Does anyone out there know San Francisco? I get to spend a few days there in December while Dear attends a conference. He’ll be busy for a lot of the day so I’ll be on my own to view the city with my blogger eyes and camera. The last time Dear and I were in San Francisco was in 1974 one night of our honeymoon. So here are my questions…
1. What do I need to make sure I see? And what should I avoid?
2. Do you have any restaurant suggestions? How about one really nice place to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary on Saturday December 6th!
3. Do you know some great free attractions?
4. What museum is worth it?
5. Should I drive out of town to see something close by?
Any input will be appreciated.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Oh! That will be so much fun!
I have a couple of suggestions. 1. Ghiradelli Square. You can get there by cable car, which would be a fun blogger experience. 2. Golden Gate Park. The park has all kinds of things to see. I’m not sure what all the museums are. You could check online. I remember that the Natural History Museum was great. 3. You GOTTA go up to Coit Tower. 4. There used to be restaurant out on the Pacific Oean side near the Golden Gate Bridge called Cliff House. I always wanted to eat there, but never did. And now I don’t know if it’s still open. 5. Mission Dolores, one of the 14 CA Missions/churches.
Beth at Red Yarn was in SF two weeks ago. You can ask her what she and her hubby did.
Thanks Willow! See you on Tuesday…
I have a friend who has a great restaurant/food review blog for SF…I keep wanting to take a trip up there and use her suggestions, but haven’t gotten an opportunity…hope it gives you some ideas!
http://theperfectspotsf-newsletter.blogspot.com/
Oh, and here’s a random question for you…do you know how to get rid of the “Possibly Related Posts” thing at the bottom of posts?
Have a great weekend in WA!
Ellen:
I have e-mailed my friend in San Fran your blog and questions – I hope you responds. She and her husband live on Twin Peaks and I have been their to visit her 3 times.
Bernideen
Bernideen, Thank you so much!
Hi Ellen ~ I love reading your blog for all your beautiful photography and cooking! (I am Abbey’s sister-in-law’s sister Michelle).
Anyway I saw your post and had to respond, as I am originally from CA (we live in Colorado Springs, CO now) and the Bay Area.
If the weather is appropriate, the neatest place to go see is Angel Island (take the ferry and hike around a bit – it’s not strenuous but very beautiful and you could get a ton of neat pics). Tiburon is also a really neat place to visit if you like to shop.
As for museums, The Steinhart Aquarium and the CA Academy of Sciences has reopened or refurbished their facilities – they are featured in this month’s Sunset magazine if you want to take a look. Anyway, that is a fabulous place to go.
As for restaurants, we do not ever make a trip to SF without having dinner at Scoma’s (www.scomas.com). Hands down, the best seafood in the city in our opinion.
Enjoy your trip! We’re going to visit my folks next June, and I am already getting excited. Our kids have never seen the beach, so we’re really looking forward to introducing them to that!
Can’t wait to see all the pictures you post when you return! : )
Michelle
Hi Michelle! It’s so nice to hear from you. I’m happy to hear of your first hand experience and Angel Island really intrigues me. Thanks for all your input and for taking the time to comment.
Call or write to the Chamber of Commerce and ask for any and all free materials. You’d be surprised how much wonderful stuff will be mailed to your home.
Hi Sally, That’s a great suggestion. Thank you!!
Ellen, what a great idea to ask here for suggestions. I can’t help you much. The last time we drove through and stopped a night was when our boys were in high school .. don’t imagine you want to tour the prison . . I do remember really enjoying the pier.
Oh, the place we stayed? Probably you could do a bit better, we were travelling economy.
Hi Ellen, My brother has lived in San Francisco a long time. He used to live in the city and after he got married and had kids they moved to Mill Valley just outside of the city. I haven’t been there in quite a while but one of my favorite things to do is go to Muir Woods. For me in terms of sheer beauty that’s on my don’t miss if you have time. http://www.nps.gov/muwo/ is the site with information and directions. I also just enjoy walking around the city and I like the fun of fisherman’s wharf. I know that’s sort of touristy but I like it.
Also Haight Ashbury appeals to me although a bit touristy but there are still some good low key places to eat there and when I was there it was fun. However, if there were one thing I’d not want to miss it’s Muir Woods but I’m pretty seriously into the natural world and it’s different from where I’m from. For you living in Seattle and California, I’m not sure if it would be as remarkable to you but I found it amazing. Carver
Hi Carver, Thanks for the info and the link. I really appreciate it. :0)
While my favorite place is Fisherman’s wharf for clam chowder in San Francisco sourdough bowls and wandering listening to the seals, the boys loved (and I was fascinated) with Alcatraz. Lombard Street (curviest street in the world) is worth a picture, best taken from the bottom looking up. I wasn’t a huge fan of Chinatown but Gheridelli’s is always fun…how can you go wrong with chocolate. My aunt also told me they have great walking tours of the old Victorian and historic homes…
Have fun.
Kelly, I am going to look into those walking tours for sure :0)
Oh what a wonderful photo of the two of you….love it.
Gosh it’s been eons since I was in San Francisco. My favorite it Lombard Street…and of course the Golden Gate Park…oh ya, and the Fisherman’s wharf…you gotta try the sourdough clam chowder there…the ambiance and the wonderful ‘soup you can eat the bowl’ is so worth the experience if you haven’t tried it.
And, December is so close too…boy time is flying by this year.
ooops someone above me said almost the same thing. LOL
Anni! Thanks so much, I really appreciate your suggestions :0)
Congratulations on your 34th…if I forget on the 6th. I’ve never been to San Francisco. Sad, but true.
Mandy is there this weekend – yes, it’s me and Hope by ourselves here 🙂
so she should have plenty of suggestions when she gets home Sunday!
A walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and a walk through theMuir Woods is a must! There is a hilly area to walk through on the north end of the bridge that bestows beautiful views of SF and SF bay, especially in the late afternoon! A visit to SF is not compete without a visit to Sausalito, a town just on the other side of the bay! October issue of Auto Club’s Westways magazine, page 14 had this info: Visit onlyinsanfrancisco.com/taste for the latest on San Francisco’s food and dining scene. The site includes articles, restaurant listings, and a blog.
Nancy! Thank you so much for your suggestions. I appreciate that you took the time to comment…