I will be in SF for a business trip and will be able to spend 3 days extra there. Would you please give me some ideas where the locals would go for fun and food. I plans to take public transportation only. Thanks a million.

Kim, plug the words San Francisco into the search box here. I found a ton of good information from postings on this site by SF local. TC

You do not need a car in SF. I live in the Bay Area. Taxis are fine to get around as are the cable cars. If your first trip, just do the tourist stuff. Still a lot of fun. Try the Buena Vista for Irish coffee. Check out Coit Tower. Visit Alcatraz. Need to book in advance for a tour, but worth it. Go over to Sausilito by ferry boat. Use the ones leaving from Ferry Building, not the tourist boats at the wharf. Nice ride across the bay and nice town to walk around in. Go out to Spinnaker there for drink or try Scomas for food. Any other questions, email. Too much for here. P.S. Never call it Frisco. Natives will laugh at you. It is THE CITY and the Golden Gate Bridge is THE GATE. Have fun.

Kim:

Definitely go to Alcatraz. Check out the new NIGHT program out there -- much better than the day!

For food, try any Italian restaurant in North Beach, especially Michaelangelo (Columbus at Wash. Square)or Tavolino (Columbus at Vallejo). Also, Betelnut on Union Street is good. Union St. has lots of interesting shops, cafes, bars, etc.

For beer, the 20 Tank on Folsom at 11th is a great, lowkey microbrewery. The Thirsty Bear, near the Moscone Center, is also good.

Have fun!

Thank you for all your responses. I can't wait to go to SF.

Thanks again.

Kim

To add to the above posts:

Be prepared to wait for a cable car if you pick it up at Fisherman's Wharf. Try the other way around, starting at Market and Embaradero (near the Ferry Building).

Of course, dining is one of the reasons to visit San Francisco. Contrary to what one would expect, it needn't be expensive. I don't know where you will be staying, or where you will be "hanging out", but the areas I like to check for restaurants are Chinatown (touristy), Clement street (fantastic Asian restaurants), North Beach (Italian), and Japantown (obvious).

San Francisco is a old port city, so head to the water. There are several companies who offer 1/2 day boat cruises on the bay, for a reasonable cost. I just did a 1/2 day on a catamaran called the "Adventure Cat". It's a powered sailboat, small but fun.

I like to walk in San Francisco. I have walked from Fisherman's wharf, past Chinatown, to the "South of Market" area. (I haven't heard anyone call it "SOMA".) There's an urban hike tracing the old Barbary Coast. It goes through Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, and Chinatown. It's mostly level, about 4 miles long. Take the cable car back to Fisherman's Wharf. It goes from the Old Mint at 5th and Mission through Fisherman's Wharf.

Looking for cultural information? Try www.californiasedge.com. The California Cultural Touism coalition offers info on culture in LA, San Francisco and San Diego.

Have fun, and e-mail me if you want additional info!