Ok I can't resist, if you're going to San Francisco....here are some tips to make your visit there the best that it can be. A word of warning though, you will not cover all the sightseeing that San Francisco has to offer so take your time and enjoy as much as you can without trying to cover everything. Here are a few suggestions to make your trip more pleasurable.
San Francisco is noted for how quickly the fog rolls in so be prepared. Your wardrobe that you take should include a warm jacket as well as some sweaters. You can bring shorts but it could be sunny when you leave to explore and an hour later you could be walking in fog. Put on layers of clothing this way if it gets warm you can take it off but if it gets cool and you don't have anything with you you'll end up suffering from the cool weather. Believe it or not the balmy weather is just past the Golden Gate Bridge where it stays pretty stable.
While visiting San Francisco take the transit. They offer buses, streetcars and cable cars which are not too bad of an option. This is the only way for you to get around in this great city. Parking spaces are like an Olympic event trying to find one. If you're lucky to find a parking meter the price is high so it's not worth it. If you insist on driving yourself there are parking places to be had for a price but the best value is at Stockton-Sutter Garage which is downtown or the Pier 39 Garage near Fisherman's Wharf.
If you're a smoker then San Francisco is going to be a little tough on you. Their laws forbid anyone to smoke in any public place such as restaurants, shops, bars, stadiums, parks, public squares or within 25 feet of any public building. Another law of San Francisco is that you are not allowed to smoke in your own car if you have children in it less than 18, so smokers beware. A fine of $100.00 applies to anyone who breaks these laws.
Dining in San Francisco can be almost as bad as parking although there are a few places that keep reserved seats for walk-ins. Lunch is a little easier as reservations are much easier to find. You may find a seat at the bar of the restaurant which serves the same food as the restaurant serves.
Catching a cable car can be a bit of a nightmare but only if you think that the only place to catch them is on Ghirardelli Square or Powell Street. These usually hold line ups of tourist waiting for the cable car but just a few blocks away from these car stops you'll probably find yourself alone. The best place to avoid line ups for the cable cars is at California Street.
Alcatraz is a must while you're visiting. This is the most popular tourist attraction in California so if you're going to visit there make reservations ahead of time. This can be done online before you leave but make sure you are at Pier 33 early in the morning.
You can take a tour with the Greyline buses but there is a cheaper way to do this and that is by taking vintage F-Line street cars. For as little as a $1.50 you can see all the sights you want. These street cars were brought over from many parts of the world and restored to their former beauty. You will feel like you have stepped back in time.
To get the most out of your sightseeing of San Francisco's skyline go North of Twin Peaks. Tank Hill is another private spot to see the Golden Gate Bridge including downtown and the Bay. You can go to Stanyan Street, take a left at Belgrave Park and walk up the dirt path. It will be well worth the effort when you see the views that are waiting. On the western part of the city you'll find a secluded hill where you get breathtaking views of the Pacific and the Bay.
Your visit to San Francisco should be one that will keep you talking for hours around the table after you return home and maybe even have you planning your next trip back there.
