We have two days in Oakland-San Francisco this month before boarding Amtrak. What do you suggest? How about Metreon? Anything else near Pier 39?

Then, a day's layover in Los Angeles (no car). What about Chinatown? El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument? Angel's Flight Railway? Thanks for your advice.

I don't know too much about S.F. Area but live in the L.A. Area and think you would want to rent a car here to get around and see anything. You also could take a Gray Line (or other) Tour from your hotel and they might show you many things. What do you like? Museums, historical sights, shopping, amusement parks? There's lots to see and do in L.A. Have a good time.

While in the Bay Area, take a harbor ride (WEAR SOMETHING WARM), or go to Alcatraz (reservations needed days in advance).

For a day in Los Angeles, try (1) an amusement park (not recommended if you have a flight that evening), (2) a shopping mall, or wandering around (3) downtown (be careful where you are, some areas nearby are not so safe), (4) Venice / Huntington Beach, or (5) Sunset / Hollywood Blvd. Take a bus from the airport to where you want to go, and make a day of it.

I used to live in LA and you certainly can find something to do for one single day without a car, for heaven's sake. And you don't need to go to an artificial place like an amusement park, or spend it in a shopping mall!!! Assuming you are near Union Station due to the Amtrak thing, I do think the Pueblo de Los Angeles/Olvera Street area is a good choice for a day's wandering around, some interesting historic sites, generally fun atmosphere, decent food and shops, etc. I can't remember much about Chinatown (I moved away several years ago); I used to go there mainly to eat, I don't recall there being a lot of other stuff to look at (like in San Fran), but there might be if you have extra time. It's not far from Olvera St. If you are going to be elsewhere, or have a choice, you can extremely easily spend a day in Santa Monica without a car. YOu can walk around the shops, the beach and boardwalk and pier, and the coast are beautiful, etc. Also, Santa Monica has a very good, cheap local bus service that goes around town. You could also easily spend a day in Pasadena at Huntington Gardens -- there's an art museum plus beautiful gardens there, but I think it might be a little expensive for a cab ride from say downtown; well, actually, not too bad probably -- even Pasadena itself is a good enough and interesting enough walking town that you could just spend a day in Pasadena. But, if you don't want a car to save the rental cost for one day, it may cost you as much or more to take a cab to and from Pasadena from elsewhere, for example.

I was at the Metreon last month. My feeling is that it would be best enjoyed by a young adult "technie" or someone who brought their kids with them. It's not really near Pier 39, if that was your question. Pier 39 is within lots of other great attractions, though -- Fishermen's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, North Beach, harbor excursions, etc.

Thanks for the helpful replies. We're all ready to get on the train(s) to Oakland/San Francisco and Los Angeles. Fodor's Forum works again.

I'm wondering about your final destination on the train. Has Amtrak confirmed how you will be delivered to San Francisco?

The reason I ask is that Amtrak TRAINS don't go to San Francisco. You get out a Jack London Square, in downtown Oakland. It's a nice enough place, but it is not downtown San Francisco.

If you are not going to be delivered to SF via an Amtrak bus, you can take the Ferry to SF from there. You'll need a taxi if you want to go to a BART (metro) station. I think a cab ride from JL square to SF will cost around $40.