nelsonian

We are about to enjoy our last full day in San Francisco, arrived here midday Saturday leaving early tomorrow morning. We are having a great time but very tired, I guess we are still recovering from our 13 hour flight from New Zealand. I must say 3/1/2 days is not long enough to see all the wonderful sights. So far we have done most of the real toursity things. We did the night tour of Alcatraz which was well worth it and the lights coming back into SF were wonderful. Yesterday took a tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The redwood trees at Muir Woods were awesome, we carried on to Sausalito but unfortunately were only there for 30 minutes but what a gorgeous place. Reminded us of Oriental Bay in Wellington.
In the afternoon we were picked up by a friend's son (never met him before) but he gave us a good tour around other areas of SF in his car and found a music insstrument shop for my husband to look at. Really made his day although it didn't stock any Yamaha electronic organs.
Also did the Golden Gate loop on the double decker bus to the bridge and went around Presido through the Marina district, Cow Hollow area etc.
Today we are planning on going to Union Square to have a look at some shops and do some other sight seeing away from Fisherman's Wharf. All the tours seem to start from there so have been down there several times. Oh we took the cable car on Sunday morning and had fun doing that also.
Tomorrow we fly to Columbia Maryland to visit our e-mail friends, have been writing to them for 10 years, we actually get to meet them tomorrow night. (It was their son who drove us around SF yesterday afternoon).

nelsonian

Forgot to mention we are staying at Columbus Motor Inn and it is a great spot to stay. We arestaying in room 312, a large room, but it's close to the street so a bit noisy., however it's very convenient to everthing, walked to Pearls resturant last night in North Beach for Jazz at Pearls. That was fun.
At Fisherman's Wharf got conned into giving $ 20.00 for the homeless but onto that scam now.

MichelleY

Dear Nelsonian:

Have you been out to Golden Gate Park? The Conservatory of Flowers is have an orchid exhibit. It is a very cool building and takes only about an hour to get thru. You could then check out the Tea Garden and de Young museum and finish at the Cliff House with cocktails and a bite to eat.

You could also head down to the Ferry Building after Union Square

You may have already done this stuff, but I just wanted to suggest some other options.

Glad you liked SF.

MY

MichelleY

You may have time for a walking tour. Check this:

http://www.sfcityguides.org/

nelsonian

Thanks Michelle, Ferry building was on my original intinerary so will defintely do that today. Will see how we go about getting to Golden Gate Park. Drove past it yesterday and it looks a great place to visit.

MichelleY

Getting out to GG Park is more difficult without your own wheels, but check it out if you have time.

Lots of goodies at the Ferry Building.

MY

nelsonian

Made it to the Ferry building what a great place and terrific view of the sea, Bay Bridge and ferries etc coming in. Lots of wonderful food places and the Farmers Market was on as well. DIdn't have a good enough bus map to figure out how to get to Golden Gate Park so missed out on that one. Next trip maybe.

SandyBrit

nelsonian

Nice report - Do you just walk up and get on one of the tours that start down on Fisherman's Warf?

Sandy

nelsonian

I booked the tours from Fisherman's Wharf online before we left. The Alcatraz tour sells out very quickly. We were there on Sunday and the tours were sold out to Wednesday, luckily I had pre-booked our tickets. The double-decker tours and Muir Woods you can probably leave until you get there but you can get some good deals online.

nelsonian

Have just returned from visiting Coit Tower. I had read on a website where it closed at 5pm but you could still get good photo's from the top of the hill. We didn't get there until 8pm walked from our hotel in Columbus Ave, I must say the climb up the hill was a bit if a mission but well worth it once you get to the top. We very surprised that the tower was still open so took the elevator up to the top. What awesome views the lights were on all over the city and the Bay Bridge was all lit up. We got some terrific photo's and took some video.
We have had a great time here but as I said at the start 31/2 days is just not long enough to appreciate everything there is to see in this wonderful city.
Next stop Columbia Maryland and Washington DC.