How I love San Francisco
 

I have booked a honeymoon for later this year, starting in SF, and having never been there, reading the post 'How I love San Francisco' made damn depressing reading. So how about a thread highlighting it's good points to cheer me up?<BR><BR>All those who hate the place, just post on the other thread, don't bother here.

I was there recently and loved San Francisco- can't wait to go back. The homeless problem was no where near as evident (that I saw) as I was led to believe. There are tons of fun things to do in the city-- cable car ride, just walking around and experiencing the hills, Palace of the Fine Arts is beautiful, going to Alcatraz etc. Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County- it was beautiful. Head up to Muir Woods to see the redwood trees, go to Tiburon or Sausalito. Wine country is not a far drive from San Francisco either. There are too many great things list!

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world. I was just there last week and had a delightful visit. The city is scenic and offers the best dining on the West Coast of the U.S.<BR><BR>Be sure to take in areas like Sausalito, Napa, Carmel

Chris,<BR>you will have a great time in San Francisco. My husband and I spent a wonderful honeymoon there in Feb 84 and are starting to think about returning for our 20th anniv in Feb 04. I would recommend taking at least a day trip to Napa/Sonoma and taking the ferry to Sausalito. So much to do. Congratulations and have fun.

Chris, We were there last month for a long weekend and are going back this Sat. to bar hop the NFL Draft with a Steeler buddy of mine while our wives come down later to shop.<BR><BR>Good points? Restaurants,shopping, views, history.<BR>Try a sunset from Coit Tower. A sunrise walk down the Embacradero. <BR>Cocktails at the Carnelian Room, Top of the Mark or Cityscapes.<BR>We're trying Cobalt (The old "WashBAG") for the first time. Heard some good revus from local restaurant critics.<BR><BR>As for the homeless, when we were down there last month, we seemed to get more hassle from other visitors than from the street people. <BR><BR>A side trip up to Stinson's Beach, Bodega or over to Napa/Sonoma.<BR>Ahhh...Can't wait for Sat. We may swing by Cakebread on the way home...outta Chard. :-(<BR>Congrats and good luck.<BR>Kal

I live 44 miles south of SF so am there quite often. My son lives in the city and I envy him! It's such a small area (I remember 49 square miles or so) and yet so incredibly diverse. There are strong Asian influences as well as strong Hispanic influences along with the long standing Anglo, Italian, Portugese, Russian etc. Culturally, we have great symphony, opera, ballet, museums and SF has a wonderful, somewhat rowdy history. Be sure you read a bit about the history before you come--it will explain the ongoing philosophy of the residents of the city. Public transportation is sticky but certainly will get you where you want to go. For a honeymoon there are wonderfully romantic destinations with fantastic views and great restaurants. A most beautiful place to wander if you have the time is Pt. Reyes Seashore, just over the GG bridge--peaceful, quiet, birds and open space. Yes, we have homeless but they won't eat you up like the big bad troll and yes, we have bad traffic--just don't rent a car until you want to leave the city. Congratulations and hope you'll get a lot of good posts here. I don't respond to the haters of SF--figure that's their loss.

Thanks to all who've started this thread off with some great answers! In case anyone asks for a later post, we're stayind at Fisherman's Wharf (the Sheraton).<BR><BR>A further question: what's a good website for finding out about concerts etc that might be on while we're there?

Chris, for concerts check out sfx.com. Also, pollstar.com lets you search by artist, venue and city. <BR><BR>You've made a great choice for a honeymoon. I also live near San Francisco and my heart jumps when I am driving into the city and see the skyline. You'll enjoy a walk across the Golden Gate bridge, a ferry ride on the bay, many different neighborhoods to spend your days, Chinatown, Mission, Haight, Union Street, Golden Gate park. Be sure to hit the Ferry Plaza farmer's market if you are there on a Saturday. You'll get a taste of all the great Northern California products, great sights and smells. Visit the Mad Dog in the Fog pub if you get homesick or need to catch a football game!

We've stayed at the FW Sher. Nice hotel.<BR>Good FW location.<BR><BR>Try:http://www.bestofsanfrancisco.net/<BR><BR>or: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/<BR><BR>Kal

Is it worth going on an organised city tour (we'll be doing Alcatraz anyway), or just making our own way about? Some I've seen do take you across the bridge and to great vantage points for views etc. We've got effectively 3 days (and a bit) there - enough time to just mooch round and see all the good bits?

Chris, it depends on how long you will be here, if only few days then yes, take a city tour, if long enough to explore on your own then go for it. Alcatras tour is great - usually sold out few days in advance so make reservations. You may like fire engine tours taking you in a fire truck over the Golden Gate bridge, they loan you real fire fighters clothes for this tour, remember to bring your camera. If you are into bus tours mood there are tours to Monterey, wine country, Yosemite, Muir Woods, Reno (gambling tours - Lucky Tour Bus)

Also www.sfgate.com and restaurant reservations can be done through www.opentable.com. The only tour that I really like is the wokwiz tour of Chinatown that ends with a dim sum lunch www. wokwiz.com. You can also pick up free walking tours at the library or, I think, at the main tourist info center at Market and Powell. check with www.sfvisitor.org for more info.

San Francisco would not be the first place on my list for a honeymoon. Someplace with clean and sunny beaches such as Hawaii would be my favorite place. In California the Central Coast (Monterey and Carmel are also nice). The problem with San Francisco, in addition to the homeless issue, is that the weather, especially in the summer is quite cold. Not too romantic to be sitting outside on the beach in a parka in windy 60 degree weather and having to avoid glass and hypodermic needles in the sand. San Francisco does have some positive attributes, including the fact that it is a small city with a more quiet and laid back atmosphere without the hustle and bustle of New York City or Los Angeles.

Chris:<BR>Tell us about any special interets you'd like to explore while visiting the S.F. area - architecture, food, gardens, etc. It would be my pleasure (and that of the many Northern California experts on this board, I'm sure) to give you some insider's tips so that your journey will be unique!

get in good shape before you go and prepare to do some hills- it's really fun! I just got back from there and loved it. Union St is great fun, I loved Chinatown. Could I suggest skipping Napa and going to Sonoma Valley instead? Better drive...much prettier, quieter and romantic place.Napa is too crowded, loud traffic. There are some beautiful, romantic B&Bs and Inns in Sonoma Valley that ooze charm and romance- maybe you could spend a couple nights there. I would!

Great idea chris! Here are my thoughts on a few of the reasons I love SF:<BR><BR>Bay cruises at sunset...<BR><BR>Dinner at Scoma's on the Wharf...<BR><BR>Drinks At The Carnelian Room (is it still open?) at sunset...<BR><BR>The Muir woods...<BR><BR>Staying at The Mark...<BR><BR>Staying at the Hotel Monaco...<BR><BR>Palace of Fne Arts...<BR><BR>Riding the cable cars...<BR><BR>Renting a ford mustang and recreating the chase from "Bullitt"...:)<BR><BR>Walking...everywhere!...<BR> <BR>Irish Coffee at Buena Vista...<BR><BR>Lunch at La Coupole...<BR><BR>Chinatown...<BR><BR>Japantown... <BR><BR>The whole town...<BR><BR>David<BR><BR>

Thanks for all the help so far!<BR><BR>Kris - SF is only part of our honeymoon - from there we're flying on for a week in Hawaii!<BR><BR>Lizbeth - we're both fans of good Italian and Chinese food - any places that are particularly good/to be avoided? There's obviously Chinatown, but there we'll be almost overwhelmed by choice, and it's often be impossible to distinguish good from bad from the menu etc. Some of the best food I've had is in the places that don't look great from the outside as they've spent the money on a superb interior! Also, we're looking for places that will give us a great view of the bay and/or city area - is around the bridge the best place for that?

After going to SF, I can truly say that I left my heart there. :) It is totally different than any other city. I would move there in a second, if it weren't so expensive. You will just love it! Go to Lombard Street-the crookedist street in the world, and to Alamo Square...and to the other famous spots-Fishermans Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, etc.

Far East restaurant in Chinatown is WONDERFUL- atmosphere- old building with big Chinese gate and chandeliers....they even have about 6 tiny private rooms with shutter doors in the restaurant. Very romantic and sweet! Food is awesome.

Chris,<BR>If you are taking the Alcatraz cruise, you'll definitely get a wonderful view of the city from the water. Ditto if you take the ferry to Sausalito and walk around Sausalito. The vista point at the north end of the GG bridge is great, but it does get awfully crowded.<BR><BR>In San Francisco itself:<BR><BR>Twin Peaks - terrific on a clear day, miserable in the fog! Take a streetcar to Castro & Market and then grab a taxi to the top of Twin Peaks. You could then walk back down the hill.<BR><BR>Legion of Honor - great location, out in the western end of the city. You'll get dramatic views of the Marin headlands and the bridge. Take the #2 Clement Street bus to its western terminal, then walk.<BR><BR>The Carnelian room, as mentioned by another poster, is a superb place to have a drink in the late afternoon or evening. The views from up there are dizzying!<BR><BR>Walk up a hill anywhere in San Francisco and you'll be rewarded with a view. The hills are pretty serious here - bring comfortable, supportive shoes.<BR><BR>I'll reply again tomorrow with some ideas on dining.<BR><BR><BR>