Anyone have any suggestions on what to do/see/visit/eat/enjoy while in San Fransisco? It’s my first time visiting as an adult. I’m leaving just after Christmas for a wedding, and although I don’t think there will be a lot of non-wedding down time, I want to pack in some sight seeing if I can. Suggestions?
Golden Gate illustration courtesy of Matte Stephens |
Also, nobody needs to mention the Full House house. I’m already on it.
Anonymous
For you specifically, I recommend checking out Scrap. http://www.scrap-sf.org/
PEACHES
OH to the EM to the GEE. This place looks awesome! We used to have something similar here in Chicago down on Maxwell street and I miss it. I can’t even imagine what this place will hold (much less my luggage). Thank you!!
Nichole Young
I LOVED the Alcatraz tour. My boyfriend and I were so facinated we tracked down the Clint Eastwood “Escape From Alcatraz” movie on our way home from SF and watched it that night. It involves a short ferry ride (also cool) and be sure and get the free headphones for the guided tour. Very interesting history….Go to H&M for good deals on fun clothes (everything is inexpensive there) and Puccini and Pennetti is great for Happy Hour. If you’ll be there on a Sunday the “Sunday’s Are A Drag” Drag Queen brunch at Harry Winston’s is a kick in the pants!
PEACHES
Ooo — I love a good drag queen brunch! I remember going to Alcatraz as a kid and getting freaked out. As an adult though, it might be fascinating. Thanks!
Deb
Ghirardelli. That place just off Water Tower Place cannot hold a candle to the original. Ghirardelli Square. There’s free shuttle service. http://www.ghirardelli.com/locations-events/ghirardelli-locations/northpoint-original-san-francisco-ca
You have fun. Take boat loads of photos and we’ll expect a month’s worth of blog posts on this one event.
PEACHES
Oh dear me!. Gosh. Well, the say the secret to a successful New Years diet is to start it with a good send off — this might be it!!
Anne
Pet Cemetery. http://www.honan.net/PetCem/
Have fun!
Julie
Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown.
A Little Creation
Alcatraz is a fun tour, there is an interesting tidbit about the water for the laundry and you get the added bonus of a great view of San Fran from the ferry.
I like Chinatown, get off the main street and wander around the alleys.
A Little Creation
You gotta walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Betty
Zuni Cafe is a swell brunch spot. I grabbed the cookbook.. awesome.
Also, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana. This guy has like seven different pizza ovens. For the same reason we have different kinds of glue. Different results with each. It’s the only place I’ve ever waited an hour to be seated at.
Note: although the GG Bridge looks like a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf.. it’s not. Yeah. I walked there, got sunburned on a not-obviously-sunny day. Then my face peeled off. I don’t want to talk about it.
Too bad you *just* missed Renegade Craft Fair.
linda j
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linda j
Beach Blanket Babylon – the costumes are amazing!
Anonymous
I second that – I think you would get a huge kick out of the costumes.
Ania
Musee Mechanique. Seriously weird and awesome. Bring your granny bag of spare change. http://www.museemecaniquesf.com/
Anonymous
Teuscher’s Chocolates is beautiful. I never wanted to leave. They have great displays and chocolate. http://www.teuschersf.com/
Cliff’s Variety is fun. Full of just stuff. http://www.cliffsvariety.com/
Paxton Gate is weird and worth a look. http://www.paxtongate.com/
Hope you have a great time!
Dona W
Oh, do all the touristy stuff!!! Fisherman’s Wharf, the cable cars, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, DeYoung Museum, Chinatown, Columbus Avenue… so much to see! There was talk a few months back of closing Alcatraz to tours, but I don’t know if they have. The Blue and Gold or the Red and White Fleets have rides/ tours in the bay that are fun and beautiful. It will, however, be cold and windy. And DON”T call the City ;Frisco. It makes the natives snarl and grind their teeth. lol I live just north of it and I love the City
.I hope you have a fabulous time!
Lauren Fraser
Irish Coffee and Breakfast @ The Buena Vista – Fisherman’s Wharf!
I have dreams about the toast : )
Beth K
Definitely Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista
http://www.thebuenavista.com/irishcoffee.html
Jenny Bloom
they have an incredible eggs benedict dish with sausage patties made in-house. I’m going to be there next week and it’s definitely on my list!
jeen-marie
Hey there.
Non-SF related info.
If you are interested in finding other used art suply places… Google creative reuse centers.
I volunteer with SCRAP DC and it is awesome. Love the mission, volunteers and treasures!
Anonymous
Ride the cable cars and sightsee the neighborhood(s) at the top.
And definitely walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Awesome!
Megancake
If you are up by Fishermans Wharf I’d recommend checking out Musee Mechanique, it’s a vintage game museum where you can play the games, it’s fun and unique to SF plus has free admission.
For some fun and interesting ice cream I’d check out Humphry Slocombe in the mission. You know you want some jesus juice ice cream! (coke plus red wine!)
And of course the Ferry Building. If you like oysters be sure to grab an outdoor table at Hog Island Oyster co and slurp some down while you watch the ferry’s come in.
Have fun! You will love SF!
Anonymous
I recommend Britex fabrics off of Union square. It is three floors of just fabric and then the top floor is just notions including a fabulous vintage button collection.
CraftyTravelFrog
Highly recommend Britex, and try to get to FLAX art and design store on Market: http://flaxart.com/customer-care/
They have a whole room of paper, and a trunk with grab bags of scraps, along with every doodling, drawing, crafting thingy you can imagine.
Katie
We just visited a few months ago. The “Party of Five” house and “Mrs. Doubtfire” one are somewhat in the area of Full House too – if you are interested. We loved the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park – Thursday nights is 21 and over – so much fun! The Golden Gate Bridge is awesome, obviously. A local organization provides guided walking tours around the city – free, but they accept donations. Pretty good, we used it for the bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. http://www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html
Also, loved the Hayes Valley neighborhood, if you will be in that area. Lots of shops and restaurants (and Smitten ice cream – so good!)
Anonymous
Try to visit Gumps too – a true slice of old SF, and a beautiful experience to be shopping in grace and style.
The wind on the bridge is awful.
cathand44
I love these walking tours, been on several. Be careful, that city will steal your heart!
http://www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html
Fiona Ross
OK so, the time of year is a little against you. Alcatraz is Awesome, book online before you visit, else you might be disappointed. walk to peir 39, are there any sealions in residence today? Cable car from Ghirridelli square to china town (check out Lombard street on the way – the wind-y street – don’t forget to look up at the trees, parrots!)
Dawn Seedes
Go to the stinking rose….you won’t be disappointed,great shops nearby and then head to the milk bar for an old fashioned ice cream delight.If you like chocolate,check out Chocolatier Blue, Chris and Jess the owners, make chocolate like Picasso did art,some of it is so pretty you don’t want to eat it ,but trust me the flavors will not disappoint. Pier 39 ,although quite the tourist trap the seals will make the meanest grinch crack a smile.The bay boat tour is another must for photo ops but try and go on a not too windy day.open air tour of the bay and area and goes under the Golden gate.Breathtaking.Leave your skinny jeans at home wear an expandable waist line if you can,lol Over all SanFran is a foodie’s dream come true and be safe and have fun.
Jenny Bloom
Also on my list is dinner at the Empress of China — rooftop views of Coit Tower plus the decor inside is to die for — the food is excellent with great old-fashioned classic service. Have fun!
liz@carpeseason
We just went this fall, and LOVED the day we spent walking around the Mission District. We just parked, walked, people/hippie watched, and ATE. Best day of our trip. Especially enjoyed Tartine Bakery, Mission Cheese, Dandelion Chocolate, and Bi-Rite Creamery!
Also – if you’re into Korean food – we loved the authentic cook-in-the-middle-of-the-table galbi at Brother’s Korean!
octopus giant
Musee Mecanique!!!!! Dooo itttt.