I need some advice for our upcoming trip. Since this is the third visit this year, I'm trying to do some things that we didn't cover before.

Has anyone been to the Cartoon Museum of Art? I'm not particularly interested myself, but thought my son might enjoy it. He likes 'The New Yorker' type cartoons (we do too) and political ones, not 'Peanuts.' Is this a worthwhile place to visit?

Has anyone done the tour of City Hall?

After visiting Alcatraz one morning, I was considering having lunch somewhere near the ferry, walking up the Filbert steps (not to go into Coit Tower) and doing some kind of neighborhood walk. Any suggestions?

Another morning, we will see the Tut exhibit at the De Young. We'll probably stay awhile, have lunch there and see another exhibit. We have never walked over the GG bridge or walked around Fort Mason and Ft. Point. Is this doable in the afternoon coming from GG Park?

On the third and last morning, I am considering one of two SF City Guides Tours: 'City Scapes and Public Places' and 'South of Market Architectural Stroll.' Any preferences? We're having a Dim Sum lunch afterwards and City Hall or the Cartoon Museum would be in the afternoon. Or would youe explore another neighborhood instead?

We will not have a car until after breakfast at the Ferry Bldg Sat am when we head south.

Btw - Stu - couldn't find a copy of the Stairways book that you recommended - should have ordered online, too late now.

Thanks - as always - for everyone's help!

By all means walk across the Golden Gate Bridge! You should be able to take a tour that will give you plenty of time there. And rent a car for a drive up to the Marin Headlands just beyond the bridge. The views from both are breathtaking and a good change from museums and architecture for a teenaged boy. You can take a ferry to Tiburon for great Mexican food at Guayamas, just off the ferry. If you happen to be there during Fleet Week, the Navy Blue Angels do their thing right over the bay and bridge.

Sorry (before you get your hopes up), it won't be Fleet Week (which is in October).

I went to the Cartoon Museum of Art when I visited San Francisco. If memory serves, there were cartoon panels and such that covered a very wide range of examples.

Also did a tour of City Hall and found it to be of interest.

City Hall is a beautiful building. I've never done a tour, but it's worth seeing.

>>After visiting Alcatraz one morning, I was considering having lunch somewhere near the ferry, walking up the Filbert steps (not to go into Coit Tower) and doing some kind of neighborhood walk. Any suggestions?>Another morning, we will see the Tut exhibit at the De Young. We'll probably stay awhile, have lunch there and see another exhibit. We have never walked over the GG bridge or walked around Fort Mason and Ft. Point. Is this doable in the afternoon coming from GG Park?>On the third and last morning, I am considering one of two SF City Guides Tours: 'City Scapes and Public Places' and 'South of Market Architectural Stroll.' Any preferences?>>We're having a Dim Sum lunch afterwards and City Hall or the Cartoon Museum would be in the afternoon. Or would youe explore another neighborhood instead?>Btw - Stu - couldn't find a copy of the Stairways book that you recommended - should have ordered online, too late now.

Stu - I just looked at Ft Point's website and their opening hours info was confusing. I called them and they are indeed open this Thurs (hours change in Oct). I'm in luck! I must be having 'a moment' because I read your suggestion of Union Square meaning the Union Square in NY! Only after thinking awhile that we don't have a Borders in US did I finally get it! LOL. I reserved a copy online, but the hold is good for one day only. I will have to redo it before departure and have ds pick it up since he arrives before we do.

To save time, I would like to take a taxi from the De Young to Ft Point. Any suggestions on where would be the best place to find one or could I telephone for one?

OK - my 2 cents worth re your questions:

We did the City Hall tour and we were the only 2 in the group! It was the day before Valentine's Day and every where you looked, there were weddings. So neat.

We did 2 Public Library sponsored tours: "City Scapes" which was excellent. Our tour guide was a guy with his GoldenDoodle dog, Norton . The dog was an official guide, with a pass and everything. The tour took us into places we'd walked by many times and never would have given a second glance too. The second tour, "Victorian Houses" with mrs Stu as our guide. It was a completely different type of tour [and I don't just mean the pouring rain!] and we learned so much about that style of architecture.

Some day, sooner rather than later, I am going to go back to SF and do nothing but take tours offered by library for the entire trip - they are that good.

Lunch after Alcatraz - when you say near the ferry, do you mean the ferry from Alcatraz? I would head to the Ferry Building and eat there, for sure. I wouldn't head to Fishermans'Wharf to eat there, that is for sure.

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge, it is an amazing experience, with spectacular views. I am not sure, but I think you cannot walk it during afternoon rush hours, so check that out. We walked it first thing in morning, then walked via Crissie Field to FW.

We had Dim Sum after our morning tour of City Hall - we really like City Views, of course, everyone has their recommendations.

Hope this helps,
Deb

I'd recommend Pacific Hgts. The mansions are grand. You can also link this with a walk in Crissy Field/the GG Bridge.

CPG - I just wanted to say have a most fabulous time!! Where are you staying??

CPG, DH & I also did the City Scapes tour, and we had the same guide as Deb - the guy with the dog. We really enjoyed the tour. You can check my trip report from May 2009 in which I described the tour.

Have a great time!

yk - just reread your report. We're staying at the Hyatt and eating at Perbacco too (I will remind my dh to bring migraine meds!).

Mom- I will follow your orders and have a fabulous time. Your report really wet my appetite. Hyatt Regency Embarcadero.

Deb - I wanted to reread your TR, but can't find a link. I meant the Alcatraz ferry - don't want to head back the other way.

3 out of 3 - City Scapes it is. I'll give your regards to the guide. The name on the website is Jay. Ring a bell?

Pam - drove thru Pacific Hts last year and would love to explore more if time permits. If not, it will be on the next trip!!

Jay is the guide with Norton! Funny how I remembered the dogs name [he is named after Jay's dad's Norton motorcycle; my DH owns a Norton and jokingly asked Jay if the dog was named after Norton motorcycle and Jay answered yes!]

I will look for my report; I am not sure I did one since we had to fly home early and unexpectedly due to MIL falling and breaking hip.

Deb

Deb - I'm not positive that you did a TR, but I do remember reading about your walking tours, rainy weather(?), etc.

And Deb, OT, my ds is going to Santa Fe this week. Could you recommend some eateries with delicious food, but gentle on the wallet?

You bet, I will be back with some ideas in a little bit.
Deb

Deb - should have mentioned it's for one night mid week.

What cuisine?

They eat everything. Loves all ethnic (but no bbq - he works in a bbq joint part time).

Here ya go!

Andiamo! 322 Garfield St [Italian - we loved this place]
La Choza 905 Alarid St,[New Mexican - great food and prices]
El Farol 808 Canyon Rd [tapas]
BobCat Bite 420 Old Las Vegas Hwy out of town a bit, good eats]
Cafe Paris 31 Burro Alley St [nice french bistro, in alley alongside Lensik Theatre.]


Great for Lunch = Torino's [inside a mini mall] 227 Don Gaspar Ave

www.999dine.com
This place sells dining certificates. You buy them and they are good for 90 days. They have a number of good options in Santa Fe and ABQ too. Example - you buy a $20 certificate and it costs $10. When you use it, you get $20 off your bill. Here are the places in SF:
http://999dine.com/NGiftCertificateS...bId=18&RsName=

Deb