San Francisco Iten. CRITIQUE
 

Will be arriving San Fran @ 7:25pm
on Fri March 13
will take BART to Hyatt Embarcadero

Sat Breakfast at Les Croissant
(I believe this is across the street from the hotel and is a Vietnamese Donut place???)
Ride Cable Cars stopping in Chinatown and Union Square along the way. (is this is to just get on and off???)
Eat at Seafood Stands @ Taylor and Jefferson Street around Noon
(any comments on this??)
1:30 Segway tour-3hrs
4:30 Ice Cream in Ghiradelli Square
see Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39, Sea Lions
7:00 Macaron Scui Scui for dinner
(any comments on this, we will be dressed casual)

Sun
8:00 Ride Muni to Golden Gate Park
Japanese Tea Garden
Flower Conservatory
Tulips should be in bloom???
1:30 Yank Sing for Dim Sum
(is this to late for Dim Sum or is it still in full swing at that time???)
4:00 Alcatraz Evening Tour
(exact tour time is not yet available)
7:30 Bistro Boudin on pier 43.5

Mon
Car Rental opens @ 7:30
drive over Golden Gate Bridge
Muir Woods
Point Reyes
Don't know what hikes I want to do or where I want to eat at on this
plan on getting back to hotel by 10:00pm ( Do I want to drive thru wine country on my return, if we are in daylight???)

Tues
Depart Hotel around 8:30 via BART
get brea
Depart SFO airport 11:00
(should I depart hotel earlier??)

You certainly like to plan ahead.

A couple of thoughts/comments:

Yank Sing should still be busy at 1:30 on a Sunday--we were there around that time when we ate there on a Sunday in May and it was still busy.

If you like Vietnamese food, it would be a shame not to include lunch or dinner at the Slanted Door across the street from the Hyatt in the Ferry Bldg (make reservations well in advance).

When you're at Golden Gate Park, take the time to ride up the tower in the DeYoung Museum for the great views (it's right next to the Japanese Garden and it's free).

I know I'm biased against the Wharf - but that's a lot of time at the Wharf. I don't know if the segway tour is around there too - but if it is, you're missing out on most of what (IMO) makes this city interesting and unique. I think your Sat schedule is pretty loaded - but do-able if you're quite active & don't need a rest.

Sun
8:00 is pretty early in March. I doubt if you can get up, have breakfast, and catch Muni in time to do all the things you want to do in the park & get back for Dem Sum. The conservatory of Flowers & the Tulips are at the opposite ends of the park - that's a lot of walking. I suggest that you rent a bike somwewhere on Stanyan & bike the park instead.
Back to the Wharf for Alcatraz & dinner!!?? Why don't you try to do something more "real San Francisco"?? After Alcatraz, take the Cable Car up to Lombard St. Get off & walk down & back the twisty section. Then walk south on Hyde to Green and have dinner at Frascati. After dinner, hop on the Cable car again & connect with the Calif line back to your hotel.

Stu Dudley

When you're at Golden Gate Park, take the time to ride up the tower in the DeYoung Museum for the great views (it's right next to the Japanese Garden and it's free).

Sorry, but I have to correct you. The ride is not free, it's included in the museum admission which is $10, or $8 with MUNI ticket.

The first Tue of the month is free.

Hmm...when I was just there in May (on a Saturday), I was told there was no admission charge for the outdoor sculpture garden or the tower, and we were able to ride up to the tower without paying the museum admission. I'm pretty sure I confirmed that information with a 2nd museum guard before we went up the elevator to the tower to be sure as I didn't want to be doing something you weren't supposed to.

This seems to confirm what I was told (the information about admission to the right of the page):

http://www.sfgate.com/deyoung/

I'm sorry, but I'm really confused. You are staying at Hyatt Embarcadero and riding cable cars from there stopping in Chinatown and Union Square on the way to -- where? If you meant on the way to Fisherman's Wharf, that isn't going to happen.

And having done dim sum on a Sunday at Yank Sing -- I'd say forget it. We had a spectacular lunch at Slanted Door for LESS MONEY for infinitely better food. Since you can plan ahead -- obviously -- get a reservation at Slanted Door and forget about the overpriced, mediocre Yank Sing. Or even do dim sum in a regular Chinatown place.

NW, it was probably when they first opened after the remodeling.

http://www.famsf.org/deyoung/visiting/index.asp

Hours & Admissions


Hours
Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Fridays until 8:45 p.m.

Open July 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Closed January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25

The museum closes at 4 p.m. on December 24 and 31.

Admission
Adults $10, Seniors 65 and over $7, Youths 13-17 $6, College Students with ID $6, Children 12 and under FREE. There is a $5 special exhibition surcharge for Chihuly at the de Young.

Admission tickets to the de Young may be used on the same day for free entrance to the Legion of Honor.

First Tuesday of each month FREE. Special exhibition fees, if any, still apply.

Muni riders with Fast Pass or transfer receive a $2 discount.

FAMSF Members are always FREE. Not a Member? Join today!

Phone
415.750.3600

Nothing about free admission to the tower or to the sculpture gardens (I think the gardens are still free).

Well, I can only speak from my recent personal experience and as I said, more than one museum guard I spoke to at the museum said the tower was free and we were not asked to pay (nor was there anyone checking tickets) when we went up the tower in May.

And NeoPatrick, we had a very different experience at Yank Sing. I love the Slanted Door and recommended it to the OP as you can see, but we thought Yank Sing was excellent as well.

We did the Yank Sing at the Rincon Center near Embarcadero on a Sunday for brunch. We were seated in the "mall" area (atmosphere reminiscent of a nice mall food court to me) -- the inside was filled mainly with large groups. We (two of us) split just four different typical dishes of dim sum, all ok, but none of them "special" as far as we were concerned. I had a beer. We drank tap water. With tip and tax the bill was $60.10. We left rather hungry.

For lunch at Slanted Door just two days later we had pork over noodles with imperial rolls, Pho Bo beef noodle soup which was spectacular, and seared tuna with salad. We drank their green tea. With tax and tip the bill was $54.61. Every bite was wonderful and we left quite full.

Personally, on Saturday morning, especially since you're staying at the Hyatt, I would head straight for the Ferry Bldg. for breakfast and "sightseeing" at the enormous farmer's market (NY Magazine refers to it as the "granddaddy of them all") and permanent food market. Then I would WALK to and through Chinatown and North Beach. Continue to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch and Segway tour (not sure why you'd want to take a 3-hr. Segway tour around Fisherman's Wharf?). Take the cable car BACK from Fisherman's Wharf to the top of Powell Street, and walk down the hill to your hotel.

YES. dmlove's plan sounds like a perfect SF day to me!

Thanks for all of the replys. I don't know that I like Vietnamese food, I just know that the donut place was listed high on tripadivor and it is right across the street. We have never had dim sum anywhere and San Fran seems like the place to have it, if you were ever going to. I have my heart set on Bistro Boudin for some reason.

The Segway Tour is right near Ghiradelli Square. It just seemed like a good thing to do, to get an overview, plus I have never been on a segway.

If I am riding the Cable Cars from Hyatt to Ghiradelli, I can't get off and see Chinatown? I have looked at maps until I am exhausted with trying to figure out SF muni/bart/cable cars/street cars/buses. I was hopeful that it would be easier than what it seems, once I arrive. I do most definately like to plan ahead, and I don't particulary like the way I have this one planned so that is why I was asking several questions.

Basically, I want to spend two full days in SF. I want to Segway, Ride Cable Cars, see Alcatraz, eat Dim Sum, eat seafood.

I have another full day. I want to use that day for PT Reyes and possibly Muir Woods. I have been to Sequioa NP and will go to Redwoods next July. We stayed 3 days in Sequioa and we will only be in the Redwoods for a couple of hours. Do I even want to stop at Muir Woods? Is Tomales Pt. a must do in Point Reyes?

One more thing. If I am staying at the wrong place, please tell me. It just seemed easy to get to via Bart from airport without renting a car or a taxi.

10:30 or 1:30 is Segway tour time
5:00ish is Alcatraz Tour time ( tour times for spring aren't available yet)
I would like to eat Dim Sum for Lunch. The problem is that if we eat after the 10:30 Segway Tour which is 3 hours it will be 2. We never eat that late, plus it will seem like 4:00 to us as we are two hours difference in time zones. We like to eat light breakfast in our rooms or on the go. Then an early lunch around 11:00, then dinner early as well, when possible.
I was wanting to ride cable cars and see chinatown and eat dim sum there as well, if possible.

You are staying at the right place, at least location-wise.

Perhaps, you are confusing streetcars with cable cars.

Cable cars look on the map something like a cross. One line goes east-west from your hotel along California St up to Van Ness. You can get off on Powell, on another line toward the Bay.

Streetcars run like letter U with the bottom at your hotel.

BART is only to take from/to airports, unless you want to go to Berkeley.

And I agree, the bus system is confusing. Ask questions. Ask the driver, they all are trained to answer questions.

I think bus line #1 is the most convenient to get to Chinatown (Grant, Stockton streets). Or cable car along California St, so you can see the lion gates.

Oh, you are arriving on Friday the 13th! :))

Don't worry, by that time you'll have it all figured out and nailed!

Have you tried the 511 site? Sorry if you already know this, but it may help alittle if you play around with it and follow where it is sending you on a map. Someone had posted that they plotted their whole trip using it before they went. We weren't able to do that because we didn't know exactly where we would be each day.

Also, we found the map we bought when we bought our passes of the transit system was easier to follow than others I had seen. There are so many colors and different symbols it is mind boggling. Even when we were there we followed our map while on the bus to see where we were and where we wanted to get off. There wasn't a sign that said Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf -- you had to know what streets you wanted to get off at. The driver said she would tell us where to get off, but got busy and we ended up taking a tour of the route -- that was when we learned to figure it out ourselves. And once we did it wasn't that hard -- I know how you feel, it is hard to picture. NYC's subway was a piece of cake to figure out compared to this.

I'm definitely not an expert only having used it 1 1/2 days -- going back to try it again in about a month.

Yes, Washington DC and NY are a piece of cake compared to this.

San Francisco is a wonderful city, and it will be much easier than you think to get around. For one thing, if you are staying at the Hyatt or similar hotels, the concierge or doorman will help you navigate the public transportation.

If I were you, I would spring for a cab to take me to my hotel the first night. It will be $35 to $45, and will take you from baggage to door. Do BART on the way back once you are comfortable with directions.

I also think the De Young tower ride is free. You can also go to the gift shop and café for free. Sometimes that's enough.

Have you been to SF before? If not, you might want to spend your third day exploring the city. Point Reyes is beautiful, but that will be a lot of driving, especially since you have a trip devoted to nature in July.

I definitely agree about the Ferry Building on Saturday morning. Don't stress! Really, your plan sounds great as long as you are flexible to also enjoy yourselves in the moment.

Normally I'd agree about taking a taxi on arrival -- nearly anywhere, but honestly this is one place where I sure don't see any confusion. If you take BART from the airport to Embarcadero, aren't you really standing smack in front of the Hyatt when you come out? I haven't done it, and correct me if I'm wrong, but that's sure the way I'm picturing it -- BART delivering you to your front door. In this case, I think it's simply a matter of being a little frugal or preferring the "comfort" of a taxi.

I'm also scratching my head about 'sometimes the gift shop and cafe would be enough' -- for a museum as wonderful as the DeYoung, I'd think you'd have to really HATE museums to go there and not enter the actual museum!

I do really hate museums. I agree that BART from the airport to Hyatt looks super easy. That one I do have figured out. I am definately going to Pt Reyes. I would probably pick that over Alcatraz if I had to have a choice. I think I just want to do the really touristy things in SF. I am not into history, museums, art. I do like to eat out. we take 2 or 3 trips per year that normally involve national parks. My wife and daughter sometimes take a seperate trip and do things that I don't like to do. Sometimes they go with my parents or my mother nlaw. All of them are going to Europe next summer. They went to Boston this past summer. I sometimes go with them, sometimes I don't. We only have 3 days over spring break to be in SF and we want to spend 2 days doing touristy type things that I have listed. We wanted to spend 1 day at PT Reyes/Muir.

Dear spiro:

Everyone will give you a different answer on what you should do. So, do what you think you want and tweek it here or there.

We normally ride the California Street cable car since it is less crowded and easier to get on. You can hop off at Chinatown.

Something we did several years ago was go to GG Park, see Conservatory of Flowers(only takes about 45 min to see), Tea Garden and then headed out to the beach. We had pupus & drinks at the Cliff House. We then drove along the cliffs overlooking the entrance to the bay, thru the Sea Cliff neighborhood and ended up at Fort Point. My husband is a life long Northern Californian and had never seen this part of SF. Of course, we had a car.

Just some ideas. When you are over in Marin County, you may also want to check out the Marin Headlands.

Good luck on your trip.

MY

In Point Reyes I like the Point Reyes Station Café, and the town is charming.

http://www.stationhousecafe.com/

Kailani

Where is the Station House. I think we will give it a try. I looked on their website, but it doesn't give directions or a map.

I had trouble finding it on the map just now, too!

It's in the town of Point Reyes Station, which is just a block or two. The address is listed as 11180 State Route One. It's moved once over the years, and I haven't been for a few myself, but hopefully, you can't miss it once you find the town. There are some charming shops on the street as well.

And, NeoPatrick, I need to defend myself (sort of) about museum admission. It's just that the Conservatory, Tea Garden and Museum have separate admission fees, and the new Academy of Sciences will have a $25.50 admission! I'm a member, so it's easy to pop in and out.

My couple small tweaks.

I would take a taxi in from the aiport, not attempt BART (assuming you've never used it) with luggage and at night.

I can't imagine 3-hours worth of standing on a Segway, riding around. Seems a bit much.

I think you need to check a map regarding relationship beween the Embarcadero, Union Square and Chinatown... and street car routes.

Actually if that segway tour goes the same way we rode the bikes -- from FW past Chrissy Beach, Marina, Ft. Point, Palace of Fine Arts, etc. towards the GGB it is a beautiful ride.

I am taking the BART and I am riding the segway. We do adventurous stuff all the time and 3 hours on a segway would be absolutely nothing in my book.

Suze,
I think they are Cable Cars that run close to Hyatt. Bart is very close as well. I think the Street Car (F Line) is about a block away. I have checked maps and really don't understand it, thats why I was asking. Thanks

Spiro: Bart from SFO is very easy. I just did it 2 weeks ago and I stayed at the Hyatt. The Hyatt is right across the street from Bart. Cable car stop is also right there. It is the least crowded of all stops. The longest I waited in line was only 10 minutes. I saw the lines at the cable car turnaround near Ghiradelli Square and was told that the wait was over an hour and a half. If you are going to Fishermans Wharf, you can hop on the F line street car which is about a 1 minute walk from the hotel. Or you can walk there. It only took me about 15 minutes to walk to Pier 39. Go to the Ferry Building. Walk through it and keep walking towards the water. Some amazing bayviews and great views of the Bay Bridge. Of course, check out all the vendors inside!

One thing about the area where the Hyatt is, I felt very safe there as a woman traveling by herself. It does get very quiet in that area after 7pm.

Only downside that I found with the Hyatt, was the $9.95 per day fee for using WiFi. But Starbucks is right across the street and there is also a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf just steps from the hotel entrance.
Both have free internet access.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Karen,

Did you happen to eat breakfast close by anytime. We will be looking for something quick and kinda grab and go in the mornings. I don't exactly understand the cable cars, getting off and getting on. I had no idea I would have to wait an hour. I guess I should view it as more like a ride at Disney instead of a means of going from point A to point B.

well OK, but you did ask for a "critique" of your plans... otherwise I wouldn't have made my suggestions. My comments weren't because things were overly "adventurous".

I generally don't comment about activites that people plan on doing, unless I have done it myself. I might perhaps comment if I had read a lot about it or knew someone who had an experience. Myself, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to ride a segway for 3 hours. The segway tour company in SF offers 3 or 4 different tours. I thought it would be good to it early on to get a good feel for several areas. They offer a tour of sausilito, and of Lombard Street as well. My parents did this in Washington DC and said it was very enjoyable. They are 65.

Spiro: I'm not a breakfast person so Starbucks was good for me. I saw Les Croissant. I was going to go in there my last day in SFO but never made it. It is right across the street from the Hyatt. I saw one of the Segway tour groups in the Wharf area. It looked like everyone was enjoying. I was going to do it, but opted to go to sunny Sausalito by ferry.

Don't be worried about getting around. It is easy..believe me. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Take advantage of the concierges at the Hyatt. They were very helpful.

If it's in your budget, try to upgrade to a balcony room. It was only $35 extra a night and the views were fantastic! The bay on one side and the Transamerica Building on the other.

I'm already planning my next trip!

Thanks again,
I noticed they have a segway in Sausalito as well.

Here is a website with a lot of information and San Francisco flavor. http://www.mistersf.com/

The reviews of the Segway tour look fun (I just googled around for some).

The weather is SF is usually colder than anywhere else in the Bay Area, and March is unpredictable, so especially on the Segway, be prepared.

You can do Google Maps street views for a lot of the places you are going (outside the Hyatt, for example).