Any San Francisco area boaters? Or visited?

BrentJones

BrentJones

Member
Oct 4, 2006
405
Fenton/Lake Ozark, MO
Boat Info
2005 240 Sundeck
Engines
6.2L
For our wedding anniversary, I am surprising my wife with a couple days out in California. I was previously considering spending a couple of days in Napa Valley, but now under the advice of my grandfather, am considering San Francisco because of shortage of time. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay, eat or do in a quick 2 day trip to San Fran? I'm also considering San Diego. Thanks!
 
I don't know man, napa/sonoma is a short hop from san fran and worth every minute in my opinion. San Diego is okay, but for a quick vacation I would drive up to napa/sonoma.
 
I've been to Frisco about 6 times, as I have family there.
I've also been to San Diego a couple of times.
Plenty to see in both, but I'd recommend Frisco first.
Sites to see:
The Embarcadero along the waterfront, which has shops galore.
Pier 39 offers breathtaking views of San Francisco and the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges, along with more than 110 shops and 13 restaurants. Depending on the season, there are seals galore, right on the docks.
From there you'll see the marinas, both pleasure and commercial.
Also, Alcatraz, one of San Francisco's top visitor attractions. Advanced reservations are a must. Buy and print tickets on-line at Web site. www.alcatrazcruises.com
If you do tour it, opt for the taped tour guide, as it is a walkman, that you listen to while touring at your own pace.
For lunch, go to Alioto's on Fisherman's Wharf. It's the oldest restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf and serves fresh seafood and Sicilian specialties with spectacular views. Still operated by the original Alioto family. Visit their crab stand and get a chowder bowl made from sour dough bread, and a Dungenous crab.
There are also a couple of restaurants with 2nd floor views of the bay.
Another great take is the Golden Gate Bridge, and if you go across, you can take a left and go up the mountain by car, and look down on the bridge. Absolutely SPECTACULAR views, along with remnants of World War II gun emplacements.
On the same side, a little further north, is Sausolito, a beautiful harbor with many pleasure boats.
Also, San Francisco has one of the largest Chinatowns in the country.
And no trip is complete without seeing, or driving Lombard Street.
The cable cars are nice to see, but a rip off pricewise to ride.
There's way too much to see in just 2 days.
Here's a website to browse: http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/
I've also visited Napa, and toured the wineries.
That's a whole day in itself, and well worth it.
You'd better allow a week.... :wink:
 
I go to san fran about 3 times a year and love it. tons of sights and eats. way too much to do and see in just one trip. napa is great also but a totally different kind of trip, laid back and slow. eating drinking and spa'ing. San diego IMO doesn't hold a candle to San Fran.

Lots of activity= San Fran
relax and drink wine=napa
visit surf shops=San diego
 
I'd really love to go to Napa Valley, but I really can't go any longer than 2 full days. I'm afraid I'll have to spend time driving around and I like the idea of being able to walk around and be in close proximity to everything.

We are going to Cleveland in July, Fort Myers in September and a handfull of weekend trips to the lake (we have to take off for weekends.) I would love to go a full week, but really need to keep it short and sweet.

I actually will be packing her bags for her and completely surprising her. After I load the car, she will be thinking we're going out to eat, but in fact going to the airport. We will probably leave on a Tuesday evening and return on a Friday evening.
 
Food is better in San Francisco. There's one of the best breakfast restaurants in the world at the bottom of Lombard street. It's called Home Plate and it's a little unassuming place with killer food. Home made scones with homemade apple butter are served while you wait for your breakfast. My wife an I go there whenever we're in the Bay area. For dinner, I recommend Fleur de lys. It's on Sutter st. High end, fancy dining. Been there a couple times and the food was amazing... and the Grand Marnier Souffle is not to be missed. Where to stay...there's a place called (I think) the Queen Anne. It's kind of funky and fun. They serve cookies and sherry in the afternoons and the place is reportedly haunted. We stayed there several times and really enjoyed it. Hope this helps.
 
regarding a car. Not needed in SF. Great walking town and there's the cable cars too. You can get to town from the airport in a cab or on rapid transit. IMO a car would be more trouble than it would be worth,

Chazaroo
 
BrentJones said:
One more question. Steve, do you think we could get away without renting a car?
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Brent,

Unless you plan on leaving SF for a trip out to Napa, do not rent a car! We live in Sacramento, about 1.5 hours east of SF. When we go into town we park our car east of the bay and get on BART (SF's version of light rail). Their bus system (BART) is also 1st class. You purchase an all day bus ticket and can get pretty much anywhere in town you want to go. Their route map and schedule is posted on-line.

As to places to see... well, if you've never been to SF, must-see places include Alcatrez (need to book on-line in advance), Pier 39 (should include the entire warf!), Telegraph Hill (the only structure that did not burn down 100 yrs ago!), Lombard Street, China Town, Palace of the Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, etc.

Less touristy, but VERY interesting areas include the Mission District (south of town), North Beach (very Italian!), Golden Gate Park (incl. botanical garden), the Embarcadero, Haight Ashbury, ...

Gosh, I don't know what I'd do in only 2 days. SF is a very vibrant BIG city. It is very clean and people are usually friendly. Also, do remember to bring a very warm jacket! It can be quite windy and/or foggy, and thus very chilly in the City - even when it is 90+ degrees in land! Nothing worse than continually being cold!
 
Oh...one more restaurant suggestion. Chez Panisse in Berkeley, (cuisine is California/French) . I'm sure they have a website. Haven't been there in years but it's supposed to still be world class. Oh, and reservations are hard to come by so if you want to try it out, call soon.

Chazaroo
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! :thumbsup: Has anyone ever heard or stayed the the Carlton Hotel in Union Square? It seems like a nice, convenient and reasonable place to stay according to reviews.
 
BrentJones said:
One more question. Steve, do you think we could get away without renting a car?
Click to expand...

In and about Frisco, no problem, although the Golden Gate is a pretty good ride from Fisherman's Wharf, which is a pretty good ride from the airport...
If you want visit Napa Valley, you'll absolutely need a car...
Best wishes.... :thumbsup:
 
Stay in the city. No car. NEVER say Frisco. No white shoes or clothing you are marked as a visitor.
Chk out The Prescott Hotel pricey but has a Wolfgang Puck restaurant. Tadich Grill or Aqua for fish downtown. Bring $$$.
Buena Vista Cafe- breakfast Ramos Fizz . Dinner Irish coffee late. Lots of fun people. You sit with other people at round tables.
Unless you have your day planned skip the valley. In SFO just get out of the sack and go.
 
Stay at the St. Francis or Mark Hopkins, both old and elegant. Rent bikes at/near Fisherman's Wharf; ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and catch the ferry back to FW. It's about 15 miles and a great ride. Eat at the Castle. Great view of the bay. To save money, eat at Johnny Rockets (burgers/shakes) in the Marina District. We spend about 15 days a year in SF---great place to visit.
 
Stay at the St. Francis or Mark Hopkins, both old and elegant. Rent bikes at/near Fisherman's Wharf; ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and catch the ferry back to FW. It's about 15 miles and a great ride. Eat at the Castle. Great view of the bay. To save money, eat at Johnny Rockets (burgers/shakes) in the Marina District. We spend about 15 days a year in SF---great place to visit.
 
I live in the SF bay area (do not say Frisco) and agree with all the advice you are getting. I'll add a few points. Do not rent a car. Parking/driving in San Francisco is a pain and public transit is good. Take BART from SFO to downtown SF for $3. Union square has great hotels and is centrally located but pricy. Washington square is cheaper and has lots of great restaurants. It's just a cable car away from downtown. You can also BART to the east bay for a very interesting experience in Berkeley. Telegraph ave. is a must see. Also LOTS of great restaraunt in Berkely.
 
I was visiting Jack London Sq. years ago when I saw a bunch of charter sailboats available for daily rental. Thirty feet and up. The price got me thinking. Stay on the the boat, never leave the pier and take BART over to the city. Save $$- might work maybe not. Also, I would not want to be near that 12th St (?) area after dark.
 
bliss said:
I was visiting Jack London Sq. years ago when I saw a bunch of charter sailboats available for daily rental. Thirty feet and up. The price got me thinking. Stay on the the boat, never leave the pier and take BART over to the city. Save $$- might work maybe not. Also, I would not want to be near that 12th St (?) area after dark.
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My son belonged to a sailing club on the bay. They sailed Hunters about 30+ long. The bay almost always has good winds. You do need to get checked out before you can solo or take guests out. Most of the power boats in the marina district look like they have not been washed in quite a long while. Definitely not as clean as most Lake Michigan boats I see. An interesting harbor walk non-the-less.
 
BrentJones said:
For our wedding anniversary, I am surprising my wife with a couple days out in California. I was previously considering spending a couple of days in Napa Valley, but now under the advice of my grandfather, am considering San Francisco because of shortage of time. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to stay, eat or do in a quick 2 day trip to San Fran? I'm also considering San Diego. Thanks!
Click to expand...
San Fran....San Diego......How about the San Jaun Islands......Come here I'll show you were to go.......via the water........you won't regret it. Depending on when you come.....we can work out a boat ride or whatever.
Seattle and the region this time of year is really nice. 78 and not a cloud in the sky today.... Trust me, we have two major Wineries here to visit too(Columbia and St. Michelle)......oh did someone say Micro-brew, waterside dining all over the Puget sound...
Someone mentioned Dungeness Crab.......Fresh -pick your 2 or 3 Bed and breakfasts in the Islands with a 2 minute walk to a beach and fresh espressos.

Brent....seriously
 
Nehalennia II said:
San Fran....San Diego......How about the San Jaun Islands......Come here I'll show you were to go.......via the water........you won't regret it. Depending on when you come.....we can work out a boat ride or whatever.
Seattle and the region this time of year is really nice. 78 and not a cloud in the sky today.... Trust me, we have two major Wineries here to visit too(Columbia and St. Michelle)......oh did someone say Micro-brew, waterside dining all over the Puget sound...
Someone mentioned Dungeness Crab.......Fresh -pick your 2 or 3 Bed and breakfasts in the Islands with a 2 minute walk to a beach and fresh espressos.

Brent....seriously
Click to expand...

Todd,

Are you pretty familiar with the San Juan's? Maybe we can start another thread on this topic (don't mean to hi-jack this thread), but a few of us (~6 to 8) from the Sacramento, CA area are thinking about a 2-week trip up there during the summer of '08. Several of the group have done this trip before, but it would be a first for the Admiral and me. Maybe you can shoot me a PM with some thoughts on this?

Cheers!
 
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