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San Francisco - anyone visited and can give any pointers ?

I'm heading over there next week to be part of a disability film fest. I have a few days free time. Any must sees or ideas of places to visit really appreciated.
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  • Saga louts your man for this he's just got back.
  • While you're on about it chaps and lasses I am going to New York for four days the day after the Bolton game. Mrs Plums birthday treat. However I have never been to America, and don't have a clue where to begin with a short trip to NY.
    Mrs Plum wants to go shopping, is there anything generally cheap in America, and do non specialist eating places cater for vegetarians?
  • Not been but I've heard it's high on a hill...and little cable cars climb half way to the stars...
  • Wear some flowers in your hair.
  • As well as the usual Alcatraz etc Definitely take a trip to Napa/Sonoma - very worthwhile.

    We used this tour and it was brilliant

    http://www.extranomical.com/HTML_PAGES/WINE_REDWOODS_ITINERARY.htm
  • It's very foggy there
  • se9addick said:

    As well as the usual Alcatraz etc Definitely take a trip to Napa/Sonoma - very worthwhile.

    We used this tour and it was brilliant

    http://www.extranomical.com/HTML_PAGES/WINE_REDWOODS_ITINERARY.htm

    Cheers SE9

  • edited November 2015
    Shrew said:

    I'm heading over there next week to be part of a disability film fest. I have a few days free time. Any must sees or ideas of places to visit really appreciated.

    It's a big, big city and in my view much like Sydney. A few things to see and do - then nothing much to write home about. So, there's the famous bridge (like Sydney) - oddly I prefer the two tier Oakland Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf (bit like the Sydney Wharf) Alcatraz Island ( a bit like the whole of Australia - a place where they used to send convicts that they couldn't escape from) and ....

    Takes a good photo though, especially from the Twin Peaks (as long as it's not foggy). It's also not necessarily as warm as you'd expect. At this time of year a average high of only 55°F but you'll have no trouble filling a few days. If anyone asks do you know the way to San Jose the answer is yes: go south on US Highway 101.

    Personally, I prefer the smaller places in the area like Bodega bay to the north, or Santa Cruz to the south which is a bit like a sunny Southend with a charming degree of tackiness. Inland, the State capital, Sacramento, is also a town I rather liked.
    seth plum said:

    While you're on about it chaps and lasses I am going to New York for four days the day after the Bolton game. Mrs Plums birthday treat. However I have never been to America, and don't have a clue where to begin with a short trip to NY.
    Mrs Plum wants to go shopping, is there anything generally cheap in America, and do non specialist eating places cater for vegetarians?

    It seems to me that the price differentials are not as great as they used to be so the bargains are harder to track down. Certainly restaurant prices in the US seem to have increased markedly in recent years. (You are also looking at adding 15-20% tip in case you don't know - restaurant staff get paid peanuts and rely on that money.)
    That said, because I visit the US quite frequently, I can't remember the last time I actually bought clothes in the UK. Don't forget that sales tax is not included in the ticket price, so for NY you'll be adding 8.875% to your actual bill
  • Ride a cable car; visit Alkatraz; visit Sausalito to see the Redwoods; see "the most Crookedest Street in the World"; visit China Town; have a seafood meal in Fisherman's Wharf; take pictures of the San Francisco Bridge; leave your heart there.
  • Great city but utterly ludicrous to build a city on such a hilly area! Great sea food there.
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  • Hire a bike to cycle the bridge
  • Take a trip to Woodbury Common, about 45mins from Times Square. Designer gear for dirt cheap prices when I went.
  • Absolutely fantastic place to visit. All the places mentioned above in SF are places to visit. Golden Gate Park is also somewhere I reccomend.
  • I love SF, but it's very hilly and if you're walking about, you really notice it!

    The cablecars are good fun, but have massive queues so not a means of transport to rely on. The historic streetcars along the front are a much better way of getting to Fisherman's wharf, and there is decent other public transport to get around. It's worth getting around to see the different districts as they have their own character, Coit Tower gives great views.

    On a nice day, the walk along the waterfront to Fort Point is really pleasant, this takes you under the Golden Gate bridge, from where you can climb up to the bridge
  • edited November 2015
    Shrew and Seth. Don't forget to get your visa waiver applications done in good time (ESTA forms). It's all electronic now but you won't get in if you haven't done them.
    Shrew, I agree with all the comments about SF, it is a truly charming city, but the weather is like SE7.
    Seth, you shouldn't have any trouble finding restaurants doing veggy options. Do take in the boat trips around Manhattan Island, and go to Ellis Island where all the immigrants were processed a century ago. I found it quite a moving place to visit.
  • Seth not sure when Thanksgiving is but check to see if the Black Friday sales are on while you are there.
  • Ride a cable car; visit Alkatraz; visit Sausalito to see the Redwoods; see "the most Crookedest Street in the World"; visit China Town; have a seafood meal in Fisherman's Wharf; take pictures of the San Francisco Bridge; leave your heart there.

    You've said all I was going to. Great city.
  • If you're going in and out of the city, remember that it can often be cold in the city and baking hot just outside.

    Great city. Will probably end up moving there at some point in my life.
  • jamescafc said:

    Take a trip to Woodbury Common, about 45mins from Times Square. Designer gear for dirt cheap prices when I went.

    It will cost more in the bus fare and it's just like Bicester... Jump on the bus from Port Authority to Jersey Gardens if you are in New York and you want to go shopping and find some bargains...
  • Thanks everyone for all the advice, see you at Brum away.
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  • Try to take a tour to Yosemite National Park... It'll be a long day (10-hours) but well worth it
  • 'the coldest winter I ever spent .. was a summer in San Francisco ' .. so said Mark Twain .. truly a place where you can experience 4 seasons in one day .. like all cities, SF had its good and bad parts .. best advice ? .. check out the myriad of websites covering every aspect of northern California .. and check the novels of John Lescroart
  • Check Alcatraz tours before you go. We were very lucky to get a cancellation when we tried to book while out there. Apparently that can be the norm.
  • if you do go to Fisherman's Wharf, go to Pier 39 to see the sea lions.

    try some clam chowder and a corn dog.

    great city.
  • Check Alcatraz tours before you go. We were very lucky to get a cancellation when we tried to book while out there. Apparently that can be the norm.

    If you know when you've got free time there, book in advance as the tickets sell out
  • Echo what people say about the weather. Have often got a plane from LA to San Fran in the Autumn and Winter. Get on and its 25 degrees. One hour later and it's 12 degrees and foggy.

    Yet had the plane landed 5 minutes earlier and a bit more it would have been gloriously warm still.

    Bizarre microclimate but all adds to the character and charm of a lovely city. Remember watching a ball game at AT&T park in July freezing my tits off. But also watched the 49ers in November in shorts and a t shirt. Pack to be prepared for all seasons.
  • This thread is a bit of a touch, heading out to LA, San Fran, Sacramento then Vegas on Saturday, will try and check a few things out recommended here.
  • Shrew haven't read the thread but when you go don't miss Alcatraz it is just brilliand BUT pre-book so you don't have to queue. Look for little boutique hotels they are much cheaper than the chain's and normally right in the city centre, also use the public transport which is very cheap. Enjoy it's a great city
  • Agree to book Alcatraz in advance. Also recommend Sausalito. SF has some 'interesting' bars if you get off the tourist track, but I've always felt safe there
  • One of my favourite cities in the world. Great people and Chinese food and great drugs, if that's your thing! Very pretty too, a nice micro climate in San Fran that reminds you of a bit of a cloudy day in Brighton. I remember about 30 mins drive outside the city you're in scorching desert. It's crazy.

    Alcatraz was amazing, deffo a good place to go. There's a sunset cruise which is pretty sweet... Not sure if it's open in the winter though.
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