Going to San Francisco
 

I know I've asked this before, but that was a long time ago. We're going to San Francisco in June, and we plan on visiting Alcatraz, and Aquarium of the Bay. We also plan to go to Santa Barbara and maybe Hollywood. Any suggestions on what else to see?

There is SOOOOO much in SFCA I love. Be sure and take the ferry to Sausalito. It goes right past Alcatrez and it is one of the prettiest rides you will ever take. Also, Sausalito is just BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!! It has so many charming little restaurants sitting on the water's edge and it is where Rumors was recorded!!!!!!!! If Livia reads this, she actually went there and may be able to provide more information.

Also, be sure and check rates against each other for hotels and ask about special rates for AAA or any other club you might be in. It sometimes is worth joining AAA just to get the rate, which often can save hundreds of dollars in one stay.

I LOVE "The Triton" hotel, but that might be a little funky for you all :laugh: Essentially, almost all hotels around Union Square are nice and centrally located. Union Square can be touristy and crowded, but hey, you are a tourist :laugh: I also stayed at the Hilton on Fisherman's Warf when it was brand new and it was lovely. Other hotels exist in other areas, but if you are taking you little girl with you, it probably is best not to too adventurous and instead stick with the well known areas.

Also, if you have the stamina, walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge - there is nothing like it!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can walk across it??? I'm so there! I can't wait to just see it. Thanks, Jason! I'm sure we will have a blast! I'm doing some "homework" right now!

"If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..." :laugh: Sorry, couldn't resist. :o

I've never been, but I would love to visit there. Have fun! :wavey:

I'm so jealous! I LOVE San Fran!!! I kept my bookmarks - they make me smile. Meeeeemories.....

Alcatraz - make sure to get your tickets online in advance - the tours sell out quickly and are usually not available by just walking up to the ticket booth. And spend the extra few bucks for the audio tour. It's well worth it.

http://www.alcatraz.us/

I didn't go to the aquarium, but did lots of shopping on the Wharf. :thumbsup:

Haight-Ashbury is worth a visit - you can buy some flowers for your hair. :)

I stayed at the Triton (Strand's suggestion) and loved it. But it's not the best hotel for the little ones. No pool or anything like that, but it's in a good location, right at the entrance to Chinatown and a short walk to Union Square.

http://www.hoteltriton.com/

I agree about Sausalito! You can spend 1/2 day there and see most everything. The Record Plant is now called The Plant.

http://www.plantstudios.com/

Santa Barbara is charming. I haven't been there in years, so I don't know what to recommend anymore. I think State Street is where all the action is?

If you go to Hollywood, Universal Studios is worth visiting. And a visit to Graumann's Chinese Theater, during the day. Hollywood Blvd. is still kinda seedy and scary...

Have fun planning!!

LMAO! That has been running through my mind too!

Oh, thank you for all the info! I just booked our flights, and was soooo happy with the prices at Southwest. They were by far the lowest nonstop fares out there. I have definately considered Universal Studios. Is it kid friendly? And I have been told to be cautious of Hollywood, so that's still in the maybe stages of the trip. What did you think of Chinatown?

What was it?

I went to the site, and it looks very cool. Something to do in the evening hours...

LOVE THAT PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also - North Beach Pizza is good - or at least it was a few years ago when I was there - and kids ALWAYS love pizza :laugh:

There is a cool mall in Union Square and, of course, Fisherman's Warf, the Levi's Jeans Museam, and the Ghiradeli (sp.?) chocolate flagship could be cool as well.

Also, unless things have changed since I was there in 2001, the Super Shuttle is the way to go for airport transportation.

Also, the drive from SF down the coast is GORGEOUS and it has quaint and beautiful towns like Carmel. Also, there is the train that takes you to the wine country from SFCA. Wine is, of course, not for little kids :laugh: :eek: - but the train ride is very interesting and BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

everyone has pretty much covered all my fav places in san fran.... but if you want recommendations for Santa Barbara I can give you some as i used to live there...

as Livia said State Street is really cool... Paseo Nuevo (a cool yet somewhat uppity outdoor mall) is located on state street... they have one of the first nordstrom's built in socal i believe (being originally from seattle, it was a big deal to my family when it opened) there are also lots of fun shops on the lower side of state street towards the beach... silver jewelry, vintage clothing shops, head shops, record shops, juice bars... that kind of thing.

you should also go to the pier in SB... there's a really awesome restaurant called Longboards on the pier... inside is ok, but you will REALLY want to eat out on the deck upstairs. they play a lot of beach boys music too.

also... as a stevie/fm fan... you HAVE to visit American Pie records on Milpas. Milpas is an exit off the 101 on the southern side of SB (just a little down from state street) and it's not the best area (well, as far as Santa Barbara goes ;) ) but if you go all the way up Milpas almost to the Santa Barbara Bowl there is this record shop on the right hand side run by this CRAZY old vietnam vet who calls himself Dr. D and likes to talk about his awful exwives. The store is not organized very well but you can say "hey i'm looking for Fleetwood Mac's Fireflies extended mix 12 inch single" or something totally random and rare and he'll go "ok lets look over here" and in less than three minutes he'll pull it out of a box on the bottom of a pile of crap. he always has at least a half a dozen Buckingham Nicks albums... a couple of GYOW/Silver Springs 45s etc... He's a big Harry Chapin fan also... so be careful about getting him talking about it lol i made the mistake of telling him that Harry is my extended family and he had me standing there for 30 mins while he talked about a card he got from Sandy, Harry's widow.

hope you have fun!!! if you have any Q's let me know!

I would love to visit San Fransisco one day! Make sure you take plenty of pictures and post them here!!

Pip

San Francisco
 

I always enjoyed the area where the Cable Cars turn around, and the Municipal pier...Pier 39 is kinda like an indoor carnival, pretty trippy....

Some things to see that werent mentioned:
LOMBARD STREET! China Town, Japan Town.(I think the Cherry Blossom Festival is coming up?) Things are really pricey in SF, so you have to search for bargains...Used to be there were little head shops (sold paraphenalia, and trinkets and souvenirs (<--how DO you spell that?) but no more I think...
BTW: I think driving in SF is a nightmare! Have fun!

We're driving from Phoenix to SF... so that will be a good 12 hr. drive...

I promise I will. ;)

Can you swim at the beach, or is it too cold?

I definately plan to see this. Is Pier 39 pretty close to Pier 45? Can I visit all this in one day?

You all are so helpful! I'm so excited about going, and I have close to four months to plan all of this! Thanks, and keep the recommendations coming!!!

Hey I remember the last time this thread was posted:)
So doing SF. Well I would say first off make sure you bring some warm clothes, jeans and sweatshirts, it's never really above 75 in the city. Dress esp warm for the Alcatraz Day, the Bay is COLD.
Okay, Pier 39 a MUST do with a kid, they have a great two tier Merry Go Round. And they have a Bubba Gumps, great place with a kid. Also go to Ghirridellieh (sp.) square for the Chocolatbeste Factory, Best Hot Coco on the west. Also visit Meteron, great amusment place, walkable to Union Sq. and has a parking lot. As for a hotel the Hyatt or the Hilton (aka jukebox) should be fine both a located well and are safe. For a treat if you can visit the Equinox for a drink/sundae type thing its a revolving resurant in the Embarcadero. Oh notes: probably skip Haight with a kid it's not that great a place and don't go South of Market.
Alright LA:
Do Disneyland if you've never been, and CA Disney, skip Universal if you have to choose b/t the two. At Disneyland plan to eat on off hours like 8pm for dinner and do rides during dinnertime, so lines are less. For beaches Venice is a blast, but a bit dirty, Rodondo or Newport are much cleaner. The Getty is a free Art musame and is awsome. Downtown Hollywood can be a bit scummy in some areas, but Rodeo Dr is nice. Santa Monica Pier is neat.
As for another stop look into Carmel Monterrey for a night or two great town and awsome aquarium.
Feel free to pm me if you want...