Things to see/do in San Francisco?

[camille1585]

One of my Dutch friends is going to a conference in San Francisco in a few weeks and then is staying another 10 days for sightseeing with her boyfriend. Since I'm american she asked me about things that they could see or do over there, but I've never set foot on the west coast! So I'm asking here.

Is there anything in particular that they should see or do? Good places to eat? Things to avoid? I don't know if they plan on renting a car there or not.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've never been to San Francisco. I've been to Berkeley, CA. It's nearby SF. You can literally see San Francisco a few miles away on the freeways. Berkeley as you know is a college town.

A few things I've got to contribute is that it's very hilly there in Berkeley as well as San Francisco (according to my parents). Driving can be difficult if people aren't used to driving uphill and downhill in roads that are sometimes narrow and steep. I also don't recommend renting and driving a car that has a manual transmission, I drove a manual transmission car while I was at Berkeley and that was no fun. Then there's also the B.A.R.T. system of transportation to many of the nearby cities in the Bay Area - (http://www.bart.gov/). Then there's the cable car system, they apparently give tours too.

Of course there's always the obvious and cliche Golden Gate Bridge.

[fotofashion]

China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, ride the trolley, beautiful gardens (I don't remember the names), enjoy the hills and beautiful buildings.
I was there in 1969 so I'm sure there are new things to enjoy, too.
Google San Francisco. I'm sure there is lots of info there as to attractions.
Beverly A.

[WhiteRabbit]

Myself. I wouldn't call the Golden Gate Bridge cliche - Lombard St., Coit Tower, Alcatraz, AT&T Park (if interested in that sort of thing)
I agree about driving tho - I hate to drive in SF. Tho a rental car would be good if they wish to drive around outside SF a bit.
There's also the whole bay area within an hours drive. Can take the ferry to Sausilito. Take a tour of wineries in Sonoma / Napa
Pacific Orchid Expo is being held at the end of Feb if your friend will be here then and is interested.

Explore the coast ...

Restaurants for any type of food imaginable.

Shouldn't be hard to find things to do

[camille1585]

Thanks!
They're a bit overwhelmed by the amount of attractions in San Francisco that they find on internet. Getting suggestions from people who know the city seems like a good starting point!

As for the orchid expo, she already considers me a bit nutty because of my orchids, so I doubt orchid related things are high on the list of things to do! I wish I was going too....

[WhiteRabbit]

SF Botanical Gardens San Francisco Botanical Garden

Mission Dolores California Mission History: San Francisco de Ass
(um, thats Asisi )

of course, ride the cable cars - I guess that goes without saying
buy San Francisco sourdough lol

Take a bay cruise (make sure to have a warm jacket) http://www.redandwhite.com/
http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/
(water can be rough, good idea to bring dramine if one gets sea sick)

SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)http://www.sfmoma.org/

[Bayard]

Golden Gate Park!

[fotofashion]

If they feel really adventurous, drive the Big Sur highway between SF and LA. I don't know how far Hurst Castle is from SF but that is another attraction.
I doubt they will be bored or without something to do. They'll need to rest sometimes, too.
Beverly A.

[nenella]

My sister lived there for 3 yrs (came back to europe last summer) so I have just asked her & will let you know what she says.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by fotofashion

If they feel really adventurous, drive the Big Sur highway between SF and LA. I don't know how far Hurst Castle is from SF but that is another attraction.
I doubt they will be bored or without something to do. They'll need to rest sometimes, too.
Beverly A.

Hearst Castle is quite far from San Francisco. About 250 miles.


If interested in something like Hearst Castle, there is the Winchester House in San Jose - about an hour south of SF. The world famous Winchester Mystery House? in San Jose, California, is an extravagant maze of Victorian craftsmanship ? marvelous, baffling, eerily eccentric, and undeniably, haunted..

There are also a few of the 'Spanish Missions' in the bay area, tho I am not sure about tours http://www.missionscalifornia.com/missions_map.html
I previously linked to the Mission Dolores

There's plenty of coastline in the bay area. If they feel like venturing further, there is the Monterey bay, a bit over 100 miles from SF.
Montery Bay Aquarium Monterey Bay Aquarium, California

Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive Pebble Beach Resorts - 17 Mile Drive

oh! almost forgot pier 39 in SF http://www.pier39.com/Attractions/