San Francisco Trip - Help!

[Britster]

San Francisco! I know a few people on the forums live in SF so I'd love help from you guys (QuickSilver... where ya at?) or anyone who has visited. What are some of the best places to visit? I've never been to Cali period before but for some reason, I've always wanted to visit SF. Maybe it has something to do with growing up watching Full House every day of my life, LOL. And, what are the best/cheapest hotels to stay at? I've already checked into flights. We're looking at going in October, what's the weather like there?

[Britster]

LOL, so I just googled and found this...

Many times when I take guests on tours of San Francisco I get asked where certain movies or television shows were filmed. One of the most frequently asked questions is where the house in the television show "Full House" was located.

Most of the show was filmed in a studio. However, the opening scene in many of the episodes pictures the family picnicking in Alamo Square with the Queen Anne Victorians of "Postcard Row" in the background. This location is easy to get to. Alamo Square sits between Hayes, Fulton, Steiner, and Scott Streets. "Postcard Row" is located on Steiner Street between Hayes and Grove Streets."

When I took "Full House" fans to Alamo Square they would frequently ask which house was the Tanner family's home in the show. This was difficult to figure out, but due to some good sleuthing by a fellow tour guide, Craig Smith, we now know that the Tanner home is the house at 1709 Broderick Street, near Bush Street.

Rick's San Francisco Journal: "Full House" House

Good info to know. I'm such a dork but it'd be so cool to go there as I seriously loved this show growing up.

[Wylie's Mom]

I'm so envious...I *love* San Francisco so much. Hey, you may want to think about taking a day/day and a half to drive up to Napa while you're there.

[ashleere]

Hi, I live about 45 miles from SF. You should go to Coit tower, do the walk across the Golden Gate Bridge (wear warm clothes, it gets windy) go to Fisherman's Wharf, and go to St.Peter and Pauls Cathedral. Maybe go to Sausalito for the day. Lots of great shopping in Union Square. Where are you staying? The St. Francis Hotel on Union Square is quite lovely. Maybe take a day trip to the Napa Valley and go wine tasting. If you have any questions or need help finding something let me know.
Clelia

[dogbert]

Originally Posted by Britster

San Francisco! I know a few people on the forums live in SF so I'd love help from you guys (QuickSilver... where ya at?) or anyone who has visited. What are some of the best places to visit? I've never been to Cali period before but for some reason, I've always wanted to visit SF. Maybe it has something to do with growing up watching Full House every day of my life, LOL. And, what are the best/cheapest hotels to stay at? I've already checked into flights. We're looking at going in October, what's the weather like there?

We were there a couple weeks ago for our 25th anniversary. We stayed at the Pelican Inn the first two nights and saw Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, North Beach and the light house. We then went to the Residence Inn (oyster) near the airport. It was just remodled so it was nice. From there we went to Haight/Ashbury, Alcatraz, Lomboard Street and Fisherman's Warf. There was far more to do than we had time for. We rode a couple trollies (one that was used in a movie) and a cable car from 1950. I loved hanging off the side of the trolly but there isn't much room between your butt and the mirrors on the cars! The last place we stayed was pet friendly! It was windy and chilly everyday so we wore jeans, long sleeves and hoodies all the time.

[linda44]

dont forget pier 39, and the fort at the bottom of golden gate. Take a ride and tour Alcatraz.

[QuickSilver]

October is a great time to visit SF! It's usually very sunny and pretty that time of year.

You should DEFINITELY plan to spend at least a day in Napa or Sonoma. If you are coming for a while, plan to go on a weekday, because it's really crowded on the weekends. Also consider taking a tour or the little train that goes through Napa, since you'll be drinking wine all day!

There is also a 49 mile drive through the city that hits all the highlights. I am pretty sure you can rent a go-kart for this, I see them zipping around all the time.

You can also drive up highway 1, which runs along the coast. It is very beautiful.

There's also a lot of good hiking in the area, the museum of modern art, the Asian art museum... what kind of stuff do you like to do on vacation? Spa? Shop? Hike? Putter?

Trolley rides are a must too, just to say you did.

Oh, there's also the curviest road in the world - that might be part of the 49 mile drive. In any case, you can walk up/down it as well. It's been in some movies. There are also a lot of walking tours.

Even when it's warm in SF, it's a little chilly, so definitely bring a sweater. That's one thing that drives me crazy about this city, in the sun you want your sunglasses and no sweater, and the second you're in shade, you take the sunglasses off and put the sweater on. Then you go into the sun and put the sunglasses back on... you get the idea.

Are you bringing Jackson???? Depending on when you are here, there might be a yorkie meetup!

[Britster]

Cool, thanks for all the great ideas. Originally, me and my step-sister were going to go but she's out of money! So, my grandma (who's pretty cool! doesn't look like a "Grandma" lol...) chipped in saying "I've always wanted to go to SF!" So, just the two of us might make a trip together which I think would be pretty cool to get to do that with her.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

October is a great time to visit SF! It's usually very sunny and pretty that time of year.

You should DEFINITELY plan to spend at least a day in Napa or Sonoma. If you are coming for a while, plan to go on a weekday, because it's really crowded on the weekends. Also consider taking a tour or the little train that goes through Napa, since you'll be drinking wine all day!

There is also a 49 mile drive through the city that hits all the highlights. I am pretty sure you can rent a go-kart for this, I see them zipping around all the time.

You can also drive up highway 1, which runs along the coast. It is very beautiful.

There's also a lot of good hiking in the area, the museum of modern art, the Asian art museum... what kind of stuff do you like to do on vacation? Spa? Shop? Hike? Putter?

Trolley rides are a must too, just to say you did.

Oh, there's also the curviest road in the world - that might be part of the 49 mile drive. In any case, you can walk up/down it as well. It's been in some movies. There are also a lot of walking tours.

Even when it's warm in SF, it's a little chilly, so definitely bring a sweater. That's one thing that drives me crazy about this city, in the sun you want your sunglasses and no sweater, and the second you're in shade, you take the sunglasses off and put the sweater on. Then you go into the sun and put the sunglasses back on... you get the idea.

Are you bringing Jackson???? Depending on when you are here, there might be a yorkie meetup!

Awesome! I have a feeling I am going to fall in love with SF, or just Cali in general. I've heard so many awesome things about the weather.

And no, I most likely will not be bringing Jackson, sadly. As much as I'd love to... I just think it may be TOO much work with him especially in the airports, etc. Maybe in the future I can bring him just by myself and we can meet up, hehe

[dogbert]

Originally Posted by linda44

dont forget pier 39, and the fort at the bottom of golden gate. Take a ride and tour Alcatraz.

Is the fort where the tunnels are that were to have guns in them overlooking the water and the bridge? If so we saw that too, but were very distracted by the helicopter water rescue practice taking place. lol

We also went to Muir overlook which had leftover WWII gun sites facing the water also.

[QuickSilver]

Oh, and tacky as it is, you might want to go to Fisherman's Wharf, just to see the sea lions. They are very cool.

I used to work in one of the piers near there, and once when I was going into work, I saw a pod of dolphins passing by. It was amazing.

[Yorkiedaze]

Oct. IS the best month of all in SF but be sure not to go out anywhere without a sweater or lightweight jacket. Mornings and evenings are very chilly. If you like Asian foods, go to the House of Nanking. It's a little hole in the wall but extremely popular with folks all over the world. Don't even look at a menu. Just tell the waiter to "bring it on" and they start serving big plates of things for all to share. They will continually bring something different till they are told it's enough. Our son lives in SF and we never visit without eating there. Also go to the Japanese Tea Gardens. It's beautiful and they have outside seating as well.
We also always love driving around in the Presidio. (it's near the Golden Gate Bridge). Doesn't seem like your in a big city at all. Just a huge wooded area that use to be an old army base, where people still live if they work there.

China Town is a great experience too and we find most of the stores have something for everyone at great prices.

If you do go over to Alcatraz, make sure your in good shape and have comfortable shoes on. There are two steep inclines to climb to get up to the prison. There are a couple of porta potties outside that aren't all that clean, so maybe put some alcohol wipes in your pockets.

By the dog park there are the famous row of homes you may want to take pictures of as well. They are on most post cards.

On the city side of the Golden Gate are nice beaches where the locals bring their doggies. On the other side of the bridge, there is a place to park and a grassy hill right by the bridge you can get some awsome close up pictures.

You will love it there. We sure do.

[dogbert]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Oh, and tacky as it is, you might want to go to Fisherman's Wharf, just to see the sea lions. They are very cool.

I used to work in one of the piers near there, and once when I was going into work, I saw a pod of dolphins passing by. It was amazing.

I agree you gotta do Fishermans Warf. While we were waiting for our boat to go to Alcatraz I saw a sea lion going back and forth behind the boat while it was docked. Pretty cool.

[linda44]

Originally Posted by dogbert

Is the fort where the tunnels are that were to have guns in them overlooking the water and the bridge? If so we saw that too, but were very distracted by the helicopter water rescue practice taking place. lol

We also went to Muir overlook which had leftover WWII gun sites facing the water also.

yes, havent been there since I was a kid, dont remember the name.

[PANAMA69]

Aww you got good advice here, SF is wonderful we have so many friends, one of my closest friend lives there, I never get tired of Sanfran