San Francisco, which tour?
Jul 16th, 2005, 06:00 PM
#1
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San Francisco, which tour?
Author: Peggy
Date: 07/15/2005, 10:49 pm
I'm trying to make up my mind which city tour in San Francisco is better. We've taken many Gray Line tours in Europe and they were great. This has me leaning toward the 1 1/2 hour Cable Car tour. The other one is on a tour bus and doesn't say that it's a Gray Line. It's called Deluxe City Tour. Does include a few more places like Cliff House, Nob Hill. I wonder if it's not as easy to see the sights from the cable car as it is from the tour bus w/the tall windows. Comments on either one?
Thanks
Date: 07/15/2005, 10:49 pm
I'm trying to make up my mind which city tour in San Francisco is better. We've taken many Gray Line tours in Europe and they were great. This has me leaning toward the 1 1/2 hour Cable Car tour. The other one is on a tour bus and doesn't say that it's a Gray Line. It's called Deluxe City Tour. Does include a few more places like Cliff House, Nob Hill. I wonder if it's not as easy to see the sights from the cable car as it is from the tour bus w/the tall windows. Comments on either one?
Thanks
Jul 16th, 2005, 07:21 PM
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Haven't taken a Gray Line tour in years, but I know they have always given great tours. I believe they make some stops, but other places you will have to see from the windows of the bus. The motorized cable car is open, so it may be cold...bring a jacket. But, easier to take photos. I don't know if the cable car makes stops for you to get out.
You may also consider renting a car for the day. It's not a big city, and pretty easy to get around. A lot of places restrict access to cars/vans over 6 people, so no buses or motorized cable cars. You can go at your own pace, and get out when you want. Probably cheaper than the tour! Have fun!!
Andiamo
You may also consider renting a car for the day. It's not a big city, and pretty easy to get around. A lot of places restrict access to cars/vans over 6 people, so no buses or motorized cable cars. You can go at your own pace, and get out when you want. Probably cheaper than the tour! Have fun!!
Andiamo
Jul 16th, 2005, 09:01 PM
#3
We rented a limo for 4 hours to get an overview of the city. It was comfortable and we got to pick what we didn't see and what we would need a car to see.
This was the best way for us to see a lot of things in a short time.(and we didn't have to read maps.) I will look for the gentlemen's card if you post back that it would be of interest to you.
This was the best way for us to see a lot of things in a short time.(and we didn't have to read maps.) I will look for the gentlemen's card if you post back that it would be of interest to you.
Jul 17th, 2005, 08:04 AM
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girlonthego, if you don't mind looking, I would definitely be interested in who you hired for the limo tour especially after reading what andimo wrote about buses not being able to go to some restricted areas. Renting the limo and driver for 4 hours probably wouldn't be any more expensive than renting a car for a couple of days, paying for parking, getting lost and wasting time etc.
It would be much less hassle.
It would be much less hassle.
Jul 17th, 2005, 03:44 PM
#6
Hi Peggy,
We used Roland Velasquez. He is the partner in RV Limoservice. His direct line is 415-601-7116. We had him for about 4 and a half hours. I believe it was about 60 dollars an hour + whatever you want as a tip. We had a stretch limo for the four of us.
He is a native San Fransiscan and was a good conversationalist. We loved chinatown and north beach. We could walk there from our hotel on Nob Hill. We rode trolley cars down to the fisherman's wharf. The tour was around the city and seeing some of the highlights you need to travel to by car or taxi. He took us to Muir Woods and the trees were so huge. But if you are not particularly into trees, you may want to walk around some of the other places he takes you to. We felt the bus tour took us where they wanted to go at their speed. Besides, he took our picture in front of the landmarks. This time we were all in the picture!!! Enjoy and tell him Linda and Bob from VA sent you.
We used Roland Velasquez. He is the partner in RV Limoservice. His direct line is 415-601-7116. We had him for about 4 and a half hours. I believe it was about 60 dollars an hour + whatever you want as a tip. We had a stretch limo for the four of us.
He is a native San Fransiscan and was a good conversationalist. We loved chinatown and north beach. We could walk there from our hotel on Nob Hill. We rode trolley cars down to the fisherman's wharf. The tour was around the city and seeing some of the highlights you need to travel to by car or taxi. He took us to Muir Woods and the trees were so huge. But if you are not particularly into trees, you may want to walk around some of the other places he takes you to. We felt the bus tour took us where they wanted to go at their speed. Besides, he took our picture in front of the landmarks. This time we were all in the picture!!! Enjoy and tell him Linda and Bob from VA sent you.
Jul 17th, 2005, 06:23 PM
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girlonthego, thanks for the info. We're not going till the Fall but I think that's the way to do it. We'll definitely mention you if we hire him. As soon as I get things finalized, I'll call him.
thanks again.
thanks again.
Jul 18th, 2005, 03:46 PM
#8
Peggy, Just want to mention a couple of other things. We ended our tour with Roland at the Cliff house ate lunch and then called a cab to go back. I would not recommend eating there. The service was horrendous and the food mediocre. We also waited an hour for a table. Roland will take you around anywhere you want to go and then you can ask him for suggestions of places to see. We saw a couple of different views of the city, the Coit Tower, the science exploratorium, Robin williams house(we drove threw his neighborhood and his Mrs. Doubtfire house), Muir woods (which took a while. We did the one mile hike and then met him at the car).
Another tour we did in SF on our own was the Wok Wiz tour in Chinatown. It was very interesting and we had Dorothy who was lovely and a wealth of history.(she was born and raised and is 75 and still living in Chinatown). It ends with a Dim Sum lunch at a restaurant they choose. The food was very good. My girls were fascinated by her stories that she was born in this apartment and where she went to school. We bumped into her several days later, and my kids ran up to her and hugged her in the street. We felt like old friends.
We also went to a very fun show called the Beach Blanket Babylon. It is silly and a little dirty, but not too bad. We had a few good laughs. It is a show that is unique to SF.
Enjoy your trip.
Another tour we did in SF on our own was the Wok Wiz tour in Chinatown. It was very interesting and we had Dorothy who was lovely and a wealth of history.(she was born and raised and is 75 and still living in Chinatown). It ends with a Dim Sum lunch at a restaurant they choose. The food was very good. My girls were fascinated by her stories that she was born in this apartment and where she went to school. We bumped into her several days later, and my kids ran up to her and hugged her in the street. We felt like old friends.
We also went to a very fun show called the Beach Blanket Babylon. It is silly and a little dirty, but not too bad. We had a few good laughs. It is a show that is unique to SF.
Enjoy your trip.
Jul 19th, 2005, 03:53 AM
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We used Golden Gate Jeep tours last year and were very happy. It was just the 2 of us, the jeep and the driver. We were able to go many places that tour buses and larger vehicles could not go.
They offer several set tours or the option to create your own. I'm sorry I don't remember the exact website, but I'm sure if you google for it, you'll find it.
They offer several set tours or the option to create your own. I'm sorry I don't remember the exact website, but I'm sure if you google for it, you'll find it.
