Must, must dos:
Muir Woods. Redwoods, dude.
Mt. Tamalpais. Awesome viewsof the ocean, SFO, SFO Bay, northern valleys, and more. Drive virtually to the top, then 10 minute hike to the fire overlook.
Pt. Reyes National Seashore. A beautiful collection of ecosystems from woodland to marsh to seashore. See! wild sea otters at play. Marvel! at the wildlife. Hear! nothing at all. Out in the pastures of the old dairy farms, the only place quieter is a tomb. Or a cave. Or one of those anechoic chambers with the foam-rubber spikes on the wall at Langly reasearch center where they do sound research and stuff.
The first thing I do when I get to town is rent a convertible and head for the hills.
It’s just so beatutiful up North. I do love town, but nature comes first.
There are a thousand places to eat, but drop by the Cliff House for dinner before sunset on a clear night at least once.
A thousand feet south on the beach as well is the Beach ChaletBrewery and Restaurant. Pancakes bigger than your head, and of course, great views of the beach and sunset.
Touristy & hokey? GoCars San Fran! Down near Fisherman’s Wharf, you hop in your little yellow GoCar, and follow the directions on any number of routes/tours to get up close and personal with everything interesting in the area.
The cable cars are always fun of course, and just jumping off here and there to take pictures is free!
You can’t leave without at least stopping by Coit Tower - that’s where the tiger in Dr. Doolittle threatened to jump from and the Palace of Fine Arts where over a dozen movies you’ve actually seen were filmed!
There are thousands of things to do, but if you find yourself on Fisherman’s Wharf and you see this asshole, kick him in the nuts for me.
Scared the crap out of me.