I would avoid Fisherman's Wharf; it's a crowded tourist trap with cheap t-shirt stores. Given your time frame, and if you have a car, I'd hit the following: Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Legion of Honor, Presidio/Presidio Heights, Baker Beach, North Beach, Coit Tower.

I wouldn't go out of my way for Fisherman's Wharf either, except for the Maritime National Historical Park end of it where, by the way, you can tour some of the ships at Hyde St. Pier for $5.

Fee to go up Coit Tower was $3.75, less for seniors, and worth it for the views. Who put the coins on the window sills and how did they get them out there? If you do walk down (or up) the Filbert Steps, look for the picture of Bogart in a window of the whitish-coloured art deco building at Montgomery St. The apartment block was used in the filming of the movie Dark Passage.

Yeah. Why would a tourist want to go to a touristy place and have to deal with all those other tourists? ;)

I think one of the best views of the bay is from the end of Pier 39. Great view of the Bay Bridge, GG Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Isl., Coit Tower, etc.
Nice place to see a sunrise, too.

Plus you have to go see all of my in- laws...I mean the monk seals that hang out at the marina at Pier 39.

It's not the tourists at Fisherman's Wharf as much as the tacky shops, which is not to say some good things can't be found there like the large, embossed chocolate eagle medallions in the neat San Francisco tins that we got at the San Francisco Chocolate shop. :-)

Has anybody mentioned Hyde street pier? Great views, access to the ships, it's a must if you like history.

Hyde Street Pier is pretty cool if you're into the maritime. You have to wonder how brave some of those early sailors were going out to sea on those things.

And some of those steam powered vessels are very interesting. Nice view from there too.

April-Stop it with SF Chocolate!!! Not b4 Tgiving!!! But some XOXO Truffles would be nice with some port tonight!
choKalate

Yes, FainaAgain, I had mentioned the Hyde Street Pier a few posts back. It is just below the cable car turnaround, which is worth taking if only to go up the steep, steep hill for the fabulous views. It is also conveniently close to - sorry choKalate - the chocolate shop at Ghirardelli Sq.

I sure wish I had known all this before my trip 1-1/2 years ago! I tried posting several times and every time a post with good info from these wonderful people - J Correa, Kal, PamSF, jason888, etc. (you know who you are/were) inevitably it would be sabotaged/deleted. How refreshing this post is!

We're leaving tomorrow. I'll post a trip report when I get back. Thanks for all the suggestions

Alohaaa and bring a rain coat for the weekend. Hope not, but....
Safe travels to ya!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. I printed it out and took it with me. Severla things I wanted to do but didn't have time for.
Even though we were very close...we never could find the Ansel Adams center. I did enjoy the Meteron and the Yerba Buena Gardens.
I have posted a complete trip report.