What to do while in San Francisco?

Question

I'll be there this summer in mid-June-- never been to California and am SO excited!! We are going to be staying in SF, but will use a couple of days to drive to Napa Valley and also to Big Sur.
Which restaurants are a must? Shopping? Attractions I can't miss? Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Hi,
Well if you're not staying in San Francisco you can save a lot of parking fees by ridding Muni. Park off the "N" Judha line on Judha or a side street and ride this street car downtown.
It will only cost you $1.25 each-way. Exit at any of the stops after the Civic Center. Go up to Market street. The best things to see. Follow this, a must is to ride an old time street car on Market street the "F" line to Fisherman's Wharf. Have lunch or a sidewalk crab cocktail, a Hot Fudge Sunday at the Geradellia Chocolate Factory Store. If you like to walk stroll a ways to the cable car turn-around there is a walking route called the Gold Coast Trail, this is the end and starting point for a rarely taken walk of slight hike. Follow the medallion's in the sidewalk and stroll back through Fisherman's Wharf and down to Pier 39. On your way if you would like to visit a WWII Submarine the Pompanito is right there. You'll see how these sailors lived underwater. At Pier 39 there is a lot of shopping that can be done so enjoy. At this point you can pick-up the medallion's and follow them up to Coit Tower. Once at Coit Tower if it's open take the ride to the top you'll really see the City from on top. Follow the medallion's back down and through North Beach, Chinatown, and into Union Square. You'll be on Powell Street you can catcht he Cable Car for a ride to the Fairmont Hotel. At the Fairmont checkout the Tonga Room, it's a fun place to eat and dance. Make sure you ride the glass elevator to the Crown Room for a great view of the City. Keep your Cable Car transfer it's good for a ruturn ride and any Muni bus for the night. This should take care of a day or more.
You need to see Fort Point, The Presido of San Francisco and The Golden Gate Bridge from the San Francisco side of the bay. At Fort Point you'll see the GG Bridge from sea level. Just above Fort Point you can park at the parking lot and walk put on the Bridge to the south tower.
You have to drive down Lombard Street get a map, it's one-way so you will have to drive in from the top.
Twin Peaks would be a site to see and of course Golden Gate Park. The park can be a day long adventure. For the best parking spot early park at Stow Lake and walk down to the Japanese Tea Garden.
Now for Napa This is a drive North across the GG Bridge. Do this drive early to beat some of the traffic. Just before Novato you'll exit on the right and follow the signs to Nape. Make sure you visit the Sonoma area and the Buena Vista a historic hand carved winery. You can't miss in Napa.
Big Sur is a drive south through Monterey. From San Francisco it will take yo about 2-1/2 hours or more. 280 or 101 south. 280 will meet up with 101 in San Jose. Follow the signs south. At Prunedale you'll exit toward the town of Seaside and the Montery. This will put you on Highway 1. On your return trip you should visit Santa Cruz, even Aptos.
Enjoy
Make sure you stop at the River Inn for lunch. You might like to see Carmel and even Montery both have some great shops and places to eat.

Answer 2

I can't say a lot about SF since I rarely get there. But I do live in Napa Valley! You can email about things to do here if you want. Restaurants, shopping, wineries, siteseeing, that I can help you with!

Answer 3

If you go to Big Sur, you have to eat at Nepenthe. It was wonderful food and service and it is right on the coastline so you have wonderful views. My husband wants to go back just to eat there again. I highly recommend the Ambrosia Burger. Here is their website, they even have a webcam. http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

Also, make sure you hit the state parks along Big Sur. Julia Pheiffer Burns has a beautiful waterfall that flows into the ocean (you have probably seen pictures). Point Lobos is another good one. Once you have paid admission to the parks, admission is free at all other state parks the same day.

Answer 4

Make sure to go to China Town in SF. Get a day pass on the cable car. You can take that around and see a bunch of the city.

Answer 5

Two places to go on Fisherman's Wharf are Buena Vista where they brought Irish Coffee to America, it's at the end of a trolley stop. And a great sea food restaurant not far from Buena Vista called Scomias (sic)..