Help me plan a 2-day SF itinerary
June 3, 2015 8:26 PM Subscribe
My parents are coming to visit me in the Bay Area next week. However, I live on the peninsula and am only familiar with a few parts of the city, which don't overlap much with the main tourist attractions. Help me plan a logical itinerary please?
There will be 5 of us and we're driving a car up to the city. I'm having trouble visualizing how everything is laid out and deciding the order of our visit, including where/when we should park the car (all-day garage fee is fine if it's not outrageous) and get around on foot/BART/Uber. I'd really prefer to avoid MUNI unless there's a direct and reliable recommended route.
Also, we're splitting things over 2 days and I'm not sure what the best divide is there either. Help!
Here is the current touring list:
Twin Peaks (I know there's free and easy parking here)
Golden Gate Bridge (drive across) + maybe Sausalito?
Fisherman's Wharf
Lombard St
Chinatown
Pier 17 Exploratorium
Tile Steps
Japanese Tea Garden
Alamo Square
There will be 5 of us and we're driving a car up to the city. I'm having trouble visualizing how everything is laid out and deciding the order of our visit, including where/when we should park the car (all-day garage fee is fine if it's not outrageous) and get around on foot/BART/Uber. I'd really prefer to avoid MUNI unless there's a direct and reliable recommended route.
Also, we're splitting things over 2 days and I'm not sure what the best divide is there either. Help!
Here is the current touring list:
Twin Peaks (I know there's free and easy parking here)
Golden Gate Bridge (drive across) + maybe Sausalito?
Fisherman's Wharf
Lombard St
Chinatown
Pier 17 Exploratorium
Tile Steps
Japanese Tea Garden
Alamo Square
I hugely recommend the "Big Bus Tours" bus tour as your first thing. It was recommended to me when I asked a question just like this a few months ago. It's a great overview of the city, plus you go across the Golden Gate. After that you know where everything is.
posted by bleep at 8:34 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bleep at 8:34 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I always suggest looking at Stu Dudley's recommendations on Fodor's Travel Forum.
The reddit asksf forum has a good FAQ as well.
posted by blob at 9:04 PM on June 3, 2015
The reddit asksf forum has a good FAQ as well.
posted by blob at 9:04 PM on June 3, 2015
Best answer: I think a tour of SF can be boiled down to if you want to drive or not.
If you want to drive, this is a pretty good guide to hitting most of the major landmarks in a short amount of time. The page also has a google map, so you can add in extra stops you want to see.
If you don't want to drive, bleep's big bus suggestion is a good one. If you are having dinner in SF as well, I would probably park the car somewhere nearby for a quick getaway post-dinner.
posted by kogester at 10:08 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you want to drive, this is a pretty good guide to hitting most of the major landmarks in a short amount of time. The page also has a google map, so you can add in extra stops you want to see.
If you don't want to drive, bleep's big bus suggestion is a good one. If you are having dinner in SF as well, I would probably park the car somewhere nearby for a quick getaway post-dinner.
posted by kogester at 10:08 PM on June 3, 2015 [2 favorites]
As a long-time Bay Area resident who took the Powell Street cable car for the first time a couple of months ago, I think it's worth it if you're going to Fisherman's Wharf. Otherwise you're just stuck at Fisherman's Wharf and it's only marginally worth it.
Look into an Alcatraz tour. They launch from Fisherman's Wharf. Not cheap and you MUST have a reservation, but it's worth it.
I suggest adding the Ferry Building to your Exploratorium visit - there's really good food there that even my meat-and-potatoes dad liked.
You don't say how old/fit your parents are, but keep in mind that there are basically no public restrooms and it can be hard to find a place to just sit and rest without having to buy something. That's why I always build in snack/bathroom breaks when I'm showing people around.
posted by smartyboots at 10:16 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Look into an Alcatraz tour. They launch from Fisherman's Wharf. Not cheap and you MUST have a reservation, but it's worth it.
I suggest adding the Ferry Building to your Exploratorium visit - there's really good food there that even my meat-and-potatoes dad liked.
You don't say how old/fit your parents are, but keep in mind that there are basically no public restrooms and it can be hard to find a place to just sit and rest without having to buy something. That's why I always build in snack/bathroom breaks when I'm showing people around.
posted by smartyboots at 10:16 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I was the person who recommended Big Bus Tours to bleep! And I came here to recommend it again! I honestly think trying to go to all those landmarks on your own will be stressful and take longer than you expect. The Big Bus Tour is hop on-hop off, so you can catch it at any of its stop points and continue your ride. It will also take you to the Golden Gate Bridge, which I think would be a pain in the ass to do on your own. It's an open air, double decker bus, so sit on the upper deck for the drive across the Golden Gate Bridge if you want a great view. (It's slightly scary too, but it in a fun way.) I promise I don't work for them, I just did it twice with different family members and it was a hit.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:06 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:06 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Are you planning to go home in the evening after the first day, and then drive back up? I would consider driving around one day, and then leaving your car somewhere (or even taking CalTrain) the second day.
Driving: Alamo Square, Japanese Tea Garden, GG Bridge, skip Sausalito but drive up side road after bridge for the view from the Marin Headlands (Conzleman Road), Twin Peaks on the way back.
Second day: Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard St, Chinatown
I left out the Tile Steps because your itinerary seems pretty packed.
posted by three_red_balloons at 6:20 AM on June 4, 2015
Driving: Alamo Square, Japanese Tea Garden, GG Bridge, skip Sausalito but drive up side road after bridge for the view from the Marin Headlands (Conzleman Road), Twin Peaks on the way back.
Second day: Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard St, Chinatown
I left out the Tile Steps because your itinerary seems pretty packed.
posted by three_red_balloons at 6:20 AM on June 4, 2015
Otherwise you're just stuck at Fisherman's Wharf and it's only marginally worth it.
Also on the "marginally worth it" (i.e., don't bother if you have other options) list is Ghirardelli Square, which my parents wanted to see last time they visited, and apparently whatever cool stuff there was "back when" is now gone.
One naming thing to avoid confusion since this isn't always spelled out for visitors, but the Painted Ladies (row of houses) = Alamo Square (the park they adjoin).
Also I note you didn't ask about food, which is kind Big Deal in SF. At the least, get crepes at Squat & Gobble (at one of their fine and picturesque locations) and they'll be happy.
posted by psoas at 10:41 AM on June 4, 2015
Also on the "marginally worth it" (i.e., don't bother if you have other options) list is Ghirardelli Square, which my parents wanted to see last time they visited, and apparently whatever cool stuff there was "back when" is now gone.
One naming thing to avoid confusion since this isn't always spelled out for visitors, but the Painted Ladies (row of houses) = Alamo Square (the park they adjoin).
Also I note you didn't ask about food, which is kind Big Deal in SF. At the least, get crepes at Squat & Gobble (at one of their fine and picturesque locations) and they'll be happy.
posted by psoas at 10:41 AM on June 4, 2015
Response by poster: Filling out some clarificatory details:
- My parents are young but not especially fit, so we're not going to walk across the city or anything but no special mobility issues.
- The 2-day tour is actually two separate Sundays, and the idea of Caltraining up one day is great.
- I love food! But my parents are unadventurous and would be happy to only eat Chinese food for the rest of their lives. We're hitting Burmese in Palo Alto and otherwise will probably find the closest well-rated Asian restaurant at the appropriate meal times. (And if we end up near the Mission at 5pm, I'm dragging them to flour + water nonetheless.)
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far!
posted by serelliya at 10:53 AM on June 4, 2015
- My parents are young but not especially fit, so we're not going to walk across the city or anything but no special mobility issues.
- The 2-day tour is actually two separate Sundays, and the idea of Caltraining up one day is great.
- I love food! But my parents are unadventurous and would be happy to only eat Chinese food for the rest of their lives. We're hitting Burmese in Palo Alto and otherwise will probably find the closest well-rated Asian restaurant at the appropriate meal times. (And if we end up near the Mission at 5pm, I'm dragging them to flour + water nonetheless.)
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far!
posted by serelliya at 10:53 AM on June 4, 2015
Best answer: One fun thing to do right after driving down Lombard Street is to drive down Filbert Street, which is parallel to Lombard two blocks down. It goes down the same hill, but it goes straight down. It looks like you're dropping off the face of the Earth.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:27 AM on June 4, 2015
posted by kirkaracha at 11:27 AM on June 4, 2015
My personal itinerary for one-day SF tour is as follows, depending on where you want to start. I generally start around... Civic center, as hotels there are reasonably cheap if you book ahead of time, but if you booked downtown, just adjust as needed. Please note: This is a CAR tour itinerary.
Civic Center: get off at CC plaza, take photos of city hall and so on, point out various buildings like court, city hall, Asian Art Museum, main library, etc.
Drive through SOMA, then onto Bay Bridge and get off at Treasure Island, stop for photos at the vista point
Back into the city, take Fremont exit (on right) and go on Embarcadero, then left onto Broadway drive down and soak in a corner of Chinatown. Continue up Broadway, just as you pass Powell, there's little alley on the RIGHT that takes up up to mason, make three right turns so you end up going downtown on Powell. Follow the cable car a bit until you hit Union Square. Go past Geary, and O'Farrel, right on next, make three rights (lots of One ways) and get a marvel of the area, take lots of photos from car windows.
You're now on O'Farrel, heading toward downtown. Stay LEFT, left turn on GRANT so you can go through the Chinatown "Dragon" Gate. More photos. Go all the way at the end to Braodway, right onto Embarcadero. Yes, we're going a bit in circles. Bear with me. These are scenic routes. If you want to walk around or have lunch in Chinatown, go on grant and make a right on Clay to get into the Portsmouth garage.
Any way, down Broadway, left on Embarcadero, follow it until you get to Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf, where you catch the Bay Cruise / Alcatraz and such. You will need reservations though. Here's another good place to have lunch, even though it is touristy and kitschy stuff, like clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, or Dungeness Crab and watch the crab cookers break the crab with a bit of rhythm beat.
Follow the road and it'll lead you to Golden Gate Bridge. (consult GPS or Map for proer signage) and if you have time, stop by "palace of fine arts" before you get to the bridge. More photos.
Before you get onto Golden Gate Bridge there's the South Vista Point you can stop at for touristy views. Beware that if you get on to the bridge you can turn back at the NORTHERN vista point but they will charge you for crossing. Also a good view there.
Coming down take 19th Ave (Hwy 1) and make a right on Geary or Fulton, go all the way down to the coast, make a left, and you'll be at Cliff House and "Great Highway" (i.e. Hwy 1) and Ocean Beach.
From Ocean Beach you can see the Windmills and right under it would be Queen Wilhemina's Tulip Garden.
Go through the Golden Gate Park heading East and you should pass the Bison enclosure and the "Conservatory of Flowers" eventually. Please check your GPS. Good photos there.
Head west on Fulton, then left onto 7th, then up to forest hill and up Twin Peaks for the view of entire San Francisco.
Back down, but this time, head down Market to pass by Castro (and the giant Rainbow flag) , and you should pretty much end up back at Civic Center Plaza.
You can add in stops for the Painted Ladies (victorian houses) and/or other stops as needed, or start at any of the other touristy spots. Just beware that parking will cost you... a lot.
posted by kschang at 2:36 PM on June 4, 2015
Civic Center: get off at CC plaza, take photos of city hall and so on, point out various buildings like court, city hall, Asian Art Museum, main library, etc.
Drive through SOMA, then onto Bay Bridge and get off at Treasure Island, stop for photos at the vista point
Back into the city, take Fremont exit (on right) and go on Embarcadero, then left onto Broadway drive down and soak in a corner of Chinatown. Continue up Broadway, just as you pass Powell, there's little alley on the RIGHT that takes up up to mason, make three right turns so you end up going downtown on Powell. Follow the cable car a bit until you hit Union Square. Go past Geary, and O'Farrel, right on next, make three rights (lots of One ways) and get a marvel of the area, take lots of photos from car windows.
You're now on O'Farrel, heading toward downtown. Stay LEFT, left turn on GRANT so you can go through the Chinatown "Dragon" Gate. More photos. Go all the way at the end to Braodway, right onto Embarcadero. Yes, we're going a bit in circles. Bear with me. These are scenic routes. If you want to walk around or have lunch in Chinatown, go on grant and make a right on Clay to get into the Portsmouth garage.
Any way, down Broadway, left on Embarcadero, follow it until you get to Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf, where you catch the Bay Cruise / Alcatraz and such. You will need reservations though. Here's another good place to have lunch, even though it is touristy and kitschy stuff, like clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, or Dungeness Crab and watch the crab cookers break the crab with a bit of rhythm beat.
Follow the road and it'll lead you to Golden Gate Bridge. (consult GPS or Map for proer signage) and if you have time, stop by "palace of fine arts" before you get to the bridge. More photos.
Before you get onto Golden Gate Bridge there's the South Vista Point you can stop at for touristy views. Beware that if you get on to the bridge you can turn back at the NORTHERN vista point but they will charge you for crossing. Also a good view there.
Coming down take 19th Ave (Hwy 1) and make a right on Geary or Fulton, go all the way down to the coast, make a left, and you'll be at Cliff House and "Great Highway" (i.e. Hwy 1) and Ocean Beach.
From Ocean Beach you can see the Windmills and right under it would be Queen Wilhemina's Tulip Garden.
Go through the Golden Gate Park heading East and you should pass the Bison enclosure and the "Conservatory of Flowers" eventually. Please check your GPS. Good photos there.
Head west on Fulton, then left onto 7th, then up to forest hill and up Twin Peaks for the view of entire San Francisco.
Back down, but this time, head down Market to pass by Castro (and the giant Rainbow flag) , and you should pretty much end up back at Civic Center Plaza.
You can add in stops for the Painted Ladies (victorian houses) and/or other stops as needed, or start at any of the other touristy spots. Just beware that parking will cost you... a lot.
posted by kschang at 2:36 PM on June 4, 2015
It sounds like you might be wanting to hit a lot of sights briefly rather than spending much time in any particular area, but if you'd like a really enjoyable introduction to a particular neighborhood, I highly recommend the San Francisco City Guides. They're all volunteer, and all the tours are free (donations accepted). The guides are highly trained and really know the city. I've been on at least a dozen of the tours and they've all been terrific.
Here are a few of the Sunday tours that might interest you:
1:00 pm - Japanese Tea Garden
2:00 pm - Nob Hill
2:00 pm - Gold Rush City
(They have an Alamo Square tour, but it's usually on Saturdays, and Chinatown is on Mondays.)
The tours are typically 90 minutes or so (although you could certainly drop out before the end if you wanted to). They're great, if you'd like a more thorough experience of one of these areas.
Have fun!
posted by kristi at 6:46 PM on June 4, 2015
Here are a few of the Sunday tours that might interest you:
1:00 pm - Japanese Tea Garden
2:00 pm - Nob Hill
2:00 pm - Gold Rush City
(They have an Alamo Square tour, but it's usually on Saturdays, and Chinatown is on Mondays.)
The tours are typically 90 minutes or so (although you could certainly drop out before the end if you wanted to). They're great, if you'd like a more thorough experience of one of these areas.
Have fun!
posted by kristi at 6:46 PM on June 4, 2015
Chinese food you say?
House of Nanking is awesome. And of course any of about 50 Dim Sum. Avoid the long lines by arriving 15 min before open.
posted by jander03 at 9:17 PM on June 7, 2015
House of Nanking is awesome. And of course any of about 50 Dim Sum. Avoid the long lines by arriving 15 min before open.
posted by jander03 at 9:17 PM on June 7, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by notned at 8:33 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]