Hi there,
My family will be in San Francisco on Sunday from around 9am to about 4-5pm. We would like to take a walk along the Crissy Field area, go to Coit Tower, go to Seal Rock, and Twin Peaks and have lunch in Japantown somewhere in between. We've been to San Francisco before, but have never been to these places, which is why we chose them. We will have a car, but would like to stop off at these various places and walk/hike/take in the sights. Any suggestions as to the best order for these places? Thanks!

Will you be staying Sat. night in SF or arriving from somewhere else. If arriving from the south, suggest you do Twin Peaks first.....unless there is fog. You can get a great view of the City and look straight down Market to the Ferry Building.

This may be of help to you - a description and map of the 49 mile scenic drive.

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/maps/49miledrive.asp

Scroll to the bottom to download map - warning it is big but it looks very nice. I haven't tried printing it up yet so don't know how it will turn out on paper. I'm sure some of our SF experts will be along to give you excellent advice.

Don't do Twin Peaks first - do it last. In the morning the sun will be directly in your face - all you'll see is a silhouette of the city skyline. Do it last.

Coit Tower is good in the morning - so do it first. I read somewhere that cars are no longer allowed to park in the parking lot around Coit Tower - you may have to walk up to Coit Tower. Fewer tourists in the morning also.

I would do:
- Coit Tower
- Crissy Field - make sure you go on top of the Fort at Ft Point for the views out into the Golden Gate
- Seal Rock
- Twin Peaks.

Lunch at Japantown complicates things. If you look at my suggested sequence, you'll see that everything except Twin Peaks is along the northern shore of SF - and Japantown is a ways away in the interior.

I would get sandwiches at the Marina Deli on Union & Steiner & have a picnic at Crissy Field & enjoy the views.

Stu Dudley

Don't forget binoculars. I love the little drive down the peak as shown on the map referenced above as there are some unusual homes on the side of the peak.

I like to do the drive from Fort Point/Crissy Field - Lincoln Blvd. - that goes under the bridge and along the Coast - to Seal Rock (as shown on the map). Beautiful views of the bridge - watch for the overlooks. The Legion of Honor also has nice views from their parking lot. There are beautiful mansions along Lincoln that are unbelievably beautiful.

I had no idea the parking lot at Coit Tower was closed! Parking in the North Beach area is difficult. We usually find a garage and just pay. The walk up is quite steep but worth it! Lots of stairs. Also like to walk down the other side to Levi Plaza. Course, then you have to walk back up! If you are lucky, the parrots will be flying around making lots of noise.

Another place with good views of San Francisco is the tower of the DeYoung Museum. You don't have to pay to get in to just go up the viewing tower. Has an elevator.

We're driving into much cooler San Francisco from Stockton for the day. Thank you all for the great suggestions and good points brought up. I really appreciate your thoughts and will factor them in our plans.

We're driving into much cooler San Francisco from Stockton for the day

Then you are following a long tradition of day trippers from the Central Valley. Apparently it was a common thing to do in the late 1800's/early 1900's in order to escape the Central Valley heat pre-air conditioning.

If you come across the Bay Bridge - don't forget to turn off to Treasure Island for the great views there - only in the morning.

Stu Dudley