San Francisco trip: We are planning a trip to San Francisco & Sonoma the end of March. Looking for suggestions on the great things to see while we're there. We are definitely going to...

jvangorp Loc: Stickney, SD

We are planning a trip to San Francisco & Sonoma the end of March. Looking for suggestions on the great things to see while we're there. We are definitely going to Alcatraz and hope to do the boat ride for the Golden Gate & Bay bridge. It is our first time there and we are staying close to Fishermans warf.
We hope to drive the coast and see some wine country also. Thanks everyone!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Walking over and back along the Golden Gate Bridge is a must. You might rent bikes and travel the entire way from the Warf to the bridge and back, riding over the bridge rather than walking. Coit Tower is another must that you can walk to from the warf. Something rather unique is to find a fortune cookie factory in China Town and see how they're made. There's more to do within the city than you could do in a month as a visitor. Ride a trolley of course.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

CHG_CANON wrote:

... Ride a trolley of course.

I'm sure Paul meant to say "cable car"

They not at all the same. If you are clinging to the outside while a cable car is being pulled up a very steep hill, and you start thinking about what would happen if the cable snapped or the grip let go...well, there is your quintessential San Francisco experience!

http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

.

jvangorp Loc: Stickney, SD

CHG_CANON wrote:

Walking over and back along the Golden Gate Bridge is a must. You might rent bikes and travel the entire way from the Warf to the bridge and back, riding over the bridge rather than walking. Coit Tower is another must that you can walk to from the warf. Something rather unique is to find a fortune cookie factory in China Town and see how they're made. There's more to do within the city than you could do in a month as a visitor. Ride a trolley of course.

Thanks for the awesome help!! Of course I hope to get some great pictures while we're there too!!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Linda From Maine wrote:

I'm sure Paul meant to say "cable car"

They not at all the same. If you are clinging to the outside while a cable car is being pulled up a very steep hill, and you start thinking about what would happen if the cable snapped or the grip let go...well, there is your quintessential San Francisco experience!

http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

.

Actually, I think they have trolleys too, but yes, cable car was my intended suggestion

. The cable car museum is another great stop for history and understanding of the city and its unique features.

jvangorp Loc: Stickney, SD

Linda From Maine wrote:

I'm sure Paul meant to say "cable car"

They not at all the same. If you are clinging to the outside while a cable car is being pulled up a very steep hill, and you start thinking about what would happen if the cable snapped or the grip let go...well, there is your quintessential San Francisco experience!

http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

.

Thanks Linda, We will no doubt get on a cable car..have to experience that for sure! Thanks again!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

CHG_CANON wrote:

Actually, I think they have trolleys too, but yes, cable car was my intended suggestion

. The cable car museum is another great stop for history and understanding of the city and its unique features.

I lived in the Bay Area for most of the 1970's and re-visited once in mid-1980's. I don't know if trolleys (edit: aka streetcars, as I was just reminded by Mr. Google) let you hang off the outsides

To the OP: I found the Alcatraz tour to be sobering and fascinating.

Like chocolate?
https://www.ghirardelli.com/StoreLocations-SanFrancisco-Original

.

jvangorp Loc: Stickney, SD

Linda From Maine wrote:

I lived in the Bay Area for most of the 1970's and re-visited once in mid-1980's. I don't know how many trolleys are still around, but I'm pretty sure they don't let you hang off the outsides

To the OP: I found the Alcatraz tour to be sobering and fascinating.

Like chocolate?
https://www.ghirardelli.com/StoreLocations-SanFrancisco-Original

.

yes...LOVE chocolate! just might have to hit the store up!!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

jvangorp wrote:

yes...LOVE chocolate! just might have to hit the store up!!

On their website is mentioned, "Learn about the chocolate making process and marvel at chocolate flowing through historic chocolate making equipment on display." That's what I remember from 40+ years ago

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Linda From Maine wrote:

I lived in the Bay Area for most of the 1970's and re-visited once in mid-1980's. I don't know if trolleys (edit: aka streetcars, as I was just reminded by Mr. Google) let you hang off the outsides

To the OP: I found the Alcatraz tour to be sobering and fascinating.

Like chocolate?
https://www.ghirardelli.com/StoreLocations-SanFrancisco-Original.

As a visitor, I found the manual turntable for the cable cars to be very interesting and worthy of my photographic efforts - and very curvy Lombard Street.

jvangorp Loc: Stickney, SD

rehess wrote:

As a visitor, I found the manual turntable for the cable cars to be very interesting and worthy of my photographic efforts - and very curvy Lombard Street.

thanks for the tip!!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Even if you do not plan on walking or bicycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, go to the small park and visitor center at the SF side of the bridge. From there you can walk out on the bridge as far as you like - and get some great photos of the city and Alcatraz. This really allows you to appreciate the awesomeness of the bridge. You can take a bus there. But also consider using Uber - there are Uber drivers everywhere, and some of them will also provide a little historical info as they drive you around.

If you have time to go South - Monterey Bay is awesome, and has a world-class aquarium.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

The Ghiradelli Ice Cream Parlor is a must lol.

Flash Falasca Loc: Beverly Hills, Florida

Watch where you step !!

philo Loc: philo, ca

SF has a major homeless problem; so be careful where you walk. I lived in SF in the 60 and loved it. Now not so much.