So we are planning our first trip to San Francisco. Actually honestly our first trip to California. We are staying a week and plan to rent a car while we are there. Any suggestions of the "must sees". As we are renting a car we would like to get out of town for a couple of day trips but generally at this point are booking one hotel in San Francisco and staying there except for these day trips. So help me out and let me know your list of "must sees" in or nearby San Francisco. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Well, there's tons of info on the city itself, so I'll just mention some day trips.

One of the best is to head up to Healdsburg on 101 then head west along the Russian River. Russian River wine country emphasized Pinot Noirs at least for reds, rather than the Cabs of Napa. Korbel for California champagne.

At Guerneville head 2 miles north to Armstrong Redwoods. Bigger trees, less crowded and in better shape all around than the more famous Muir Woods. Hasn't been trampled for 100+ years.

From there follow the river to Jenner and the ocean. Lots of oceanfront parkland nearby, both north and south. To the north are Salt Point and Fort Ross state parks, SP for nature, FR for history.

south are the Sonoma State Beaches, and Bodega Bay, and of course then Point Reyes.

I would go to Fisherman's Wharf, Peir 39, Alcatraz, Lombard Street(crookedest street in the world), drive accross the Golden Gate bridge, ride a trolley. I, too would go to Point Reyes--you may also want to add the Napa/Sonoma area.

Hello Sprig, type Stu Dudley's name into Fodor's Search box and see if you can pull up any of his threads regarding wonderful suggestions for visitors to SF. Sometimes (or a lot of the times?) Fodor's search box doesn't work very well but if you can read any of his threads you will have a wealth of information.

If you are using your San Francisco hotel as a base for your day trips you may find that the up-to-$40/night parking fee may be excessive.

You might look into some 'day rentals' for your trips so that you don't have to pay for parking when you are not using the car.

What things are you interested in? I was just there with a friend and had a wonderful time. You can view our photo album at:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...r&x=0&y=o3s0uv

We didn't get up to Napa this time, but I would certainly recommend it - beautiful area and it's fun to tour a winery or two.

I agree with the recommendation to rent a car only for the days you are going to leave SF and use public transportation the rest of the time. SF is a fairly compact city and the public transportation system is pretty good.

What time of year are you coming?

You definitely don't need a car while your seeing the city. It's not that big. You can walk a lot, take cabs (cheap), and, of course, take the cable cars.

Muir Woods is a really beautiful side trip. I would also go to Napa.

Are you bringing kids?

$40.00 a night hotel parking fees....yipes! I've never paid that in SF and my husband and I are regulars for overnighters. We have paid on the average $24.00 a night and we stay at very fine boutique hotels but I do agree that if you are staying in the city, rent a car when you need one and definately do the Alcatraz tour. I've done it several times when we have out of town guests. A very fun and unique trip.

We loved Muir Woods - just don't wait too late in the day to visit. We arrived at about 4 pm (in March) and it soon became dimly lit. Silly me didn't expect for the trees to block so much sunlight!

I enjoyed visiting Napa and having a picnic at Sattui (sp) vineyards. Their deli had lots of scrumptious offerings.

My aunt went on a "wine train" and still raves about it.

You might want to check out hot air ballooning in the area. I've not done it, but I've seen it associated with some of the vineyards of California. Looks nice to me!

We are going to be in San Francisco for a week in March. We have a car and a hotel with parking. Now we are trying to decide what to do. We want this to be a fairly relaxing trip because our style is to run ourselves ragged trying to see everything. That is why we chose to base ourselves in one place. We plan to do the 49 mile drive and see the suggested sites of Fishermen's wharf, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge and ride a trolley tc. etc. So far we are definitely planning to see Alcatraz, Muir Woods and to make our way to Napa and Sonoma. The Russian River wine country sounds beautiful. We have heard so much about the drive down the coast and are wondering how far down it makes sense to drive in one day out of San Francisco. We would like to be back in San Francisco in time to park the car and go for dinner as we like to have a glass of wine and really are not into drinking and driving. So how far south would you go for a one day trip and which spots along the way do you think we shouldn't miss? I have been reading Stu's suggestions everywhere and you are all right. Stu seems to know everything about San Francisco.

Muir woods and two days Yosemite.Paul

Must sees:

Alcatraz
Golden Gate park
Chinatown (walking tour www.wokwiz.com)
Muir woods
Ferry across the Bay to Sausalito

Monterey Bay Aquarium-this is about a 1hr&45 min drive south.

We drove south to Carmel for a day trip stopping in Monterey. This is a nice scenic drive. It is great for a couple. We had our kids and they were bored. Chinatown was a favorite-Wok Wiz walking tour was great!! Alcatraz, boat to Sausalito, some like to bike to Sausalito and boat back. You can rent bikes down at the pier. Fisherman's wharf is nothing great. You can spend an hour there and get the idea. Muir woods is quite beautiful. The trees are so huge! We did not do the wine country, but I am sure it is a lovely drive. Have dinner in North beach and see the Beach Blanket Babylon show.It is silly, but funny.(It is an adult show). Our kids laughed at some of it,but it is geared to adults. Enjoy your trip!

I would drive North along the coast in Marin: Stinson Beach to Inverness, Bodega Bay etc, rather than South.
The most visually stimulating part of 1 south of Carmel puts you pretty far away from SF by the end of the day. Clement Street in the Avenues, Fillmore, Japantown-The real city lies beyond Van Ness.

The San Mateo Coast just south of SF is quite scenic all the way to Santa Cruz. Half Moon Bay (Main St) is a very charming village.

Stu Dudley

Take a drive through the restored Presidio, out to Lincoln Park and the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Beautiful part of the City.

Try to spend time in a different than usual districts. Cole Valley, Inner Sunset, Cow Hollow, Clement Street (I think that's Upper Richmond?). etc.

Stu. I agree about the SF to Santa Cruz part of Ca 1. Take in Half Moon Bay, the SC and The boardwalk, then head back Ca 17 to the Bay. That makes a perfect day.

>> then head back Ca 17 to the Bay<<

And stop in Los Gatos - the downtown area is very interesting

Stu Dudley