San Francisco Travel Recommendation(s)

[BISCUT]

My Christmas gift from my queen is a trip to Napa/Sonoma area. We're booked for a week in mid-January. I believe the hotel is in Sonoma. I've been to the San Diego/La Jolla area a few times, but never the Napa/Sonoma area. We travel a lot and like to soak in as much as we can. We usually figure out a loose itinerary and deviate as we see fit upon arrival. This one is a little different. I'm tasked with the vehicle and the first 4 days' itinerary. The last 3 days, she is booking "surprises." I know we have some solid members who live in the area and can make some great recommendations.

Day 1, we arrive in San Fran around 9am. A few moments in the airport restroom to freshen up and first stop....Buena Vista Cafe. We'll hit Fishernans Wharf after that. We want to see the Golden Gate Bridge, and I assume that isn't anything that takes too much time out of the day. Correct assumption? Dinner is at a female chef's restaurant, she follows. Michelin chef, so I didn't even look her up. I'd post her name but I do not remember it.

Looking for Day 2, 3, and 4. We're both adventurous and like to see new cultures and experiences. Last May, I had her walking all over Italy. Over 80 miles that week, without complaint. Not an easy task. We love wine!! Open to a ton of options. My mind is thinking a road trip day along the coast stoping at a few wineries. Thoughts of a day in Yosemite. Any museums or architecture that is a must-see, beautiful churches or basilicas, etc... We aren't afraid of a longer drive to see something that may be worth it.

I realize temps are likely about 60F so not exactly warm but sure not the 15F I'm looking at now! I haven't rented a convertible Mustang in over a decade, so wondering if it might be worth it in this instance. I never do in FL as the son is often too intense.

Appreciate the future posts! Limited time in an area with a ton of awesome things to do.

 

[y_p_w]

Fort Point. Crissy Field. Chinatown.

 

[Leo99]

We went to SF once on vacation and I'd been there on business before. We took the wine train in Napa. That was a good time, if you like wine. We spent a night or two in SF and took the ferry boat to Napa. We took a trolly in SF that was a crazy ride that we remember well. SF is really hilly. We asked for directions and the local said we could walk 5 blocks that-a-way or 1 block up the hill. The hills are crazy steep. We walked up the hill and learned why the 5 block flat walk might have been a better option. There was a ferry boat out to Alcatraz that looked interesting. SF was really cold in the summer.

 

[y_p_w]

I’m not an expert on where to eat. But Bouchon Bakery in Yountville is one of the more affordable places. On a weekend there line can be up to 20-30 minutes.

The other issue will be bridge tolls and toll roads. Make sure that it’s all squared away with the rental car company with all the fees. Some toll roads are free if you have 2/3 people, but only with a toll transponder that’s properly set.

I don’t know how much the fees are. Some charge a steep daily fee to use a transponder.

 

[Escape08]

SF is not what it used to be. So be prepared and adjust to what you see and hear

 

[JeffKeryk]

From Napa, go a few miles west to Petaluma. In SF, eat at House of Fang.
There's a little football game in Santa Clara on Saturday night...

From The Napa Sanoma area, visit the rocky coast.

 

[Owen Lucas]

I thought the post title said travel restrictions

Seriously though, go for a ride on a cable car and check out the cable car powerhouse.

Alcatraz is fun too, you can wander around some of the buildings. Pretty sure there’s a lot of lead paint so watch out.

I went on a cold winters day with fog and a strong windy drizzle. I was the one of a few outside on the ferry cruise around the bay and to the island, it sure was refreshing. The water was so rough we couldn’t get past the bridge. I had a chance to be part of a tour from one of the former inmates, I don't remember his name, but he had a book signing at the end of the tour.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Today, Hwy 1 near Pescadero. Welcome to my back yard.

 

[y_p_w]

From Napa, go a few miles west to Petaluma. In SF, eat at House of Fang.
There's a little football game in Santa Clara on Saturday night...

From The Napa Sanoma area, visit the rocky coast.
View attachment 317938

I think it’s just called Fang. Went there over a decade ago when it was new. The owner (Peter Fang) came to our table and asked we would just allow him to select for us. It was just three courses, much which wasn’t on the printed menu. But we never felt like it was his chance to just use his customers as an ATM. It was maybe 2010, and we were charged maybe $32 for two.

The same owner operates House of Nanking in Chinatown. Place is pretty good.

https://www.houseofnankingsf.com/

 

[paulo57509]

Depending on the time and day of the week, note the traffic in and out of SF and the surrounding Bay Area.

I spent a day at Fisherman's Wharf on Saturday, Thanksgiving weekend in 2024. The only congestion was The Embarcadero was at Pier 39. Getting to the lower numbered piers was no problem. However, a lot of the restaurants were no longer doing business; a lot of them didn't survive Covid. The only homeless person I seen was sleeping on the pier behind the now closed Fishermen's Grotto.

 

[wings&wheels]

Scoma's for seafood
Caffe' Sport for hole in the wall Italian
Top of the Mark at sunset for the view and the Manhattans.
The wineries are mostly all entertaining but two stick out; Pride Vinyards ("I survived the ride to Pride") and O'Shaughnessy for the view and quality of the tasting experience.
The maritime museum with the Liberty ship Jeremiah O'Brien and the submarine USS Pampanito, and several other ships including the ferry Eureka.
If you are adventurous, instead of Yosemite, try Lassen Volcanic Park. Day trip to a less crowded experience including bubbling mud pits, "boiling" lakes. etc. Spectacular.
Outside of the city but not too far, Mt Diablo is a nice hike in the East Bay area as are the hills around and below San Jose.
I'll second the cable car museum.
After the mandatory visit to Fisherman's Wharf and related, avoid the tourists and look for some holes in the wall.


San Francisco isn't as anywhere bad as YouTube rage sowers and similar want you to believe. Late last year we thought the area around the hotels, Union Square, etc. was better than when we lived there in ~03. Obviously, big city with all that entails so be cognizant of surroundings and keep your head on a swivel, but no more or less than any city....heck anywhere.

 

[Astro14]

GI think it’s just called Fang. Went there over a decade ago when it was new. The owner (Peter Fang) came to our table and asked we would just allow him to select for us. It was just three courses, much which wasn’t on the printed menu. But we never felt like it was his chance to just use his customers as an ATM. It was maybe 2010, and we were charged maybe $32 for two.

The same owner operates House of Nanking in Chinatown. Place is pretty good.

https://www.houseofnankingsf.com/

House of Nanking is among my favorites, and I always recommend it. I’ve been there many times. Get there early and be prepared for a line out the door and down the street, but the wait is worth it.

 

[Mazomopar]

Don't be afraid to use the guys on the pedal powered rickshaw bikes to get you around the Embarcadero area. After a day of walking one direction downhill, hop a ride back to where you start. Drivers are always up for good advice and conversations.

 

[Mazomopar]

Today, Hwy 1 near Pescadero. Welcome to my back yard.
View attachment 318013

Beautiful views. Our niece went to UC Santa Cruz and in laws lived up in San Ramon. Would drive down thru Los Gatos and back home up highway 1thru Half Moon Bay. Or vice versa.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Beautiful views. Our niece went to UC Santa Cruz and in laws lived up in San Ramon. Would drive down thru Los Gatos and back home up highway 1thru Half Moon Bay. Or vice versa.

My niece was a Banana slug grad.

 

[BISCUT]

Thank you all for the great suggestions! Looking forward to the trip.

 

[PandaBear]

I'd say the Castrol if you want to see "culture" of pride. Not sure where you are from, they are pretty normal to us Bay Areans but not to people from the more conservative cultures I think. Parking can be a huge issue in SF so if you don't want to stress finding parking just Uber / Waymo everywhere. Yeah try the real FSD between Waymo and Tesla and see how you like them. Traffic is bad in SF but parking is way worse. I wouldn't recommend wasting precious time waiting for buses.

The Lombard, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf to see the seals, etc are fun if you haven't done that before. Take a ride with the cable car, some food here and there (ps Chinatown no longer has really good Chinese food, they are better in the higher cost of living part of the city). Mexican foods are nice here too.

Not sure if you like taking photos in front of tech companies, there are always Tourists in front of Google and Apple. Or today it would probably be Palentir as they are the Skynet in real life.


Stay away from Oakland, San Leandro, Tenderloin if you are tourists. Repeat after me 3 times.

Have fun, check google map for reviews, try something new.

 

[CKN]

SF is not what it used to be. So be prepared and adjust to what you see and hear

But still a beautiful city. Took a cruise there a few years ago. We left after dark-the sky line was breath taking.

 

[slo town]

@BISCUT; first, NEVER call San Francisco "Frisco". That will get your thrown out of bars. Calling San Francisco "The City" is okay. BTW, your choice of a stop at the Buena Vista is a good one. Be sure to bring warm clothes. Layer yourself.

I strongly suggest not focusing all four days in SF...

In your travels be sure and pass through Sausalito either coming or going from The City because it's not out of the way.

A day spent in the very nearby Napa Valley (St. Helena and Calistoga for example) would be an excellent use of time.

Lastly and most importantly, you absolutely must make a trip to the coast! This is one of the most beautiful areas on the entire planet!!! If at all possible make time go to the Point Reyes Lighthouse. The view looking north over miles and miles of desolate, pristine beach is breathtaking. To do this you'd drive over Mt. Tam and down to Stinson Beach. Travel north up Hwy 1 to Bodega Bay and return to Sonoma, via Valley Ford Road is probably the most direct return route. I've ridden literally thousands of miles on my road bicycle in this area. It's gorgeous.

I agree with @JeffKeryk, Petaluma is a cute town. Back in our dating days (mid '70s!!!) Sue and I spent a lot of time up there. Poultry farms galore at the time. Good memories.

Enjoy your trip and from what I see the weather forecast for mid-January is looking favorable.

Scott

PS Back in my career days I worked in SF's Financial District. I was on the 30th floor of Embarcadero 4 during the Loma Prieta earthquake. #4 is the tallest building in the picture.

 

[PandaBear]

Of the decades I live in or near SF I have never heard of the term "Frisco". I think most people would have thought you talked about Crisco the cooking oil shortening thing instead.