Everything on San Francisco!

[suezanne]

Hi guys! Will be visiting San Francisco for the very first time. Just wondering if most attractions are accessible via public transport?

Any good hotels and food to intro? Please leave down your notes.

Many thanks!

 

[durachip]

My trip to SF was way back in 1985. I wonder how much has changed. SF is a very compact city and places are easily reached by public transport. But if you want to visit the vineyards and the Redwood forest, booking a day tour is more convenient IMO.

I would think seafoods at the harbourfront area are worth trying. The huge Chinatown area is also worth visiting just to taste what Chinese food is like over there.

 

[LWZ]

When will you be going there ?

The city is laid out in square grids, so it is easy to navigate. It is pedestrian friendly, and the public transport is quite good too. Was there two years ago, and got to the city from the airport via train. Got around mostly on foot.

Most of the popular attractions are within walking distance of the city center. Do avoid the Tenderloin and the Downtown (CBD) areas at night though.

 

[suezanne]

Thanks for the advice guys! I will be travelling in late April next year. Which are the mode of public transportation? I'm thinking if I should use the city bus tour or just go with their public transport.

 

[Shiny Things]

Thanks for the advice guys! I will be travelling in late April next year. Which are the mode of public transportation? I'm thinking if I should use the city bus tour or just go with their public transport.

Let's leave aside the open-top buses for now; those don't count as public transport, those count as tourist transport. Skip the cable-cars as well - they're like six bucks and they don't really go anywhere, they're a novelty at best.

Your main modes of transport are BART trains; Muni trams; Muni buses; the Muni streetcar; and Uber/Lyft.

BART trains go all over the bay area, and they're the main commuter mode of transit, so you'll want to avoid them during rush hour. BART's a great way to visit Berkeley (which you should do, Berkeley's great), or get from downtown to SFO or Oakland airport—it'll be about $8 per person, so if there's one or two of you it's way cheaper than an Uber— but it's not tremendously practical for getting around in the city because it only really runs along Market and Mission Streets. It's great for getting to El Farolito taqueria for a for-real Mission burrito, though; take BART to the 24th and Mission station, then pop up onto the street; El Farolito is on the east side of Mission, just north of the plaza. The burritos are brilliant.

Muni trams—the "Metro"—run underground along Market Street, out to the ballpark, and out into the suburbs. They're brilliant for getting out to Church and Castro stations in case you want to gay it up a bit, or if you want to go to Dolores Park and get an ice-cream from Bi-Rite Creamery because it's a nice sunny day, or if you want to go to AT&T Park to catch a Giants game (and you should, if you're in town between April and October!).

Muni buses: yeeaaaahhhh no. These work, but they're super slow; avoid them unless there's absolutely no other way to get somewhere (e.g. the Marina, the Cal Academy/De Young) and you don't want to pay for Uber.

Muni Streetcar: these charmingly retro streetcars run along Market Street, from the Castro to the Ferry Building, and from there to Fisherman's Wharf. They're wildly impractical because they're so slow, but they're a solid way to get from downtown to Fisherman's and back.

Uber/Lyft: if the regular public transport won't get you where you want to go, just use Uber or Lyft. It's cheap and omnipresent, and it'll get you to the weirdest corners of the city without having to wait for the creakingly slow buses.

Any good hotels and food to intro? Please leave down your notes.

Many thanks!

Hotels: I'm a Starwood buff, so I'd always recommend the Westin St. Francis or the Palace Hotel. Don't stay in Fishermans Wharf, it's miles from everywhere; stay around Union Square and catch the bus to Fishermans if you really want to see it.

Food: just use the Yelp app. Yelp knows all.

Most of the popular attractions are within walking distance of the city center. Do avoid the Tenderloin and the Downtown (CBD) areas at night though.

Downtown SF is fine at night, it's just a bit dead (though there's a few great restaurants around; make sure you get yourself over to Ramen Underground on Kearny if it's a cold night).

The Tenderloin can be a bit sketchy in parts, but I wouldn't totally block it off. Market Street is fine; if you like beer bars, Mikkeller Bar at Mason and Market is excellent, and the Golden Gate and Orpheum theatres, both on Market Street, are always showing something interesting. Even Sixth Street, which is unbelievably divey, has an excellent and dirt-cheap Vietnamese place (Tu Lan, between Market and Mission streets), and a brilliant wood-fired pizza place (Montesacro Pizza, down the Stevenson Street alley between Sixth and Seventh streets). Basically, there are homeless people around; they might ask you for money, but that's all they'll do.

 

[suezanne]

Thank you Shiny Things! That is so comprehensive. Will work on that! You seems to be very familiar with San Francisco. Hahaha.

 

[LWZ]

Haha, thanks for clarifying, Shiny Things. Yep, agreed that many good eats are in those areas.

Btw, suezanne, if you or any of your companions are basketball/NBA fans, you should take the opportunity to watch the Golden State Warriors at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, or just for the novelty of watching one of the current best teams. There is a convenient BART connection to the sports complex. The season will still be ongoing next April, although ticket prices might be a little high by then.

 

[purplewave]

my maiden trip was 1999, much have changed i figured. but must visit fisherman's wharf and eat the lobsters. take the cable car mason - powell to go. enjoy san francisco

 

[vofzxy]

#threadnecromancy

i if i spent 3 days in SF
can i just go alcatraz, golden gate bridge and spend the rest of time eating and shopping?

issit a must to go yosemite?

im not a museum buff though.... anything else die die must see?

are there seals at its piers? LOL

i have plans to eat at ruths chris steakhouse and
http://kusakabe-sf.com/menu/
https://www.yelp.com.sg/biz/sanraku-san-francisco-2?osq=Japanese+Food

cause i want wallop some sashimi....

any other reccomendations?

have not chosen my hotel yet

 

[genie47]

OK my original thread to my first visit to the US landing in San Francisco first. Like what? 6 years ago?

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/travel-accommodation-89/my-us-trip-3299733.html

I would say Alcatraz is a must visit. Go for the night tour.

Food?

Philz Coffee. Swan Oyster Depot. (careful here, the guys are food Nazis). Mel's Diner at Lombard Street opens until very late.

 

[vofzxy]

OK my original thread to my first visit to the US landing in San Francisco first. Like what? 6 years ago?

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/travel-accommodation-89/my-us-trip-3299733.html

I would say Alcatraz is a must visit. Go for the night tour.

Food?

Philz Coffee. Swan Oyster Depot. (careful here, the guys are food Nazis). Mel's Diner at Lombard Street opens until very late.

why not alcatraz day tour ?>
the seal can toouch one not? they are only at pier 39 issit?

i dont eat oysters hahaha

but thanks !

 

[genie47]

why not alcatraz day tour ?>
the seal can toouch one not? they are only at pier 39 issit?

i dont eat oysters hahaha

but thanks !

Cannot touch the seals. They are wild and found at Pier 39.

Night tour is better because of the sunset over Alcatraz. If go during the day, it is just another island that housed prisoners.

You have to eat the oysters there. There are other places as well.

For Hawaii fusion cuisine, Roy's is pretty good.

 

[Beh-Hawk]

why not alcatraz day tour ?>
the seal can toouch one not? they are only at pier 39 issit?

i dont eat oysters hahaha

but thanks !

the seals are wild but they are cool. alcatraz is interesting but u need to book the tix maybe one day in advance

 

[Parmesean]

the seals are wild but they are cool. alcatraz is interesting but u need to book the tix maybe one day in advance

I would definitely recommend that you book your tickets online, they are a lot cheaper, and you can actually get it on the day you plan to go. If you're there for 3 days, I would recommend you go for the Big Bus Tour, get the 2 day deluxe option, and add alcatraz, you really get a lot out of it.

 

[nlee84]

Alcatraz is a must go! Remember to pre-book your tickets as they get sold out quickly.

Oh, if you have the time, go to Tadich Grill near Embarcadero for their Seafood Cioppino (stew).