San Francisco/Oakland
- Thread starter wcc31
- Start date
The ocean
Full House house
Crooked street
Some bridge that gets a lot of attention
Too Short
Not the A's
The Giants - Baseball, not people
Full House house
Crooked street
Some bridge that gets a lot of attention
Too Short
Not the A's
The Giants - Baseball, not people
What exactly is San Pablo and what makes it worth a trip? I know we are hitting Sonoma, Muir Woods and probably Sausalito (sp?).
Just being foolish. You want no part of it. Its rough
Depending on your timeline, and how things shake out, you may be in town for a Warriors western conference finals/finals game. That will cost a **** load of money but likely be a once in a lifetime experience.
Alcatraz, seriously. Fascinating place, but book the ferry ride over in advance because they can sell out in the summer. One of the former inmates, (who wrote a book about his time there), is from Kentucky and is a Cats fan. He does book signings there on occasion.
According to news reports, the homeless have flocked to San Francisco and crime is up big time thanks to new laws imposed on being more accommodated to the homeless.
Obviously, I've heard a lot about the tour but it really doesn't appeal much to me.
Chad, I think you'd dig Sausalito - just a small town across the bay from SF with good restaurants (I'm no foodie), pretty marinas. Great views, lots of charm. At least research it to check it out.
One tip I got re Golden Gate Bridge that turned out to be a good one: when you drive across it, north away from SF, avoid the first, well-marked vista point. That's where the tourists all go, it's crowded and the views are not that good. Instead follow the signs up to the Marin Headlands - way up to the top of the mountain. The views up there are incredible. Probably my favorite view in the US. You can do that on the way to Sausalito, it's only a mile or two from there.
Napa / Sonoma are great if you have time.
AT&T Park (or whatever it is this week) is IMO the best of the new parks. Check it out if the GINTs are in town. Used to be you could buy an SRO ticket for $10. First time I went out there, I was hell-bent to see it but didn't have much time. Spent 3 innings there with my $10 ticket. Well worth it.
One tip I got re Golden Gate Bridge that turned out to be a good one: when you drive across it, north away from SF, avoid the first, well-marked vista point. That's where the tourists all go, it's crowded and the views are not that good. Instead follow the signs up to the Marin Headlands - way up to the top of the mountain. The views up there are incredible. Probably my favorite view in the US. You can do that on the way to Sausalito, it's only a mile or two from there.
Napa / Sonoma are great if you have time.
AT&T Park (or whatever it is this week) is IMO the best of the new parks. Check it out if the GINTs are in town. Used to be you could buy an SRO ticket for $10. First time I went out there, I was hell-bent to see it but didn't have much time. Spent 3 innings there with my $10 ticket. Well worth it.
Ex-boyfriend?
Nope.
First, the homeless have always flocked to SF, and CA in general, for obvious reasons.
Second, SF has passed laws over the last 5-7 years that further criminalize aspects of homelessness.
Third, the only crime statistic seeing a slight increase is property crime, specifically vehicular burglaries. This is due to SFPD being ill prepared for the latest economic boom experienced in the area.
Regarding things to do in SF/Oakland, outside of the previously mentioned attractions I'd recommend hitting up The Mission/Dolores Park, a cab up to Twin Peaks to get a great view of the DT/Mission and Bay, visiting Golden Gate Park, a walk through the Marina and Chrissy Field, and Land's End.
I can give specific recommendations depending on your interests (i.e. cuisine, beer/whiskey/wine bars, museums, etc).
IMO The best part of SF is its proximity to so many destinations/activities. The Headlands and Muir Woods are 15 minutes away, Sausalito and Mill Valley are fun towns to visit in Marin, wine country an hour north, numerous red woods groves an hour away, Santa Cruz mountains an hour south, Monterey bay two hours south, Big Sur 3 hours south, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite 4 hours east, Humbolt County and the Sequoia groves 4 hours north, etc, etc, etc.
Going to the Yard at Alcatraz is one of the most interesting and depressing things to do anywhere. Beautiful sunshine, 50-60 degrees, with 50 mph winds making it feel like 40 degrees...with the Golden Gate and city in the distance. And the prisoners were stuck there. Now that's torture.
FYI, the wineries of Napa are better than those of Sonoma. They are parallel valleys but Napa is easier to navigate and the wines are more highly rated. The Napa wineries also have better tours/ tasting rooms IMO. Visit Wine Spectator's website for some good ideas. Last month's issue featured touring of Sonoma if you are still set on that.
Honestly, I couldn't care less about the wineries, but it's a must for my girl so whatever. Her brother is taking us and claimed Sonoma will be less crowded and touristy. Works for me.
What are some cool walking areas in downtown SF and/or Oakland? We'll be on our own Monday afternoon so we figured we'd just explore the city, so any particular neighborhood that's easy to get that has some cool shops, bars, etc. would be great.
Agree with this. Napa is overpriced, and generally a place to see and be seen. Sonoma is much more relaxed and accessible. For an even more rustic experience, travel farther west to Anderson Valley.
So San Francisco keeps making it illegal to be homeless? So then the homeless get tossed in prison, now they have a criminal record, which makes it very difficult to get a job with a living wage, end up back on the streets or having to resort to illegal means to survive, then they get tossed back in jail eventually. Sounds like a great strategy
Big thumbs up for Muir Woods, really amazing walk in the woods, only the trees are about 300 feet or more high and have been there a long, long time.
Also, take the drive over to Muir Beach Overlook (you can Google it), unbelievable views of the Pacific and the SF Peninsula.
Also, take the drive over to Muir Beach Overlook (you can Google it), unbelievable views of the Pacific and the SF Peninsula.
I think you can't go wrong with a walk on Columbus through North Beach, take a left on Chestnut or Union for a tour of the Marina, then a left on Polk to hit up Russian Hill. That strip on Columbus through North Beach is kitschy but still fun, plus has plenty of watering holes. It's a great glimpse of Old SF. Russian Hill offers some great views of the city and has a ton of shops and solid bars. Columbus Ave begins right at the TransAmerica building downtown.
I'd also recommend the Mission Dolores area, accessible by BART, for a day of strolling around dropping cash on drinks and junk, especially if the fog is rolling in the North side of the city. The Mission is protected from the morning and afternoon fog by Twin Peaks and is ~ 75 degrees/sunny 300 days out of the year. Valencia street is the heart of the neighborhood, and Dolores Street is the most scenic part of that area. If you get off at 16th street Mission stop on BART and head south you go through the entire spectrum of socioeconomic strata, starting with crack dens, dive bars, and transient hotels on Mission to Mark Zuckerberg's hood on Liberty Hill adjoining Dolores Park. It's 100% safe in the Mission area, just.....colorful.
I'll have more later, have a few meetings then the day will calm down.....
Never been, but if I went:
Bridge, Chinatown, Warf, Baseball, and probably just take a drive to Silicon Valley. Maybe cool...may suck.
Bridge, Chinatown, Warf, Baseball, and probably just take a drive to Silicon Valley. Maybe cool...may suck.
I remember Pacific Heights neighborhood as being awesome, think all the homes were multi, multi million dollar range and that was 15 years ago. Also, Haight Asbury was cool, has gotten yuppified but still some weird weird people hanging out there. I remember one old dude in pink boots, purple hot pants and a dyed blonde mohawk, and this guy was about 60. I knew I was definitely not in Kansas at that moment
No, it's not illegal to be homeless, just certain activities (i.e. setting up tents) result in citations (that are never paid). Basically the SFPD is breaking up makeshift shanties.
It takes a lot to get thrown in jail in SF. A LOT.
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My pleasure. It's a great time to visit before the mid summer fog kicks in.
Regarding Oakland, I'm a big fan of the area but there's not much to see. Downtown Oakland is kind of like Biff's Hill Valley in Back to the Future 2. Mostly a crusty dystopia, and they have "chain" stores of franchises that don't exist outside of Oakland. The area around the Fox theater is fun with an emerging tech/start up scene. Oakland has the most entrepreneurial spirit of the Bay Area these days. You'll find breweries and pop up restaurants spilling out of abandoned warehouses. If you're in the East Bay I'd recommend just hitting up Telegraph and College Ave in Berkeley.
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GG bridge/presidio
Sutro Baths
Lombard Street
GG Park
Presidio
Muir Woods, Marin headlands, and Sausalito in same day
If u can drive, Napa to the north and Monterey (17 mile drive including pebble beach) to the south.
So much to do. But so expensive.
Would avoid China town and wharf. Touristry and I wasn't impressed.
Sutro Baths
Lombard Street
GG Park
Presidio
Muir Woods, Marin headlands, and Sausalito in same day
If u can drive, Napa to the north and Monterey (17 mile drive including pebble beach) to the south.
So much to do. But so expensive.
Would avoid China town and wharf. Touristry and I wasn't impressed.
There's an "old faithful" geyser out in Napa area that's kinda neat. AT&T Park is awesome. Haight-Asbury picture.
Take a warm jacket.
Take a warm jacket.