Three Perfect Days in San Francisco
sravenk
Recent visitor to San Francisco
Mar 30, 2006
based on 11 votes
If I were a first time traveler to San Francisco, this itinerary would be my ideal way to explore the city.
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
San Francisco, Moss Beach
- Category: Perfect weekend
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Traveler type:
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Appeals to: Business travelers, Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists, Pet owners
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags:
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1. Wake up at the York Hotel
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Ave price:
$204
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Used as a location for Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo, this boutique hotel has character and history to delight any visitor. The building is a little old and the sole elevator can be slow, but the friendly service and the cute, comfortable rooms make up for the wait. Best of all, the room rates are very affordable. |
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2. See the Golden Gate Bridge
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| Stretching 1.7 miles and with towers rising 500 feet above the roadway, the gateway to San Francisco is a must see. Cross the bridge on foot or bicycle, or just stand and look at the architectural wonder from one of the overlook points. |
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3. Explore Golden Gate Park
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| This enormous park is rife with opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors. You can go boating on Stow Lake or watch Sea Lions from Ocean Beach, or go on a scavenger hunt to find the many statues hidden within the lush gardens and forests by former park gardener John McLaren, who reportedly held a great dislike for statues. On cooler days you can head indoors to enjoy the rainforest environment of the Conservatory of Flowers or take in the de Young Museum of Art. |
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4. Check out the Night Life in The Castro
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| San Francisco’s famous gay and lesbian neighborhood is home to colorful shops, cafes and nightclubs. At night this area comes to life, lit up by the marquee lights of the Castro Theatre and the many neon signs of the bars along the street. |
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5. See a movie at the Castro Theatre
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| Host to numerous film festivals throughout the year, the Castro Theatre overwhelms the senses with its mixture of interior designs, from Art Deco to Spanish Baroque décor, and notes from its Mighty Wurlitzer Organ rising in the air before each movie. This landmark theater is worth a visit, no matter what is playing. |
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6. Day 2: Take a morning trip to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in San Mateo County
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| 20 Miles south of San Francisco along the Pacific Coast, in the San Mateo County community of Moss Beach is the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Here you can take a break from the tourist throngs to hike, have a picnic and watch for the harbor seals and sea lions that frequent the coastal strand. Try to catch a glimpse of the endangered San Bruno Elfin Butterfly as you explore around. |
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| America’s most famous historical prison hosts exciting tours where you can learn about interesting moments in the prison’s colorful past, from stories about Al Capone to the Native American occupation in 1969, among other important pieces of history. You can also take boat tours around the island, taking in the spectacular views of the Bay Area. Be sure to plan well in advance, however, as these tours are very popular. You would be best to make reservations before your trip. |
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| This family-run café and restaurant on Divisidero serves up some of San Francisco’s best Ethiopian and Eritrean food in a low key atmosphere. The food can take some time to arrive, but it is worth the wait. The menu is diverse, with meat options as well as clearly marked vegetarian and vegan options to accommodate varied diets. The service is friendly and the prices reasonable, but most importantly, the food is delicious! |
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9. Day 3: Walk the winding Lombard Street
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| For a quirky morning walk the winding stretch of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth turns an energetic exercise into an interesting sight-seeing adventure. The red-bricked road hooks through eight switchbacks in order to alleviate the gravity of the 27-degree slope of the hill. |
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10. See the Wild Parrots on Telegraph Hill
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| The lush, cascading gardens along the 284 wooden Filbert Steps make this formidable ascent the most stunning way to enjoy the beauty of Telegraph Hill. Those who aren’t up for the hike can instead take a Muni bus up to Coit Tower and Pioneer Park. Keep an eye open for the flock of cherry headed conure parrots that have made their home on the hill for over a decade. |
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| This former military port is now home to a multitude of galleries, museums, cultural societies and theaters. Throughout the year the area is host to a number of festivals and exhibitions. |
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12. Lunch at Fort Mason Market and Deli
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| Sandwiches and salads are the main fare at this deli. With options for vegetarians and meat lovers alike and prices that are difficult to beat, this is the perfect place to grab a quick and delicious lunch. |
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13. Wander through Chinatown
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| From the ornate gates on Grant Avenue to the produce markets lining the streets and the temples of Waverly Place, this neighborhood is alive with sights and smells to overwhelm your senses. The many shops and restaurants in the area draw visitors looking for the perfect unique gift. Worth checking out is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, the last factory in San Francisco where the cookies are handmade. |
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14. Dinner at Lucky Creation
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| This little hole in the wall is neither fancy nor particularly chic. However, the food is delicious, the service extremely friendly, and the prices very easy on the pocketbook. Enjoy the best and most imaginative vegetarian Chinese cuisine that San Francisco has to offer in an intimate, no-frills setting. Lucky Creation also offers a very popular vegetarian Dim Sum brunch on the weekends. |
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Compliment sravenk
