Things to do in San Francisco?
 

We are going to San Fran in October for a week... What should the weather be like? And give us three of the best places to see while we are there. Thanks. <BR> <BR>Jackie

Do a search on this board for your topic, please. It has been answered before with literally hundreds of suggestions, far too many for me to remember. And one of the last postings was particularly about October. The respondent said that the October was one of the best times of year to go to SF. <BR> <BR>Have fun on your trip.

Jackie: SF is wonderful. My hubby and I went there and there is just too much to do in a week! One thing I would definitely recommend (altho it requires a rental car and the willingness to drive a bit) GO TO THE WINE COUNTRY. Napa is absolutely gorgeous and with all the trips we have taken (at least 3 per year for the last 5 years), I still consider our venture to Napa one of the most romantic. Have a great time.

I also recommend going to the wine country. I would also stop in Muir Woods along the way. The redwoods are beautiful...not to be mistaken for the huge sequoias though. <BR> <BR>

I can also recommend the wine country, but I like the Sonoma wine country much better than Napa. The dry creek area near Healdsburg is really nice, or the Anderson valley, both of which are in the northern part of Sonoma county. There's also Valley of the Moon in Sonoma county. <BR>As for the city itself, one of my favorite things to do is go to Golden Gate park and walk all the way to the beach, then catch a bus back. North Beach/Chinatown are great parts of the city to explore. If you like art, check out the Museum of Modern art. <BR>I also really like taking a ferry to Sausalito and exploring the shops there. There's tons to do and you won't be wanting for a good meal. <BR>Very often the weather in Oct is warm and sunny- it's not a foggy time of year. Possible rain...but you never know. As a rule anytime here, dress in layers.

To the top

Drive out to the point (I can't remember the name of it) and watch the sunset over the Pacific; drive to the base of the Golden Gate bridge as well as across the bridge to the first turn off for the views; go to the top of Coit Tower and view (among other things) Lombard St; Drive down Lombard St; Ride the cable cars and go to the Cable Car Museum; go to Chinatown after doing a search here to find out where to locate the 'fortune cookie' bakery; plus the things others have mentioned.

I would suggest during a SF search as well. I have seen many great comments in previous posts. I went there last year for New Years. I thought it would be cold and rainy (like in WA State) but it was sunny and warm most of the time. I'm talking shorts warm. It was really nice!! We were busy every day doing and seeing as much possible. I would say to see for sure: Lombard Street (crookedest street in the world), Fishermans Wharf-take a ride to Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge,...and just walk around. The homes and streets are so beautiful. You can take a trolley or cable car ride, or go on a tour. Go to Alamo Square (or Park?) for the Victorian homes that are on all the postcards that you see. Sorry-that was more than three. SF is just so amazing! Have a wonderful time!

everybody pretty much said everything that I could think of. Parking is terrible there. You have to even pay at the hotel that you stay at. It's best to get a hotel outside of San Francisco likw Redwood City and take the train for 6 bucks. When you get off the train there will be a city bus right outside from the terminal that takes you down town. Much better than paying 5 to 7 dollars an hour for parking.

Definately get a fresh crab at Fisherman's Wharf, take the cable car to Chinatown, then finish the evening with dinner at the Stinking Rose.

I was born, raised, and currently live in the heart of San Francisco. These are all good suggestions, however I would suggest staying in the city because taking a train can be a pain no matter where you are going. The lombard Street, Chinatown, Cable Car, Downtown, Wine Country (Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga are better than Sonoma in all my years of staying there), Coit Tower, and Nob Hill are all good suggestions. Of course this all depends on what you are looking for. The weather will range from cloudy/foggy and cold in the lower 50's to the upper 70's though probably sunny and lower 70's during the day. The Drive through Napa is great and there are many wineries/spa's once you get up there through to Calistoga. You can stop by the Robert Mondavi Winery for a fantastic tour and tasting as well which is along that road. But spending theentire time in San Francisco is a treat as well. Good Luck and you'll have a magnificent time.

You all guys are missing one great spot: Twin Peaks. If the day is not too foggy the view is breathtaking! And while there don't miss Castro area, even for straight people it's exciting (and safe!). If you'd like to go back in time take a stroll along Haight - back to "summer of love" and hippies.

This is what we did, 4 Fodorites, we went to Twin Peaks! And this was my first post. Nostalgia is kicking in, aahhh, the pre-registration days :)

September and October are indeed the best times to visit The City. The weather is relatively warm and sunny, and you really can enjoy the walkability of the town.

ONLY three places? How can one choose when you have a week to see Nob Hill, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf/Ghirardelli Square, Haight/Ashbury, the Castro, the museums, etc., etc., etc.?!? My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and only planned one thing-- and just explored The City as our hearts desired that day. It was magical.

What was our ONE planned outing? Why, a day trip by shuttle to the Wine Country:

http://www.winecountrytourshuttle.com/index.html

We did the Napa tour: Meet at the Ferry Building at 8 AM (go early, get coffee, watch the ferries come in from Sausalito and the East Bay), ride across the Golden Gate Bridge in a shuttle bus with a knowledgeable guide, visit four wineries with picnic lunch included, catch a ferry in Vallejo and return to the Ferry Building across the Bay.

I didn't feel like driving up, and this was the perfect way to see the Napa Valley. OK, we ended up spending about $500 more shipping wine home to Long Beach, but it was our honeymoon! And there is a thrill driving across the Golden Gate Bridge that I can't describe. And the Napa Valley is just indescribably beautiful too.

Just be prepared to fall in love with life again when you go to The City. Every so often we feel the need to recharge and recapture the joy in our lives, and San Francisco and environs are just the place to do it. Do let us know how you spent your week-- and my tip: Relax and enjoy!

The OP's children have grown up, graduated from college, gotten married and probably had children of their own by now.

LOL but still... it was my very first post on Fodor's!

And we're glad you're still here :-)

Stu Dudley is the resident Fodors SFO resource. If your board search doesn't produce his definitive post, search by his user name.

Which one were you?!

So now I go back to see when I started using the moniker Surfergirl, and what a shock, just around this time of year 2003 and -- the weather is exactly the same:

Surfergirl on Jan 23, 03 at 6:24pm If it will help, it has been a blissful week here in L.A., with temps hovering between 72 and 80 f., blue skies (surprise, no smog!). We added some dishwashing liquid to the spa, and just melted away in bubbles!

New Englander on Jan 23, 03 at 6:26pm Vermont - brrrr!
Surfergirl, I hate you!