Off the beaten path, San Fran
 

we have 4 days and nights. Hubby and I have both been to San Fran but not together and it's been years. What are not misses and non touristy things to do? We love neighborhoods and locals. Can we rent bikes somewhere? Thank you!

You can rent bikes at Golden Gate Park, which is really lovely. On Sundays, Golden Gate Park's main roads are closed to traffic, which makes for a safe and relaxing ride. But it is very easy. Depending on your level of fitness or sense of adventure, you could bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. That is spectacular. Check out this link for more great info: sanfrancisco.about.com/cs/bikin1/a/bikerides.htm

eroz, Biking is a great thing to do. You can rent them along the embarcadero (near the Ferry building in the direction of SBC Park) or near Fisherman's Wharf. One of my favorite things to do is to ride along the bay, over the GG Bridge, down into Sausalito and take the ferry back. If you want to go further, the bike path will take you all the way to Tiburon, where you can catch a ferry to Angel Island for more riding, then ferry back to SF, or on to Larkspur where you can again ferry back.

Do a search for Easytraveler's post where she talked about a local's weekend taking in the sites. Very good tips.

Also, you might want to check out the Barbary Coast Walk. It will give you a glimpse into SF's bawdy and interesting past.

On our last trip to S.F., we did two of the walks from the book, "Walking San Francisco," by Liz Gans. They were fun and interesting (and a good workout), and led us through some beautiful neighborhoods.

The first walk we took went through Japantown, Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights. I loved Cow Hollow!

The second walk began by going up some hills (can't remember the names) with gorgeous views of the rest of the city, went through the Noe Valley and finished with a walk through the Castro. At lunch in the Noe Valley, I'm sure we were the only tourists there.

We LOVE the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park...lots of awesome orchids and unusual plants in different theme type rooms, very well done and bursting with life. You can also get pedal boats in the park which are always a fun way to see a bit of the park. Walking across the bridge, even if only partway, is always exciting. There's a carousel at Yerba Buena. And, touristy or not, nothing beats a steaming bread bowl of clam chowder on a cold foggy day out on the wharf!

love
roxy

Walk down the Filbert Steps from Coit Tower. Feels like an adventure through a secret garden. Then have lunch at the Fog City Diner. Or, if you want a workout, do it in reverse.

Check out Valencia Street. You'll have lots to choose from. If you want to dine amidst the hip but working, try Blue Plate in the Mission. I would also suggest you check out dim sum. For a neighborhood feel, try Ton Kiang in the Avenues. Do try to take in the Saturday farmers' market at the ferry building. Go early. It starts jumpin' by 9 am.
Check out North Beach. Have coffees at Cafe Trieste. Go to City Lights Bookstore. Check out Washington Square Park. Go and sit inside St. Peter and Paul. Have crab Louis at Swan's Oyster Depot. Get a copy of Patrica Unterman's Food Lover's Guide to San Francisco. Follow her advice for the most part. I wrote a longer list of things to see and do in SF on some earlier thread. as did many other local folks. See if you can do a search. Oh..and see what's at MOMA..and check out the art house movie theatres...The Clay, The Bridge, The Lumiere. ..see what happens when I start talking San Francisco!

There are so many great things to do in this beautiful city. One of the more off-the-beaten-path things that I've found is the Wave Organ. You'll find it at the end of the yacht jetty at Marina Green. It's a bit of enviromental art that uses water to create music. And if the music doesn't get ya, the views will.

you are all wonderful! i leave in 2 hrs and can't wait! thank yoU!

Grasshopper, do you remember the subject of Easytraveler's post? I did a search, and she has lots of posts...Thanks

Grasshopper: Thanks for the recommendation~ I feel soooo honored! Someone actually reads what I write! =D>

elaine: Sorry for posting so much! I am getting Fodor's Infection really badly! Believe that Grasshopper was referring to a couple of threads called "California dreamin' " about a long weekend in San Francisco.

Maybe I should stop posting for awhile and start drinking all those wines we got in Sonoma ((d))

Oh, guess you're gone by now. But I'll still post about my favorite spots: the Marin Headlands (Battery Spencer, et al), and Point Bonita lighthouse. And Noe Valley area, Chestnut Street in Cow Hollow, eating at the MacDonalds in the Presidio, Tank Hill, driving down Market Street at night near Twin Peaks - ooh, I love it all - except Fisherman's Wharf!

No, easytraveler, don't stop posting. The info on this board is better than any travel book. I love reading and researching every morsel!

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