San Francisco
 

I will be traveling to San Francisco over the Memorial Day weekend with my elderly parent. We are staying at the Radisson Miyako appently located in the Pacific Heights area. I have not been able to locate information on this hotel/area or its location in relation to trolley or cable car service..walking in the area. I need recommendations for visiting the Golden Gate Bridge..Alcatraz or maybe a day drip to Carmel..Monterey. I will not be renting a car. And where is the beautiful Victorian row of home seen in commercials..print..and a t.v. show..and how would I get there?

The Miyako Hotel is actually located in Japantown. It's very close to public transportation, such as the 38 Geary bus line, which can be caught about a block away. The 38 is a major bus line that crosses the City east-west. The hotel is not that close to a cable car line (although the California St. cable car line would be a good hike away from there). <BR> <BR>If you're going to Alcatraz, make a reservation ahead of time. The boat fills up quickly and people w/o reservations are sometimes (often, lately) disappointed. <BR> <BR>You can catch the bus to see the Golden Gate Bridge. With regards to Carmel or Monterey, I'm not familiar with any of the tour companies. However, there's always Gray Line Tours. <BR> <BR>You should definitely invest in a book (or go to the library) which will give you maps and some help in organizing your trip. <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR>

Hi Linda, the Miyako is one mile west of Union Square on Laguna St.in Japantown. That's the area just south of Pacific Heights where there are beautiful old Victorian Mansions. Unfortunately, you are pretty far from the normal tourist attractions. If you look at a map, the California St. cable car runs almost to Van Ness Ave. but I can't tell you whether your "elderly" parent will be comfortable with the walk. The cable car actually ends at Larkin and California. If you take the California St. cable car east, you can connect to the Powell/Hyde or Powell/Mason on Powell Street at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. You can walk the Golden Gate Bridge but it's 3 miles roundtrip--is that too much? Perhaps a taxi to the turnoff at the north end and then a walk back? Dress warmly! Alcatraz ferry leaves from Pier 41 near Fisherman's Wharf. Again, a lot of stairs and sometimes slippery if foggy. Again, dress warmly! They have a website for advanced reservations which are very definitely recommended. You might be able to arrange a bus tour to Carmel/Monterey, but I would pop for a one day rental car instead. The drive will take about 2-2 1/2 hours--go down 280 to 101 south of San Jose and then take the Monterey Peninsula exit at 156 west. A nice walk on fairly level ground is around the Spreckels Mansion and the Haas-Lilienthal House west of Van Ness from Franklin over to Laguna, Sacramento up to Pacific--a big loop. You can easily stroll on the Embarcadero, walk around Ghirardelli Square, and Union Street has little restaurants, shops etc. and is pretty level all along. Unfortunately, what makes SF so special is its location on the hilly streets. My advice with an elderly parent would be take it slowly, get a good Muni map, and bring money for taxis. Suggest you make some dinner reservations NOW as well as Alcatraz. Enjoy.

The row of houses that you refer to is on Sacramento Street, near Fillmore. You want to go to the Alto Vista Park.

The beautiful park with the row of Victorian Houses is called Alamo Park. If you decide to visit, go in the afternoon because these houses face west and are shaded in the morning.