Oakland, San Francisco Trip (What to do?)
- Thread starter darkknight
- Start date
Help Support Collector Freaks Forum:
I recommend a jaunt to Muir Woods in Marin County. It's only about a 30 minute drive from downtown SF. Bring a stuffed Ewok with you for optimal photo ops:
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/
Here you go man.. A guide I help put together for a friend that was coming to visit from North Carolina..
Activities:
San Francisco
Attractions
• Ferry building https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
• San Francisco Double Decker Tour
• Cable Cars, Coit Tower, Lombard street
• Haight Street shopping
• Pier 39 (eat at Rainforest Café or Crab house)
• Wicked Broadway play @ Orpheum Theatre 1192 Market Street
• Walk over Golden Gate Bridge (after parking at Vista Point/not SF side)
• Alcatraz (will take at least half day, so plan accordingly)
• Golden Gate Park
• Academy of Science Museum
• Palace of Fine Arts Exploratorium
o Beach Blanket Babylon @ Green Street Theatre b/t Stockton/Powell
Restaurants
• The Cliffhouse Restaurant @ 1090 Point Lobos Ave ($$) https://www.cliffhouse.com/
• Top of the Mark Restaurant @ InterContinental Mark Hopkins @ 1 knob Hill ($$$) (999 California Street) https://www.topofthemark.com/map.html .
o * Reservations needed
• House of Prime Rib https://www.houseofprimerib.net/
o 1906 Van Ness Ave
o * Reservations needed
• North beach Restaurants
Parking garage at Vallejo street (PARKING)
o Calzone’s @ 430 Columbus Ave https://www.calzonesf.com/
o The Stinking Rose @ 325 Columbus Ave https://www.thestinkingrose.com/
o The House (Asian fusion) @ 1230 Grant Street
o Café Grecco for dessert (tiramisu) @ Columbus street
• Top Floor of Bank of America building - The Carnelian Room
o ($$$ / incredible views of city)
o https://carnelianroom.com/
• Crustaceans (Vietnamese fusion)
• AsiaSF – Cross dressers perform with Asian fusion food
o Very fun with good food (not for conservative visitors)
• Brothers – Korean barbq on Gerry & 6th Ave (Koreans go here to eat Korean BBQ)
• Tyler Florence Restaurant @ Hotel Vertigo - 940 Sutter Street in SF
o (Doesn’t open until Sept 09) https://www.hotelvertigosf.com/bar-florence.html
• W hotel 4rth floor Terrazzo with lounge cabanas view of city (181 3rd Street)
• Tommy’s joint @ 1101 Geary Blvd
• Joe’s Cable Car (Great Burgers)
Half Moon Bay
• Ritz-Carlton
• Drive on hwy 1 through Pacifica to SF over canyon
• Miramar Bean Inn Restaurant https://miramarbeach.com/miramarbeachrestaurant.htm
• The Moss Beach Distillery https://www.mossbeachdistillery.com/
Palo Alto trip
• Downtown Stanford
o Tamarine, or The 3 Seasons (Vietnamese fusion), Cheesecake Factory
• Sand Hill Road
• Stanford Shopping Center/University
Santa Cruz trip
• Boardwalk (indoor miniature golf course)
• downtown shopping
• Marianne's Ice Cream
San Jose trip
• Santana Row
• Valley Fair Mall
• Gilroy Outlets
• Maggiano’s Italian
• Blowfish Sushi (1 day ahead reservation)
Napa Wine Trip
• Niebaum-Coppola Winery
• Wine Train
• Culinary Institute in St. Helena
Bay Area
• Belmont
o Shalazar – Persian food
o Van’s On The Hill – Steakhouse with view
• Redwood City
o Movie Theatre downtown
o Downtown restaurant or Mountain Mike’s pizza
• Mountain View
o Amber – Indian food
o Google Campus
• Millbrae
o Thai Stick – Thai food (late night Thai food)
o Hong Kong Flower lounge
o In & out – hamburgers (get secret menu online)
o GoKarts
• Santa Clara
o Great America Theme Park
o Yahoo headquarters
o Tomatina restaurant
• Monterrey
o Aquarium
• Carmel
o 17 mile drive
• San Mateo
o Gators Neo Soul https://www.gatorsneosoul.com/contact.html
o Izakaya Mai (Sushi)
Activities:
San Francisco
Attractions
• Ferry building https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/
• San Francisco Double Decker Tour
• Cable Cars, Coit Tower, Lombard street
• Haight Street shopping
• Pier 39 (eat at Rainforest Café or Crab house)
• Wicked Broadway play @ Orpheum Theatre 1192 Market Street
• Walk over Golden Gate Bridge (after parking at Vista Point/not SF side)
• Alcatraz (will take at least half day, so plan accordingly)
• Golden Gate Park
• Academy of Science Museum
• Palace of Fine Arts Exploratorium
o Beach Blanket Babylon @ Green Street Theatre b/t Stockton/Powell
Restaurants
• The Cliffhouse Restaurant @ 1090 Point Lobos Ave ($$) https://www.cliffhouse.com/
• Top of the Mark Restaurant @ InterContinental Mark Hopkins @ 1 knob Hill ($$$) (999 California Street) https://www.topofthemark.com/map.html .
o * Reservations needed
• House of Prime Rib https://www.houseofprimerib.net/
o 1906 Van Ness Ave
o * Reservations needed
• North beach Restaurants
Parking garage at Vallejo street (PARKING)
o Calzone’s @ 430 Columbus Ave https://www.calzonesf.com/
o The Stinking Rose @ 325 Columbus Ave https://www.thestinkingrose.com/
o The House (Asian fusion) @ 1230 Grant Street
o Café Grecco for dessert (tiramisu) @ Columbus street
• Top Floor of Bank of America building - The Carnelian Room
o ($$$ / incredible views of city)
o https://carnelianroom.com/
• Crustaceans (Vietnamese fusion)
• AsiaSF – Cross dressers perform with Asian fusion food
o Very fun with good food (not for conservative visitors)
• Brothers – Korean barbq on Gerry & 6th Ave (Koreans go here to eat Korean BBQ)
• Tyler Florence Restaurant @ Hotel Vertigo - 940 Sutter Street in SF
o (Doesn’t open until Sept 09) https://www.hotelvertigosf.com/bar-florence.html
• W hotel 4rth floor Terrazzo with lounge cabanas view of city (181 3rd Street)
• Tommy’s joint @ 1101 Geary Blvd
• Joe’s Cable Car (Great Burgers)
Half Moon Bay
• Ritz-Carlton
• Drive on hwy 1 through Pacifica to SF over canyon
• Miramar Bean Inn Restaurant https://miramarbeach.com/miramarbeachrestaurant.htm
• The Moss Beach Distillery https://www.mossbeachdistillery.com/
Palo Alto trip
• Downtown Stanford
o Tamarine, or The 3 Seasons (Vietnamese fusion), Cheesecake Factory
• Sand Hill Road
• Stanford Shopping Center/University
Santa Cruz trip
• Boardwalk (indoor miniature golf course)
• downtown shopping
• Marianne's Ice Cream
San Jose trip
• Santana Row
• Valley Fair Mall
• Gilroy Outlets
• Maggiano’s Italian
• Blowfish Sushi (1 day ahead reservation)
Napa Wine Trip
• Niebaum-Coppola Winery
• Wine Train
• Culinary Institute in St. Helena
Bay Area
• Belmont
o Shalazar – Persian food
o Van’s On The Hill – Steakhouse with view
• Redwood City
o Movie Theatre downtown
o Downtown restaurant or Mountain Mike’s pizza
• Mountain View
o Amber – Indian food
o Google Campus
• Millbrae
o Thai Stick – Thai food (late night Thai food)
o Hong Kong Flower lounge
o In & out – hamburgers (get secret menu online)
o GoKarts
• Santa Clara
o Great America Theme Park
o Yahoo headquarters
o Tomatina restaurant
• Monterrey
o Aquarium
• Carmel
o 17 mile drive
• San Mateo
o Gators Neo Soul https://www.gatorsneosoul.com/contact.html
o Izakaya Mai (Sushi)
Dusty
just me
I LOVE San Fran, but haven't spent much time in Oakland.
Definitely hit the Wharf area - Golden Gate Park is nice too (I think that's where the zoo is?)
And if you like music, there is an AWESOME record shop in the Financial District (Market Street, etc): https://www.rasputinmusic.com/locations.html (they have a really neat on in Berkely too - The Silversun Pickups just played there)
i also love just strolling the streets of Chinatown - they have some awesome deals and delicious restaurants.
The best part of that area is that it's really really easy to get around without a car - a lot of stuff within walking distance, great bus systems, trains, trolleys, subways, taxis, the whole shebang.
Have fun!
Definitely hit the Wharf area - Golden Gate Park is nice too (I think that's where the zoo is?)
And if you like music, there is an AWESOME record shop in the Financial District (Market Street, etc): https://www.rasputinmusic.com/locations.html (they have a really neat on in Berkely too - The Silversun Pickups just played there)
i also love just strolling the streets of Chinatown - they have some awesome deals and delicious restaurants.
The best part of that area is that it's really really easy to get around without a car - a lot of stuff within walking distance, great bus systems, trains, trolleys, subways, taxis, the whole shebang.
Have fun!
darkknight
Super Freak
Thanks for all the info! Keep them coming. Now I'm really looking forward for the trip. When my wife asked her cousin what is there to do up there, she said not much very boring. Thanks for every ones advice.
Visited the Children's Fairyland a few years ago in Oakland. Kinda worn down and needs sprucing, but perfect for a 3 year old. They wouldn't care how things look.
If you visit the Coit Tower, you can go walk down the Filbert steps.
If you have a car and head to Twin Peaks, make sure you drive down 22nd Street in the Mission...and also head over to Mitchell's Ice Cream for some Filipino flavored ice cream.
No matter what the weather, make sure you bring a sweater and a wind breaker (to travel light). There are micro climates that differ from one neighborhood to another. If there's fog on Twin Peaks, rest assured it will be chilly in the Mission.
Cable cars are always fun. You can start at Powell/Union Square and ride one to North Beach and end up at the Pier.
Lots of fun things to do for a tourist, but nothing exciting for the locals. We've been there and done that.
If you visit the Coit Tower, you can go walk down the Filbert steps.
If you have a car and head to Twin Peaks, make sure you drive down 22nd Street in the Mission...and also head over to Mitchell's Ice Cream for some Filipino flavored ice cream.
No matter what the weather, make sure you bring a sweater and a wind breaker (to travel light). There are micro climates that differ from one neighborhood to another. If there's fog on Twin Peaks, rest assured it will be chilly in the Mission.
Cable cars are always fun. You can start at Powell/Union Square and ride one to North Beach and end up at the Pier.
Lots of fun things to do for a tourist, but nothing exciting for the locals. We've been there and done that.
Last edited:
darkknight
Super Freak
drod26 thanks for your time and posting, you live in San Fran?
I think I may need a vacation after my vacation
Hey Jessica, you also pinay? My wife did mention about that Fairyland. But if we do end up going, I can see ourselves stuck there for about half of the day. My son is like the energizer bunny.
I think I may need a vacation after my vacation
Hey Jessica, you also pinay? My wife did mention about that Fairyland. But if we do end up going, I can see ourselves stuck there for about half of the day. My son is like the energizer bunny.
FLOSI
Nerf Herder
I recommend a jaunt to Muir Woods in Marin County. It's only about a 30 minute drive from downtown SF. Bring a stuffed Ewok with you for optimal photo ops:
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/
Was just there the other day for a hike. Get there before 9 to avoid any parking issues.
FLOSI
Nerf Herder
Also, a taking a walk from the yacht harbor to fort point is always amazing on a nice day. The whole Crissy Field/ Presidio thing is awesome, and absolutly free!
yeah man, I live in San Francisco... There is a lot to do so pick the most popular stops if its just your first visit here.. Let me known if you have any others questions...
ProgMatinee
circlesendwheretheybegin
Is Happy Hollow in San Jose still around? That was my favorite place in the Bay Area when I was a wee babe.
Edit: Yes it is https://www.hhpz.org/hh-info/about.php
your tike will love the petting zoo and all that.
Edit: Yes it is https://www.hhpz.org/hh-info/about.php
your tike will love the petting zoo and all that.
darkknight
Super Freak
Okay guys I'm getting ready to leave tomorrow to San Fran! What is the weather like right now? And is the Mystery Spot worth going to? Looks like they just build a house that is not leveled.
https://www.mysteryspot.com/
https://www.mysteryspot.com/
