Here is a mini guide to San Francisco and the surrounding area that I put together for my sister and some friends. San Francisco is a great city. Pick up a copy of MapEasy's map of San Francisco for a good map of the city and some more ideas of what to do. Have fun!
HOTELS
San Francisco Reservations at 800-677-1550 or 415-227-1500 can get you a good price on most of the major and smaller hotels in San Francisco. Of the larger $$$ hotels, The Fairmont, Stanford Court, Huntington, Ritz Carlton and Mark Hopkins are all excellent and are located on Nob Hill or in/near Union Square. Many people like the St. Francis, but the old rooms are quite small. San Francisco also has a number of smaller hotels in Union Square which are reasonably priced at about $79-$100. There are a lot of cheaper motels on Lombard Street. Of these, one of the best values is the Marina Inn which costs about $55-$65 per night through S.F. Reservations and has a nice atmosphere. If you want really cheap the hostel in San Francisco at Fort Mason has a spectacular location and an excellent price for basic dorm accommodations. If you prefer to stay in B&B type accommodations all of these are very nice:
The Inn at Union Square 415-397-3510
Petite Auberge 415-928-6000
The Bed & Breakfast Inn 415-921-9784
RESTAURANTS
San Francisco has many wonderful restaurants, more per capita than any other city in the U.S. Here are just a few favorites:
Italian: Trattoria Contadina on Union/Mason or I Fratelli on Hyde
Seafood: Scott's or Marina Cafe (better value) on Lombard
Chinese: Best food, but real hole in the wall: House of Nanking on Kearny/Columbus
Thai: Khan Toke on Geary at 24th
Indian: North India Restaurant on Webster/Lombard
Vegetarian/Nouvelle California: Greens at Fort Mason
Dim Sum: Hong Kong Tea House or Asia Gardens
CARS & PARKING
Parking at all hotels is quite expensive and parking is difficult to find in many areas of the city, so you may want to do without a car in the city and pick it up only for sightseeing outside the city. Once you get used to driving on the hills it's a relatively easy city to drive in. Beware of tow-away zones on most major streets from 4-6 pm. Signs are not easily visible in some areas.
TOURIST SPECIAL
Cable Car to Fishermans' Wharf
Alcatraz (buy your ticket early and bring warm sweater or jacket!)
Cable Car tour of S.F.
Wander around Ghirardelli Square, Cannery, Sea lions on Wharf
Rent bikes on Stanyan St, near park and Haight St
Bike through Golden Gate Park, stop along the way to see Japanese Tea Garden,
Aquarium, DeYoung Museum, Asian Art Museum, gardens
Bike along JFK Drive towards ocean; see buffalo; go out to Ocean beach and visit Cliff House and the Musee Mechanique (fun! - old mechanical arcade games)
Theater - buy a half price ticket at STUBS boothe in Union Square
Drinks at Top of the Mark Hopkins (take cable car up, walk home)
DRIVING TOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO
Take the 49 mile scenic drive to get a great overview of all parts of the city
Lombard Street -- the crookedest street
Lincoln Blvd to El Camino Del Mar (on 49 mile drive)
NEIGHBORHOOD SAMPLER
Dim Sum brunch at Hong Kong Tea House (772 Pacific, 415/398-5112) or Asia
Gardens (835 Pacific, 415/391-6365), hang out with the 20-something crowd on Chestnut Street in the Marina for coffee and bagels.
Wander around Chinatown
If Haight Ashbury appeals to you, wander around & people watch
Pacific Heights/Cow Hollow drive/walk and Union St shop. Check out the view at the Filbert steps on Broadway.
Dinner at Trattoria Contadina (1800 Mason @Union, 415/982-5728)
Walk down Union St to Columbus (North Beach, Italian area)
Desert at Caffe Roma (414 Columbus) or another cafe
Taxi to Coit Tower, ask him to wait while you enjoy view
FUN WALKS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Marina Green to path along water to Fort Point & the Golden Gate Bridge
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
Walk along the headlands from the golf course at Lincoln Park near Sea Cliff. This wooded path has spectacular views and you'll never know you're in a city.
Arboretum in Golden Gate park
Walk down the terraced steps on Telegraph Hill from Coit Tower
From the Wharf, walk along Aquatic Park, out on the pier and then up to Fort Mason
SAUSALITO
Take a ferry across the bay to Sausalito for a fun 1/2 day trip. Lots of art galleries/shops/restaurants.
NAPA
Wine train, Sterling, Christian Brothers, Domaine Chandon wineries
On way up stop at view point just after crossing Golden Gate Bridge; take first exit, then first left to go up to headlands and see an even better view.
MONTEREY/CARMEL
Drive down route 1 from San Francisco
Monterey Aquarium
17 Mile Drive in Carmel/Pebble Beach
Lots of fancy shops in Carmel
Point Lobos Reserve south of Carmel is a nice spot
POINT REYES/MUIR WOODS
Along the way go up route one and stop if you would like in Muir Woods, Muir Beach and/or Stinson Beach. Drive up to the top of Mount Tamalpais for a spectacular view of the entire bay. If you can find it, Bolinas is a funky stop along the way as well.
