Destination: San Francisco

San Francisco, California, is a City that I never get tired of visiting. My sister lives nearby and I "must" visit at least once a year. Every time that I'm in San Jose, I have to go to San Francisco even if it is just for a few hours. The top tourist attractions can be done in one day. There are many things to see and do for at least one week, but if you only have a day or 2 it  will be plenty to at least see the City and leave wanting to go back for more. Having a car will make the day easier, but there is a great bus and trolley system to move around the City. 

The itinerary that I would recommend for someone who has never been to SF would be:

1. Start @ Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf, take a walk around the Pier, watch the sea lions, see Alcatraz island from there and eat some sourdough bread with clam chowder soup.

Pier 39

Famous Sour dough bread

Sea Lions in Pier 39, San Francisco

Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

2. Walk towards Ghirardelli square and have a big ice cream sundae at the Ghirardelly shop. You will see the trolley line.

3. Walk towards the trolley station and ride the trolley towards Lombard street. On a weekend the line is at least one hour, but if it is your first time in SF this will be a great experience. Take some pictures of the crookest street in the world and get back on the trolley. The trolley will drop you off at the top of Lombard Street, but then you have to walk back to take the same trolley towards Union Square.



Lombard Street

Holding tight to the trolley

trying to take a pic from the trolley

4. Get off the trolley @ Union square. Walk around and go shopping or at least window shop. Then walk a few blocks towards China town. The little Italy or Italian neighborhood is also near union square, but it is in the opposite direction.



Union square, San Francisco

5. Go to Alamo square, this is a little off the way but the typical San Francisco's architecture can be appreciated from the houses around the park. The "painted ladies" are right in front of the park. The ladies are 6 Victorian houses that are very famous in San Francisco.


The Painted Ladies

The painted ladies, San Francisco

Alamo Square Park



6. Last but not least, go see the Golden Gate. I love going to the other side of San Francisco and then stay in Sausalito for a while. The pictures with the bridge covered by fog are not in the winter like most people think, that happens in the summer. San Francisco has cold summers so be ready and pack a jacket. The pictures below were taken at the Vista Point overlook. If you are driving from SF, at the end of the bridge make a right. If you don't have a car there are bicycles for rent but I am afraid of heights and walking a few meters on the bridge for a picture is different than  crossing it. If you want to take pictures from above the bridge, I highly recommend driving towards Hendrik Point. To get there, drive past the Vista Point and exit to your right. Then make a U-turn towards San Francisco again.  Make a right at Conzelman Rd. Then just keep driving until you see the crowds and get ready for the heavy winds and the beautiful sight of the Golden Gate bridge below you. The pictures where the fog is covering the Golden Gate are in the summer. San Francisco is the City with the coldest summer so don't forget a jacket.

This picture with the Golden Gate is a MUST while in San Francisco

Walking across the bridge

If you stay longer, do not miss the museum of fine arts, SFMOMA, have a meal or a coffee in the Italian neighborhood, and a visit to Alcatraz Island where you can tour the infamous prison. The tickets are always sold out so if you plan to go buy them in advance. The ferry to Alcatraz departs from Pier 39.

Italian Cafe

I love the mix of architecture & art that are common in San Fran

If you have an extra day head off to Napa Valley for some wine tastings. Don't miss the Beringer Vineyard. This place looks like a castle from Europe and they have tours to their cellar as well as tastings. We didn't have time to go to the Robert Mondavi winery but it looks beautiful too. When you arrive to Napa, stop by the visitor's information center to get a map of the wineries in the area. I plan to go back to Napa and take the train or even do the limo tour and spend the night there. Let someone else drive so that everyone can enjoy the tastings. This is the wine train website http://winetrain.com/. This is the official website for the Napa Valley official visitor's guide: http://www.legendarynapavalley.com/.

Wine Ridge Winery, Napa Valley, California

Wine Ridge Winery, Napa

Mumm Napa Valley

This is the view from the table where we had our lunch



Other recommended day trips while on the Bay Area are Sonoma Valley for more wine, Monterrey, Carmel, and the 17 mile beach drive. I was there 12 years ago and at the time I didn't have a digital camera. I am sure I will be back and I promise to take lots of pictures.

I have been to San Francisco many times and I still have a lot left to see. I'm fascinated with this City and specially that they always have been controversial. The only bar that I've been to is the Redwood Room in the Clift Hotel. They have very strict door policy but it is worth visiting.