California (Bay Area, Northern) very short visit to SF

[ebolton]

I'm coming out from New Hampshire to the area (Fremont, to be precise) for business on January 10 and 11, and plan to spend Saturday the 12th there for myself. Need to be back in the office Monday the 14th, so I'm travelling back on Sunday. Anybody out there have any suggestions for a single day in San Francisco?

Ed

 

[RayPA]

One day. Eat crab and sourdough bread, drink beer, and walk around and take pictures. 😀 If you've never been before, and if you're staying in the downtown area, then there's plenty to do within that area mostly walk around sight-seeing, eat and drink type stuff. I guess it depends.

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[charjohncarter]

I like what RayPA said. Get on the San Francisco bound Bart, if you are staying in Fremont. Get off at Powell Street. Ride the Market Street antique trolleys to Fisherman's Wharf. Do some street photography. Get on the trolleys back to the Embarcadero. Look around, the Ice Rink will still be open. Ride the Trolleys all the way to the their end on Market Street. Now you are in the Castro, eat there much better restaurants than down by the Wharf. Use your transfer to go to Powell Street and walk up to Union Square.

 

[rich815]

Both good suggestions above. Ray & John, let's do another informal RFF shoot day on the 12th with a few people and show Ed the town. And get some beer.

 

[Pakmanpdx]

I lived outside SF for 20 years (and still miss it!) and would *cringe* everytime someone wanted to go to Fishermans wharf. I would suggest Northbeach (mmm, real italian esspresso!)and china/japan town, Castro is a good call, best burritos are in the mission- although it's a shell of it's former self, Haight Ashbury is kinda cool (I seem to remember a good Ethiopian food restaurant!) and I would try to get to the Golden Gate bridge, as the views are amazing, even better from the Marin Headlands, of course all of this requires a rental car and a good guide, which, If I wasn't 600 miles away I would be happy to oblige. My regards to the city by the bay!

 

[MikeL]

I'm getting dragged to an ACT play in the afternoon (Speed the Plow), but might be able to meet in the morning.

 

[wgerrard]

Depends on what you like, of course. I like the water and find much of San Francisco resembles an eastern city magically transported to California.

I'd say:

1. Get up very early. Take BART to Powell & Market. Walk up Powell a couple of blocks to Union Square. Unless you want to spend all day shopping, take a look around and walk back the way you came. Queue up for cable car. Most go to Hyde Street on the southern edge of the Wharf. Others go to Bay and Taylor, about two blocks south of the Wharf.

The Wharf gets a lot of grief for being an over-commercial strip filled with tee-shirt shops and beer-bellied tourists. And, it is all that. But, it also sits on the bay with great views.

If you are into walking, walk south along the Wharf, then along Fort Mason, by or through the Marina District along Crissy Field to the vicinity of the Golden Gate. You can walk all the way to the bridge, if you like and your feet don't complain. It's a long walk, so wave down a cab to return.

Across the bay, Sausalito and Tiburon are worth a visit. You can take a ferry from the Wharf or, during the work week, from the Ferry Building down the Embarcadero. Since you'll be there in January and the sun will set around 5pm, consider going over to grab dinner. Both towns are tourist meccas, but Tiburon is likely to have fewer folks crawling about. Be sure to take note of the time the last ferry leaves for the city.

If you are a cycler, rent a bike and ride over the Golden Gate, drop down into Sausalito, rest, eat, and come back on the ferry. (Bike rentals are available along the Wharf close to the ferry dock. I'm not sure about the Ferry Building.) It's about a 16-mile trip one way.

That's my opinion. Check the travel sites for their recommended one day SF itineraries. It's a great place.

 

[agi]

What wgerrand said....you'll get a comprehensive overview of the city, from street life on Market (which in itself is an adventure), the crappy tourist traps of the Wharf, the great views from Crissy Field and you get a bridge to boot! From the wharf to Crissy Field take the Aquatic Park/Ft. Mason route (thru McDowell Ave.) for great views..you can even go to the end of the pier there. Oh..on your way to the wharf get something to eat at the Ferry Building's farmer's market.

Since you're here on a Saturday, also go to Ft. Point and you'll get up & personal with the GG Bridge.

Oh..one thing to consider instead of a cab from the Wharf, take the historic "F" line from the wharf all the way back to Powell & Market. It's a bargain for $1.50.

 

[ebolton]

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to print out this thread and take it with me.

I'm a pretty rural guy and rarely get to ANY city, let alone one across the continent.

Ed

 

[wgerrard]

And, what Agi said. The Ferry Building is a good place to grab a bite any day. The Farmers Market just brings in more choices, but be prepared to stand in line. I was there on 8 December and the lines were as long as any other time of year.

Agi is right, too, about using cabs and the "F" line trolley to get around. (Altho, I've found it difficult to find a cab during rush hours.) Will save you much time on your one-day expedition. Buses are also a fine way to get around. Google for the SF Muni site for info and schedules.

Oh, yeah, the Cable Car is $5 per one-way trip. I don't recommend hanging on the outside.

Check the weather forecast just before you pack for the trip. Odds are it'll be in the 50's, kinda cloudy and breezy, but, you never know.

 

[Warren T.]

Hi Ed,

You already have great advice from everyone here. I'm surprised that nobody mentioned Chinatown. On a Saturday morning, a walk through Stockton street with all its markets (this is where the local residents and ex-residents shop for produce, meat, etc.) is like walking through Asia. The official main street of Chinatown is Grant Avenue, but Stockton Street (1 block west of Grant) is where the local action is. Of course, being a tourist, you have to see Grant Avenue too 🙂.

So make sure you have comfortable walking shoes because you can spend a few hours doing a walking tour starting in Downtown SF, Union Square area, then walk through Chinatown, North Beach (Italian District & Coit Tower), then Fishermans Wharf. Go as far as Aquatic Park (Maritime Museum & Ghirardelli Square), have a coffee, then turn around a make your way back along the waterfront (Embarcadero Street) to Pier 39 and the Ferry Building. Be sure to stop into the many small shops, delis, coffee shops, and stores along the way. There are TONS of photo ops.

After that, you can either take public transit, or taxi to more remote attractions.

If you're from a rural area, be prepared for culture shock 😀.

--Warren

 

[35mmdelux]

I grew up in the Castro, 18th street.

first, good pair of walking shoes and a good map. I hike SF all the time.

Get to Market street. Do not waste time at the Powell/Market street cable car loading zone. Instead walk up Powell street several blocks and hitch one there. Take the cable car over Nob Hill to North Beach - check out the area. At North Beach, go to Columbus street (main drag)and check out a slew of good restaurants. One of SF most famous hang outs is Enrico's North Beach. Have lunch or sip a drink, watch people walk by or eat at tony Columbus street eatery.

BTW: Off Market/Powell is Union Square, a famous park downtown. Nice to walk around.

Several other interesting places:

1) Twin Peaks. Here you see the panoramic of SF and the Bay Area. It is a huge hill vista point. You would have to take a taxi from Castro Street.

2) The northside of Golden Gate Bridge, where you look back on the City. Easy climb up the hill to viewpoints overlooking SF.

3) Lastly, the Cliff House. Not far from Golden Gate Bridge but too far for quick hike.

SF has a fairly good transit system - When I do not have my car, I prefer to walk to all these destinations, except the Cliff House ( on the beach). Be careful where you lay your gear. Enjoy -

 

[ebolton]

Thanks even more!

50's, cloudy and breezy is a bargain compared to the winter here, one of the toughest I can remember this early. We're seeing temps in the 5's and have a couple feet of snow.

Ed

 

[rich815]

Odds are it'll be in the 50's, kinda cloudy and breezy, but, you never know.

And if you do not happen to like the weather at the time just wait a few minutes...

 

[MikeL]

I'm with Warren, if you like shooting people and still life, can't beat Chinatown. Be warned if it's not raining be careful or your knees will be taken out by ladies with pink boxes. If it is raining be careful or your knees will be taken out by ladies with pink boxes and your eyes will be taken out by their umbrellas. They mean business when picking up food. 🙂

 

[RayPA]

Both good suggestions above. Ray & John, let's do another informal RFF shoot day on the 12th with a few people and show Ed the town. And get some beer.

Definitely an idea worth kicking around!! The 1st Bay Area RFF meet of '08!


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[RayPA]

Here's something worth perusing before coming out (no pun intended) to San Francisco (photo ideas): SF on Flickr


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[Honus]

Both good suggestions above. Ray & John, let's do another informal RFF shoot day on the 12th with a few people and show Ed the town. And get some beer.

I agree. So where should we meet up and what time? We should meet close to a BART station to make it easy on Ed.

 

[agi]

Agree about Chinatown. One of my favorite places to go as I'm there all the time during my lunch break.

http://www.alapan.com/blog/?cat=6

The people in Chinatown do have a tendency to tell you that you can't take photos. They just don't realize that it's likely that I've already taken a few shots before they notice me. 🙂

So the alternative is to walk thru Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach to get to the wharf & GG Bridge. Then walk the more scenic route on the way back thru Crissy Field then Ft. Mason and take the F line back to Bart... boy that's a lot of walking 🙂

John

 

[agi]

I agree. So where should we meet up and what time? We should meet close to a BART station to make it easy on Ed.

I'm game...sounds like fun. I say we meet at the Montgomery stop next to the flower stand...tons of time to decide tho.