# Tourist advice for San Francisco Trip **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 11, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452 "2005-05-11T20:20:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/41 "2005-05-13T17:16:07Z")
Oh, Since care rates are cheaper on the weekends, then I assume I’ll travel on Saturday and Sunday. Which should I do first? Does it matter? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/42 "2005-05-13T17:43:14Z")
Enright’s list of things he wants to include so far… [ul] [li]Walk Golden Gate Bridge[/li][li]Sonoma Valley[/li][li]Monteray Bay[/li][li]Alcatraz[/li][li]China Town[/li][li]Haight Ashbury[/li][li]Submarine Tour [/li][li]Ship Tour[/li][li]SBC Ballpark (even though there’s no games ☹ )[/li][li]I just bought my tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon![/li][li]An event to be named later![/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![wevets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/43 "2005-05-13T18:37:06Z")
Lots of good recommendations have been made already, so I’ll try not to repeat them. 🙂 Think about visiting Angel Island State Park in the middle of the north Bay. Muir Woods is an excellent place to visit too. There’s the Museum of Modern Art and the Asian Art Museum that I don’t think have been mentioned yet. I would add that summer is a great whalewatching time; we’re starting to get into the season where the humpbacks and blue whales will be out there, and the grays should still be passing by, although I haven’t seen one in a while. There’s trips that leave from Ft. Mason in SF and Sausalito every weekend. I don’t know if anyone answered the question about how long it takes to walk across the GG Bridge: it’s about 45 min to an hour depending upon your pace. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/44 "2005-05-13T19:15:06Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > Ahh what do you know, you’re from Chicago, which has cold winters, so that means it must be cold there year around! > > I’ll bet you don’t even own shorts and a t-shirt! > > 🙂 Actually, I’m _from_ San Francisco. I just happen to _live_ in Chicago. You’re right about the not owning shorts thing, though. Fashion faux pas, don’t you know. ---
**Author:** ![Tuco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tuco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuco)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2005, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/45 "2005-05-14T09:20:43Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > OK, So I think I’ve talked myself into two day trips. One going south, for highway 1, Half Moon Bay, Monteray Bay Aquarium, etc. and one going north to Sonoma Valley to check out a few vinyards. > > The more I think about it, the more I’m wondering if the vinyard thing is a must see. I’m not a wine drinker per se, would I really enjoy it? > > E3 There’s a Monterey and Carmel bus tour that takes about 10 hours and includes hour long stops at Monterey, Carmel and drives past Pebble Beach golf course, Clint Eastwood’s ranch, Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley. Taking a stroll round Golden Gate park is relaxing, but is a bit out the way (though the buses are extremely good). To be honest the best thing I did whilst in San Francisco was wander round the city aimlessly just poking about streets that looked interesting. I did have 3 weeks there mind. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2005, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/46 "2005-05-14T10:34:18Z")
Since you’re going with your son, I won’t recommend GoodVibrations. Best sex shop ever :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/47 "2005-06-01T02:20:37Z")
Two more days. I’m so excited! ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/48 "2005-06-03T06:29:57Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > For evening entertainment check out [Beach Blanket Babylon](http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/home.html) it’s the dictionary definition of “a hoot”. I just got back. It. Was. Awesome. What a bunch of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/49 "2005-06-03T09:17:08Z")
Glad you enjoyed _BBB_, **Enright3**! I haven’t been in a few years and of course it changes constantly. Hmm, maybe I should think about going again soon… ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/50 "2005-06-03T09:48:35Z")
Was just there on my honeymoon. Fantastic place. Add to your list the Cheesecake Factory at the top of Macy’s. Weather allowing sit outside. me and the missus loved it, but then we’d never been to a Cheesecake Factory before. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/51 "2005-06-05T04:54:19Z")
We have Cheesecake Factory in Atlanta. We went to Sonoma on Friday and checked out [Benziger Family Winery](http://www.benziger.com/) [Ravenswood (no wimpy wines!)](http://www.ravenswood-wine.com/) and [Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery](http://www.sebastiani.com/home.asp) Good times. We then walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, and back again. That was too cool. We closed the night out at some bar on Columbus street. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/52 "2005-06-05T05:02:17Z")
Today we drove to Monteray Bay to the aquarium. That was awesome. I recommend it to all. Also took the 17 mile drive. Pebble Beach, etc etc. They CHARGED ME $8.50 for that! WHAT. A. TOTAL. WASTE. OF. MONEY! So… Where is the nearest Catholic church to Fisherman’s Wharf? ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/53 "2005-06-05T05:24:56Z")
In order of closeness to Fisherman’s Wharf: St. Peter & Paul Church 666 Filbert St. (between Powell & Stockton) (415) 421-0809 St. Francis of Assisi Church 610 Vallejo St. (corner of Grant Ave.) (415) 983-0405 St. Brigid’s Catholic Church 1615 Broadway (at Van Ness Ave.) (415) 885-4214 Old St. Mary’s Cathedral 660 California St. (between Grant & Kearney) (415) 288-3800 ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/54 "2005-06-05T06:42:39Z")
Thanks Wallon! Saints Peter & Paul it is! E3 ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452/55 "2005-06-06T01:05:46Z")
Here is my list from the last time we took our 5 year old! The Buena Vista, home of the Irish coffee. The bar is open all day, they have a very good breakfast. IIRC, they open at 8:00 am on weekends, 9:00 am on weekdays, and they are right at the base of the Fisherman’s Wharf cable car run at 2765 Hyde St at Beach. [http://www.thebuenavista.com/index2.html](http://www.thebuenavista.com/index2.html) Sam’s Grill. Great seafood in a great old place at 374 Bush St. [http://samsgrill.citysearch.com/](http://samsgrill.citysearch.com/) Hunan Home’s. Fantastic Chinese, in Chinatown at 622 Jackson St. [http://www.hunanhome.citysearch.com/](http://www.hunanhome.citysearch.com/) If you want to get all frou-frou, you can have brunch at The Palace. > **[Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco](https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfolc-palace-hotel-a-luxury-collection-hotel-san-francisco/)** > > Experience refined luxury at Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco. Our iconic hotel offers a premier stay in downtown San Francisco, CA. Um, this seems to be all about food… oops. But hey, you have to eat sometime! You will have to score club info from the drinking crowd… The little aquarium at Pier 39 is great for kids (under 12, I’d say). Good tanks, they can pet leopard sharks, and they can do sea creature art projects. Grown ups will be bored, mostly because of the size- it’s very small. The Exploratorium was a blast, for children of all ages! 😉 Yerba Buena should not be missed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tourist-advice-for-san-francisco-trip/303452.md?page=2)