around the island. You could do it on foot - or take a rental bike on the ferry.

Note that there's a fabulous map at the MUNI website you can download and print to fold up and carry in your pocket. It's a beautiful pdf map with all the lines AND all the streets, with many sights and attractions marked as well. If you have 5.0, you can crop and enlarge the neighborhoods (be careful to have a full size one with you always - cropping cuts off the route numbers).

If you go to the Asian Art Museum and Main Library (next door) don't forget a tour of City Hall which is nearby. It's a fabulous building that was just refurbished and there are free tours. I hope you have good weather!

Take the train down to San Jose and visit the Tech Museum. right close by there is also an art museum and eateries. You can easily do it in 6-8 hours.
Nothing like the SFO bay area.

whew~for a moment I could not post! OK~for Sf glory check out the neighborhoods. I second the recommendation for North Beach midweek in November. You just might get a taste of the old neighborhood. I agree City Lights hould not be miseed. Also take a coffee at either Vesuvio or ramble up to Upper Grant and sip a latte or three at Cafe Trieste. Sit,simply sit in the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul..maybe have another coffee or lunch at Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store. Sit and watch the Tai Chi groups in Washington Square. Wander across Broadway into Chinatown and try to find the original Henry's Hunan for a bowl of steaming dumplings. Keep walking and you will find yourself in the Financial District. Perhaps you would rather have a good old bowl of SF cioppino at Tadich Grill. But then, you could also head to MOMA and the Ansel Adams Gallery with lunch at Lulu(check hours), the museum cafe or journey down two or three blocks to Fringale. Try the Mission District..it is disappearing but you can still get some great food..try Chava's for their chicken soup.(Especially in November).Agree with the idea of a ferry ride to either Angel Island or,Tiburon or Sausalito. Tiburon..try lunch at Sam's..in Sausalito wander amidst it all and try Cafe Tieste again. I, frankly, don't think 8 hours is enough for Point Reyes and also think your wife might like a side trip there. Come on over to Berkeley. The UC Art Museum of Kroeber Anthro museum are good spots to hit..they are essentially across the street from each other..have lunch at Chez Panisse or grab some amzing Pizza while listening to good jazz at Cheeseboard Pizza(I swear,even if you are from New York, you gotta eat this stuff!) Check out the movies in SF...go to the Metreon for all general public releases(be forewarned it might overstimulate)..check out our art houses The Bridge, The Embarcadero, The Castro, The Clay and The Lumiere.
You will be here for crab season ...check out Swan's Oyster Depot...if your wife can join you check out Crustascean on Polk or Than Long in the Avenues...(You simply must have Dungeness Crab in November)..Head down to Chrissy Field and take the shorepath out to Fort Point..ask some more folks in SF where to eat on Chestnut Street or go to Greens in Fort Mason..also consider the Mexican Museum in Fort Mason. It's a grand city,still...the neighborhoods are the key. Oh..you might also check out the Palace of the Legion of Honor..or take a walk through the Presidio..take the 1 California to Presidio..have breakfast at Ell's..walk three blocks to the Presidio Gate and then loop around and out the Arguello Gate to California and take the #1 back to your hotel (or thereabouts) And of course..check out the F(?) streetcar which runs along the Embarcadero..try the Farmer's Market or Yank Sing for dim sum..you big lucky..it's a glorious city. One more suggestion..a steam at Kabuki Hot Springs in Japantown..noodles at Mifune..and perhaps a flick at the Kabuki Cinemas.
You are making me miss my old home intensely. Have a great time.

that's Ella's at Presidio and California..call for hours.

Oh, PamSF!

What glorious suggestions!

Think I'll cancel my next hiking trip and just come into "The City" and do ALL those things you've suggested!

Thanks so much! Latte at the Cafe Trieste - especially on a weekend early morning - wonderful! :)

WOW...Thank you all so much for some neat ideas...I deeply appreciate it.

Any other thought on food?...both quick lunch places (not Fast food) that I can use when I'm out wandering as well as dinner spots that the wife, myself, and the conf group will be with.

I am an adventurous eater...the group may not be.

Wow Pam!! I live here and you have given ME some great ideas of things to do on a weekend!!!! You put down things I would have never thought of--the people doing tai chi, great idea!! I love to sit on the bench with my coffe and cigarettes and watch them!

Highly recommend Boulevard for dinner. The aromas from the woodburning ovens/grills are intoxicating. Gorgeous place with wonderful food and service. Reservations essential.

For lunch, head for Belden Place. Lined with wonderful restaurants of every cuisine. My favorite is Plouf, but one of these days, I'm going to try one place after another.