San Francisco / Oakland travel tips

[Bob-in-Alberta]

Since we have a travel theme here - I'm going to the bay area at the end of the month. Any tips out there?

[Caniac]

Don't drop the soap in SF and stay the hell out of Oakland!

J/K

I hear SF is beautiful, wish I could get out there. Oakland on the other hand... I hear is NOT beautiful.

[JaroFan]

Don't miss Pier 39 in San Francisco. Oakland has a nice zoo, not sure what types of activities you're looking for. There's also a wine train if you want to travel north a bit.

[Shell]

I love Pier 39 too.. Golden Gate park is good for people watching :) Haight/Ashbury is pretty boring but a requirement for me ;) I hear they have a bridge and a jail too. The ultimate is if you can jump off the bridge and swim to the jail ;)

[JaroFan]

And if you get time, go to Alcatraz. It was really interesting.

[livinthedream]

And if you get time, go to Alcatraz. It was really interesting.

Ditto that. The tour is awesome, and the views of the city from the island and boat/ferry are fantastic. And if you're renting a car, be sure to drive down Lombard Street.

[apolinar]

Don't forget to go off the beaten path and visit a skatepark if you've never seen one before. I went to a neighborhood and saw some amazing skating in San Fran. (one of the public parks with the spray paint all over the place and all... forget where it was exactly but just ask a local.

[VandyCane]

Make sure you go over the Golden Gate bridge and check out John Muir State Park--beautiful redwood trees, plus the drive to the park is spectacular. I liked the Japanese Tea Gardens with the Bonzai trees in San Fran. As far as restaurants, if you like garlic then The Stinking Rose is a must.

[caniac369]

I love Pier 39 too..

Me 3. If you go to the very end of the pier and walk behind the shops, there will be 100's of sea lions lounging on pilons. It's noisy and so awesome.

Also, go to the restaurant accross the street from the big 'fisherman's warf' sign. They have great chowder that is served in sour dough bread bowls (that's huge there).

If you take a day trip to Monteray, go to the Aquireum and also there is a retaurant next door. Request to sit in this area that stick out into the bay a little and you can watch the sea otters roll around and play in the water while you eat!! :)

[SoCalcaniac]

As a Socal native I can't pump up the whole Bay Area too much, cause that could cause a war in the vein of NC State v UNC proportions-;) however, since I did have to live in NO-cal, for part of my childhood- I'll say SF is great, there are plenty of cultural things to do in the city, lots of food, arts and entertainment -great live music out there; the weather is ever adventurous- I see some mentioned the views- problem with the 'views' is they can be fleeting- especially in the summer months when the fog inevitably rolls on in around uh, 1pm-ish so a jacket or long sleeves are really a must. If you're interested in winery's your hotel can most likely arrange a day trip to Napa, Monterey (where my dad was stationed in the Navy) is also a must see and a great scenic drive too. NO-cal is really like another state, for those of us who are natives of CA; but I assure you you'll enjoy every minute of your stay. Oakland Zoo is nice, but there isn't much to 'do' in Oakland- it's more like a place to work or commute to- and Oakland as a whole has seen better days- San Jose, Santa Clara and those places are not far, they're inland (i.e. 'warmer' -temps in the 80's) and have their own vibe about them too.

Have a great trip Bob!