Jayne1973

J Correa, so true... had another experience like that on the way from Santa Cruz to SF. Someone told us to stop at this art glass place in some little town along PCH. Yes, the stuff was kind of pretty, but I could take a nice little trip for the price of one piece. The owner was a total snob, too. Whatever!

J_Correa

Jayne - was it the Lundberg studios in Davenport? If it was, I am sorry to hear that the owner was snobby to you. I used to know them a little bit once upon a time - one of my high school friend's dad was a glass blower there. They used to open their studio to the public (possibly they still do) right before Christmas and Mothers' Day. It was incredibly interesting to see the pieces take shape and to watch the glass blowers in action.

FainaAgain

Kikahead, you gave me an idea... let's have our next SF get-together themed "who can come up with the most unusual (freaky) SF fleece"

Can you take the threads off your soft and comfortable fleeces

Jayne1973

JCorrea,
I think that was the name of the place. I was surprised they weren't more friendly after our friend recommended we stop there. Maybe we caught her on a bad day.

Shar

I've lived in the Bay Area for 40+ years and I still love everything about San Francisco. Yes there are touristy things here but isn't that why people come? Chinatown - one of the best I've every been to and we seem to see a lot of them in the cities we visit. Take the CHinatown Walking Tour and you will find out a lot more about this area of the City - it's not just junk shops, the Wharf everyone has to see it. Yes, it's changed in the past 50 years but it is still San Francisco. Alcatraz is well worth the day trip. I've been several times with out of town guests. There isn't much I avoid when I travel because it is all part of the learning experiences of travel. Enjoy on the worlds greatest cities. However, I do agree about not buying a sweatshirt that says SF - be prepared and bring layers of clothing!

dwoodliff

Trying to stick to the question you asked ... I found the Coit Tower to be quite boring. Also, (I'm fixing to be flamed), I didn't care for the Japanese Tea Garden.

I have spent 2 "vacations" in SF. On the first one, we took a guided tour. On the 2nd one, we used taxis and public transportation and went where WE wanted to go ... and it was a lot more FUN.

O.K., now I've got to deviate and tell you what we DID like:
1. Fisherman's Wharf (how can you go to SF and not walk the Wharf?). Look for the "Bush-Man" for lots of laughs.
2. SFMOMA
3. Alcatraz
4. Giants game
5. Chinatown
6. Haight-Ashbury (My kids liked this area so much, we went there twice. I guess it just depends on what you're "in to". It's a funky place, interesting buildings, good for people-watching and picture-taking altho a little dirty. They have a wonderful musical instrument store that attracts lots of celebrities. We went last June for the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair and had a blast.)
7. Riding the cable cars (BUT, do this early in the morning or at night if you can. They are so crowded mid-afternoon, you will end up standing inside, which isn't nearly as much fun as sitting on the outside.)

kelbo

I thought Sausalito was also a disappointment. Not much going on except a couple of shops..not worth the ferry ride over there.

missypie

Fishermans' Wharf! What a pit!

SusanCS

I've only been to SF twice and have only been disappointed with one thing. When ate at Aqua - which came highly recommended by a number of people - the food was mediocre at best. Service was slow, and it was so loud we weren't able to carry on conversations with people sitting across the table from us. Aside from that one incident, I find SF endlessly interesting and hope to get back soon.

Lexma90

Here's another for Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 as being over-rated. We did visit both, however. My son really wanted a crab cocktail at Fisherman's Wharf. I find the Wharf run-down and dirty, and of course lots of tourists. The sea lions at Pier 39 are well worth all the cheesy T-shirt shops (and if you have kids, the carousel is great fun - the only double-decker carousel I've ever seen). But the rest of Pier 39 is just like every other manufactured tourist place in the U.S.

I LOVE Chinatown. I love wandering through, and stopping in little places to buy foods I can't get at home. Stockton's a much better street to peruse than Grant (which is where many of the tourist shops are located).

audra

I disagree about Pier 39; I understand the previous poster as part of it "is (INDEED!) just like every other manufactured tourist place in the U.S."

However, where else can you gaze about the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and sea lions at the same time but on the Wharf? While having some fairly good clam chowder and ride the carousel? All the while seeing huge smiles on your kids' faces as they find their treasures in the souvenir shops?

Ok, technically there are other places (the park)for similar photo ops, but I hope you get my point!

Speaking of a place that is "just like every other manufactured tourist place in the U.S."? IMO that would be vegas. OK OK I know its not like every other manufactured tourist place in America - no, the creators of Vegas continue to work long and hard and overtime making sure it remains the concrete capital of the world. JMHO but eww. Again, JMHO as is the fact that next time in SF, we'll be strolling the Wharf once again.

dovima

What an engaging thread this has turned into. I particularly like the fact that there is lively but respectful disagreement going on - it's the true Fodorite spirit.

Just wanted to share an experience from my weekend. I attended the Johnny Winter show at The Independent (nightclub) on Divisadero Street. Not wishing to sacrifice my hearing to the opening act, I took a little stroll around the neighborhood for a half hour or so. Walked up to Alamo Square and looked at "those" houses on the east side of the square - you know, the ones that have become an iconic symbol of S. F. Well, they ARE a nicely matched set of six Victorians, but compared to some of the other architecture on the west and south ends of the square, they're not really standouts, IMO. I guess it's the combination of the Victorian outlines against the modern skyscrapers in the background that make them so appealing. But I just couldn't help but think of all the visitors coming to Alamo Square being surprised at how relatively small these six houses are. Just an observation on imagery and expectations....

Celine

I agree with others that some aspects of the Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39 area are bad (tons of tourists, cheap tourist stores, dirty), but the views are worth it.

Driving in San Francisco is the worst experience I think, and finding parking as well. Make sure to do the audio tour when you go to Alcatraz, or else looking at an old prison will be boring!

But even with homeless people everywhere on Market St, and the ton of tourists waiting for cable cars, I don't have anything really bad to say about the city. I live in the area, and I still love it!

fionac

I have to agree, driving was a nightmare when we arrived so we parked in the hotel and walked everywhere and this is from someone who lived and was driving in London for years!
Also I have to disagree to some extent about Fisherman's Wharf. I know that it's not hip to like such places, but each to their own, and I have to say that the seals did it for me. We didn't know about them, arrived in the area early in the day, and heard them from a distance, walked along and what a great surprise! Also we did eat in that area on our last night, and our view from our table was the Golden Gate Bridge. Any area that affords you that view whilst eating Italian, goes down well in my book!
Only real disappointment was not being able to get on the trip to Alcatraz cos we hadn't booked in enough time, don't know if this is usual, but if you want to do this book ahead.

mikemo

Driving in the city is OK, but parking is not. Commuting by car is crazy!
M

AJPeabody

Just got back from SF. Fisherman's Wharf is for tourists, which we were. Wanted a quick fish and chips. Settled on the cheapest place, which was a little covered pavillion with picnic tables and a small kitchen. Unlike the rows of bigger places, this one had: An unobstructed view of the bay, made to order (3 min delay after paying)greaseless fried fish, clams, shrimp, and fresh made fries (the other places had premade stuff under heat lamps for instant low quality orders and displays of congealed seafood sandwiches. Yuk.)

Then we walked to Giradelli's, got free samples of chocolate, and had chocolate ice cream sundaes.

The sundaes cost more than the fish, but were very good.

Bought a photo from a street vendor who had NO pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Area rates as maximum for overpriced tourist bait by the inverse post card index (5 for a dollar, usual prices in other areas ranged from 11 for a buck in Chinatown and 7-8 for a dollar near Union Square.) Conclusion confirmed by the tourist T-shirt index, T's were cheaper everywhere else.

Singletail

You're gonna feel pretty stupid if you decide NOT to go to Fisherman's Wharf or a lot of other places just because someone here, whom you don't know, have no idea what their tastes are, etc., told you "it is the pits" or "it is for tourists" or "none of the locals go there" and then find out later that you might have enjoyed it.

I suggest you check it out and THEN decide if it, or anywhere else is "worth it."

smetz

I agree with those who noted Haight-Ashbury. I went there a few years ago with my family - my kids were in the 8-13 range at the time - and ended up wishing I hadn't. Between the head shops, questionable art, and the homeless hippies, I found it to be the opposite of enlightening. I've visited New York numerous times, and I've always found it to be a much more family friendly place, on the whole, as compared to SF. Seems strange to me, but it's very true.

bardo

Singletail,
If you will refer to Chatnoir's original post, you'll see she was simply asking for everyone's SUBJECTIVE opinion on what THEY felt was overrated. The forum gave they honest opinions - which is what was requested. I'm sure Chatnoir already realizes she(?) doesn't personally know these people. By the way, she doesn't personally know you either - and you are telling her he is "stupid" if she follows the (admittedly, again) subjective opinions of others. Sheesh!

nohomers

Visited SF for the second time last fall and have to say the worst "experience" was the number of homeless people (and we come from a large city with its own homeless problem). We did a lot of walking around SF and after 4 days we were sick of constantly encountering the stench of urine (I know this sounds awful).
Contrary to a previous post, we had a great meal at Aqua and highy recommend it.