We'll be heading out to San Francisco in September for a wedding. We'll be staying at the Galleria Park Hotel. We will only have 2 days or so for sightseeing and soaking up the San Fran scene. Any must do's that you would suggest? We're hoping to squeeze in as much as possible since we'll be there for such a short stay. Thanks for your help!

Start with a Grayline tour...For $15 to $50 (depending on agenda) you will get a three to five hour overview of the entire city...If you like an area or attraction, go back on your own...these tours sound hokey or touristy, but every city offers them, and with a limited time budget, you can see a bit of everything in a short period.

Please do a search here for "San Francisco". There's tons of info. Two personal recommendatins are Beach Blanket Babylon in North Beach and a walking tour of Chinatown with Wokwiz (www.wokwiz.com) Enjoy.

Every one will have their favorite suggestions, but the fact is you don't have enough time to "see it." So, you will have to sift your way through the choices you will find here. couple of thoughts I have for you: Coit tower at night can be very beautiful if it's not too foggy. Sept weather is usually pretty good, but it can get downright cold at night. Cable cars. You gotta do em! The newly restored tram system features antique street cars from around the world, and serves Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf area. A fun way to get around. A classic San Francisco restaurant is Tadish's Grill, at the foot of California Street near the Embarcadero, along the cable car system. They don't take reservations, prepare to stand in line with lots of locals.
You probably won't have time, but if you have a car, drive accross the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods. Beautiful.

If you are there for a wedding, then I presume you might be there on a weekend. If you are, head to the Glide Methodist church on the edge of Union Square. Great gospel choir....all races...all income groups...services at 9 and 11. Be there by 8:30 and you are out by 10 am. I have taken groups here for years. They all wonder why this stop is included, but afterwards it is one of their favorite experinces.

I also second the Grayline Tour option. A 3.5 hour tour and you can tack on Alcatraz to it if you want. Just know that Alcatraz sells out early and you will need to make that reservation in advance.

Other things to do......walk out on the Golden Gate Bridge. If you ahve a car and want to see Muir Woods, do it on a week day if possible and go early regardless of the day. Tons of people there on the weekends and the parking is the pits when it is crowded.

A tiny place to eat behind the Symphony Hall (on Ivy) that is great for lunch or dinner is Vicolo's Pizza. Not your regular pizza....cornmeal crust. One piece is plenty and the wines and salads are great too. Crowded on nights that the opera or symphony is scheduled.

For me, Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden are wonderful...they are included on the Grayline tour. I also like walking the Pacific ocean prior to sundown, down from the Cliff House.

The main thing is to do some research for your options and then choose the things that you MOST want to see. The weather being good or bad will also dictate your agenda, so have "rain" plan too.

Enjoy your trip!

My first time in frisco was last year. Fave thing I did was Fisherman's Wharf and the downtown shopping district. Again, if you like the alcatraz tour was interesting. I bought my ticket online (sold out most days) and avoided and lines and a chance of being turned down.

AUGGGH---there's that Frisco word again. Please--no more! Kay, there are great walking tours of San Francisco. Go to the visitor's bureau site.

I have posted this before... but I think I will do it again with updates and modifications.

1) A sunny day. Take the ferry to Tiburon, lunch at Guaymas Mexican restaurant http://www.tiburon.org/restaurants/Guaymas.html. Marvel at the great views of the city. After lunch take ferry to Angel island. Hike the uninhabited hills. Return to the city just in time to watch the sun set from the deck of the boat.

2) A rainy day. Wander through the beautiful collection at the Legion of Honor. http://www.thinker.org/legion/index.html.

3) A cloudy day. Take a walking tour of San Francisco (you will be grateful there are clouds as you go up and down the hills). Guide yourself using a book such as "Walking San Francisco: On the Barbary Coast Trail," by Daniel Bacon. Or have someone lead you through our interesting and diverse city such as Jay Gifford http://www.victorianwalk.com/.

4) A lazy day. Check out our fabulous books stores (i.e. City Lights http://www.citylights.com/). Find a great read and stop in a neighborhood coffee shop for some enjoyable reading and a cappuccino. If you like chocolate with that book, try Victoria Pastries for the best chocolate éclair ever (we San Franciscans are a bit prone to hyperbole)! 1362 Stockton Street at Vallejo.

5) A shopping day. Check out the fabulous shopping around Union Street. When you have had your fill and are in need of a pick-me-up, go for high tea at one of our beautiful locations (Top of the Mark, Sheraton Palace, St. Francis).

6) A trendy day. Check out the Haight Street scene. Grab lunch at Cha Cha Cha (Tapas) or Massawa (Ethiopian/Eritrean).

7) A kids day (for all ages!). Visit the California Academy of Sciences and check out the Aquarium. While in Golden Gate Park, take a walk and enjoy some of the most beautiful acres in the city. Wander to Sharon Meadow and play on the swings, or wander all the way out to Ocean Beach and play in the sand. Grab a burger and malt at Luis' at Land's End. Possibly the best burger joint in town... definitely with the best views.

8) An athletic day. Bike across the Golden Gate to the Marin Headlands. I cannot even begin to describe the views you will encounter. If the fog is rolling in the site becomes surreal.

9) An adult night out. Martinis and appetizers at Zuni and then a show (Opera, Play, you name it). Grab a late dinner at Jardiniere.

10) A college day. Take the BART over to Berkeley and spend some time remembering when. Walk the beautiful campus and check out Cody's book store http://www.codysbooks.com. People watch at a local eatery. Stop in at Market Hall for fresh produce, flowers, a bottle of wine or a cup of coffee. (Rockridge Bart Station) http://www.rockridgemarkethall.com/

11) A movie day. Check out the scene at the huge cineplex that is our Sony Metreon. Words cannot describe all the lives there http://www.metreon.com.

12) A eaters day on the town... choose from any of our amazing restaurants. Here is a list I find invaluable as a local: The Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../06/FD100Z.DTL

13) A dinner with the boss and her husband. One Market. A place to impress and still maintain that distance...

14) A day for your little kids to meet and play with other little kids. Take them to the Bay Area Discovery Museum just across the Golden Gate Bridge. There they can play in an extremely kid friendly environment while you soak in the amazing views of the bridge and the city. http://www.badm.org/

15) A romantic night out, Froo froo: Dinner at Campton Place http://www.camptonplace.com/restaurant.html or La Folie http://www.lafolie.com/ (either one, both have GREAT food WITH great service).

16) A romantic night out, Easy going: Tommy's (best margaritas in town) 5929 Geary Blvd. The outer Richmond

17) A new addition, GO TO THE BEACH! Yes, San Francisco now has a beach which for the most part is warm enough to actually enjoy - the beach that is, not the water. Crissy Field, http://www.crissyfield.org/ boasts some of the most breathtaking vistas as well as soft sand and wetlands filled with interesting birds. Take your kite and, "go fly it!"

18) A Saturday enjoy breakfast or a snack at Farmers Market. San Francisco Farmers Market boasts some of the most interesting and tasty produce. Enjoy breakfast or a snack from 8AM - 1:30PM http://www.seasonalchef.com/index.htm Embarcadero at Green Street. Buy gifts for folks back home - local honey, olive oil and such make great gifts.

19) A Sunday, have a picnic while enjoying an outdoor, FREE concert at Stern Grove http://www.sterngrove.org Take a blanket and layers of clothing, as you will be sitting on the grass and the fog can roll in or out several times during the show.

OK, that is a start. I hope it helps.

WOW, these are wonderful ideas! I am going to print it out to bring with me when I visit colleges this June with my 17 year old daughter. I always forget to walk the Golden Gate Bridge when I'm there....maybe this trip? Thanks!