San Francisco

[JoCannon]

Has anyone got an suggestions as to nice places to visit in San Francisco, I don't mean the usual tourist spots, Alcatraz, Golden gate etc.. I am after hidden gems.

[Peter Pedant]

Loud mouthed yanks dont have hidden gems, dimbo, duuuh

(sorry about that I am trying to imitate a standard ....)

erm Lilienthal Haas house - guides are called docents and try to get the old bat who knows where Mrs Doubtfire was filmed  - just up the street - and also The Empire/Regency/Corinthian columned house just above it is owned by an authoress.

Terrifc Pacific - but it is just a street really

Mean in chinatown

 

that's it.....

[don1]

I frequent an American site, I'll get back to you.

[don1]

Jo there are 45 pages of discussion here about SF there may be something of interest to you.

http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6079& ;start=0

[Clanad]

Try dinner at the 'Carnellian Room', on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America Tower. Good French cuisine and a really memorable view of the skyline.

Take a day, if you have it and take US 101 over the Golden Gate Bridge towards Napa/Sonoma, following the CA-37 East. Choose either Napa Valley or Sonoma for a day trip. (It's only an hour's drive) Scheduling ahead is a good idea, as some wineries require prior appointments. Plan breakfast and really good coffee in the village of Napa.

Stop by COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts. Legendary winemaker Robert Mondavi donated the 12 acres of land on the Napa River where the center holds wine and cuisine related exhibitions and educational programs. Purchase a picnic lunch to munch among the on-site gardens or have Julia�s Kitchen prepare a meal fit for a ... well, British visitor...

The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf...

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, south on Highway 1 about an hour... beautiful drive and Monterey is very interesting.

Pier 39 at the Embarcadero...

Good luck and welcome to the U.S.!

[JoCannon]

Thanks everyone, I arrive on Wednesday, my 1st time in the U.S.! I'm staying with a friend who has recently moved there so during the day I will be a British girl exploring alone, I shall make sure I stop off at your suggestions.Thanks again. Any more ideas always welcome.

[jake-the-peg]

I guess it depends what you're into but the last time I was there I spent far too much time and far too much money in the infamous city lights bookstore http://www.citylights.com/CLHst.html If you're one of those can't pass a bookshop you may never emerge again.

There's also the Ghirardelli chocolate factory which is rather on the tourist route but hey it's chocolate!

 http://www.familytravelguides.com/articles/pacificstates/San_Francisco/ghirar.html

Personally I'd avoid Fishermans Warf like the plague if you want to get away from tourist traps but it's up to you.  

[metagirl]

Originally from the area, so here are my little recs:

Read the SF Guardian or SF Weekly (free weekly newspapers with all the listings of what's going on in the City) whilst enjoying a cappacino in a north beach cafe

Buy a book or two at Citylights bookstore (also in North Beach)

See a rock show at Kimo's, Great American Music Hall, the fillmore (if yr lucky), Bottom of the Hill or Slim's

Shop for music at Amoeba (cheapest CDs you'll ever find anymore) in the Haight

Have a picnic and stroll in Golden Gate Park

Buy vintage clothing in the Castro district

Eat a monster burrito in a Mission District taqueria - "Cancun" are the best

The most important thing to do is walk! SF is easy to get through on foot and bus. The city is made up of tiny joined up communities, so give yourself time to visit each one, if possible.

Have fun and throw a kiss off the Golden Gate Bridge for me!

[don1]

here's what an american friend has to say:

I have some favorite places that I like to visit when I'm in SF. Twin Peaks, the Haight, the Castro, Alamo Square, Golden Gate Park, Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower, take a ride on the elctric bus, take BART to the East Bay area, catch a show at the Filmore or the Warfield, just walk through the various neighborhoods, take a drive (or run if your fit) across Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise or sunset, go up to Muir Woods in Marin County, take a trip to Sonoma...I'm sure I'm forgetting plenty. One of the best things to do at sunset is go down to the end of Powel street and look at the city in the light of the setting sun...gorgeuos!