San francisco

[dirk diggler]

We are heading down to SF in late July for a week. I have only been to the city for a couple days before. We are planning to stay down by the Fishermans Wharf area as it looks like a good place to access the tours, Alcatraz etc.... As I don't know the city well, can anyone suggest perhaps a "decently" priced hotel (relative term as it is an expensive city) or perhaps a different area that would also be great for getting around as we wont be renting a car. Thanks

[Fuzz]

I have heard you need to book Alcatraz ahead of time, so you may want to look into that.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I have heard you need to book Alcatraz ahead of time, so you may want to look into that.

Yep, and I HIGHLY recommend you book the night tour.

[troutman]

Search "alcatraz" in the forums, and there have been a few threads on this and SF.


SF is compact enough in the core, that you could walk from many areas to the Wharf. The Marina District is nice, with lots of restaurants.

https://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/marina/

[8 Ball]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Yep, and I HIGHLY recommend you book the night tour.

I went on a daytime tour a few years back. What is better about the night one?

[Khel]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Yep, and I HIGHLY recommend you book the night tour.

I can second this. The night tour is awesome. They open up a few extra wings, and it's just different in the dark.

I highly recommend renting some bikes and going across the Golden Gate bridge. There are a bunch of shops that rent them cheap around Fisherman's Wharf.

Giants game is also fun.

We also did a guided kayak tour, which was pretty neat.

[rohara66]

+1 book Alcatraz now (its always sold out)


+1 on the night tour as well (its pretty damn creepy at night)

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by 8 Ball

I went on a daytime tour a few years back. What is better about the night one?

There's FAR less people, they have all sorts of learning seminars you can go see experts talk to... one I saw was "how to rob a bank" where they covered all the things banks do to ensure you won't get away with it.

They actually put you in broadway and close the doors which I never saw/experienced during my 3 daytime tours I did.

Add in the additional opening of areas closed during the day, and the "night" atmosphere - it was awesome.

[topfiverecords]

We stay at the https://www.kensingtonparkhotel.com/ every time we go. I believe it's the corner view king rooms that have always been on the upper floors with corner views of either SE to Union Square, or NE to Nob Hill. Always very quiet and high enough that the city noise is there for atmosphere but not annoying.

To get to the wharf, head east and then up Grant. It goes through Chinatown, and then head along Columbus. You see the sites and avoid the hills. To return, along the waterfront to the Ferry Terminal, then down Market to Powell is a great walk.

[8 Ball]

Cool. I'm taking the fam there in July. Would the night tour be suitable for teenage kids?

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by 8 Ball

Cool. I'm taking the fam there in July. Would the night tour be suitable for teenage kids?

Oh yes, they will likely love it

[dirk diggler]

I think I am already too late in booking the night tour, which is too bad, as that would have been fantastic.

[rubecube]

Be sure to wear a flower in your hair.

[JT45]

You NEED to go to the House of Prime Rib if you can. Literally my favorite restaurant in the world. They make a pretty mean Martini as well.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Be sure to wear a flower in your hair.

You'll meet some gentle people in San Francisco.

[Tron_fdc]

No visit to SF is complete without a trip to Haight-Ashbury!

I'd probably do a little research into it before you take your kids though.

Here's some stuff to look at as well

http://content.time.com/time/travel/...844984,00.html

[dash_pinched]

If you like garlic, check out the Stinking Rose Cafe...

https://thestinkingrose.com/sf/photos.html

[socktape]

If you have a car down there I would recommend a night in Santa Cruz. Really nice seaside town with a amusement park on the beach, nice beach and surfing area.

[PepsiFree]

I would recommend not staying near Fisherman’s Wharf. It is insanely tourististy and overrun. Plus, you can easily walk there if you stay somewhere nicer a bit south (the Union Square area is popular as well, but less grunge, and EASY walking distance.

If you have a car, you’re in amazing shape, lots and lots of easy day trips (or even the ability to get around the Bay Area). If you don’t, there’s still a lot to do via transit/cab/on foot by staying outside Fisherman’s Wharf.

Aside from Fisherman’s Wharf, there are lots of cool things to do if you’re going for the tourist experience:
Haight Ashbury
Telegraph Hill/Coit Tower
Mission (there’s amazing Mexican food here)
Golden Gate Park (Japanese tea gardens are cool, or see some Buffalo)
SFMoMa is amazing
The Castro (great area)
The Fillmore (check out a show here if you can)
Chinatown
Lombard Street
Ferry Building

Oakland is amazing as well. Highly highly recommended for good food and a less touristy experience. The Berkeley Hills are a fun/cool drive.

If you’re into day trips, Santa Cruz, Tomales and Bodega Bay, and Monterrey Aquarium are all worth your time.

[Swayze11]

Is AirBNB not an option?

When we went there that is what we did. The prices for hotels was pretty insane.

When we went down the local government was trying to ban AirBNB but I don't know how far that went.