Anything "unmissable" in San Francisco?

Anything "unmissable" in San Francisco?

Author
Discussion

Bec

194 posts

197 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
If you want to guarantee an outside spot on a cable car walk one stop up from the start/end point. Usually all the tourists get on at the start so the inside gets full, meaning that passengers getting on at the next stops get to hang on the outside.

It's also quite interesting to drive under the Golden Gate bridge - I did it as part of an organized tour, but as you've got a car booked you will be able to do this yourself.

The last tip is to take warm clothes, if the fog descends on the city it's not warm! Layers are probably best as the weather does change through the day.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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tuffer said:
Tramps and dried piss, they are unmissable, one on every corner and in every shop doorway. Enjoy.
Wow. You're fun.

Another vote for the Alcatraz tour but book early, as soon as the dates become available on the USNPS website.
Try going down Lombard Street on a Harley.......we did!
Mel's Drive-in also worth a look for the definitive diner experience. Food is just ok though.
USS Pampanito is moored near Pier 39. Having never been in a submarine, never mind a WW2 one, I enjoyed it.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
quotequote all
Bec said:
If you want to guarantee an outside spot on a cable car walk one stop up from the start/end point. Usually all the tourists get on at the start so the inside gets full, meaning that passengers getting on at the next stops get to hang on the outside.
....unless all those tourists who got on at the terminus have chosen not to go for an inside seat and have already bagged all the running boards.
When we rode the cable car, the inside seating was the only bit unoccupied once the car had left the terminus so any down-route passengers had little choice but to sit inside.

tuffer

8,849 posts

266 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
quotequote all
Crossflow Kid said:
tuffer said:
Tramps and dried piss, they are unmissable, one on every corner and in every shop doorway. Enjoy.
Wow. You're fun.

Another vote for the Alcatraz tour but book early, as soon as the dates become available on the USNPS website.
Try going down Lombard Street on a Harley.......we did!
Mel's Drive-in also worth a look for the definitive diner experience. Food is just ok though.
USS Pampanito is moored near Pier 39. Having never been in a submarine, never mind a WW2 one, I enjoyed it.
Just giving an honest view, if someone was going on holiday with their family they might be a little shocked by some of the sights in such a modern city.

GCH

3,984 posts

201 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
quotequote all
Crossflow Kid said:
tuffer said:
Tramps and dried piss, they are unmissable, one on every corner and in every shop doorway. Enjoy.
Wow. You're fun.
It is, however, true.
Crackhead central.


Not a huge fan of SF - despite spending a lot of time there I never understood peoples love of it tbh as there are far better cities over here - but there is plenty to see.

Aside from the suggestions from others I have just one, which is the best breakfast in the city: mama's. Go early!

LeoSayer

7,299 posts

243 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
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Drive up Twin Peaks to get a great view of the city and bay area.

Drive up Filbert Street, which is apparently the steepest in the city.

boxst

3,699 posts

144 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
quotequote all
GCH said:
Crossflow Kid said:
tuffer said:
Tramps and dried piss, they are unmissable, one on every corner and in every shop doorway. Enjoy.
Wow. You're fun.
It is, however, true.
Crackhead central.


Not a huge fan of SF - despite spending a lot of time there I never understood peoples love of it tbh as there are far better cities over here - but there is plenty to see.

Aside from the suggestions from others I have just one, which is the best breakfast in the city: mama's. Go early!
I am in San Francisco working and that is true sadly, lots of homeless and crazies wandering around. There are lots of great things to do however depending on who you are travelling with. The palace of fine arts, exploratorium, Academy of Sciences and Pier 39 is good to see.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
quotequote all
Having been once a resident of Japan for a number of years, I can say experiencing a major one (in my case, Kobe) is certainly 'unmissable'!

http://news.sky.com/story/1523331/major-san-franci...

eek

p1stonhead

25,489 posts

166 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
quotequote all
boxst said:
GCH said:
Crossflow Kid said:
tuffer said:
Tramps and dried piss, they are unmissable, one on every corner and in every shop doorway. Enjoy.
Wow. You're fun.
It is, however, true.
Crackhead central.


Not a huge fan of SF - despite spending a lot of time there I never understood peoples love of it tbh as there are far better cities over here - but there is plenty to see.

Aside from the suggestions from others I have just one, which is the best breakfast in the city: mama's. Go early!
I am in San Francisco working and that is true sadly, lots of homeless and crazies wandering around. There are lots of great things to do however depending on who you are travelling with. The palace of fine arts, exploratorium, Academy of Sciences and Pier 39 is good to see.
One of my favourite cities but yes, the number of homeless is CRAZY. I was genuinely shocked at how many there. Seem to be a lot in American cities in general though. I thought London was 'usual' but America was an eye opener.

Tonsko

6,299 posts

214 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
quotequote all
I'd suggest hiring bikes and go over the Golden Gate that way rather than driving. You can stop for the view more (when you get knackered - the incline is surprising!), then down the other side into Sausalito to get the ferry back.

As mentioned above, Alcatraz is fabulous. Particularly with the audio thing - it's really, really well done, with loads of atmosphere and storeis from guards and inmates. Take a jacket, it's blimmin' cold and windy! Get up early and do the first trip of the day.

Ah, I see Thankyou4calling has pretty much covered it.

Another thing to add, Golden Gate park is great, we walked the length of it, it's quite large, but also great. If you like records, there's Ameoba Music just by the GG Park, it's gigantic. A lot of panhandlers (more than the usual in SF) around there though.


Edited by Tonsko on Wednesday 22 July 21:29

MrB.

Original Poster:

558 posts

185 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Genuine "thanks" to everyone who've contributed on here. I'm really looking forward to this trip, and although we are only spending half of it in San Francisco, it seems like its going to be packed with things to do. We had 5 days in NYC in January and honestly felt like we didn't touch the sides of it, despite not stopping for breath. I have a feeling that the West Coast is going to be very similar.

Is there a travel card type thing that gets us around easily on public transport, or do you just pay as you go so to speak?

Tonsko

6,299 posts

214 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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I think there is. Tourist Info should sort you out.

SR7492

495 posts

149 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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If you drive across the bridge, make sure you pay the toll charge!

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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SR7492 said:
If you drive across the bridge, make sure you pay the toll charge!
It's all done by ALPR camera now so the hire companies are no doubt smashing in to credit cards after the event.

Big E 118

2,408 posts

168 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
quotequote all
Loads of good ideas above, Alcatraz is great but make sure you pre-book online weeks in advance.

If you're visiting the Coit Tower walk up via the Filbert Steps, the houses you walk past are some of the most wanted in SF!

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/filbert-steps-san-franci...

lauda

3,446 posts

206 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Tonsko said:
I'd suggest hiring bikes and go over the Golden Gate that way rather than driving. You can stop for the view more (when you get knackered - the incline is surprising!), then down the other side into Sausalito to get the ferry back.
I would definitely agree with this. And whilst you're in Sausalito, I'd recommend lunch here:

http://www.scomassausalito.com/#seasonalwhatsnew

Otispunkmeyer

12,557 posts

154 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Muir Woods

If you're getting the train/UG in from the airport just be careful about being accosted by homeless guys. They chat you up and give you some "tourist advice" then expect a tip. Granted we definitely stood out like big juicy steaks in the lion enclosure at feeding time with out bright suitcases and tired travelling faces.

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 23 July 23:34

JuniorD

8,616 posts

222 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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What are your plans for Vancouver island? It has to be one of the most disturbingly boring places on the planet!

ViperDave

5,520 posts

252 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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had ham said:
or if you just want the cable cars, f train and buses get the muni pass

https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/fares...