Great stuff Stu, as always!

Other little known San Francisco facts:

THE GREAT SALAMI WAR OF ‘67

http://www.sicilianculture.com/news/2003-salami.htm
No baloney!

The Salami War of ’67 made San Francisco the Salami Capitol of America.

P.G. Molinari’s chubs were some of the salamis that won out.

Pope John Paul II was presented a Molinari chub (I love saying that) in 2001:
http://www.molinarisalame.com/

Molinari’s deli is in the heart of North Beach (Italian District) and is favored by many locals. They make some great deli sandwiches when you’re on the go walking in North Beach. They also sell many other deli items. We always grab a few Molinari chubs and some SF sourdough to take to family and friends. Here’s a link to Molinari’s:
http://www.molinarideli.com/home.htm

Wow! I lived in SF for 8 years and recently moved. I am printing this one out for visits back.

I only skimmed through other posts but I don't think anyone mentioned

1) Asian Art Museum - nice lunch spot, beautful building, some interesting exhibits.

2) Crissy Field... a perfect combination of natural beauty (the bay, the marin headlands) and man-made beauty (the bridges, the city skyline). Where people of all kinds are out enjoying it. Add the fact that you can get a fantastic cup of coffee, lunch etc at the warming hut and I am in heaven.

Oh I am homesick.

I am just back from San Francisco. I would highly recommend a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito. It is a tough ride in some spots but it was amazing. The view from the bridge was incredible! The hilll down into Sausalito is steep and long but very fun!! Then, have lunch at "Hamburgers" and take the ferry back to San Francisco. My husband and I will never ever forget this experience!

There's so much great info it. It will definitely help in planning my trip to SF in a few weeks. Thanks!

Schnauzer-
Book well in advance. When I went, I had no idea that the tours booked that quickly. A ticket agent told me that most people reserve online.

topping

Pier 39 is not touristy or tacky! It is really great. We used to live in that area and even as locals we would go see it. There is always entertainment for the kids, and a giant merry-go-round.
If you walk arount the side you can see the seals sunbathing.
We went on a trip there just this summer, and kept coming back every evening.
Oh , and you ahve to try the Boudin bakery, they have greta sourdough bread and tasty pizza!

bookmarking

Wow, you already got some impressive advice there. One thing that was not mentioned is to see the cable car barn/museum where the big engines are that power the cable cars. (Cable Cars basically only have a big set of pliers that hold on to the cable). It is a free museum up by Grace Cathedral (near China Town and Union Square). If you are mechanically inclined you will enjoy your ride on a cable car more after you see how they work.

If you are up for a good walk check out my walking tour from Union Square to Fisherman's wharf:

http://amateurtraveler.com/?p=803
http://amateurtraveler.com/?p=804

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Chris Christensen
Amateur Traveler podcast
http://AmateurTraveler,com

I am confused. Why would a tourist want to see something that is too touristy?

Just booked flights for a week in San Francisco this October so this information will be useful.

bookmarking

I live in the city, but some of the advices here are amazing :)

Please advise again the best way to walk the Golden Gate Bridge. We will be there in mid-November. When we get back to the city, we are returning our car.

1. Will it be too cold to make this trek?
2. What is the easiest way to get there from the Union Square area?
3. How long will it take for recreational walkers (we walk every day, but are not athletes)? Just need to know how much time to set aside.
4. Would you advise taking the ferry back when we get to the other side?

ttt

Stu's tours are fatnastic. here are a feew good places to eat.

Great Mexican- La Taqueria - in the MIssion District
great bakery- Tartine in the Mission District
great ice cream- Bi Rite creamery- Mission district
great tea room- Samovar tea- 19th and Sanchez
great pizza- Deplhina Pizza- Mission district
great Indian dosas- Dosa- Mission District
great fruit turnovers- Mission bay bakery- Mission district
best hot chocolate anywhere in the world- Boulettes larder- ferry building
great Asian food- Slanted door and sister Out the Door
great cupcakes- Karas - Scott St. off of Lombard
great coffee- Blue Bottle, on Larkin by Hays and Gough

>>Stu's tours are fatnastic<<

If you skip most of the places Moishe recommended - it's not so fattening.

Stu Dudley

bookmarking, of course

Also bookmarking
Hilary

bookmarking too!

ttt