We leave in a little over 2 weeks for our first trip to San Francisco! We have the CityPass, which I ordered online, so we'll take a bay cruise, go to the museums that are offered on the pass -- de Young, Legion of Honor, and Asian Art Museum -- and use the 7 day Muni passport to get around. I have restaurant reservations made, as well as a reservation for Jazz at Pearls. Not all the restaurants we're eating at take reservations, so have plans to go to several other restaurants, such as Scoma's and Tadich Grill. Hotel is reserved, and I have a list of places to see and tours compiled. Some of those are the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, North beach, Ferry Building, Alamo Square, Coit Tower, Mission Dolores, with a Precita Eyes Tour, a Victorian Homes tour, and a China Town tour, sponsored by the library. I've reserved a car for one day to go to the Napa Valley and chosen a couple of wineries, a place to have breakfast and lunch. I haven't booked a shuttle from the airport, but I have noted a couple. I think I'm on information overload Anything you can see that I missed? We'll only have 5 1/2 days in San Francisco and one day in the Napa Valley, so I know we can only hit the highlights. Does this seem too much or too little for the amount of time we have? Thanks to all the people who have helped with information for this trip!

Sandy

Wow! You have a very well designed itinerary! Nothing on it that doesn't sound good to me. If you have time, the Cliff House is a great place to have a drink and catch a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean side of the city. The MOMA is nice to see, but the other museums are better if you don't have time. And don't miss the Ferry Building.
There is an edgy and very fun side to the restaurant scene in the Mission, so if you have a bit of time you might enjoy Limon - or one of many other fun places - Delfina, and the all time favorite Zuni Cafe, on Market.

Have a blast!

Thanks! Glad you mentioned the Cliff House, as I've been trying to decide between the Beach Chalet and the Cliff House, for a drink, and as you say, "to catch a view of the Pacific Ocean" Thanks for the restaurant suggestions! Yes, we definitely want to go to the Ferry Building. On our first full day, our plan is to spend the morning on Fisherman's Wharf, take the Bay cruise, have lunch at Scoma's and take a taxi over to the Mission to take the Precita Eyes tour, and then head to the Ferry Building in the afternoon My only problem is, having not been there, allowing too little or too much time in one area. Guess that will work itself out, though, when we get there. We rarely get to see as much as we have planned, even though we tend to stay up late and get up early. I make pretty detailed plans, but that's only a guide. If we find something more interesting, plans can be thrown out.

Sandy

Scoma and the Ferry building are so close, I'd take the line F instead and go to the Ferry first. Are you planning it on Saturday, the market day? The best day to go!

And Fisherman's Wharf is really boring in itself - however, just being near the water and seeing the people walking and skateboarding around is always very fun. Don't allow much time there - it's a good place to catch the ferry and doesn't really require much more time. the Ferry building is not far from there, correct.

The Ferry Bldg on farmer's market morning, Sat, is wonderful and SO San Francisco! Spend a bit more time there.

If you can get to Baker Beach, or at least duck under the GGate at some point, it is very interesting to see the bridge from below near the water.

Sandypaws,
A poster above recommends the Mission for some hip dining. I concur. Delfinas is great but reservations are mandatory. They have a more casual pizza place next door, but reservations would be wise there too. On the same corner is the justly famous Tartine bakery. Tartine just opened a restaurant, Bar Tartine, a few blocks away. Again, wildly popular and for good reason.

My recent meals in the Mission have been at Maverick (17th near Mission), Range (Valencia near 19th?) and Blue Plate (Mission near 29th). Maverick would be a little easier to get into - I walked in on a Thursday evening and got a table for two at 6:00 p.m. The neighborhood is either dicey or colorful, depending on your point of view. I felt no qualms about walking to BART alone after the meal. Speaking of point of view, you will learn all about combining a tube top and hot pants with high heels if you get a window seat at Maverick (to think I'd been doing it wrong all these years!).

All the above mentioned restaurants concentrate on artisanal producers and seasonal specialities. The wine lists at each are also very, very good. The wine list at Maverick had some really reasonably priced 3-glass flights with some hidden gems (like an excellent Chardonnay from New Mexico).

Cheers,
dovima

Before or after you visit the Mission, why don't you hop on the J-Church (or walk) to the Noe Valley and explore what many claim is the best neighborhood in the Bay Area. Lots of places to have lunch on 24th St. I posted a "Walk in the Noe Valley" awhile back.

I would also visit the Haight/Ashbury district while at GG Park/De Young/Tea Garden. You should also explore the Cow Hollow/Marina areas - Union St, Fillmore St, & Chestnut. Another "stretch" of Fillmore between Jackson and Bush is a plesent area to walk in, shop, have a coffee/drink, dinner, lunch, etc. It's very active at night with the dinner crowd.

In addition to the Downtown/North Beach restaurants (hope you're skipping the Wharf ones), try to get to some of the neighborhood restaurants - Incanto, Firefly, Aziza, Winterland, Clementine, Elite Cafe, Sociale, Limon.

DON"T MISS the view through, and then over the GG Bridge from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the "other" side of the Bay on your way to, or back from the Napa Valley. This view is best in the late afternoon. I've posted instructions on how to get there several times.

Like others have said, spend as little time at the Wharf as you can - save it for last perhaps.

No BBB or Teatro Zinzanni?????

I'm not as big of a fan as others are of the Ferry Bldg. I actually enjoyed the Saturday market more at it's previous location further north along the Embarcadero. I also think some of the shops inside remind me of several "airport type" stores. It's a good place, however, to have lunch at one of the several restaurants in the facility, and the views are quite nice. It's definitly at it's best on Saturday mornings.

My wife is one of the tour guides for the two Victorian tours offered by City Guides (Library sponsored), but she is not scheduled to lead the tour when you'll be here - she's scheduled for this Sunday.

Stu Dudley

Thanks so muchto all of you, who responded with such helpful advice. I can see there's so much more to see in San Francisco than we'll have time for, but always a good excuse to go back.
Faina,
Thanks for pointing out how close the Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf are. I knew you could walk, but wasn't sure just how close they were. No, we're not able to go on Saturday, as we arrive in the afternoon on Saturday and leave in the morning on the next Saturday. Going there before we go to Scoma's is a thought, though, as it's probably easier to take the F line than the Cable car. My main concern that day is just to get to the Precita Eyes tour in time, as that's the only one that we can make.

cabovacation,
Sounds like we'll probably see enough of Fisherman's Wharf just going on the Bay Cruise and eating lunch at Scoma's. We definitely plan to spend some time at the Ferry Building.

dovima,
Thanks for the restaurant recommendations I will check them out. Tartine is definitely on my list, but I had planned to eat there on Friday. Maybe I'll have to move it up, in case we want to go back!

StuDudley,
Thanks for your restaurant recommendations! I copied your walk awhile back We plan to try to follow it and spend some time walking around the Noe Valley. The only restaurant we're eating at on the Wharf is Scoma's for lunch one day. Sorry that we won't have your wife as a guide. I checked out the Victorian tours offered by the library, but they didn't fit our schedule, so we're going with Victorian Home Walk. One nice thing is that it meets close to our hotel, so it will be easy to get to.

Sandy

>> would also visit the Haight/Ashbury district while at GG Park/De Young/Tea Garden. You should also explore the Cow Hollow/Marina areas - Union St, Fillmore St, & Chestnut. >>

StuDudley,
Thanks! Those areas are all on my list We have sort of indefinite plans to go from Japan Town to the Haight, move on to GG Park, with the Japanese Tea Garden, then back to the Haight for lunch at Cha Cha Cha, but that depends a lot on the distances. Then, on to the de Young, and finally a drink in the late afternoon at Beach Chalet or Cliff House and the views there. When we go to Napa, we'll be driving back late in the afternoon, so will catch the views of the Golden Gate then, as you say.

Sandy

Dear Sandy:

Sounds like a great trip. We live about 2 hours from SF, so have visited numerous times throughout out the last 40 or so years(yikes!! I'm really getting old). Last year DH and I were in SF for business for a few days. We headed out to GG Park to check out the Conservatory of Flowers and Japanese Tea Garden. (deYoung was still under contruction) We then headed to the Cliff House for cocktails and a quick bite. Drove thru the Sea Cliff neighborhood, Legion of Honor, down to Fort Point then over to the Palace of Fine Arts(?) and the Presidio. DH had never been to any of these areas and didn't even know they existed. BTW: we had to just drive by many of these places since it was a Monday and they were closed, so plan accordingly. Have fun and also try to relax.

MY

Thanks, Michelle That will probably be the hardest thing, trying to relax. I'd rather relax a bit and just leave time to wander than be too intent on doing everything.

Sandy

sandy The Japanese Tea Garden is right next to the deYoung, instead of going back and forth between Haight and the park, just have lunch at the de Young--or have lunch at Cha cha cha before going to the park. I live 4 blocks up hill from the Haight, and don't personally see spending much time there unless you like to look in used clothing stores--it is still a mecca for teenagers however, especially on weekends.

I recommend the following. By the way, I'm going back to the City by the Bay for the eighth time in four years.

Coit Tower. Great view so bring the camera. At Pier 39 1/2 you can rent a bicycle and ride across the Golden Gate.

Drive up to Harbin Hot Springs which is about 100 miles north of the city in Middleton. Soak in the hot spring but remember--no talking in the spring. If nudity bothers you, close your eyes.

Ride the cable car standing. It's more fun. Buy a coffee at Nordstroms downtown (only thing I could afford)

Many nice restaurants in the North Beach area. But to get your money's worth, eat at a Chinese restaurant.

There are some great views along the drive to Baker Beach.

Depending on how much wine you want to "taste" you may consider a one day tour to Napa Valley/Sonoma.
My husband and I did it through Gray Line Tours last April and it was great. The bus was comfortable, we stopped at 3 wineries, and had time on our own for lunch. and we didn't have to worry about driving!

Michelle,
Thanks for the suggestions Coit Tower is definitely on my list! However, as for standing on the cable cars, if there's a seat, I think I'll take it and save the thrills for the younger passengers I'd rather protect my knees whenever possible, although when we're in Paris, I do a lot of standing on the Metro and buses.


Hi Bettina,
The wine tour does sound nice, but we're sort of locked into driving to Napa, as the wineries aren't our primary reason for going to Napa. My husband's parents were living there when they passed away. Since we were going to San Francisco, he thought it would be nice to drive over to Napa and visit the cemetery. We thought we'd take a drive through the Napa Valley, while we were there.

Sandy