San Francisco 2 day itinerary
 

Hi, travelling around the west coast of the USA in late sept and will be in SF for 3 nights. We are 2 females in our mid twenties interested in the usual sights. We fly into SF in the afternoon so we don't plan to do a lot on the first day. Not particularly interested in museums so this is the rough itinerary for the 2 full days we have. Does this look feasible? Trying to group together sights which are close by to save time.

Arrive 3 pm local time
Walk to inout burger for food
Fishermans wharf

1st full day:
Union squ.
Get cable car to lombard st.
Walk to pier 39 dander about
Get bike to sausalito and get ferry back

2nd full day:
Alcatraz in morning
North beach for lunch
Coit tower
Painted ladies

Doesn't make a lot of sense really. Look at a map - in 2.5 days you are in the pier 39/Fishermans Wharf area four times.

Your first full day has you going from Union Sq to the piers and then west to the bridge, across the bridge and back to the piers.

Then on the 2nd full day you are back at the piers again, to Coit Tower, then to the painted ladies which are on the opposite side of the city.

I don't think day 2 (your first full day) is possible actually. Not if you spend any time at Union Sq. anyway.

Have you already booked your Alcatraz tickets? If not, do that ASAP and arrange your itinerary around when you are able to get tix.

I'd do the bike ride across the bridge earliesh on day one. And maybe add the ferry building for breakfast. Day 2: I'd probably do North beach for dinner instead of lunch, as Italian is heavy and it's a fun area to walk around in the evening. Maybe eat in the mission or Hayes valley for lunch? But it depends on what time your Alcatraz trip ends. Have you bought your tickets yet? You may want to do that ASAP so you get your desired sailing.

I know you said no museums, but the cable car museum is definitely worth a visit (it's free). And I'd probably choose to go to the Japanese Garden in Golden Gate Park instead of painted ladies unless it's a very clear day.

Ha. Janisj and I posted at the same time with the same advice about Alcatraz.

Don't think I made it clear- but I agree. Do Union Square last that day- it's easy to get distracted and you could spend all day there. I did do that day in one day but only because I had an errand to run in Union Square and didn't spend a significant amount time shopping.

I sort of assumed you are staying near the wharf though. That's the only way the crisscrossing would make sense? If not, skip in and out and eat in north beach your first night. Or wherever is convenient.

I can think of hundreds of more interesting places than Fisherman's Wharf, In-out, and Pier 39. How about Union St/Chestnut St instead? Just a short walk from the Wharf, if you are staying there. Dozens of places to get better burgers than in&out on Union/Chestnut, IMO. Chestnut St is the area where people your age spend their weekends - day & night.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

If you plan to take the Cable Car to Lombard, get off, and then walk the squiggly part of Lombard & then on to Pier 39 - you will/can walk through North Beach to get to Pier 39. Do your lunch thing then. You will also be a block or two (uphill walk) from Coit Tower on this walk.

I would do Union Sq, CC to Lombard, North Beach Lunch, Coit Tower, and painted ladies on your first full day. Then Alcatraz, bikes, Crissy Field, Ft Point, Sausalito on your 2nd full day. You can get rental bikes at the Wharf after the Alcatraz tour. Determine if you want to spend any additional time at the Wharf then.

If you catch the Cable Car from Union Square mid-day on a weekend in tourist season - the lines will be VEEERRRYYY long. Also, only one of the 2 Cable Car routes will go past the squiggly part of Lombard. Make sure you get on the Hyde Car. I would actually advise you to catch the CC VVVEEERRRYYY early in the morning from the Wharf (Hyde St line). If you are staying at the Wharf, I would do the CC thing in reverse. Catch the CC from the Wharf (shorter line in the early am) to Lombard (short trip), walk the squiggly part, then Coit Tower (views are best in the AM), then North Beach & lunch. Then walk through Chinatown (Stockton, not Grant St) to Union Sq.

Stu Dudley

In case you don't read the long post I provided the link to - here is how to get to Union St & Chestnut from the Wharf.

Walk west to Van Ness Blvd and turn left (south). Walk a few blocks on Van Ness to Union St & turn right (west). In 2 blocks, you will encounter the shopping/restaurant area. If you are dong this in the afternoon, walk on the south side of Union St so the sun will not be in your face. Continue west on Union St to 1 block past Fillmore St. Cross over Union St to the north side of Union St (past Rose's Cafe - where I get burgers), & walk back to Fillmore St. Turn left (north) on Fillmore had walk north past the Bermuda Tirangle (3 cafes on 4 corners - where young girls your age hang-out in the evening & don't return home soon - old story). Walk across the busy Lombard St & in 1 block turn left (west) onto Chestnut St. More shops & restaurants - lots of other burger places. Walk west on Lombard to Divisadero, cross the street and walk east on Chestnut. Retrace your route on Fillmore/Union/Van Ness to get back to the Wharf.

Stu Dudley

Thanks for all the replies. We are staying on Sutter st so not really near the wharf. I thought doing the bikes and Alcatraz might be too much on the 1 day but I can see how this would cover that area in 1 day.
So on day 1: bikes and Alcatraz and the general wharf area.

Day 2: Union sq followed by Chinatown and lombard st, ending in North beach for dinner (could do this day in reverse but dinner in North beach sounds good)

Does this make more sense?

I've revised our itinerary again.

Could do union sq on the day of our arrival and spend a few hours here

Day 1: lombard st, coit tower, Chinatown and North beach
Japanese tea garden late afternoon. It looks quite far away but looks really good. Need to work out best way to get there

Day 2: wharf area. Bikes and Alcatraz

Don't make ANY plans until you have your Alcatraz tickets. They sell out and you may not have a choice of times . . .

Japanese tea garden vs Painted Ladies is like apples & oranges.

We've lived in SF or close by since '75 - with many, many visits before that. My wife & I visited the Japanese Tea Garden about 30 to 40 years ago It didn't do much for either of us - we've never been back. We are members of Victorian Alliance, and my wife conducts the "Landmark Victorians of Alamo Square" walking tour for San Francisco City Guides. www.sfcityguides.org Obviously, viewing Victorian houses are more interesting to us than a visit to a Tea Garden. It all depends on your particular interests. Personally, I would only go to the Tea Garden in conjunction with a visit to Golden Gate Park and the Academy of Science & the DeYoung Museums.

Stu Dudley

The Tea Garden is in the middle of several very interesting sites in Golden Gate Park -- all basically right next door to each other . . . the De Young, the Botanical Gardens, and the Academy of Science. I'd never hassle w/ getting to the Park <i>just</i> to go to the Tea Garden, but combining it w/ one or more of the others - sure.

Ditto re the Japanese Tea Garden (I think the last time I was there was 1974).

I really enjoyed the Alcatraz tour (I've been twice over the years), but I'm not sure that's how I would spend my time if I only had two days. If it's really important, though....

One day: early to Alcatraz, bike or walk across the GGB and have lunch in Sausalito, walk around Sausalito, return via ferry, return bikes, and wander around Fisherman's Wharf, dinner in North Beach. If you skip Alcatraz, instead walk up some of the "hidden staircases) and end up at Coit Tower, then walk down through North Beach and Chinatown (Stockton Street, not Grant Avenue, the difference between 'real' and 'touristy')

Another day: Union Square, and other neighborhoods - Hayes Street, 24th Street, Union Street, Chestnut Street -- take your pick depending on the vibe you like.

Allison 1991, I hope you won't let anyone talk you out of Alcatraz! It's one of the best things to do in SF for so many reasons: the boat ride, the views from the island, the atmosphere of the prison, the audio tour... it's all good.

I wasn't suggesting skipping Alcatraz, but I do think the OP should know that it's not a quick trip. You have to line up in advance of your appointed time, take the ferry both ways, and take the tour - at least 3 hours in all.

Who suggested dropping Alcatraz . . . we are only saying she MUST pre book far in advance and it definitely is a time commitment.

StuDudley- I completely understand what you mean by apples and oranges:) But when it comes down to it, I'd pick Golden Gate over Alamo- but that's probably because I'm pretty blasé about views and unless there's a tour with history attached, I find looking at the exteriors of houses kind of dull. (I was disappointed that I couldn't fit in a city guides tour- basically sacrificed that for a last minute ticket to Alcatraz:( ) But also, it was windy and cloudy the day I saw the painted ladies- I imagine the view is glorious on a clear day!

Definitely do Alcatraz, awesome for views and history. If anything, I'd skip Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square- SF has so many vibrant, diverse neighborhoods to explore.

>> I'd pick Golden Gate over Alamo<<

I would too - but I was referring to the tea garden - not the entire GG Park.

My wife provides lots of historic information on the two Victorian-themed walks she leads. Sometimes, the Alamo Square walk includes a visit to the interior of one of the most extravagant (according to a few architecture books) Victorian interiors in the US.

Stu Dudley

I love the Tea Garden and stop in there often to see the changing seasons (yes--even SF has seasons--subtle but rewarding) and have tea at the pavilion. I usually combine it with a visit to the botanical garden, the conservatory of flowers, or the De Young Museum. Even if you aren't interested in seeing the museum exhibits, you can go up in the museum tower for free and get a great view.

On the other hand, if you can make time for a guided tour (free) of the Victorians and Stu's wife is the guide, you won't regret it!

janisj is correct. Your itinerary will revolve around your Alcatraz tour time.

I recommend seeing Alcatraz (Pier 33), followed by Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, and Ghirardelli Square on the same day. If you have time, you can also drive to Crissy Field and take photos of the bridge from there. I'd forget the bike ride to Sausalito as it is too time consuming. At night, you can ride the cable car from Ghirardelli Square back to Union Square or Embarcadero (or wherever your hotel is).

For the other day, I'd drive to Lombard St, Alamo Square (where you can see Painted Ladies), Twin Peaks, Tile Steps, Coit Tower, and Baker Beach. This may sound like a lot but none of it takes much time. At night, you can visit Union Square and do some shopping.

2 full days in S.F. isn't enough but it'll make you want to go back again.

>> I'd drive to Lombard St, Alamo Square (where you can see Painted Ladies), Twin Peaks, Tile Steps, Coit Tower, and Baker Beach<<

She did not mention that she's renting a car.

Stu Dudley

"She did not mention that she's renting a car"

Nitpicking are we?

>>Nitpicking are we?<<

Not really. Sort of hard to do the 49 mile drive (which is basically what you described) <i>unless</i> one has a car . . .

"Not really. Sort of hard to do the 49 mile drive (which is basically what you described) unless one has a car"

Or she can sit at Embarcadero all day and people watch.

At night, you can ride the cable car from Ghirardelli Square back to Union Square or Embarcadero

Nitpicking again - No cable car goes from Ghirardelli Sq to the Embarcadero.

The OP would really have to decide what they want to see and do. Personally, of all the things mentioned, I would want to see Alcatraz, walk along the Embarcadero, climb some steps up to Coit Tower and see the murals on the main floor, walk through Chinatown on Stockton Street and North Beach on Columbus Avenue and Upper Grant, maybe go up to Twin Peaks and to see the Painted Ladies (if I had a car). If I were going to stroll around neighborhoods, my choices would be 24th St. in Noe Valley, and Valencia Street in the Mission. I would not spend one of my two days at Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square, although I think it's fine to take a walk through if you're on the Embarcadero or in the Chinatown/North Beach area.

"Nitpicking again - No cable car goes from Ghirardelli Sq to the Embarcadero"

Oh I'm sorry. I meant to say cable car(s).

Nitpicking again. The group of Victorians across the street from Alamo Square on the east side, isn't really called "Painted Ladies". It's really called "Postcard Row" by Victorian Alliance, City Guides, and my wife. Painted Lady is the term for any historical house painted 5 or more different colors. There are thousands of painted ladies in San Francisco. Walk 2 blocks north of Postcard Row, and on the corner of Mc Allister & Steiner, there's Chateau Tivoli which was painted in 23 different colors a few years ago, but was recently repainted. Don't know if it is still 23 colors. On October 18, Victorian Alliance is having their annual house tour. This year it is "Storied Houses of Alamo Square", and features a house on Postcard Row and several of the "grandest" Victorian houses in The City.
https://www.victorianalliance.org/

Stu Dudley

>>Or she can sit at Embarcadero all day and people watch.<<

Not one person suggested any such thing.

There are tons of places she can see/do w/o a car (and nothing yet posted suggests they will have one). Everything Alison asked about can be done car-less, as can everything else recommended in the thread . . . <i>except</i> that drive.

"There are tons of places she can see/do w/o a car (and nothing yet posted suggests they will have one). Everything Alison asked about can be done car-less, as can everything else recommended in the thread . . . except that drive."

True. But all I'm suggesting is renting a car and see as many places as possible in a short period of time. Walking around won't get her anywhere fast nor is waiting for bus after bus.

sgv - make some suggestions as to where she can park the car to visit North Beach, Chinatown, Union Sq, Embarcadero, SOMO, her hotel on Sutter - and then explore these areas on foot!!! These areas are where most first-time tourists want to spend their time. She only has about 2 1/4 days here. A car would be fine if she was here for 4-5 days - but not 2.


Stu Dudley

"I would do Union Sq, CC to Lombard, North Beach Lunch, Coit Tower, and painted ladies on your first full day."

Stu, care to be more specific about which of the thousands of painted ladies you are referring to?

"make some suggestions as to where she can park the car to visit North Beach, Chinatown, Union Sq, Embarcadero, SOMO, her hotel on Sutter - and then explore these areas on foot!!! These areas are where most first-time tourists want to spend their time."

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency next to the ferry building and was able to park my car in the lot (Embarcadero #4?) next to the hotel for 2 nights. Parking was $34 per night or $12 per hour. I also stayed at Westin on 3rd St back in 2013 and was able to find a big parking lot right next to it. I believe parking fee was less than $30 per night. I parked my car there for the 3 nights I was there.

While walking from Hyatt to Pier 33 (approximately 1 mile), I believe I saw at least 2 good-sized parking lots (along The Embarcadero) that were a lot closer to Pier 33 than the one I parked next to the hotel.

You can nitpick my opinions all you want. I'm here merely to offer helpful suggestions as a fellow tourist and I do believe it is a necessity to have a car even in a city like San Francisco. I was able to see many things in S.F. in a short period of time because I had a car. I found the cable cars to be very time-consuming (and not cheap either) and the busses to be very inconvenient.

>>which of the thousands of painted ladies you are referring to?<<

Postcard row.

>> and I do believe it is a necessity to have a car even in a city like San Francisco<<

Sorry - you are probably in the minority on this one for a 2 day first-time visitor. Between sf7307, janisj, and myself, we have more than 90 years experience with living in or very near San Francisco (I'm actually a native). For 4-5 days - sure - rent a car for 1 or 2 of those days, but do your "east of Van Ness" sightseeing without a car. Five to seven year ago, we always drove into downtown SF when we wanted to go to dinner downtown, an "event" in the Theater district or Civic Center, or visit the Union Sq area. Not anymore, with all the construction, gridlock, and congestion. We take BART now - although that's not a "treat" either.

Stu Dudley

Just a warning. There was an article in the SF Chronicle within the last week that Sausalito is swamped with bicycles as all tourists have figured out they want to bike the GG bridge and ferry back. Problem is: The ferry boats only hold so many bikes so there can be a wait to get on to go back to SF.

Check out the Ferry Building instead of Pier 39, especially if you do Fisherman's Wharf. Your agenda is aggressive.....and I used to live across the street from the Ferry Building. The traffic in SF is heavy. You go nowhere quickly.