SF Activities
 

My partner and I are going to be in SF for five days in early January. We have visited many times over the years and figure we've done a lot of the usual tourist activities. Any ideas on untouristy stuff (we like architecture, interesting neighborhoods, outdoor murals, pleasant walks, etc.) we might check out on this trip?

There are literally dozens of thread on here about things to do.

Best tip is to take City Guides Tours. They have dozens and dozens of tours for every like and interest. They are free [donation is most appreciated] and can be found here:

http://www.sfcityguides.org/

I did a January trip a few years back. Here's a report. I have others, we go almost every year. Click my name to see more trip reports.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-francisco.cfm

You might find something here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Just a few that are not really "non-touristy" but not as well known as others:
www.giantcamera.com
www.cliffhouse.com
www.golden-gate-park.com/de-young-museum.html
Union Street for architecture

Creepy, but very interesting is the Columbarium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptune...ty_Columbarium

You might enjoy a tour of the murals in the Mission district with this group:
http://www.precitaeyes.org/tours.html. My daughter and I did one of their tours a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

Buy "Stairway Walks in San Francisco" by Adah Bakalinsky and take some of the 29 walks detailed there. A great way to get into neighborhoods that most tourists don't get to.

Also, SF City Guides, recommended by Stu, offer lots of free (donations welcomed) walking tours to interesting neighborhoods. I've taken several--good to excellent, depending on the guide.

The Hockney exhibition at the de Young is fantastic if you're an art lover. The large paintings of Yosemite are spectacular. Ends January 20.

If you have never taken the ferry over to Sausalito - it's a fun/scenic thing to do. Used to commute on the Ferry to work (in downtown SF) - and had a great "pad" over there when living in the Bay Area years ago - plus the Ferry Building itself is interesting - with places to dine, etc.

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/

Oh, yes, Leely2. I second the Hockney exhibit if you like art. I knew nothing about him before I went but am now a fan.

DH and I have taken every walk in Stairway Walks and several many times. It is a great book. DH is a native and he discovered some things about SF he didn't know. We try to at least have a drink in the neighborhood we are walking in when we are done with the walk. Also there use to be a Victoria House Tour which met in Union Square. Very simple as you take public transportation and the guide talks about the houses, the different styles and you visit one of the houses which is now a B&B. Reasonable and worth it. The Chinatown Walking Tour is also very interesting...

Another vote for Ada Bakalinksy's book. We recently did some of the walks listed out in the Presidio and had a great time.

Have you been to the Cable Car Museum?

If shopping at a San Francisco classic interests you, stop by Biordi Imports on Columbus for a truly mind-boggling selection of Italian ceramics.

I'm reaching here, but if you sew, are into fabrics or interior design, a visit to Bri-Tex fabrics is eye-popping and a lot of fun.

Have a great visit.

I've been to Bri-Tex! Just stumbled upon it. Began having foolish thoughts of sewing again.

Also the Frank Lloyd Wright building in San Francisco is a lovely art gallery (near Bri-Tex).

Go to the Mission Dolores in San Francisco.

Thanks to all for the many suggestions. A number of places we've already visited, but others look promising. We like the idea of the Stairway Walks book and the mural walks in the Mission district. Unfortunately, we will not be in town on a weekend, so some of the City Guides tours we're interested in will not be offered while we're there.

Have you visited Twin Peaks? Often overlooked.

Tiled steps on Moraga @ 16 street (not avenue)
http://www.tiledsteps.org/

If you will have a car
http://www.filoli.org

Rent the fabulous documentary "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" - see www.imdb.com/title/tt0424565/