San Francisco Area
 

We are looking for ideas for a 5 day trip in August to the San Francisco area.
We have been there a couple of times before and we are looking for some different things to do.

Mike:

Can you fill in some details?

What do you like to do? What have you done before that you don't want to repeat this trip?

It's very difficult to give suggestions without a bit more specific information.

Please help us to help you! :)

in the US forum, do a search on "Stu Dudley" (me), and you'll find lots of info on things/places to keep you busy.

Stu Dudley

Or just click on Stu's screen name at the top of his post.

Hi mikec54321 - Do you like more "traditional" tourist things, or more "off-the-beaten-track" type things?

There's a good article in USA Today that just came out this morning about things to do in SF for one day, one weekend, or one week - it has a lot of good links.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/desti....htm?csp=Trave

Here's my own list, some of which overlaps the article:

1. Take the ferry http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/
to Sausalito for a Scandinavian lunch at the Lighthouse http://www.lighthouse-restaurants.co...ito/about.html

Follow up with dessert at the famous Lappert’s Hawaiian Ice Cream. http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/p...ice_cream.html

2) Take a Blue and Gold ferry ride to Alcatraz, and then have dinner and drinks at Fisherman’s Wharf
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

3) Have lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf and spend a half day at San Francisco Bay Aquarium http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/

4) Take a ferry to Jack London Square for a lunch at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant http://www.scottseastbay.com/

5) Have breakfast at Louis’ Restaurant http://www.yelp.com/biz/louis-restaurant-san-francisco on Point Lobos Avenue for $5 stacks of pancakes and a wonderful view of the Sutro Baths, http://www.sutrobaths.com/

7) Have lunch at the Cliff House http://www.cliffhouse.com/ then a walk on the beach. Have beer and oysters from the stand up the street from the Cliff House.

8) Take a ferry to Angel Island for a Historic Group Tram Tour around the island, then lunch on the Harbor Deck of Cove Café - or do a segway tour of the island.
http://www.angelisland.com/

9) Have tea and take a tour of the Japanese Tea Gardens, then take a short walk to the Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum. Sushi and sake for dinner.

Hope that helps!

Thank you all for your replies.
On previous trips we have done the following, Union Square, Chinatown, Fishernman's Wharf, Lombard St. Coit Tower, Monterey, Carmel, Pt Lobos, Julia Pfeiffer, Big Sur, Wine Country, Muir Woods, Yosemite,
Sausilito.
The plan is to go straight downtown from the airport (stay at Westin Mkt St?) and not get a rental car until the third day. We would then change to another hotel outside of SF to do day trips?
I will check out all of your suggestions.

One more thing, we are especially looking for ideas outside of town for three out of the five days.
The plan is to spend the first two days revisiting the great spots in the city.

You did not mention these, so consider exploring the museums in Golden Gate Park--the DeYoung, Legion of Honor, etc.

I recommend checking out the other thread on "Jenner or Bodega Bay?" You may be interested, and it's only a hour and a half away. You could take Hwy 101 north over the Golden Gate Bridge (perhaps you could walk across the bridge if you have never done so), skip Sausalito since you've already been, venture east to Tiburon (you can shop here, have a coffee, take a ferry ride to Angel Island and back), back to Hwy 101 north and into Petaluma (go to the old part of town and shop, have lunch or dinner), then a 20 minute drive to Bodega Bay. See my recommendations from there on the other thread "Jenner or Bodega Bay?"

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rl...1&ct=image

Getting off Hwy 101 to Tiburon will add more time to your commute if you plan on continuing up to the coast. However, I highly recommend visiting Tiburon, even if it's only for a half day. It's a hidden gem. Most people choose Sausalito because of its location to San Francisco, but Tiburon has as many shops and local eateries. You'll enjoy a day here. Angel Island is only a few minutes by ferry and another hidden gem. Alcatraz wins by tourist numbers, but Angel Island offers much more history. It's the Ellis Island of the West Coast and one or only places in the U.S. where you can see Army buildings intact from the 1200's! www.angelisland.org/

check out sfgate.com for a listing of local festivals/events. FYI--there is a Frieda Kahlo exhibit at the MOMA--need tickets.

I think the Fairfax/San Anselmo area is really picturesque and cute. Kind of a laid back vibe, but they have cool shops and good food. I really like to hang out in the Fairfax Coffee Roastery in the downtown area. It's got nice Art Nouveau decor and a great way to just relax and have a relaxing vacation.

There is also the Spirit Rock Center for meditation and just plain serenity nearby. If you want more action packed, then this is probably not the place to be, this is more to unwind.

Thanks again for all of the ideas.
The current plan is to spend the first two nights downtown San Francisco, without a car.
The next two nights would be in Bodega Bay where we would take a day trip up the coast to Mendicino.
The fifth (and last) night we're thinking of staying around Yountville. Are there any other ideas as to what to do to fit into that plan?