Location and Must See's San Francisco
 

We Canadians will be spending 4 nights in San Francisco - April 3-6 inclusive and are wondering what is the best area to book a room, and if someone could suggest what sights/attractions are "not to be missed", pleased. We are 59 and 72 respectively, and are not big on a ton of walking. If possible we would also like to park the car on the 3rd and not have to move it again until the morning of the 7th, as we will be on a driving trip and will appreciate a break from the car.

We both like just about anything, but don't want to waste our time on the "overrated"

Thank you, Fodorites. My trips are always improved by your advice.

bex

Have you done any research based on your likes, as to what to see and do? There's so much in SF, that it is hard to toss out ideas without a bit of input from you other than not a "ton" of walking.

My suggestion for where to stay is in the Union Square area. There are lots of choices of hotels, but again, you need to provide budget and what kind of hotels you like - basic to luxury. All areas of the city are easily reachable from this location.

You should definitely NOT plan on using your car while IN SF, park it and take public transit or walk. There is a 3 day muni pass that allows unlimited use of transit, which is great. You could walk somewhere and then if need be, hop a bus.

http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/...tor-day-passes

While these ARE walking tours, they are often fairly compact walks that focus on small pockets of the city. They are free except for donation [$5 or more, per person] and go to run the organization, which is sponsored by SF Public Library. They cover a wide range of interests.

http://www.sfcityguides.org

IF you haven't been to SF at that time of year [guessing you haven't] the weather will be cool and can be rainy, so be prepared.

Again, please try to be a bit more specific. There are many besides myself [we visit almost every year, going next month] who love SF and will be happy to help.

This is just a quick look at some places that first timers often go:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Guide-g60...alifornia.html

PS - I am so glad you asked this question. I went to sfcityguides.org to get the link for you. When I went back to close the tab, I thought I would have a look - see on tours for when we will be there next month. We have done close to 3 dozen tours, so we've seen a lot of the regular, recurring ones. Imagine my delight to see 2 new to us tours that will be given on the days we will be in the city!!

I may not have looked otherwise so -- THANKS!!

Your advice will be very helpful DebitNM. We haven't really gone through the attractions choices yet, but will. First is to get the rooms booked. Union Square is a good start.

>>weather will be cool and can be rainy,<<<

It only rains when you are here, Deb. So - next month is when you arrive and our drought ends. Yeah!!!!

Suggestions for things to do in SF:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

LOL, Stu - you know. Don't plan any outdoor activities for 2/14 til 2/19!!

If you bring that kind of weather, Deb, could you please plan a visit to Tahoe? We are in desperate need of some snow in the Sierras!! ;)

In answer to the OP~Stu Dudley is THE Fordorite guru of all things SF. Check out the link to his thread; it may be overwhelming, but there are some great recommendations.

Some of my personal favorite things to do in SF: I liked the tour of Alcatraz, but there is walking involved. I also try to see a performance of Beach Blanket Babylon when I go.

I won't tell Ellen - she leads a City Guides walk on 2/15. It's not a fun walk in the rain - as you experienced.

Stu Dudley

:)

[We are doing the Alfred Hitchcock walk and the Silent Movie walk.]

OP: If you don't want to pay a great deal for parking i.e. at least $50US per day, then you will need to check out the places with free parking and they are NOT in Union Square. Use the SEARCH function to find the numerous threads that discuss places with parking in SF. In fact if you use the SEARCH function, you will find lots of info re SF.

Deb: Where are you staying this time? And more importantly where are you eating? And if you bring rain again, please leave it in SF as I usually spend February on Carmel. Welcome back!

Where we are staying...well, that's kind of funny. Doing a Kimpton points run. Monaco and Sir Francis Drake.

We only have 2 nights in the city so as of now, Chez Panisse has one night. Thinking Brunch at Foreign Cinema.

We are then heading to Santa Barbara for a few nights. Also Kimptons.

DebitNM: The Canary in SB? It's lovely! Do you have your restaurants for SB picked yet?

Yes, The Canary and The Goodland [another point run]. We have a gift card to The Goodland Restaurant for one night but need ideas for the other 2, Lynni. Also, lunch spots.

[Sorry for the hijack of thread.]

SAB

The "Advanced search" function on Fodors will not retrieve anything posted since about May of last year (I think that's the date). Try to search for the response you just posted.

Stu Dudley

I always stay in or around Union Square.

in or around? There are no hotels in Union Sq - but many around Union Sq. First-time visitors may not know what Union Square is.

Stu Dudley

Union Square is hardly a secret. Anyone looking into San Francisco can easily see it on any city map.

Yep - they can see "where" it is, but not "what" it is. If it was called Union "Park", they could probably guess that it is a park with no "real" buildings. Are there any buildings/hotels in Ghiradelli Square??? There are actually buildings in Lafayette Park.

Perhaps confusing for many first-timers with only mediocre maps. I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill, however.

Stu Dudley

Stu, If I said "Fisherman's Wharf" would you think I needed to give a further explanation? Or "Embarcadero"? Like "Union Square" I believe these are all very well known landmarks in central San Francisco.

Last week we had a fabulous dinner at One Market, right across from the Ferry Building. Can't wait to go back.