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-   -   San Francisco - Stu Dudley's Recommendations (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/san-francisco-stu-dudleys-recommendations-356478/)

StuDudley Feb 8th, 2010 06:36 AM

>>Are you familiar with any tours with photography specifically in mind? <<

Nope - sorry

Stu Dudley

StuDudley Mar 2nd, 2010 07:33 AM

topping for anyone going to San Francisco - with flowers in your hair !!!

Stu Dudley

bellini Mar 10th, 2010 08:51 AM

Found this treasure trove of SF suggestions. Thank you, Stu Dudley

johnandsuz1 Mar 13th, 2010 05:54 PM

WOW!! I just finished packing for our trip on Monday and I will now take out the heavy San Francisco guidebook from the suitcase. Thank you so much for all your info and advice- it is a bit overwhelming but I plan to sift through and highlite the places we think we'll have time for in the three days we have in SF. FYI-- I stopped printing at page 15- but I think we have enough. Thanks so much again for the time you took to compile so much helpful information.

LakesideChick Mar 13th, 2010 07:43 PM

Bookmarking... what a fabulous thread! Thank you

pirouette Apr 7th, 2010 09:24 AM

Great thread Stu!

My husband and I will be driving from Vancouver Canada to SF this summer. We would like to do a short term rental for 7-10 days but are confused about which neighbourhood. We would like to be close to public transit, easy freeway access for day trips, and, as we will a vehicle, parking is essential. We have been considering Sausalito, Mission, Noe Valley, Pacific Heights and ther is also an interesting property in Cow Hollow. Do you have any suggestions as to a preferred location?

StuDudley Apr 7th, 2010 12:28 PM

If your planned day-trips are north across the Golden Gate Bridge, Cow Hollow or Pacific Heights would be great neighborhoods. Just don't get too far south in Pacific Heights. As I've stated many times, Noe Valley is my favorite neighborhood - but it's a little too far south for quick access to the GG bridge, but closer to Carmel, Half Moon Bay, the San Mateo Coast, and points south.

I would not stay in the Mission, unless you enjoy a little "scrufy/Bohemian" atmosphere. Sausalito won't give you the "city feel" that the other locations would.

If you are unsure about specific addresses, start another post and ask something like "what is the the Church St/28th street neighborhood like"

Stu Dudley

hopingtotravel Apr 7th, 2010 02:03 PM

Ah, flowers in your hair. Saw your line Stu. In 1969 I was pregnant, young, poor, married to a Coastie, living in Alameda of all places, BUT whenever I could afford the .50 bridge toll came over (and actually PARKED right outside wherever I wanted to), and got my San Francisco fix.

Now, if ONLY, you could do for travelers to Scotland what you have for the lavender seekers in Provence, and the travelers to San Francisco!

Thank you, many times over, for being here!

StuDudley Apr 7th, 2010 02:13 PM

>>if ONLY, you could do for travelers to Scotland <<

Been to Scotland several times - Castle hopping. I'm even 1/4 Scottish - Lindsay Clan (which is also my middle name). Pretty country.

Stu Dudley

hopingtotravel Apr 7th, 2010 03:28 PM

Thanks, Stu DH first name is Scott--suspect it came from a 'last' name somewhere.

razzledazzle Apr 9th, 2010 05:11 PM

Late Spring, Summer and Fall travellers,
***Do Note***
A road closure happening now in the GGNRA will make this drive unavailable....

<I>With a car...
...16. GGNRA north of GG bridge. This is probably the BEST view of SF. You can look through the bridge & then above the bridge to SF and all the way south down the San Mateo County Coast on a clear day. Do this late in the day. Take the first exit past the lookout (#15) off the GG Bridge going North (marked Alexander Ave). Turn left the first chance you have, & go under 101. Follow the sign back to SF, but just before getting on 101, make a right turn up the road & follow this road. It’s easier to find than this description might indicate (get a AAA map & <B>take a road called Conzelman).</B> Old WWII bunkers & gun turrets along the way. DON’T MISS.</I>

This is a terrific idea, however Upper Conzelman Road is closed now thru the end of October.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...MNDI1C63EN.DTL

Perhaps Stu can grace us with his presence here and
write a detour edit for this section.

R5

StuDudley Apr 10th, 2010 07:24 AM

No good detours - the best section is closed.

Stu Dudley

annetti May 2nd, 2010 07:28 AM

Stu: Thanks very much. I ran out of time, not ideas, thanks to your thread. Annetti

mbkbcb May 10th, 2010 08:39 PM

We are visiting SF in June, and I can't wait to read all of this info. Thanks!

motherofthree Jun 12th, 2010 10:07 AM

I will have lots of reading to do. We have decided to take the kids (17B, 14G, 12G) to SF to see the west coast and are more slow travel than "see it all" people. Can't wait to read more of what you have put together. My son is an avid photographer and has a great eye. Sounds like he will have a lot to work with on this trip. My 14 year old enjoys the sites, but likes the shops too! and the 12 year NEVER runs out of energy. Can't wait for this trip. Thanks for the effort you put in here. Fodors is such a wonderful resource. - Laura

bbecker258 Jul 27th, 2010 11:13 PM

Mr. Dudley,

As a person who grew up in the Bay Area and someone who loves the City, thank you for such a wonderful detailed post. I am in a wheelchair so it would be interesting to learn what of your routes in the walking tours would be appropriate. I admit it made me a bit misty eyed reading about all that is familiar. Do you suppose a Muni carman would lift a manual chair onto a CC? I want to go have an irish at the Buena Vista. Cheers and thanks again Mr Bill

StuDudley Jul 28th, 2010 09:04 AM

>>lift a manual chair onto a CC? I want to go have an irish at the Buena Vista. Cheers and thanks again Mr Bill<<

All of San Francisco is very wheelchair friendly - I don't think you would have a problem.

There are lots of hills on the walks. Perhaps some flatter routes would be:

-Palace Hotel - there are stairs but you could take an elevator
-Ferry Bldg - there is probably an elevator there also
Embarcadero
-Cow Hollow (Union St area) this route may be pretty flat if it stays north of Union St (I can't remember the specific route)
-Downtown Deco
-Embarcadero South
-Fisherman's Wharf
-Golden Gate park - 2 walks
-Gold Rush City
-Historic Market St
-Noe Valley - may be a few mild hills
-Rising steel
-South of Market Architecture
-Theater in SF

If you are serioiusly interested in any of these - e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll contact the tour coordinator & verify that the specific walk is good for wheelchairs. We'll be out of town during most of September.

Stu Dudley

SAB Jul 28th, 2010 10:46 AM

The cable cars are not wheelchair accessible--I believe they got an historic exemption from the ADA--but all other forms of public transportation are, including the F streetcar, which stops about 2 blocks from the Buena Vista.

Kal Jul 29th, 2010 06:36 AM

<i>Mr. Dudley</i> :-?

If you hang here long enuff you can just call him <i>"Thee</i>" :-D

urbanite1 Aug 3rd, 2010 06:21 PM

I could use some advice. We are traveling from PA to CA in late September, but our flight brings us in after 11 pm. What makes sense? To take a cab to our lodging (which we haven't decided on yet)? Is there safe public transportation from the airport at that time of night? We'll need to pick up a rental care either that night or the next day (I'm hoping we don't have to go back to the airport to get the car). We'll spend a night or two in SF then drive up the coast. We're not used to big cities so figuring this out is a little daunting. Thanks for advice.


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