What's the best tour of San Francisco in one day?

Question

traveling by car; can stop every so often; need to see vistas; need to shop the Haight; need to eat lunch in the Castro; starting point will be 26th & Church

Answer 1

drive the 49-mile scenic drive. takes you to most of the scenic parts of the city. >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49-Mile_Scenic_Drive

Answer 2

Okay is this a full day? i.e. 8am to 8PM?

Anyway. The Castro/Mission starting point Makes me think you should have breakfast near there. People like Squat and Gobble, I don't. Cafe Flor is better. 2298 Market St, San Francisco opens at 9AM. If you are there at Lunch time maybe go to Eric's on Church St. instead. Interesting chinese food.

You can then go up to twin peaks for very short hike and view of the city from above. http://www.bahiker.com/sfhikes/twinpeaks.html

Next head to Haight for shopping or if you have all day... do this in the evening since shops open til at least 7PM.

After that head downtown (if you have time take the muni train). (It runs from the Castro all the way to Fisherman's wharf and the other way out to the beach).


If using the car. Drive to Ferry Building. If Saturday, they have cool farmer's market. Building is very pretty with good views of Bay Bridge. Continue down embarcadero. Stop at Pier 39 if you want tourist carnival fun and to see the famous sea lions. This is also adjacent to Fisherman's Wharf/Ghiradelli Square.

My favorites though for view are Fort Point and Chrissy Field in the Presidio area. Great areas for Photos of Golden Gate Bridge. Especially Fort Point. Head to the Marina/Presido for this.

You can drive through presidio onto the golden gate bridge. Just after crossing, exit to the right, make a left under freeway and head to Marin headlands. Stop on the left where you see cars parked. Awesome photo ops of Bridge with City Skyline in Background.

Another option is to ditch the Car at Pier 39 to start your day. Catch a ferry to Tibouron and have lunch at Guyamas. Ferry passes between Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz allowing for photos of Both. Then come back go to Fort Point, Ferry Building, and head back to Castro.

You might not have time to see the beach, but if you do, the Cliff House is good viewpoint.

Try to drive through Golden Gate Park, but you will not have time to visit the museums.

SF looks its best from the water.

Summary of what to see:
Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point and Marin Headlands -- or from the Ferry

Bay Bridge and Ferry Building. From the Ferry Building.

For a view on high: Twin Peaks, Coit Tower, or The Carneliean room

Other sights: Sea Lions. Always fun. At Pier 39. Other things at Fisherman's wharf are so-so.

Presidio: Beautiful National Park. Worth a visit. Especially Fort Point.

China Town: Not necessary. Not pretty. I only go there to visit Golden Gate Bakery. The BEST egg tarts. You need to wait in line.

Haight. Ok, not a must for me, but some funky shops with cool clothes. I get my snowboard stuff over there.

If you want Dim Sum. Go to Yank Sing. Not that authentic but never fails to please. Especially the Shanghai Dumplings.

Have fun.

Answer 3

The 49 mile drive is designed just for you. Drive into the City look for one of the signs and follow it from there. It will take you everywhere worth seeing.