Weekend in San Francisco
 

Four of us will be in SF for a conference Thursday to Sunday staying at the Fairmont. My friends and I have been to SF once before and have enjoyed the cable cars, the market, Alcatraz and the hop-on hop-off bus. We’re now looking to do a half day hike along the coast (not too strenuous) and to eat in less tourist areas in good local neighborhood restaurants. We won’t have a car so good with walking or getting a cab. We’ll have three half days to explore more of the city. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thx

the half day hike along the coast is a great idea but difficult to do without a car.

There are trails in Golden Gate Park that go all the way to the ocean at Ocean Beach: https://www.hikingproject.com/direct...lden-gate-park

. . . & trails on the Presidio that are near the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge: https://www.presidio.gov/trails

Lots more sources with a google search. Here's a trip planner using buses, etc & their app: https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around...res/munimobile

I agree with the above. Do some of the urban trails in the Presidio, GG Park, or along the water front to GG Bridge and Ocean Beach. Some nice places to eat can be found in Cow Hollow, the Marina, and in Russian Hill along Hyde and Polk.

It won't take a half day - but the California Coastal trail from Crissy Field to China Beach is stunning. It goes past Fort Point (open for visits Fri & weekends, and under the GG bridge. Google "California Coastal Trail San Francisco" for lots of info

My favorite neighborhood places:

Italian - Lupa Trattoria on 24th street in the Noe Valley. Take the J-Church Muni Metro (sit on the left side of the car for great views as you pass Dolores Park) to 24th Street & walk 3 full blocks west and just past Castro, on the south side of the street - and there it is. Make reservations 1-2 days in advance. Lupa Italian Restaurant, Trattoria and Cafe, Typical Roman Cuisine, Noe Valley, San Francisco

California/French - Sorrel. Michelin 1 star restaurant in Presidio Heights. On Sacramento St. Take 1 California bus from downtown. Reserve ASAP - weeks in advance https://www.sorrelrestaurant.com/

Moroccan - Aziza in the Richmond district. "To be" a Michelin 1 star restaurant (long story). Take the 38 Geary there Reserve far in advance.
aziza

If you don't find tables available - call them. Often, only a portion of their tables are made available to Opentable/Resy etc.

Stu Dudley

Thanks so much for all of your great advice and suggestions!!
We noticed a sign for Evensong at Grace Cathedral soon after our arrival at the Fairmont and we dropped in to be amazed at the interior of this church and the beautiful music of the men and boys choir and organ. What a wonderful community church! The message was delivered by a female Jewish rabbi and two violin solos echoed beautifully through the space leaving us in awe and at peace. It was a magical moment. I now need to go back to a post I read last week where someone gave a detailed history of this church.
I tried to make a reservation at the Italian restaurant but being Valentine’s Day we couldn’t get in. We got another recommendation and will try Franchino’s, a family run restaurant.
We are going to head out tomorrow for our hike along the coastal trail after the afternoon session at the conference. Thanks again for all your help.

Hello!
I have done a long weekend in San Francisco and my friends and I ended up doing something a little crazy- rent a boat for the day. We ended up sailing around the SF Bay and we brough lunch on board... Might be something to consider!
Hope this helps!

Thanks Camille - What a great idea to rent a boat and enjoy the scenery from the bay! My friend and I walked from the Fairmont down to Lombard to rent bikes and then headed down to the water, along the pathways and then over the bridge. It was an anxious ride across the bridge, many areas of the bridge were under construction and therefore the bike path was narrowed. Lots of road bikers whizzing past in both directions. Next visit I’ll rent the bike and go along the coastal trail to China Beach. Our route to the Marina went along Polk which we really enjoyed. A nice neighborhood with interesting shops and restaurants and bakeries! So happy we could explore Polk and Chestnut streets before walking back to the Fairmont. Our afternoon was a ferry ride to Sausalito, lunch and shopping. Can’t wait to find a reason to visit SF again soon. Thanks again for all your wonderful suggestions posted on this forum!!!

"Next visit I’ll rent the bike and go along the coastal trail to China Beach<<

That's a dirt path with a huge a stairway. Best part is a side path down to a rock labyrinth - with great views. Not sure if I recall seeing any bikes. Ask the bike shop if bikes are advisable.

Stu Dudley