We'll be in San Francisco from may 12th to may 17th. We will have a car the entire time but only plan to use it when absolutely necessary. I was wondering if Stu and the other bay area pros could review our itinerary and advise if changes should be made.
Fri May 12: arriving in San Francisco at 1:30, picking up rental car and checking into the Radisson on the Wharf(sorry Stu). After settling in we will head to SBC Park for the Giants/Dodgers game. Still not sure of the best way to get there and back.
Sat May 13: taking the cable cars to the ferry building, then heading to union square and chinatown.
Sun May 14: Yosemite. I know its only one day and deserves much more but I think that's all we can spare.
Mon May 15: We will take the car and drive to alamo square and twin peaks and then take the drive recommened by Stu via Great Highway, Lincoln Blvd, and then over the golden gate bridge to check out the views on the other side. Plan on spending some time at both golden gate park and the presidio.
Tue May 16: Planning on driving route 1 from San Fran south to either Big Sur on San Simeon depending on time. We realize we could spend days exploring these areas but for our first trip to the area just want to drive and enjoy the scenery. Planning on luch in Monterey in anyone has suggestions.
Wed May 17: Will take the earliest morning tour of Alcatraz, then plan on exploring the Wharf, driving Lombard street, and going to Coit Tower. Time permitting we would like to rent bikes, ride over the Golden Gate and into Sausilito and then take the ferry back. We'll end the day and trip with an Oakland A's game.
Its killing us not to include Muir Woods, Point Reyes, and Napa/Sonoma but we'll have to do that next time.
Thank you in advance for any advice/info.

Take the F surface line to the Ferry building and transfer to the N-Judah to go to the ball park.

Take the cable car to Union Square, walk around Union Square, then go to Chinatown, and from there it is downhill to the Ferry building. Or stop at California & Powell, visit Chinatown, then walk to Union Square. From there you can go down to Geary and pick up the F streetcar if you don't feel like walking to the Ferry building.

I would postpone picking up the rental car until the 14th. You will not use it while staying in the city so you will be paying for the rental plus hotel parking, which can be pretty expensive.

How will you do Yosemite in one day? It is a 4-5 hour drive from SF to get there (one way). I know you want to see it and it IS spectacular, but it might not be the best use of your time. I'd use the car to go to Muir Woods and out to Pt. Reyes for the day instead. I know that's probably what you don't want to hear!

I agree with SFNative about Yosemite - only adding that the 4-5 hr drive there is not scenic at all for most of the way. It's a "hard" drive.

Also, San Simeon would be too far to go for a day trip on a work day. Just going to Sig Sur & stopping in Carmel for a look-around, and walking around Pt Lobos would fill up a day. Have lunch at Nepenthe in Big Sur. Skip Monterey if you are running short of time.

You are missing my favorite places in SF - Union St/Chestnut St, Noe Valley, Fillmore St. The Cable Car Museum is interesting. These would be excellent places to visit on Sunday, instead of Yosemite.

I would swap Wed & Thurs, because on Wed you can take the walking tour of "Landmark Victorians of Alamo Square". There is a good chance that my wife will be leading the tour that day. Most times (not always) the tour starts with a tour of the interior of a Victorian that many "coffee table" books describe as the most outrageous Victorian interior in the US. See
www.SFCityGuides.org
for details about all 30 or so different walking tours offered each week (they're free, but a small donation - $2 or so - helps pay for advertising.

Stu Dudley

I kind of agree about not having a car in SF City. Don't think you can drive around and find parking conveniently, and you'll pay through the nose for it. Use the supershuttle to get to your hotel and public transportation and taxis until ready to leave town.

Regarding parking vs public transportation.

Generally, if I'm exploring anyplace west of Van Ness & South Van Ness, I drive my car there and park where I can. If I'm spending the time east of Van Ness, I take pubic transportation most of the time. When I go to North Beach, I usually drive & park at the police station garage on Vallejo.

In euclid's case, walk or take public transportation when visiting the Ferry Building, Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, Union Sq, & Giant's game. Take the car to visit Coit Tower (early in the morning - traffic jams happen later in the morning & afternoon), Lombard St, GG Park, Alamo Sq, Great Highway, Lincoln Blvd, etc.

You can walk to Union St & Chestnut street from your hotel at the Wharf, but take the car to the Fillmore St shopping area and park at the medical building garage on Clay (I think) just east of Fillmore.

Stu Dudley

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I have already made several changes. I believe we will end up skipping Yosemite, I hope I don't regret it, and instead spend that day at either Muir Woods and Point Reyes or Napa/Sonoma.
Stu: I think we will switch our alamo square trip to Wednesday to take the walking tour. Any suggestions on where to park while we are walking? Also, what is the best way to get to the ballpark in Oakland, drive over the Bay Bridge or take the ferry? How far is the park from where the ferry drops you off? How is parking availability in GG park and the Presidio?
Sorry for all the questions but you guys are great at helping to plan a trip. Thanks again.

>>Stu: I think we will switch our alamo square trip to Wednesday to take the walking tour. Any suggestions on where to park while we are walking?<<

The tour starts at 824 Grove St - 1 1/2 blocks east of Alamo Sq., and ends in the park near Hayes & Pierce We have never had problems parking there - start looking for spaces on the east end of the park. There is a 2 hour parking limit. If my wife conducts the tour that day, it will be about 2 hrs long.

>>Also, what is the best way to get to the ballpark in Oakland, drive over the Bay Bridge or take the ferry?<<

BART goes to the ball park.

>>>How is parking availability in GG park and the Presidio?<<

Hundreds of places to park - you'll have no problem on a week day. Parking near the newly opened DeYoung museum is a little congested on week-ends right now. Visit Haight-Ashbury while in the GG park area.

Stu Dudley

Your plan looks pretty good, you obviously have researched and sound lke an inte kow traveller.

Considering the plethora of charming neigborhoods in the city, can I ask what was the deciding factor in choosing to base yourself in Fisherman's Wharf?

At any rate, I think Muir Woods (show up before 9am to find easy parking, avoid the tourists busses, and overall have a more magical tranquil experience) then Point Reyes (plan on exploring the area until it starts to get dark) are both "don't miss".

%#!@ keyboard!

euclid,
I meant to say that you sound like an "in the know" traveller.

I know that Fisherman's Wharf is not highly thought of among the locals. The main reason we picked the Radisson on the Wharf was that we got a bay view room with breakfast, parking, and 4 cable car tickets per day included for $189 per night. While that hotel is booked, I continue to look for other options, but that is the best deal I have found for that level of hotel so far. We have also considered the Cow Hollow Inn which is much less expensive but seems to be more of a motel(not that that's a bad thing) and the Hotel Griffon which was just a little too expensive.
We would love any ideas for alternate lodging, we certainly do not have our hearts set on staying on the wharf. We are trying to stay at $200 per night including parking.

We really appreciate all of this great info, thank you.

Re your fully loaded itinerary. As a SF native I think you're biting off too much. I'd cut out Big Sur and San Simeon and save them for another time. Yosemite in a day????? That's a two day deal at least, the waterfalls should be spectac....pumpin'. It's a long drive. For guidebooks, get the Fodor's San Francisco and if you like walking, get the Golden Gate Trailblazer. The Wharf is pretty junky, you're better off at the Ferry Building shops and taking the one that goes to Sausalito. Alcatraz is totally worth it, so is Coit Tower and North Beach. Go Giants!

Hey, Stu. Poking around on Fodors looking for suggestions for something to do Jan. 1 (happy birthday to me) in SF. Do you know if the walks sponsored by SFCityGuides are available on holidays? If so, might your wife be leading the Victorian Houses tour that day?

Sorry - there is no tour on Jan 1. My wife's conducting the tour on Jan 29.

Stu Dudley

Thanks, Stu. I'm sorry to hear there's no tour on Jan. 1, but I guess the guides need a holiday too! We'll figure out another activity that day, maybe one of your SF itineraries. The weather doesn't look to promising, though.

I've been to San Fran now about 5 times. I agree, only rent the car when needed. Also, are you going to Saulsilito? You can take a ferry over, or if you have a car, go to Muir woods instead and visit Saulilto on the way.

No wine tours?