Hi everyone - going to San Fran for three nights (Saturday, Sunday and Friday with Carmel and Yosemite in between) and am trying to come up with an itinerary pleasing to both the hubby and me.

Upon arrival on Saturday (around noon) - we're going to get settled in our hotel in the Union Square area and thought perhaps our first day we'd do a bit of Chinatown touring and then head out for a mellow dinner and finally a nice view of the bay and sunset. We're from Maryland and this will be my first time seeing a sunset out west. Does anyone have a suggestion for a pretty nice location for dinner and sunset?

Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

How about somewhere in Sunset? Sorry, couldn't resist. Have a great trip.

The Cliff House

http://www.cliffhouse.com/

I'm researching the same thing and came across this "best of" list:

http://cityguide.aol.com/sanfrancisc...rantswithaview

OK - first a geography lesson: The bay lies east of San Francisco so you can't see a sunset over THAT water from SF. To see a sunset over water you'd have to go out to the Pacific side of town - but then you can't see the city.

Now, you could go to Skates or someplace like that. It is a restaurant on the pier in Berkeley on the other (east) side of the bay. From there your sunset view would be of the Bay, three bridges and all of San Francisco.

There is also a bay north of
SF...SF Bay.

A lovely place to see the sunset, as long as it's not foggy, is at The Top of The Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, Nob Hill. We've done this for years and it's truly lovely. You can see the Golden Gate over the bay.

Now, when you're here in Carmel and want to see the actual sun drop down and glorious colors, sit on Carmel Beach with a picnic dinner and you're in for a treat. You might even see the green flash.

What's the green flash?? I am so curious!
Casey

I googled green flash. It's a rarely seen natural phenomena at sunrise and sunset.

http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/GF/

WOW! never even heard of it! I would love to see at least once.

For more casual (with good beer) with a great view, try Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant.

www.beachchalet.com/

It is set to be foggy for the rest of the week/weekend. I don't think you will have much of a chance of seeing the sun actually set. Sorry about that.

Top of the Mark is good. So is the Carnelian Room, which is the top-floor restaurant at the Bank of America building (500 block of California St, in the Financial Dist.). The advantage of being high-up in either of these buildings is that you can enjoy the view even with the fog - the evening fog rolling in like a moveable mountin range is a really memorable sight. If it's a clear evening, the Cliff House or Twin Peaks would be great. Wouldn't recommend Twin Peaks on a foggy night though - that's where the wind really drives the fog into a frenzy as it tries to pass through the gap between the two hills.

doogs: The viewpoints recommended - Top of the Mark, Carnelian Room, etc. are all really good. My suggestion was if you wanted a sunset view over water.

woodsysagoodboy: "There is also a bay north of SF...SF Bay."

Well actually the only bit of bay due north of SF is the narrow section from the Golden Gate to Tiburon. SF Bay stretches from Richmond to Santa Clara county, and lies east of the city. Sure - N, NE, E, SE, and S of SF proper - but all on the east side of the city. (and the sun sets in the opposite direction)

I guess I should have mentioned we'll be there in July and I do hear that fog is abundant around that time of year. Thanks so much for the suggestions. Just popped to the library for Fodor's San Francisco (2006 unfortunately 2007 was out). Beach Chalet looks right up our alley and I really can't wait for Carmel. I'll be posting for some suggestions for that location soon. Thanks again everyone.

As between the Beach Chalet and Cliff House, I'd opt for the Cliff House for the views. Beach Chalet is lower down and you don't get the bird's eye view that is so unforgettable.

I'd try to get into the Bistro side at the Cliff House and get a WINDOW table.

The best place to get a glimpse of the green flash is in San Diego - at the beach restaurant called "The Green Flash".

I have not seen the green flash this far north in California.

janisj: It's probably best to hold off on your "geography lessons" until you get a map. I know where SF Bay is...and you don't. Apology accepted.

Woody, no need to be rude.

We really enjoyed a sunset boat tour.

Although there is a northern portion of the S.F. Bay (the part that goes eventually into San Pablo Bay), janis is correct. You can't see the sun setting over the San Francisco Bay unless you are to the east of the bay.

I agree with Faina, Woody - there's no call for the tone of your reply. Especially after a week and a half.

I refuse to fall victim to your circular logic and Jedi mind games. Have a good weekend and I hope MrAgain enjoys the slut machines in LV.