San Francisco is an awesome city and there is so much to do – so sorry you just have a half a day. I would start at Union Square and take the cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf – even though it’s kind of “touristy”, you’ll enjoy the ride – and see areas of the city you might miss – including a peek at the famous Lombard Street! Have a cocktail in Ghiradelli Square or take a stroll to one of the fish stands and stand by the water enjoying a tiny tidbit. That’s quintessential SF – have fun!
I know it’s touristy, but Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to see with everything at your fingertips like shopping, dining, views and fresh seafood stations. Bring a sweater!!
Glad you’ve asked me about SF! An amazing city with so much to see – I only wish you had 5 half days to enjoy it! Without knowing your abilities or likes I can only give my personal faves. Without further ado – they are: if you’d like to start with a bit of exercise to get those legs out of sitting position from the car or plane, try a walk in the Marina. There you have paved paths that meander along the Bay’s shoreline. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. You say walking isn’t your style?? – then drive on over that beautiful Golden Gate just to say you did!! (can walk it too!). If you’re hungry by then and want more fabulous views both of the Bay and food straight from local farms head to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The market runs on Tuesday, Thurs., and Sat. Saturday is the Big Kahuna! If your trip doesn’t fall on those days there is still a beautiful indoor market and eclectic choice of restaurants. Nothing like the seafood at Hog Island, or Asian inspired Slanted Door. When your feet are tired hop on board a vintage trolley car that runs along the Embarcadero, the F-line, or Wharves line. To cap off your whirlwind visit, settle in for a cup of tea at Crown & Crumpet at Ghirardelli Square. This tea room is extraordinary, unique and a visual treat!! Don’t want to miss! I hope not to have missed the mark – this City is vastly diverse. If you love all things Chinese, then hit Chinatown for sure. If you never miss a chance to shop- swing into Union Square. Have never seen SF? By all means be silly and ride a cable car… whatever you do…. just ENJOY!
Fisherman’s Wharf is a great suggestion. If you are looking for something unusual, try the Alcatraz tour. It is very well done. You may need a reservation in May. http://www.alcatrazcruises.com
Hang out at Fishermans Wharf! I am not a “touristy”person but I love Fishermans Wharf – food, events, art, etc. GREAT lobster bisque served in a sourdough bread bowl at some of the seafood vendor booths. check out http://www.fishermanswharf.org and http://www.ghirardelliSQ.com (ghirardelli is @ fishermans whart and is fun, cool)
you’ll have fun..I am one for entrenching myself in a city like a local, so if I can enjoy fisherman’s wharf anyone can! LOL. let me know how your trip goes and what you ultimately decided to do!
just sent my “Guru trip itinerary”… a tad lenghty! You could possibly be right about touristy at Fisherman’s Wharf…. but there’s always something for everyone. If you head down the piers a ways – toward the area I mention below (see: long itinerary) it is a bit less so…
Before I can advise you, I need to know a few things. Do you have transportation? Where in the city are you based and what time is your flight out (allow for time to get to airport)? What are your main interests: food, art, shopping, landscape? I will be happy to make good suggestions with just a little more detail about your trip.
Thanks Silverfox,
I will have a car and I will arrive at around 10AM and have to be done and on my way by 4PM -so I have a nice chunk of daytime… I’d like to have a quintessential SF experience that would involve a bit of food, shopping, culture and architecture -but it could be in a condensed quality spot rather than trying to run all over – I like to walk too so was hoping to find some parking and find a fun area to walk around…I appreciate any input you might have!
There is no doubt that a walk along the Embarcadero from above to below Fisherman’s wharf, eating at one of the many nice restaurants and enjoying the sights is a very pleasant way to spend time in San Francisco. However, I’d like to suggest a couple of other options.
I would decide between the options based on the weather. If the weather is warm and sunny, obtain detailed instructions and go to the Legion of Honor (art museum). Have lunch at the cafe at the museum. Be sure and enjoy the view of the ocean and bridge from the museum and its driveway! Then, drive to and across the Golden Gate, parking at the lot on the north side of the bridge. Enjoy the VIEW, soak it in. It is the combination of our incredible landscape and ‘urban’ life that make San Francisco the jewel city it is. Driving back across the bridge, follow signs for Golden Gate Park. If you do a little research, you will find many things to do in the park, including the de Young Museum and walking the gardens. That’s plan a. Head out to the airport from here.
Plan B is to more city center, take this option if the weather is overcast and cool. Get directions to and find parking near the Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA), walking up Third to Market, lunch at either Americano (Hotel Vitale, $$$, on embarcadero) or One Market ($$$)–they both offer superb local cuisine and the Americano, a fabulous view. Alternatively, walk north from SFMOMA, along Third to Market to Kearney. Walk up (north) Kearney until you get to Bush, turn right on Bush, and look for BELDEN Place. Tucked into Belden place are several nice, modestly priced restaurants, and the variety is typical of San Francisco. Leaving Belden, go out to Bush and turn right (west). Walk until you cross Grant, turning north on Grant, in a few blocks you’ll be at the gates to Chinatown (and St. Mary’s cathedral). Meander up and down two or three blocks, eventually returning to Bush. Walk one block west on Bush, coming to Stockton. Turn south on Stockton and walk three blocks. You are now in one of the high-end shopping areas in San Francisco. In a four-six block radius around you is everything imaginable. Britex, a world renowned fabric store, is on Maiden Lane. Along Post is Gumps, Bulgari, and in front of Union Square, Williams-Sonoma and Tiffany. If you use google maps, you can get a fairly detailed map, which will include many store names (but not all, Gumps–a San Francisco icon is not listed). You can take almost any of the streets that run north/south and return to Market, walking east on Market (toward Embarcadero) until you get to Third, back down Third to where you parked. Head out to the airport.
The differences between the two options are weather and a sense for the landscape OR a taste of San Francisco urban life. Option A offers the chance to see our setting and two great museums. Option B is the urban and urbane San Francisco. Either will make for splendid day with several walking opportunities. Be sure and let me know which option you choose and what you saw, ate, and did that you enjoyed!
0 Answers
Tyra London wrote on :
San Francisco is an awesome city and there is so much to do – so sorry you just have a half a day. I would start at Union Square and take the cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf – even though it’s kind of “touristy”, you’ll enjoy the ride – and see areas of the city you might miss – including a peek at the famous Lombard Street! Have a cocktail in Ghiradelli Square or take a stroll to one of the fish stands and stand by the water enjoying a tiny tidbit. That’s quintessential SF – have fun!
deena singer wrote on :
I know it’s touristy, but Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to see with everything at your fingertips like shopping, dining, views and fresh seafood stations. Bring a sweater!!
Michele Savage wrote on :
Muir Woods
shari nicsevic wrote on :
Glad you’ve asked me about SF! An amazing city with so much to see – I only wish you had 5 half days to enjoy it! Without knowing your abilities or likes I can only give my personal faves. Without further ado – they are: if you’d like to start with a bit of exercise to get those legs out of sitting position from the car or plane, try a walk in the Marina. There you have paved paths that meander along the Bay’s shoreline. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. You say walking isn’t your style?? – then drive on over that beautiful Golden Gate just to say you did!! (can walk it too!). If you’re hungry by then and want more fabulous views both of the Bay and food straight from local farms head to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. The market runs on Tuesday, Thurs., and Sat. Saturday is the Big Kahuna! If your trip doesn’t fall on those days there is still a beautiful indoor market and eclectic choice of restaurants. Nothing like the seafood at Hog Island, or Asian inspired Slanted Door. When your feet are tired hop on board a vintage trolley car that runs along the Embarcadero, the F-line, or Wharves line. To cap off your whirlwind visit, settle in for a cup of tea at Crown & Crumpet at Ghirardelli Square. This tea room is extraordinary, unique and a visual treat!! Don’t want to miss! I hope not to have missed the mark – this City is vastly diverse. If you love all things Chinese, then hit Chinatown for sure. If you never miss a chance to shop- swing into Union Square. Have never seen SF? By all means be silly and ride a cable car… whatever you do…. just ENJOY!
Marcia Miller wrote on :
Fisherman’s Wharf is a great suggestion. If you are looking for something unusual, try the Alcatraz tour. It is very well done. You may need a reservation in May. http://www.alcatrazcruises.com
Karen Canning-Millar wrote on :
I second Fishermans Wharf! Also, walk about a few neighborhoods and take in the really cool architecture. Have a great time!!
Alexis Marnel wrote on :
Hang out at Fishermans Wharf! I am not a “touristy”person but I love Fishermans Wharf – food, events, art, etc. GREAT lobster bisque served in a sourdough bread bowl at some of the seafood vendor booths. check out http://www.fishermanswharf.org and http://www.ghirardelliSQ.com (ghirardelli is @ fishermans whart and is fun, cool)
Kathleen Dolan wrote on :
Thanks! I was wondering if it would be too touristy or if it would be fun…have not been in 25 years…
Alexis Marnel wrote on :
you’ll have fun..I am one for entrenching myself in a city like a local, so if I can enjoy fisherman’s wharf anyone can! LOL. let me know how your trip goes and what you ultimately decided to do!
shari nicsevic wrote on :
just sent my “Guru trip itinerary”… a tad lenghty! You could possibly be right about touristy at Fisherman’s Wharf…. but there’s always something for everyone. If you head down the piers a ways – toward the area I mention below (see: long itinerary) it is a bit less so…
Patricia Shannon wrote on :
Before I can advise you, I need to know a few things. Do you have transportation? Where in the city are you based and what time is your flight out (allow for time to get to airport)? What are your main interests: food, art, shopping, landscape? I will be happy to make good suggestions with just a little more detail about your trip.
Kathleen Dolan wrote on :
Thanks Silverfox,
I will have a car and I will arrive at around 10AM and have to be done and on my way by 4PM -so I have a nice chunk of daytime… I’d like to have a quintessential SF experience that would involve a bit of food, shopping, culture and architecture -but it could be in a condensed quality spot rather than trying to run all over – I like to walk too so was hoping to find some parking and find a fun area to walk around…I appreciate any input you might have!
Patricia Shannon wrote on :
There is no doubt that a walk along the Embarcadero from above to below Fisherman’s wharf, eating at one of the many nice restaurants and enjoying the sights is a very pleasant way to spend time in San Francisco. However, I’d like to suggest a couple of other options.
I would decide between the options based on the weather. If the weather is warm and sunny, obtain detailed instructions and go to the Legion of Honor (art museum). Have lunch at the cafe at the museum. Be sure and enjoy the view of the ocean and bridge from the museum and its driveway! Then, drive to and across the Golden Gate, parking at the lot on the north side of the bridge. Enjoy the VIEW, soak it in. It is the combination of our incredible landscape and ‘urban’ life that make San Francisco the jewel city it is. Driving back across the bridge, follow signs for Golden Gate Park. If you do a little research, you will find many things to do in the park, including the de Young Museum and walking the gardens. That’s plan a. Head out to the airport from here.
Plan B is to more city center, take this option if the weather is overcast and cool. Get directions to and find parking near the Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA), walking up Third to Market, lunch at either Americano (Hotel Vitale, $$$, on embarcadero) or One Market ($$$)–they both offer superb local cuisine and the Americano, a fabulous view. Alternatively, walk north from SFMOMA, along Third to Market to Kearney. Walk up (north) Kearney until you get to Bush, turn right on Bush, and look for BELDEN Place. Tucked into Belden place are several nice, modestly priced restaurants, and the variety is typical of San Francisco. Leaving Belden, go out to Bush and turn right (west). Walk until you cross Grant, turning north on Grant, in a few blocks you’ll be at the gates to Chinatown (and St. Mary’s cathedral). Meander up and down two or three blocks, eventually returning to Bush. Walk one block west on Bush, coming to Stockton. Turn south on Stockton and walk three blocks. You are now in one of the high-end shopping areas in San Francisco. In a four-six block radius around you is everything imaginable. Britex, a world renowned fabric store, is on Maiden Lane. Along Post is Gumps, Bulgari, and in front of Union Square, Williams-Sonoma and Tiffany. If you use google maps, you can get a fairly detailed map, which will include many store names (but not all, Gumps–a San Francisco icon is not listed). You can take almost any of the streets that run north/south and return to Market, walking east on Market (toward Embarcadero) until you get to Third, back down Third to where you parked. Head out to the airport.
The differences between the two options are weather and a sense for the landscape OR a taste of San Francisco urban life. Option A offers the chance to see our setting and two great museums. Option B is the urban and urbane San Francisco. Either will make for splendid day with several walking opportunities. Be sure and let me know which option you choose and what you saw, ate, and did that you enjoyed!