Anybody have any idea what I can do for 8 hours in San Francisco before I can check into my hotel?

Question

Flying in so early because United Airlines is making me. I can't get into my hotel until 3 pm. I will be there on a Sunday morning at 9:15 AM. Any good ideas on what I can do until I can get into my hotel? Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Be creative.

Answer 1

Go to the hotel and have them take custody of your luggage. If the weather in good, head for Fort Mason and the marina wearing good walking shoes and a jacket. Go west along the bay past Crissy Field and behold a great collection of balanced stone works to wonder at and often a number of "works in progress" at which to marvel. Or, try building your own. Keep walking west to get to the Golden Gate Bridge or head back to the mariana to watch sail boats and seals and then on to Fort Mason to eat at Greene's Restaurant -- my favorite place for brunch in the city on Sunday -- or lunch other days. Opened by Zen Buddhists 20 years ago, most seats have great views and all have wonderful food.

So much is within walking distance from this area that your agenda can include as much as you have the stamina to enjoy. Shopping and gawking couldn't be done better elsewhere. The Exploritorium at the Palace of Fine Arts is a kick for those interested in education and science. Both Chrissy Field and Fort Mason have exhibits and activities sceduled. Fisherman's Wharf is nearby and you can even hop a cable car.

If it rainy, there is great theater in SF. American Conservatory Theater (ACT) near Union Square on Geary has matinees on Sundays at 2:00 (and Wednesdays) and there are many other theaters. If good seats are sold out at ACT try a box seat which is cheap. Vision is a bit limited but I like the experience of the theatre anyway and it's a cool theatre. If you find yourself near Union Square have lunch at The Grand Cafe on Geary or Postrios on Post Street. Do check the SF Chronicle Date Book.

Below are a couple of links to get you started. Enjoy your day in the city. Don't bother leaving for the few free hours you have. Sundays in wine country spells traffic jam. Better to do that when you have a full day and better still when you can spend the night.

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTExNmIycG51BF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLWJ1dHRvbgRzbGsDbGluaw--#mvt=m&maxp=search&q1=Marina+San+Francisco,+CA&trf=0&lon=-122.440395&lat=37.806614&mag=3

http://www.fortmason.org/calendar/2006/09/week5.shtml
http://www.crissyfield.org/

Answer 2

First of all, the hotel can take your bags and hold them for you until the room is ready. So drop them off first. You may even be able to get breakfast in the hotel, as there isn't that much open that early in the morning. At around10-11am, most of the shops will be open in the downtown UnionSquare area. I suggest doing a little shopping, etc. And then maybe catch some lunch at the Cheesecake Factory at the top floor of Macy's. If you can get a table outside, it's great. There's a spectacular view.

Afterwards, I would suggest catching a cable car ($5.00 one way) down to Fisherman's Wharf. There are a lot of tiny cute shops in Ghirardelli Square. You can also take the ferry to Alcatraz (but I recommend booking online at least a couple of weeks in advance). I also went to Ripley's - it wasn't that great, but it was a good way to kill time.

Answer 3

Take a taxi to the fishermans warf. The weekends are the best! All the street performers are out trying to earn their living, and the tourist are plentiful. Go all the way down pier 49 and at the end take a left and you'll see hundreds of sea lions. Or go to the fudge factory behind the big carousel and watch fudge being made while enjoying a cherry bomb mmmmmmm! Make sure to check out the wax musem as well as ripplies believe it or not. All the little shpos will keep you busy for hours and when you get hungry, grab a steaming hot bread bowl of the BEST clamchowder in the WORLD. But watch out for the pesky seaguls. I would not reccomend Alcatraz it's very expensive and from what I've heard they don't let you see very much anymore. I used to live in Napa and me and my family would hop on a ferry and spend the day in the city just about everyother weekend. OH that's another thing you may want to do, if your renting a car take a drive to the BEAUTIFUL Napa Valley. It's only about 45 min from the airport! Go to NapaValleyMassage.com I used to work there doing nails and if massage or facials or yoga is your thing this little spa is a MUST. The owners name is Amanda Lewis and she has the best prices in the valley as well as great knowledge of Napa and can piont you in the right direction as far as winerys and dining and shopping..... whatever you do have a great time, the is so much to do in the area that your 8 hours will fly by.

Answer 4

San Francisco has the biggest Chinatown in America. There are quite a few blocks of shops and restaurants. It's part of SF central downtown area near the skyscrapers.

My map shows a fifteen block area with about eight streets east/west like Pacific Av, Sacramento St., California St and a couple of streets north/south: Stockton St. and Grant Av.

Answer 5

When we arrived early in San Fran last year, our hotel didn't have our room ready either. They DID hold our bags for us for a very small fee so we were able to do some sightseeing. Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Union Square, Golden Gate Bridge....they are ALL easily accessible by public transportation. Get a Muni map and go explore. It's a beautiful city with so much to see and do.

Answer 6

Take your luggage to the hotel and ask if early check-in is available for you. It never hurts to ask. (be polite and explain the flight arrival)
If not, jump in a cab and go over to Fisherman's Wharf.
After a stroll, come back to the Ferry building and have something to eat in the area.
Also, you can visit the new Westfield Mall on Market street(Bloomingdales,Nordstrom,etc) There are a couple of Spas there and you might want to get a body massage
Worse case, you might get into the hotel by Noon
If not, rent a car and drive to Napa Valley

Answer 7

Being that you will be at SFO airport, which is about 40 minutes away from the city itself theres not much you can get done in 8 hours. Once arrived, you need to take bart or shuttle to the city... about 40 minutes, so 7 hours left... wait, you have to be sure you are at the airport 1 hour before your flight and also include the 40 minutes to get back to the airport... so you have 4.5-5 hours in the city. About enough time to get to union square, check out the hobos, shop for a blouse at macys, get something to eat then get back on bart and navigate your way back to the airport.

Answer 8

Why not check i nearly to your hotel and have a nap? Simply call the hotel and explain your situation, if they have a room available they should allow you to check in early. It pays to ask.

Without knowing what part of town your hotel is in and what form of transportation I cant give you specifics. But San Fran has so much to offer.

If you want to walk around try the wharf, or head to china town.

Answer 9

Ride the cable cars
Check out Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf
Eat a nice ice cream sundae at Ghiradelli's

Answer 10

Id be really curious to go around the bay area near the Golden Gate Bridge, there must be some nice bayside restaurants and coffee bars where you could sit and relax a while, go for a walk,a little adventure never hurt anyone, especially if the weathers nice. I have never been to SF so its just a guess based on my experience at other places I have been to, which are near water.