HI all,

I am planning for two individual one day visits to San Fransisco. The places I intend to cover are Golden gate bridge and golden gate park with Bike trek on the bridge, Alcatraz, The Exploratorium. I heard of Pier 39 and Fisher mans wharf and I wanted to know what are the things that can be covered in those areas.

With only two days, you will have trouble finding time to do all this. Biking the bridge (which is spectacular) and visiting Golden Gate Park will take up most of a day. You can easily spend 2-3 hours in the Exploratorium, and Alcatraz is at least a 1/2 day outing. Fishermans Wharf is fun for an hour or so - it's very touristy. See the sea lion pier. Even though the Exploratorium is very interesting, with only two days, I might want to see more of the city instead (especially if the weather is nice) - walk around Chinatown and the downtown, ride the cable cars, climb Coit Tower, etc.

see the first part of my trip report 'California Dreamin' for descriptions of 3 days in SF.

For two one-day trips, I agree with zootsi that there are a lot more interesting and less time-consuming things to do than being "inside" at the exploratorium or Alcatraz.

I would spend one of thse days renting a bike, riding along Crissy Field, exploring Fort Point, then riding across the GG Bridge, and then back to San Fancisco by ferry. If there is any time left in the day, go to Golden Gate Park - perhaps riding your bike there if you are a serious bike rider (on the first Bridge trip, return to SF via the GG Bridge, through the Presidio, then south on a street on either side of Park Presidio to GG Park (Park Presidio has too much traffic)). This day will "wow" you with the unbelievable setting of The City.

On the second trip, I would explore The City on foot. Union Sq, Chinatown (Stockton, & not Grant st), North Beach, climb to Coit Tower, down to the Embarcadero on the Filbert Steps, along the Embarcadero to the Cable Car turnaround at the Wharf (don't bother with the tacky Wharf - other than a look at the seals and to catch the Cable Car), then on the Cable Car back to Union Sq. If there is any time left in the day, pick up a copy of "Stairway Walks" by Adah Bakalinsky (any bookstore here will have it) and when you pass the squiggly part of Lombard St on the Cable Car, get off the car, walk down & back on the squiggly part, and then do Stairway Walk # 4, wich includes the interesting Macondry Lane. There is no on & off at "no cost" privaledges on the Cable Car unless you purchase a "pass".

Stu Dudley

With such a short visit I'd skip Alcatraz. Definitely ride the street cars around, go to Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. I think (as above) that and your bike/bridge day will be about all you have time for. And a few nice meals!

thanks a lot for your comments. I guess as you all said two days is too less. I will probably do it over two weekends and I will also probably drop the idea of alctraz and exploratarium.

I will be going in a car and was thinking of parking at one of the places and planning to use the hop-on and hop off option on one of the buses/tours. Which is a convenient place to park if I have to go by this option.

Also I heard there is a Duck tour which is good. What are your comments on that

The Duck tour is very popular. I've never been on the one here, but I was on the one in Seattle and it was fun.

As for your bike/bridge day, I actually think you can do Pier 39 (the sea lions), Fisherman's Wharf (just pass through), and the biking over the bridge the same day.

Regardless, Stu's itinerary is excellent. Especially the stairway walks, which are unique to San Francisco.

We think Alcatraz is super-interesting, but you have to have at least 3 hours.