posted 01-09-2004 20:26               

They also have a fairly interesting gift shop.

Fern

posted 01-09-2004 22:15               

Eat at the Cheescake factory, at the top of Macy's. (Union Square) Make sure you sit outside on the balcony (don't worry, they have heaters). It's great food, and an awesome view of Union Square.

The Metronome Ballroom offers swing dance lessons/party on a regular basis. You can check their schedule here: http://www.metronomeballroom.com

Fisherman's wharf and Pier 39 are both pretty touristy, but still a great place to go people watching. If you go to the end of Pier 39, you can often find sea lions lying out, catching some rays.

If you're a tech junkie, the Sony Metreon may hold your interest. Also, along those lines, the Exploratorium has many hands on displays. http://www.exploratorium.com

If you're a jazz fan, take the ferry over to Jack London Square in Oakland, and catch a concert at Yoshi's. http://www.yoshis.com Yoshi's is a nationally renouned jazz club, and have national acts stop by on a regular basis. I haven't eaten there, but have heard others say the japanese food is out of this world.

The circular escalator that goes to Nordstrom is pretty cool, and it's also right in Union square. And although it's totally touristy, a trip to S.F. wouldn't be complete without a ride on the cable car. It will take you from Union Square down to Fisherman's wharf. Note: if the wait is horribly long to get back on the cablecar at Fisherman's wharf (it can often be an hour or longer), there are always limousines waiting around there, and you can usually get a ride with them for around $5 per person.

Dress warmly. Heed Mark Twain's warning.

posted 01-09-2004 22:36               

I love walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. If you start at Ghiradelli Square, you can take a nice long walk along the waterfront and across the bridge. Best on a clear day of course.

posted 01-10-2004 20:54               

You can get your Alcatraz tickets directly from the ferry company (Blue and Gold Fleet) by following the link above.

posted 01-10-2004 20:58               

Check out this site. And as the site indicates, I suggest you stay away from Fisherman's Wharf! There is so much more to San Francisco. I went for a scooter ride through Chinatown with my husband a few weeks ago and had a great time stopping and walking by the ethnic Chinese shops. Get some sightseeing in on Twin Peaks or at Presidio Park. You should be able to get great views of the Golden Gate Bridge from Presidio Park.

Tina

posted 01-10-2004 22:57               

A made-to-your-order sandwich at one of the many Lee's delis for about $3. Seafood dinner at Tadich's - one of the few remaining old time SF restaurants. Enjoy an "It's-it" (SF icecream sandwich) Dungeness crab is a must, even if it's somewhat expensive at the Wharf. Buy a loaf of sourdough to munch on - more to take home (also See's chocolates).

Walk the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral. Climb up to COIT tower and walk down the wooden steps through a series of gardens.

Take the new BART extension from SFO to downtown. BART to Oakland's Lake Merritt Station and visit the Oakland Museum of California.

Take the ferry to Sausalito or Vallejo for lunch.

Take a ride up and down Market Street on one of the refurbished streetcars. Ride up in the glass elevator on the outside of the ?ST. Francis? hotel.

posted 01-11-2004 04:45               

It was a lot of fun and definitely memorable!

posted 01-11-2004 10:44               

Beach Blanket Babylon is a must-see show.
www.beachblanketbabylon.com

posted 01-11-2004 20:39               

quote:

---

Originally posted by John61:
Also, is Ghiradelli's Candy store worth a stop?

---

Absolutely! You've got to have a hot fudge sundae at Ghirardelli's!

posted 01-13-2004 05:28               

Questions that remain:Is there a shuttle or bus that runs from Sausolito back into the Wharf or Union Square area, and is Chinatown easily done by oneself or is it best to have a guide to point things out?

posted 01-13-2004 15:48               

quote:

---

Originally posted by John61:

Also, is Ghiradelli's Candy store worth a stop?

Thanks for your great suggestions!
John

---

It is a nice place to go to. When you are in the Square
If you want a realy good chinese diner take the elevator to the I think it was the 4th floor. It is a famous restaurant that many celbs have gone to. There are many pictures posted. Check my journals below for pictures of Sarasota and the warf.

posted 01-13-2004 23:59            

Consider a walk along the Bay, from Fisherman's Wharf, up over the hill at the foot of Van Ness, through Fort Mason, on through the Marina and down to Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge. Then catch a bus back. It's considered one of the ten most beautiful walks in the United States. Dress Warmly, it can get cold and windy on the bay.

By the way, your best bet anywhere in SF is to layer. It can be sunny and warm one minute, then cold and windy the next. So leave yourself some flexibility in donning and removing clothing.

Speaking of removing clothing, go to the Haight District, one of the main hearts of the "flower child" movement of the 60s. There is a hologram museum there, a lot of kitschy shopping, and a really good Martini Bar. Clothing is no longer optional there.

The St. Francis Hotel in Union Square has a High Tea at 4 pm daily. That's kind of fun on a weekday, and the String Trio that plays is corny, but fun. Stay and they have a caviar and vodka hour that starts around 6.

There is a windmill with tulips, carousel, herd of roaming buffalo, and several museums and an arboretum in Golden Gate Park. On Sundays, they close the park off to cars and it is filled with skaters, bicyclers and skateboarders, as well as often having interesting events like picnic contests or free Opera performances. Check the Bay Guardian when you get there (free on many street corners). It always has a comprehensive list of events, performances and other unusual attractions for the week. There is a booth in Union Square where you can get half-price tickets for the day's performances. They sell out fairly early.

Walk through Chinatown and North Beach and smell all the strange smells in the Chinese and Italian Apothecaries and Delis.

If there's a game going on at PacBell Stadium, consider attending.

posted 01-14-2004 10:36            

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