We will only have two nights in San Francisco. Since our time is so short, we were wondering what are some of the most important things to do? Does the alcatraez toir take all day? What would you do? Thanks.

Sam,

You probably would be better off visiting the wine country and the Sausalito/Tiburon area. Unfortunately, San Francisco has lost must of its luster in the last few years. I have lived here since the mid 80's and have been appaleed at the decline. The streets seem to be taken over by agressive panhandlers and prostitutes. It really sadens me to see my city in this shape. In all honesty, I could not recommend you to come here at this time. Hopefully, when we get a new mayor things will get better.

Sam,

You probably would be better off visiting the wine country and the Sausalito/Tiburon area. Unfortunately, San Francisco has lost must of its luster in the last few years. I have lived here since the mid 80's and have been appalled at the decline. The streets seem to be taken over by agressive panhandlers and prostitutes. It really sadens me to see my city in this shape. In all honesty, I could not recommend you to come here at this time. Hopefully, when we get a new mayor things will get better.

Kevin, I would accuse you of being our resident SF basher, except for your appalling spelling. Our usual friend does know how to spell "appalled" and "aggressive", in fact that's one of his favorite adjectives. Give it a rest, buddy.

Why is it that most of the SF bashing messages seem to have the same theme running through them: "I 'live here' and it had gone downhill...blah blah blah"

Sounds like the San Jose gremlins are very active here. You'd think with such a "fine" university there, they could come up with something more imaginitive?
Must be something in San Jose's smog-laden air and MTBE laced ground water?

Traveling man,

As a resident of San Francisco, I feel that we should be telling the truth about our city and not misleading tourists. We have lots of social problems here in addition to homelessness such as escalating crime in even the "safer" areas.

Sam,
Walk, walk, walk. I love walking tours of the city. There are walks you can do on your own or walks with guides that can take you. If I only had 2 days, I would take the walking tour of China town and North Beach. I would take a boat tour of the Bay (skip the visit to Alcatraz and just that the boat that tours the Bay). I would walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. I would go for drinks at the Top of the Mark and dinner at Rose Pistola or someplace like that with a great scene. I would stroll down Union Street and Fillmore. I would walk down the foot paths in Crissy field. I would see a play or go to a concert. I would visit Ocean Beach.

I hope my ramblings help.

Sam,

Listen to Sharon, yeh right, she is just the resident representative of the San Francisco Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Her job is to paint SF as the best city in the world when in fact it is far from it. Be careful because the I was in SF last month and was very disappointed with what I saw.

To xxx: Good! PLEASE don't come back!