To MonkeyMama and to anyone else in northern CA... I have to go to San Francisco in July for work. Husband and I thought it would be a good time to piggy back a family trip with my work trip (would save us my cost of an airline ticket). What should we plan for? Any places we must go visit? The only touristy things I know about are The Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Anything else in the area we should look at? Thanks!
San Francisco in July... MonkeyMama?
May 12th, 2015 at 07:38 pm
May 12th, 2015 at 08:48 pm 1431460119
I am kind of drawing a blank, but I think it's because I don't know where to start...
I personally love the Sutro Bath ruins area and there is a restaurant in that area called Park Chalet. (It's the lower level and outdoor seating - there is a fancier restaurant on the upper level called Beach Chalet). http://parkchalet.com/ http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/cliff-house-sutro-bath... There is some light hiking by the baths. {I used to have a friend who lived in the area and so am familiar with it, and my bff often meets me at Park Chalet. IT's easier to navigate than much of the city and is just a beautiful beach location}.
Of course, Pier 39/Giradelli is the obvious.
Also, google "weekend sherpa san francisco" for some other ideas.
Hopefully others will chime in. If you are going to explore more outside the city I do have some ideas. Or with kids' ages I may have some other ideas.
May 12th, 2015 at 09:03 pm 1431460990
http://sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golden-gate-park-gui...
Ocean Beach is near the west side of the park.
May 12th, 2015 at 10:43 pm 1431466994
May 12th, 2015 at 11:52 pm 1431471126
May 13th, 2015 at 12:20 am 1431472849
I like this museum, but it's quirky: http://museemecaniquesf.com/
I recommend seeing the sunset from Mt. Diablo. If you can drive up on a foggy morning (or if you are early birds), you can drive up above the fog - the views are amazing. (It's about 1.5 hours by car so may be a bit far). OF course, they have really cool rock formations there, to climb on. You can do a mild hike or do a strenuous all day hike, or just drive. Mt Tamalpais might give you save views in SF - I've just not been there. (Mt. Diablo has the most amazing view I have ever seen).
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is also amazing, in Napa county. I am not sure how far it is - I was looking it up but I guess it's commute traffic right now. About 90 miles. You can do a small hike to incredible vistas or do a longer hike here.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Carmel, Point Lobos are all close together - about 100 miles south. I'd drive at least one way along the coast if you go.
I have heard Point Reyes is amazing, but I have not been. Much closer to SF if you don't want to drive so far. Of course, you can't go wrong just driving up or down the coast and seeing where you end up.
May 13th, 2015 at 12:34 am 1431473660
May 13th, 2015 at 12:43 am 1431474217
May 13th, 2015 at 01:17 am 1431476237
Muir Beach is located near Muir Woods and has tide pools when the tide is out, More tide pools at Linda Mar beach in Pacifica.
If you're willing to drive a little, there is Point Reyes National Seashore that has a lot of outdoor activities.
Sausalito is a nice town to stroll on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Marin Headlands are across the Golden Gate Bridge with hiking, a lighthouses, hiking trails, beaches and even an old missile silo.
China town in SF if you enjoy ethnic food.
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square has glass elevators that are fun to ride and free.
Fort Baker is across the Golden Gate just below it.
There is a ferry to Angel Island in the middle of the bay with hiking trails and a nice place to picnic.
May 13th, 2015 at 03:02 am 1431482563