Our 1st San Francisco visit
Mar 31st, 2005, 04:32 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our 1st San Francisco visit
My husband and I spent 5 nights in San Fancisco this month and had a great time. Thanks to all of you on this board who post such wonderful tips on travel in general, and San Francisco, in particular.
I really appreciate those who said to buy the Alcatraz tickets BEFORE you go. They really do sell out quickly. We originally bought tickets for Monday, March 28 at 9:30. After getting to SF, however, the weather report predicted rain on that day. So, on Saturday morning, we got up early and were in the ticket line by 8:00, hoping they would let us switch our tickets to another date/time. While waiting in line, it was announced that tickets were already sold out through Tuesday, March 29. YIKES! Luckily, once the ticket booths opened, we were able to change our tickets to that very morning at 9:30! The weather was fabulous over on "the rock" and we actually ended up taking our jackets off. We got great pictures and really enjoyed the audio tour--I think it's not-to-be-missed. Another bonus was that a former prison guard was on the island that day to talk about his experiences and to sign his book. We were able to visit with Mr. Frank for several minutes, by ourselves, when he signed our book. He was so interesting and had many stories to tell about former prisoners, movies made about the prison, etc. Just a wonderful experience at Alcatraz!
We spent SO much time walking around the city, just seeing the various sights (Fisherman's Wharf area, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Brige, Union Square, etc). I must say, those hills are something else! We were pooped every day, but it was well worth it. I cannot get over how beautiful that area is--WOW! The water, the mountains, etc. are just fabulous and it was well worth the hike up some of those hills to turn back and look down on the bay and the mountains.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in the financial district (Embarcadaro area), thanks to priceline! We were quite happy with our room and found it easy to get where we needed to go. As stated before, we walked a LOT but that was ok since we were eating really well while we were there (LOL!). There are also lots of muni stops around the hotel, so it was easy to catch the bus/cable cars, etc. One thing we never quite figured out, however, was how to get a good map of all the bus and subway routes. We had 2 different maps and neither included all the routes. We were expecting a map like you get from the subway stations in NYC that tells the subway routes and bus routes but never found that. When we went down to a muni subway station and asked for one, the muni person said we needed to go to Walgreens and buy one! Instead, we made do with what we had and it worked out fine.
We found people in SF to be friendly and laid back in all kinds of places--stores, restaurants, etc. Even the homeless seemed more laid back than in some other places I've been. However, I was surprised at how many homeless people we saw at all times of the day. We've been to NYC and London, along with other big cities, but my husband and I both felt that we saw more homeless people here than in other areas. Although we had very nice weather during our trip (in the 60's most days), I cannot imagine how people make it through the night there--it's so cold and windy at times.
On a lighter note, we ate lots of good food, but I didn't keep up with names since we kind of just found places as we went along. I will say that the sourdough bread was delicious and I really enjoyed clam chowder in a bread bowl! Of course, we also had to buy some chocolate from Ghiradelli's--YUM! One other thing we discovered in SF was crepes! Those are not something I've found readily available in other cities I've been to, so I took advantage of that. Every time I thought I'd found a favorite, I'd try a different one the next time and love it even more!
On the last afternoon of our trip, we took the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge and the stop-off there. Getting up close like that just took my breath away. HOW BEAUTIFUL! It was also very windy and cold, but the sun was still shining so we got some great pictures. We didn't walk across b/c of the cold and wind. Plus, I'm scared of heights and wasn't up to trying to walk across with all that wind blowing me around. Still, just being there was wonderful and a great way to end our trip. I totally understand why that bridge gets photographed so often. Overall, a great trip! Thanks again for all the great tips that get posted here!
I really appreciate those who said to buy the Alcatraz tickets BEFORE you go. They really do sell out quickly. We originally bought tickets for Monday, March 28 at 9:30. After getting to SF, however, the weather report predicted rain on that day. So, on Saturday morning, we got up early and were in the ticket line by 8:00, hoping they would let us switch our tickets to another date/time. While waiting in line, it was announced that tickets were already sold out through Tuesday, March 29. YIKES! Luckily, once the ticket booths opened, we were able to change our tickets to that very morning at 9:30! The weather was fabulous over on "the rock" and we actually ended up taking our jackets off. We got great pictures and really enjoyed the audio tour--I think it's not-to-be-missed. Another bonus was that a former prison guard was on the island that day to talk about his experiences and to sign his book. We were able to visit with Mr. Frank for several minutes, by ourselves, when he signed our book. He was so interesting and had many stories to tell about former prisoners, movies made about the prison, etc. Just a wonderful experience at Alcatraz!
We spent SO much time walking around the city, just seeing the various sights (Fisherman's Wharf area, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Brige, Union Square, etc). I must say, those hills are something else! We were pooped every day, but it was well worth it. I cannot get over how beautiful that area is--WOW! The water, the mountains, etc. are just fabulous and it was well worth the hike up some of those hills to turn back and look down on the bay and the mountains.
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency in the financial district (Embarcadaro area), thanks to priceline! We were quite happy with our room and found it easy to get where we needed to go. As stated before, we walked a LOT but that was ok since we were eating really well while we were there (LOL!). There are also lots of muni stops around the hotel, so it was easy to catch the bus/cable cars, etc. One thing we never quite figured out, however, was how to get a good map of all the bus and subway routes. We had 2 different maps and neither included all the routes. We were expecting a map like you get from the subway stations in NYC that tells the subway routes and bus routes but never found that. When we went down to a muni subway station and asked for one, the muni person said we needed to go to Walgreens and buy one! Instead, we made do with what we had and it worked out fine.
We found people in SF to be friendly and laid back in all kinds of places--stores, restaurants, etc. Even the homeless seemed more laid back than in some other places I've been. However, I was surprised at how many homeless people we saw at all times of the day. We've been to NYC and London, along with other big cities, but my husband and I both felt that we saw more homeless people here than in other areas. Although we had very nice weather during our trip (in the 60's most days), I cannot imagine how people make it through the night there--it's so cold and windy at times.
On a lighter note, we ate lots of good food, but I didn't keep up with names since we kind of just found places as we went along. I will say that the sourdough bread was delicious and I really enjoyed clam chowder in a bread bowl! Of course, we also had to buy some chocolate from Ghiradelli's--YUM! One other thing we discovered in SF was crepes! Those are not something I've found readily available in other cities I've been to, so I took advantage of that. Every time I thought I'd found a favorite, I'd try a different one the next time and love it even more!
On the last afternoon of our trip, we took the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge and the stop-off there. Getting up close like that just took my breath away. HOW BEAUTIFUL! It was also very windy and cold, but the sun was still shining so we got some great pictures. We didn't walk across b/c of the cold and wind. Plus, I'm scared of heights and wasn't up to trying to walk across with all that wind blowing me around. Still, just being there was wonderful and a great way to end our trip. I totally understand why that bridge gets photographed so often. Overall, a great trip! Thanks again for all the great tips that get posted here!
Mar 31st, 2005, 04:59 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lee4, we must have passed on the street!! I enjoyed your report (I posted about an hour before you) and you are right about the lack of a good map showing Muni bus and street car routes. We managed, but it was difficult at time. Bus drivers were very helpful. All of the homeless were an eye opener for the grandchildren. They watched as they organized the food from the trash in one of their many plastic bags. Glad you also had a good trip. Owa
Mar 31st, 2005, 07:19 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Owa, thanks for your reply. I wrote back on your thread too, and your report made me think about the City Pass.
We got the City Pass and included the Alcatraz tickets in that, along with a Bay Cruise. Our Bay Cruise was miserable b/c it began raining while we were out on the water. It was pretty miserable being out on such rough water, plus it was so cold and wet! I was very thankful to get back to dry land after that cruise.
We also used our City Pass to go the the Palace of the Legion of Honor and the Museum of Modern Art. We enjoyed the art work in the Legion of Honor, although our feet were killing us. We made the mistake of walking across the park (and getting a bit lost) and then going walking to the Palace. We should have just ridden the bus the whole way--but those bus maps left us confused.
We did not enjoy the modern art museum at all. It's just not our thing, I guess you could say. I, personally, felt that Hemingway's idea for a urnial in Hemingway's Key West home (drinking fountain for cats) is MUCH better than that so called piece of "art" at the SFMOMA. But that's just me! The lobby area of the building is quite impressive, however.
We got the City Pass and included the Alcatraz tickets in that, along with a Bay Cruise. Our Bay Cruise was miserable b/c it began raining while we were out on the water. It was pretty miserable being out on such rough water, plus it was so cold and wet! I was very thankful to get back to dry land after that cruise.
We also used our City Pass to go the the Palace of the Legion of Honor and the Museum of Modern Art. We enjoyed the art work in the Legion of Honor, although our feet were killing us. We made the mistake of walking across the park (and getting a bit lost) and then going walking to the Palace. We should have just ridden the bus the whole way--but those bus maps left us confused.
We did not enjoy the modern art museum at all. It's just not our thing, I guess you could say. I, personally, felt that Hemingway's idea for a urnial in Hemingway's Key West home (drinking fountain for cats) is MUCH better than that so called piece of "art" at the SFMOMA. But that's just me! The lobby area of the building is quite impressive, however.
Apr 1st, 2005, 08:23 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lee4,
I'm glad you had such a good trip. There are things you mention in your report which still "wow" me even after many years. Some people don't like our hills and our iffy weather, but you seem to have enjoyed all of it. Come back soon.
I'm glad you had such a good trip. There are things you mention in your report which still "wow" me even after many years. Some people don't like our hills and our iffy weather, but you seem to have enjoyed all of it. Come back soon.
Apr 1st, 2005, 10:08 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the nice comments! I really did enjoy your beautiful city. As I said earlier, those hills are worth the walk up when you turn back and glance that gorgeous bay with the moutains behind it. WOW! I also felt that same since of awe when I got up close to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's just gorgeous!
Apr 1st, 2005, 10:23 AM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lee4 and Owa, we should have had our own SF GTG, we were there at that time as well! Lee4 I am chuckling about your trip to the Legion of Honor. We too decided to combine with a trip through the park. Our map (as we later discovered) was not to scale. No one ever mentioned that the park was the size of Chicago! We just kept walking through taking it in and in the process had a hard time getting our bearings as to how to get out. We did this on Easter Sunday. The weather starting looking ominus and we decided to try and catch the bus up to the Legion of Honor instead of walking it. I could go on but suffice to say we got turned around, lost, soaking wet. We bagged the Legion of Honor until next time and laughed about our little excursion to the park. This was our second trip to San Francisco and I do believe we will now make it an annual long-weekend trip. What a great city, filled with great sights, food and most especially people!
Apr 1st, 2005, 06:53 PM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
chitowngirl, Thanks for letting me know that someone else got lost in that park too! Oh my goodness, is is ever big!?! I think we were walking through on either the Friday or Saturday before Easter. We did have great weather for the long walk!
What's funny is, my husband and I did ride a bus to the park. We were the last people to get off and asked the bus driver about where the stop was for the park. She let us off the bus, giving us some tips, and even made a little joke about our walking through the park. As we kept on walking and walking (and walking...), we finally realized that she was referring to how incredibly large it is! Those maps we had were really not to scale, were they? At some point that day, we did manage to get to a beach and then walk up to the Cliff House for lunch. That was delicious, so it was well worth all the walking. I would love to have some more of those rolls!
What's funny is, my husband and I did ride a bus to the park. We were the last people to get off and asked the bus driver about where the stop was for the park. She let us off the bus, giving us some tips, and even made a little joke about our walking through the park. As we kept on walking and walking (and walking...), we finally realized that she was referring to how incredibly large it is! Those maps we had were really not to scale, were they? At some point that day, we did manage to get to a beach and then walk up to the Cliff House for lunch. That was delicious, so it was well worth all the walking. I would love to have some more of those rolls!
Jul 25th, 2005, 03:31 PM
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If somebody's looking for a map of all buses - they sell it at the Cable Car turn around on Powell @ Market (Powell BART stop) in the same kiosk where they sell Cable Car tickets, just ask.
Also you can order on-line on MUNI website. This website also has a list of fast pass vendors, maybe it has a list of places to buy the map?
I agree, this map is the best, and it may be helpful in planning. If not, many bus shelters have it displayed.
Also you can order on-line on MUNI website. This website also has a list of fast pass vendors, maybe it has a list of places to buy the map?
I agree, this map is the best, and it may be helpful in planning. If not, many bus shelters have it displayed.
