Tell me, how's the best way to spend a weekend in SF? I'm going to be up there near the end of August but I'll only be there a day and a half (Friday and Saturday or Saturday through Monday) and I need to maximize my time the best way possible.
BTW, this isn't my first trip to SF. I live in SO CA but I'm going there for a weekend visit.
Thanks!

If you like to shop (like I do) stay in Union Square...the best shopping in the world. If you like to have a good time, go to the Gold Dust Lounge. Great bartenders, waitresses and music. Don't waste your time at the wharf or Ghiradelli square. Too touristy. Try to take a ferry ride to Saulsalito and eat at Mikalya (in the Casa Madrona HOtel). I could just go on and on about San Francisco! Sorry if this is too much info!

Thanks for your suggestions. Actually, I can be there for 3 days. I'm staying at Fisherman's Wharf area. I want to explore Chinatown, the Haight(probably not..I heard it's dangerous) and maybe take a trip to Sausalito. I did Alcatraz and the city tour when I went about 5 years ago. I want to do different things.
Thanks again though!

you mentioned that you went to Alcatraz a few years ago. Did you go at night? If not, I highly recommend it. It's extremely different than going during the day. Much smaller crowds, more special tours, and a spooky atmosphere. Just be sure to dress warmly and buy tickets at LEAST a week in advance, since you're going in the busiest season.

Have you been to Angel Island? That's one of my favorite "secret" places. you can take a boat over there. there's great hiking, incredible views from the top, and a lot of interesting history there as well. If you take the boat via Tiburon, you can get off and have a drink on the outdoor deck of Sam's, a Bay Area tradition.

Enjoy!

The Haight was nothing special in my mind, but then a friend of mine loved it - depends what you're after really. It's not dangerous. Sausalito is a beautiful town, I lived there for 3 months on a working summer holiday. Not much to do, but it's nice just to go and soak up the atmosphere and relax. Lots of arts & craft shops, fairly pricey though. If you've time, take a trip a couple of miles north of downtown Sausalito to see the houseboats - some of them are really pretty.
Chinatown is great - I think I maybe spent a solid week there all in all!! Lots of great restaurants, shops, atmosphere - can't really recommend anything in particular, you're better to just go there and see what you fancy.

mt

I would not recommend Union Square for shopping. To my surprise, it is full of nothing but the same old chain stores that you see in the malls. The explosive homeless population is another reason not to be there. Of course, unfortunately that is a problem that most every area of San Francisco has.

More unusual shopping can be found on Fillmore and Union Streets (not Union Square--very different) Little boutiques and restaurants. If you want to really explore Chinatown do a walking tour with Wok Wiz (www.wokwiz.com) I've taken out of towners on these because even though I can get around Chinatown, they really know it in depth and can tell interesting stories of the history of the area. Funny nice tour guides and you'll end up at a dim sum lunch. Another favorite area of mine for wandering is North Beach. Over in Tiburon(via ferry) is an upscale Mexican called Guyamas--beautiful views back to the city and good food--definitely on a pretty warm day in August.On a Saturday, have you been to the Ferry Bldg Farmer's Market? Music, finger foods, great fun. Have you been to the new Pac Bell Park? Maybe the Giants will be in town--great baseball stadium, easy to get to via MUNI. The city will be filled with tourists that time of year so I would recommend staying mostly in these not as touristy places.