so i'm leaving for san francisco tomorrow

[mark414]

i have a couple buddies who've been out there for a couple years now and i'm going out to visit them...any bay area DUers or bay area-loving DUers with any tips on what i should check out? food, sights, whatever, just nothing too touristy....

i'll be there for 2 weeks! i've never seen the ocean!

[Droopy]

1. The only thing I know about San Francisco

is that they've got great hospitals. It's a long story. But if you find that you need medical attention when you are out that way you will be well taken care of.

[babylonsister]

2. Fisherman's Wharf is touristy but great fun.

Wonderful photo ops last time I was there; seals all over the place. Also enjoyed a boat ride around Alcatraz. Have fun!

Edit: you've never seen the ocean??? Wow, THAT will be your main experience!

[barb162]

7. you are so right. It is an all-around beautiful city and I would

recommend just driving up and down the hills for a while for different views and get a feel for the city

[mitchtv]

14. the tour of Alcatraz is worth it

I am not a big fan of organized tours , but this is different.

[LeftCoast]

3. I live in SF - what sort of things do you like to do?

The weather may be cold and rainy. We seem to be stuck in that pattern for the moment. Bring your umbrella. :)

[tyedyeto]

4. Check out the 'wave organ' out by the yacht club

best when the tides are coming in or going out. Definitely not a tourist trap as very few folks go there.

[Guy Fawkes]

5. If your going to San Francisco....

If you’re going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you’re going to San Francisco

You’re gonna meet some gentle people there

For those who come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

In the streets of San Francisco

Gentle people with flowers in their hair

All across the nation,

such a strange vibration

People in motion

There’s a whole generation,

with a new explanation

People in motion, people in motion

For those who come to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

If you come to San Francisco

Summertime will be a love-in there

[barb162]

6. check out their museums,, go across the bridge to MUIR WOODS

check out Chinatown, etc. DO not miss Muir Woods and see those trees. It is a wonderful park. Also Golden Gate park is extremely nice. Check out Berkeley too.

[LeftCoast]

8. I'll 2nd Muir Woods

An easy drive from SF, north across the GGB and absolutely stunning. Also north is Napa County, which is known here as Wine Country. Bring along a designated driver and sip your way through the wineries. :)

[mitchtv]

16. Closer than Napa is Beautiful Sonoma Valley

less people beautiful historic small town- Great wines.

[bettyellen]

9. yes muir woods !!! and carmel and a drive down US1 to that park - i am

braindead now, but the famous park duhhhhhh. with the seqoias also. it's pretty amazing. whatever it's called. the zoo is great and it's near a beach where people surf.
have a great time!!

[barb162]

10. well there's Sequoia National Park and then there's Muir Woods.

Muir is a hell of a lot closer for the trees. I love both places

[mitchtv]

17. different redwoods,too

Coast redwoods Sequoia sempervirens in Muir
Big trees sequoia gigantica in Sequoia

[bettyellen]

29. no, the big park about 90- 100 miles south... the famous one on the

coast where you can camp. it's making me nuts. not enough sleep last night.

[bettyellen]

33. BIG SUR.. duh! a hike down the coast but sooo worth it.

also Alices Resturant somewhere in the hills towards santa cruz.....

[barb162]

34. thanks for that, I knew there was some diff but couldn't

remember what it was. But they are all SO incredibly huge. And both places are so beautiful.

[barb162]

11. Yeah, Carmel and Monterey and that beautiful coast. SIGH, so

gorgeous

[LeftCoast]

13. A must see in Golden Gate Park is the newly refurbished

Conservatory of Flowers. Here's a link:

http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/ggpark.shtml

[MissBrooks]

18. I agree about the Conservatory of Flowers

An amazing structure.

You could spend days in GGPark alone. There is so much to see.

[LeftCoast]

23. Also the De Young museum, though I'm not sure it's open

So much to do in the park...rollerblading on sundays (or whenever really), the Japanese Tea Garden, the Bison...

[barb162]

12. Yeah if you have spare time (HAHA) go to Yosemite, Kings Canyon

National Park, etc.

[LeftCoast]

15. It'll be pretty difficult to get there right now

WAY snowy, but maybe in a week or so...

[tyedyeto]

20. The road crews at Yosemite do a terrible of clearing the roads...

I lived 25 miles from the north entrance for over 25 years and went in to the park all the time, esp in winter when there are fewer crowds. Tire chains are a must and even if you have 4wd you have to show them that they are in the vehicle when you enter the park.

I love the place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeftCoast]

24. Was just up there, a week b4 Xmas

Not many people, a little snow on the ground. Heaven. :)

[tyedyeto]

26. Wish I could be there for a few days....

last time was a couple of years ago. Was in CA this summer in the foothills near Sonora but never made it up to the park.

You're right...winter in Yosemite is Heaven!!

[barb162]

35. I remember this one time being at Yosemite in the spring and

the waterfalls and the river were just gushing tons of water. The river was like white water rapids. It was wonderful. But other times of the year I've been there it still is always gorgeous. One of these days I swear I will be at the Ahwahnee for Xmas. We just had our company from San Fran for a few days and they did that for Xmas a few years ago and have very good memories of it.

[mitchtv]

19. anyone know if the Red Crane is still there?

out on Clement and Funston. Seafood and vegetarian Chinese. Sweet and sour walnuts, yum, choice of white or brown rice. I left the bay area a few years ago. I miss it terribly.

[mitchtv]

21. don't forget Fort Point

an ole brick fort at the SF end of the GG bridge. you can get real close to the brave waters of the golden gate. In fact, Kim Novak almost fell in in "Vertigo". Coit tower affords excellent views of the Bay bridge and harbor.

[mitchtv]

22. Twin Peaks, no visit is complete without a drive to the top

a complete 360 degree view of the Bay area from San jose to oakland to Marin. Do that first.

[EFerrari]

25. Email me if you & your friends want to see good comedy n/t

[Malikshah]

27. Be sure to wear a flower in your hair.

:)

[bigwillq]

28. Have a good time!

Be safe but merry!

Take some pics and post them when you get back!:hi:

[radwriter0555]

30. MONTEREY Bay Aquarium has a GREAT WHITE SHARK!

He's just a baby, and was caught in a fisherman's net. He's been in captivity for 3 months now, and is apparently in the REALLY BIG TANK.

WELL worth the day trip down for a look see, by all means, and the MBA is truly one of the best aquariums on the planet.

[trof]

31. The Stinking Rose Restaurant.

http://www.thestinkingrose.com/
If you like garlic.
Near China Town.

[pink-o]

32. Hey, that shark in Monterey is a female!

....and she has outlived all other captive great whites--probably becuz they were boys. The extra appendage really helps us girls stay strong (I'm talking about the X as opposed to the puny Y chromosome, of course!O8) )

Anyway, whatever its gender, Monterey Bay aquarium is awesome. And if you get down that way, you gotta take the drive to Big Sur. That drive has been compared to the Gold Corniche in France and the Almafi Coast in Italy--and it lives up to it! Especially if you've never seen the ocean.

I live in the City, and I love to cycle, so I recommend you rent a bike and go across the Golden Gate bridge. The left-hand lane is open to bicyles only on weekends and during commute hours--and the view is breathtaking! You can stop at one of the pillars for that kodak moment. Although, it's gonna rain for at least another week, so you may want to wait until it clears up. If that's not for you at all, then you might wanna drive up towards the Marin Headlands, and grab a pic of the bridge from the pullout up on the hill.

Ah, the Red Crane...who mentioned that? I haven't been there in years, but what a great--and cheap--little place! Lotus Garden in the heart of Chinatown had the same sort of vegan cusine, but it has been long closed.

And speaking of Chinatown, Mark414 you might be here for Chinese New Year, which is in another month! If you are, come down to see the Dragon parade--but bring your earplugs!!!

Cheers--hope you have a great time!