san francisco(!) help

[juddie]

Has anyone been to san fran? I'm thinking of going there this summer, but would quite like to spend some time on the beach as well as sight see. considering also maybe seeing sacramento, or perhaps driving to LA?

anyone know much about the area, places to stay, beachy places away from the tourist areas?

cheers

[Bogus Dave]

Can i just take this moment to officialy confirm i have not been to "san fran", as it has now been known. Thanks. I've heard its very nice though

[Mexicano Rojo]

sorry juddie but dont mean to shit on your cornflakes but i went and thought it was a fucking dump. PaulD spent a bit of time there he might be a good man to ask.

[BANGKOK RED]

Something to do with yellow flowers.

[suttonred]

I tought SF was superb, far better than LA, the one place i would recommend going is Alcatraz, really is thought provoking, although you will probably need to book in advance as the tours get pretty full. It is pretty touristy as a whole, but plenty of stuff to keep you interested.

[Batch]

No accomodation recommendations but also loved SF. To be honest not sure which beaches you refer to, presumably up or down the coast from SF?

LA on he other hand was nice to see the well known sights, but totally shit in every other respect (in my opinion). The main issue is you have to driver everywhere and the traffic is shit at rush hour.

[ghanimah]

Has anyone been to san fran? I'm thinking of going there this summer, but would quite like to spend some time on the beach as well as sight see. considering also maybe seeing sacramento, or perhaps driving to LA?

anyone know much about the area, places to stay, beachy places away from the tourist areas?

cheers

I stayed near Fisherman's Wharf which was ideal for the touristy bits like Alcatraz but staying near Union Square might be better if you're looking for shopping and more nightlife. I thought compared to most American cities, the 'San Fran' I saw was relaxed and friendly (probably for obvious reasons). I didn't visit any beaches so can't help with that.

Tip on seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, wait until the afternoon, as it's normally hidden by fog until lunchtime as I found out.

I wouldn't advise LA though, thought the place was a complete dump, most of it seemed to be an upmarket version of Soweto. Good luck with driving, LA is built for cars but it will take you ages to get anywhere - combination of traffic and bloody traffic lights everywhere.

[Nick Bamosomi]

San Francisco is one of the best places I have been ( 3 times now)
We stayed near Fisherman's Wharf which is very convenient for cable cars, and the waterfront cut union square is better for shopping area though you can walk there if you don't mind going up and down hills constantly.
If you want beaches go to Monterey and surroundings - fantastic aquarium, quite pricey but another nice location.
I could go on for ever about places to see, but I'm sure tourist guides can do that just as well.

[juddie]

thanks guys. My missus has a ousin over there, which is wy we're considering going there for a bit and travelling round. I'm thinking we can stay with him for a bt then jog on somewhere else. I did the san francisco to LA drive with my dad years ago, but don;t remember too much of it. I guess we're after the sights of san francisco, then maybe some beaches some where else, but don;t know what's north or south. I'm not massively fussed by LA, but I do want to get an NBA game in, maybe sacremento? anyone been there?

[Nomoreheroes]

I suspect that your good lady's cousin will know the common things eg:
- Lombard St: 'Crookedest street in the world'. Worth driving down it
- Pier 39: Smelly seals
- Fishermans wharf: Lots of touristy shops down by a harbour
- Golden Gate Bridge: Nearly always covered in fog from my experience!
- Chinatown: If you've seen alot of Chinese people, shops and signs in one place then you'll get the picture!
- Union Square: Terminal for the trams. Nice to take a photo of the trams. I dont do shoping in expensive shops so wasn't overly interested
- Alcatraz: Absolutely brilliant! A must do! Watch the Clint Eastwod film 'Escape from Alcatraz' first though and pay for an audio tour.
- Sausilito: Other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a lovely harbour and an beautiful town built into the hills and shrubery.
Cycling: Last time I was there I saw that they were renting out cycles at Fisherman's wharf. There is a big cycle route which I think is marked by paint on the road. If I'd had time I think I would have done this, as although San Fran is a bit hilly, it would have given you a good view of all of the main attractions.
Further afield:
Napa Valley: If you like wine
Monterey/Carmel-by-the-sea: Scenic drive between the two along the coast. This was beautiful!

Anyway, for more info, the internet search engine is your friend!
 

[Barry Scott]

I haven't been there, but want to go just to eat at a restaurant called "The Stinking Rose". Apparently it's called that because years ago the yanks called garlic that because the bulb was not unlike that of a rose, but it stank.

Go there for me.

[nevillew]

Sausalito was apparently the inspiration for "Dock of the Bay" - some nice 'arty' shops

You could also go to Muir woods if you want to see some bloody big trees

[nevillew]

I haven't been there, but want to go just to eat at a restaurant called "The Stinking Rose". Apparently it's called that because years ago the yanks called garlic that because the bulb was not unlike that of a rose, but it stank.

Go there for me.

On a slightly related note, Chicago is Native American for "smelling of onions"

[pauld]

sorry juddie but dont mean to shit on your cornflakes but i went and thought it was a fucking dump. PaulD spent a bit of time there he might be a good man to ask.

Sorry, won't be much help - I was on a work trip so didn't really do much touristy stuff. Can recommend Golden Gate bridge and Oracle HQ though

[RedLadyBucks]

I suspect that your good lady's cousin will know the common things eg:
- Lombard St: 'Crookedest street in the world'. Worth driving down it
- Pier 39: Smelly seals
- Fishermans wharf: Lots of touristy shops down by a harbour
- Golden Gate Bridge: Nearly always covered in fog from my experience!
- Chinatown: If you've seen alot of Chinese people, shops and signs in one place then you'll get the picture!
- Union Square: Terminal for the trams. Nice to take a photo of the trams. I dont do shoping in expensive shops so wasn't overly interested
- Alcatraz: Absolutely brilliant! A must do! Watch the Clint Eastwod film 'Escape from Alcatraz' first though and pay for an audio tour.
- Sausilito: Other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a lovely harbour and an beautiful town built into the hills and shrubery.
Cycling: Last time I was there I saw that they were renting out cycles at Fisherman's wharf. There is a big cycle route which I think is marked by paint on the road. If I'd had time I think I would have done this, as although San Fran is a bit hilly, it would have given you a good view of all of the main attractions.
Further afield:
Napa Valley: If you like wine
Monterey/Carmel-by-the-sea: Scenic drive between the two along the coast. This was beautiful!

Anyway, for more info, the internet search engine is your friend!
 

Agree with all of this, been twice now and it is my favourite US city by a mile.  We rent an apartment in Russian Hill, close to Fisherman's wharf and tram/bus stops.  You should go to Yosemite while you are there. Carmel has a lovely beach and is very quaint.
My husband went on a cycling trip last time and enjoyed it, lasted about half a day.