Hi,
We are stying for 1 night July 3 at the Best Western Lighthouse Inn in Pacifica for our Anniversary. I have a few questions.

We are flying in in the morning and out in the late afternoon the next day. Should we rent a car?

We are thinking we would like to see Pier 39 on one of the days. Is there something we should spend a day seeing instead?

If we rent a car, are we better off driving to the Bart station in Colma and then taking Bart to the Pier? How do we get from the station in Colma to the Pier? What does a full day of parking at the Colma station cost? What does a full day of parking at Pier 39 Cost?

We are considering the following itinerary:
Arrive SO 7:00 am
Take public transportation from SFO to Pier 39. - Does SFO or Pier 39 have lockers for an overnight bag? What transportation should we take?
Spend day at Pier 39.
Take public transportaion to Colma Bart station. What should we take?
Calling Taxi to go from the Colma Bart station to the hotel.
Dinner at the hotel at Ristorante Portofino. Does anyone have any thoughts about this resteraunt? Cost? Any location better for a romantic 20th anniversary dinner?
Day 2 relax in Pacifica. Take taxi to the airport in the late afternoon.
I would love all sugestions. We are open to changing anything except the hotel location. We have a great rate for an ocean view suite for $99.00.
Thanks Tina

July 4 there is an Independence Day celebration at Pier 39 all afternoon, then a huge fireworks display, so parking and driving will be a nightmare.

If you take BART from the airport to San Francisco, you'll be going through Colma anyway, so you might as well stop by your hotel on the way. I don't know if there are any public lockers near Pier 39, but you won't want to be carrying a lot of luggage on your visit.

To get there take the F line streetcars along Market and Embarcadero. Get off of BART along Market at the Civic Center, Powell Street, Montgomery Street, or Embarcadero Stations. The sooner you get off BART the more of the city you'll see. Powell Street is the end of one of the cable car lines, so that might be the best.

If you take the F street line up Market you could stop at the Ferry Building for the huge farmer's market, and excellent restaurants, then take the Mason street cable car back to Powell and Market, passing through North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square. If you get off in these places you could even visit San Francisco on your trip to Pier 39.

I can't really imagine staying at the Lighthouse w/o a car. There are nice drives down the coast. But then I also can't imagine spending a whole day at Pier 39.

The only time I've stayed at the Lighthouse I parked at Colma BART for the easiest travel into the city. I don't recall exactly - but I think parking was only $2.

I ate at the in-house restaurant one dinner and it was fine but nothing remarkable. The views are nice -- IF the fog isn't in.

Most of my other meals were of the picnic on the beach variety, or in simple cafes, so can't really help much re other restaurants

I think you are going to want a car. The taxi from Colma to Pacifica will probably be about $20 or so one way. You'll probably spend the same on a rental car as you would on public transportation and the car will give you more flexability.

I don't think the July 4 celebration will affect July 3 traffic and parking much at Pier 39.

I'm not sure why you have chosen Pier 39 as your destination for a day. It is a nice place to visit for an hour or two but there are so many other places to see in SF, I wouldn't chose to spend an entire day there. You don't say where else you have been in San Francisco. What kinds of things do you like to do and what have you seen?

The Portofino restaurant is OK (it does have a great view) but with so many good restaurants in San Francisco, I would probably eat there.

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all of your comments.
It looks like we don't need a day at Pier 39. What would you suggest?
Also, if we rent a car, we are thinking of taking 1 of the days and just driving the coast. Any suggestions?
Tina

Sorry I forgot to add, this will be our first visit to San Francisco and we will be there on our 20th anniversary.

Oh - if this is your first visit to SF - Pier 39 is definitly not a "must". You could get 50 different suggestions about what to do on your free day in the city - and all would be worthwhile (and possibly none would include going to Pier 39 tho' it is OK for an hour or 2).

But, why not begin by reading the SF guide here on Fodors. It is a good way to get you started. Click on "Destinations" at the top of the screen.

And what sorts of things do you enjoy - fine dining, shopping, museums, scenery, just walking and people watching, whatever? if we know what you like we can give you better advice . . . .

Hi Janis,
Thanks for your advise. We enjoy sight seeing but not museums. We are not really into shoppiong or fine dining, but enjoy finding the favorites of the locals. We love seafood, and hope to find a great seafood resteraunt. Some of our best days on other trips have been just driving and seeing the sites, but my impression of San Francisco is that it is not really a city that lends itself to that.
In the past we have enjoyed guided tours. We love the Ocean, thats why the Lighthouse Inn appealed to us. Typically we prefer the more secluded communities than the bustling cities.
Tina

If you have a car, the 49 mile drive would give you a great overview of the City. Be sure to print out the map from online. Some of the signs are missing and it can be tricky to stay on course.

A car is a great way to explore areas of SF away from the Wharf in a day. Take the 49 mile drive as suggested or go and explore Golden Gate Park or explore the Presidio and take a drive across the Bridge. If a friend was visting for just one day I would never take them to Pier 39.

This website will help you with the 49 mile drive, and give you an idea of what you will see: http://www.theinsider.com/SF/Attract...9miledrive.htm