What are places to visit in San Francisco?

Question

i'm going there for Christmas week and have some time to tour. Looking for your recommendations.

Happy Holidays!

Answer 1

Avoid the tourist traps as best as you can this weekend. Of course, ninety percent of San Francisco is a tourist trap, but the more crowded ones will be in the warf area. Instead, go to Haight street. It's offbeat, offers many restaurants (Squat and Gobble, Citrus Club) shops, and bars/hookah. Or you can visit some of the great museums, my favorite being the MOMA, I believe the Anselm Kiefer exhibit is still open and that is definately worth seeing. Market Street is where everyone goes for shopping. Huge mall, street vendors, cable cars, and performers. Japan Town is worth a visit too, there's alot of great sushi places, a Benihana's (that's generic though), stores, and a theatre that specializes in independent films. If you want to enjoy something more laid back, North Beach and Little Italy are ideal.

Some advice though, if you aren't familiar with the city, avoid Market street or Soma at night. They are close to the Tenderloin, an area which is known for mugs, robberies, and overall crime. Mission can be bad in some areas, as can the Castro, but those crimes are mostly hate/discrimination.

I don't know what that person is talking about, Haight is not scary at all. How could you possibly say that Haight has "scary people" but then say the Tenderloin can be "navigated safely"?

Answer 2

I disagree with the the person who suggested the Haight. I find that area dirty, and frankly scary despite the fun, funky shops, there are also the chain stores and far too many street people and wanna be street people. The Mission offers the same kind of fun funky shopping and eating options with a lot less scary people.

The Castro is perfectly safe for everybody as is the Mission and even the Tenderlion can be navigated safely. Simply keep your wits about you, pay attention to your surroundings and don't go anyplace at night without knowing exactly where you are headed. If in doubt, take a cab.

I agree with the reccommendations that you avoid pier 39, Union Square and the other "tourist places" They are going to be crowded and they really are rather tacky.

Instead I suggest
Golden Gate Park,
Ft Point
Sutro Bath ruins and Sutro Heights park
Land's End
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge [But bundle up the wind is wicked cold]
Take the ferry to Sausalito for a day. [This may be a good alternative to Alcatraz which sells out days in advance] The city is beautiful from the bay, make sure you see it that way at least once.
The Embarcadero and the Ferry Building. An amazing food experience.
Have a drink one evening at the Carnielian Room at 555 Californa Street and enjoy the view.

Answer 3

Some of my favorite places to take out-of-town guests are:
Union Square/Downtown/Yerba Buena Gardens and the Metreon
Chinatown
Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and Ghiardelli's Square
Golden Gate Park (Stowe Lake, Japanese Tea Garden, etc)
Coit Tower
Golden Gate Bridge
Saulsalito, Tiburon
Muir Woods is a little further up north but nice for hiking if the weather is good
"Painted Ladies"--Victorian houses by Alamo Square
Twin Peaks--gorgeous views of the city, Oakland, Marin County on a clear day/night.

Answer 4

Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf (for some hot clam chowder), SF Zoo.

Answer 5

Some of my favorites:
Pier 39
Fisherman's Wharf
Ghiradelli Square
Lombard Street
Golden Gate Bridge

Obviously all are touristy places, but fun to see if you never have before. Enjoy your trip!