I'm planning a trip to SF with Michel. Partly, I need a vacation.
Partly, it's in my top 3 places to visit. Partly to run away from the holidays :) We want to do the whole tourist thing: Napa valley, Alcatraz, Fisherman's wharf, Lombard Street, Muir Woods, Chinatown, and maybe jaunt over to Silicon Valley. My travel agent recommended the opera house, and something called Beach Blanket Babylon. He seems like a knowledgeable person, who used the word “cool” way too often for a man of his age, but seemed a decent sort. He should get back to me with all the info. Can't wait :)
Now, I just need to find plans for New Years eve. Hopefully involving lots of booze and beautiful people of the female persuasion :)
list of suggestions:
– Napa is nice by car, though have a designated driver if you plan on winery-hopping/wine-tasting
– Highway 1 (coastal highway) is beautiful in either direction (north or south), but only if you don't mind very windy, clinging-to-the-side-of-a-cliff type of roads
– Berkeley is a hoot, just across the Bay bridge from SF… hit Telegraph Ave… plenty of odd shops and good cheap eats
– The Castro is a must, though not for the faint of heart or homophobes ;) they have the best bars, though!
– Twin Peaks is pretty, but a hike… best views of the city/bay from up there
– Golden Gate Park is unbelievable… huge green space in the middle of the city… goes all the way to the beach from the end of Haight
– Haight/Ashbury is well known, but a bit of a shock to those expecting to see hippies wandering around (though there is a Ben & Jerry's on the corner)… good shopping, somewhat akin to Telegraph in Berkeley
– Fisherman's Wharf is touristy, but scenic… Pier 39 has some nice shops as well
– The Presidio is quite pretty as well… Fort Point is well known to anyone who's seen Hitchcock's Vertigo :)
– If you have the time, escape the city to the south and wander through Menlo Park and Palo Alto. Stanford Univ. is there (the campus has an open air Rodin sculpture garden, and an impressive chapel) as well as some killer restaurants and shops (my fave being Wild Hare on El Camino Real, if it's even still there)
– San Jose is pretty fun too… though there isn't much there as far as tourism goes, unless you're going for a game/show at the arena, or out to eat. There are a few museums of note, though, like The Tech Museum of Innovation, and the San Jose Museum of Art. There's also the MoMA in SF and oddles of other museums and galleries scattered around the city.
– Santa Cruz is beautiful, but it's a bit of a drive from SF (about an hour and a half), but in my opinion is worth it, even if just for the day. Small beach/college town with killer mexican food and a very relaxed atmosphere.
take me with you!! *flails*
(http://livejournal.com/users/strychnyn)
I'll gladly take you with me, but didn't you just come back from SF?
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)
yes, yes i did. :)
(http://livejournal.com/users/strychnyn)
If you're serious, I'll clear it with my travelling buddy :D I'd love to have my very own your guide :P
(http://livejournal.com/users/talisker)