My husband and I will be in San Francisco on a Thursday and a Friday in late August. We are staying at the Clift Hotel in the Union Square area. My husband will be in a seminar during the day on those two days, so I'll be on my own. I would like to see some sights, do some shopping and just take in San Francisco. What are some of the must do's within walking distance of where I'll be staying? Some things that immediately come to mind are Chinatown, a ride on a cable car, Fisherman's Wharf.. Am I on the right track?

Okay, this is hardly on anyone's Must See in San Francisco list, but I was just thinking about this today: A block or so from Union Square is one of the, if not THE largest Williams Sonoma store in the country. So if you want to window shop for that kind of stuff --- it's a fun place to enjoy some air conditioned shopping fun.

Union Square is a big (nice) shopping area, so if you want to shop, you won't be lacking for something to do!

The Museum of Modern Art is walking distance from Union Square.

You can easily walk from Union Square to Chinatown, North Beach and to the Embarcadero.

If you like food markets, the Ferry Bldg. (foot of Market Street on the Embarcadero) is a must-visit (although you're not there on a farmer's market day, the permanent food shops and the building, plus the views out back are still a great time).

From the Ferry Bldg., if you are so inclined, you can walk or take public transportation to Fisherman's Wharf.

Hope that helps.

Hi Becca, in that you want to shop besides Union Square if you want south on Powell St. just a few blocks you will come to Market. Cross Market and you will be at the SF Centre which has Nordstroms, lots of smaller shops and the new Bloomingdales, cafes etc. You could walk east down Market and across the Embarcadero is the Ferry Building. Lots of shops in the Ferry Building and the plaza behind the FB is a great place to relax on a bench and watch the activity on the SF Bay and the ferries arriving and departing. You can have something to eat and/or a cold drink while enjoying the plaza also. The F Line which goes down Market and turns north on the Embarcadero will take you to Fisherman's Wharf or if you are a good walker you could walk to FW.

From Union Square walk down Maiden Lane (going east) to Grant and you can visit (maybe not shop it is expensive) and check out the new Prada Store. And than you can walk north on Grant, at Grant and Bush is the entrance to China Town. If you go to China Town check out the side streets and wander on Stockton, not so touristy. And yes, the Williams Sonoma store is fabulous even if you just look and not buy. Have fun, and you will!

Also, at the east end of Union Square (next to Stockton and where Maiden Lane begins at Union Square) is a very good Italian cafe with pastries, sandwiches, coffee, wine, Italian sodas etc. They have inside and outside tables. Outside is a great place to relax and "people watch" everyone walking through of enjoying Union Square.

If you want to see more of SF than downtown and the usual tourist places such as Chinatown and the Wharf, you can easily and safely reach neighborhoods like Noe Valley, and the Castro and Mission by streetcar-the J to Noe Valley and the Mission, the F, K, L or M to the Castro. They are good places to wander around and look at houses on hillsides, visit small shops, grab a bite and see SF.

If you will be there over a Saturday, I highly recommend the farmer's market at the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. It is huge and filled with lots of fresh food vendors, but also delicous food carts and coffee carts. I had the most delicious empanadas, italian doughnuts, chilaques, coffee, etc. It is right on the water, so a beautiful location, too.

People we forgot to tell her to search for Stu Dudley!!!!!

<<A block or so from Union Square is one of the, if not THE largest Williams Sonoma store in the country.>>

We're going in October and staying near Union Sq. - Just told DH about the above store and his reaction - "I'm not shlepping sh**. If you want to shop, they have to ship it." LOL now, but I'll get my way then!!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Stu Dudley???

Haha - Centralparkgirl, I had to laugh at what you said - I'm sure my husband will say the same thing but I'll definitely make a stop at the WS store!

Have fun reading:


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...t=0&dirtyBit=1

After awhile many long time posters no longer respond to questions about SF because they have been asked and answered numerous times, however Stu Dudley is a long time poster who still patiently answers questions and if you type his name in the search box you will find numerous postings about what to do in SF. Indeed, if you just type San Francisco in the search box you would find thousands of postings about SF.

I posted a list of some of my favorite things to do in San Francisco a few months ago. Here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049


Stu Dudley