I will be in San Francisco over Thanksgiving for 2-3 days, what should I see?

Answer 1

If you go to Alcatraz, get tickets online first! You can take the cruise around it on the red and white boats with getting advance tickets tho. (Really cool!) We took a Ferry ride in the evening and it was FABULOUS! Very cold, but really neat! The Wharf is great. Take the cable car but be ready to wait in line to get back on to come up the Hill! Lombard Street of course. The Japanese Tea Garden was pretty cool. DEFINETLY go to Haight and Ashbury! Never saw anything quite like THAT before! For a romantic late night drink (Or dinner, but everythings expensive!) go to the "Top of the Mark."

You'll have a great time!

Answer 2

Hi there!
Everyone has made such good suggestions. I live in the city so I know a few places you can go to that are worth while. If you go to Coit Tower and can handle a good stair climb up Telegraph Hill, I highly recommend that you get to Coit via The Filbert Steps. The walk up is spectacular and wild parrots frequent the lush gardens on this uphill trek. It is pretty awesome and not many people even know about it, even the locals. The place is amazing and once at the top the views are very generous. Here are some reviews with pics (the pics do't do it justice) about the steps....
http://www.yelp.com/biz/xWZ0WHeU8O5NdttqkhQ7ng

The Presidio is also a place you should plan on visiting. Wander around the whole park, it is magnificent. You can't go wrong with a historic and BEAUTIFUL military base. Also, I suggest you visit Fort Point. It is right beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio. I am not sure if the Fort is open yet, because it was closed last time I went due to GG's seismic retrofit project, however, it is still a very nice spot to visit. The waves crash on the rocks and spray all over the place. And, the views are great.

If you plan on driving I would say take a trip across the Bridge to Sausalito. It is a charming little bayside town, with the cutest little shops. Ice cream and candy shops with the yummiest salt water taffy you have ever tasted.

You will most likely stop by Pier 39 and the Wharf, as these are major tourist attractions, so when you are there try to get a ticket for the Alcatraz tour... they now have NiGHT TOURS which add an extra spooky touch.

Great shopping/casual hangout spots: Chestnut and Union Streets.

There are so many places to go that I could not possibly list them all, but if you need any tips or want to know some more about the places you are already planning on visiting, feel free to email me. I would be glad to help.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Answer 3

Depends if you are walking or driving.

Ditto on the Alcatraz cruise, but you have three days so take the combined Angel Island and Alcatraz trip. Check out the cable cars, they will get you through some of the most interesting parts of the city. Lombard street is famously twisty. Follow Lombard east and you get to Coit Tower which gives you interesting views over the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 areas. Speaking of which, if you are walking and feeling fit you can rent a bike down there and ride along through the Marina and Golden Gate field then north over Golden Gate bridge. If you are feeling very fit, or driving, you can cross to the west side of US101 and follow the road up Marin Headlands. On a clear day you will have a spectacular view of the city over the brdige, the down side is that for a cyclist you gain 200 feet in the first quarter mile or so.

So what are we missing in SF? Twin Peaks gives you a great view, you get to it by following Market Street to the west through The Castro and up the hill, just as you get to the top you turn right and head on up the hill to the parking lot on the top.

If you are driving and keen on wine you should probably head up to Napa, for me you can skip Beringer and go for V Sattui which has frequently been vinyard of the year.

If you are feeling adventurous, and driving, you can be in Yosemite NP before lunch if you leave San Francisco before 8am, it's about 190 miles and should take under 3.5 hours to drive. Unfortunately this isn't a great time of year to see the waterfalls.

That should keep you busy.

Answer 4

To really see San Fransico it takes many months/years. There are so many fun things to do there. It all comes down to: what do you like to do? There are many excellent museums, cultural events, and other exciting things to do. I highly reccomend the Exploratorium, a perpetual, hands on science fair. If you like good food, you can start out in Ghirradelli Square and try out Paprikas Fono, an Hungarian restaurant that is top notch. Or go across the hall to Gaylord's for the finest India cuisine in this country. Or just stoll from one end of Golden Gate Park to the other (three miles long, quarter mile wide, so bring picnic lunch and good walking shoes). In the park are many excellent sites that can take up weeks of sight seeing. My favorite is the Arboretum and Japanese teagarden.

Gaylord India Restaurant
(be prepared to spend $30 to $50 per person, with wine)
Internationally renowned fine dining establishment serving authentic, award-winning Indian cuisine in an elegant setting, specializing in exquisitely prepared Tandoori curries and vegetarian dishes.
Masterfully presented dishes makes this an adventure in Northern Indian dining.
Lunch: M-Sa 11:30am-2:45pm, Dinner: nightly 5-10pm. $$. AE, CB, DC, D, JCB, MC, V.
Receive a 20% discount off the total check (less tax/gratuity/alcohol) when you use your Visa card.
Address: One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level
City: San Francisco,94111
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Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.gaylords1.com



Check out the following site for tourist information:

Answer 5

frend's suggestions are good

When you see the GG Bridge, drive to the other side and stop JUST off to the right to see the view (It's a scenic view area - and has some interesting history exhibits.)

If you have time, keep going north - if you like wine, Napa is 40 minutes north of the bridge.


In SF proper, be sure to see Chinatown and the Little Italy regions - both are wonderful.

And, if you like shopping, wander around Union Square.

Also, Golden Gate Park is a lovely drive - it will take you all the way to Ocean Beach - drive north a little when you get there and stop at the Cliff House. It has a marvelous view of the Pacific and Seal Rocks (Often you can see surfers there.)


Have lots of fun!!!

Answer 6

Start with a ride of the cable car down at Powel St. This cost around $5.00 last year. You will see the famous postcard view of Alcatraz. The endpoint will be at Fishermans Wharf. You can take a lunch over there. Pier 33 is located there.
After lunch you can walk over the street for some souvenirs. Postcards are cheaper there. There are double decker tour of the city of San Francisco or a trip to Alcatraz, Golden Gate, Monterey, the wine counties of Sonoma & Napa. My friend & I chose the double decker tour of the city. It will show you downtow San Francisco like the Italian village, Levis originated in San Francisco, you will pass by the Moscone Convention Center, Union Square, the entrance to Chinatown & a lot more. Last year, we walked over at Embarcadero & watched over the children skating. Many people gathered at the Union Square area after dinner to witness the lighting of giant Christmas tree of Macy's. Better check their schedule. I think it was Thanksgiving last year! You will the famous stores over there. Try riding the BART in the morning & take a round trip to the CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. It includes the areas of Concord, Antioch, Pittsburg etc. Go & explore Chinatown for souvenirs. During the Christmas season, we shopped at nearby Daly City. It is better to shop there because there are more parking lot. Go to the Golden Gate, take a walk & see the famous Japanese garden over there. It is also advisable that you take a view of the place in the evening. You can park at the area nearby to see the beauty of the bridge.
I had been to different places in California & this is the only place where you can go anywhere in downtown San Francisco just with the aid of the map. Remember that parking is quite expensive downtown. If you will bring your car then be careful in parking. Dont forget your handbreaks especiallly in the up & down areas of San Francisco. Its fun riding over there. I think it is near Geary! It is traffic downtown especially at night. Try to see the tall Christmas tree at Hyatt Hotel near Embarcadero. There is a place there, with a restaurant on the top of the building. Ask any local of that area! Forgot its name! You can explore the whole of San Francisco in just 2-3 days. There are museums there. See the website! Dont forget to see Lombard, the crookedest street in the world. & the Victorian Houses over this city. There are many Chinese restaurants over San Bruno! There is a bus going in that particular area.

Answer 7

Golden Gate Park on the weekend is full of the SF locals and culture having fun for free. The DeYoung Museum is there and the cost is low and has great art, etc. Fauna is lovely too.
Alcatraz tour is fun.
Chinatown interesting and sumptuous as well.
Cost Plus is a great place to shop.
Pier 39 has lots of tourist
Walk the bridge.
Ride the trolley
Got to the top of the Fairmont Hotel for a drink or Sunday brunch...fabulous.

Answer 8

Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street. Just cruising around the streets is fun. Drive through the Presidio if you get a chance, it's pretty amazing.

Answer 9

Pier 39, Fishermans Wharf, Definetely cable car ride. There is so much to do, but those are some of the best. Give my love to the GOlden City. I was born and raised there but now live in the East Coast! :(

Answer 10

Golden Gate Bridge
Go for Alcatraz cruise