Tahoe in San Francisco

“Me and a buddy are headed to San Francisco this weekend. Saturday we are going to take the tour to Alcatraz at around noon, and then after that we are going to walk across the Golden Gate bridge and check out Fort Point.
Does anyone have any advice on the bridge thing? Best time to go, where to park, stuff like that.
Presently the plan is to go in the afternoon, and park at the rest area just north of the bridge.”

“There's probably fog in the morning, so that may not be the best time.”

“I suggest renting bikes and riding across Golden Gate Bridge...then you can circle under bridge at north end and ride into
Golden Gate Recreational Area.VERY scenic!

Be careful in the brush there...LOTSA poison ivy!!! (I "found" it a few years ago).”

“Actually, it's poison oak - we don't have poison ivy here.

Going in the afternoon is a good idea, like wbp sez.

I'm embarrassed to say, as a San Francisco native, that I only went to Alcatraz for the first time a couple summers ago. I found it to be one of the most interesting National Parks I've ever visited! You'll love it!

One final note: Do not, I repeat, do not visit the most visited site by tourists in San Francisco, Pier 39. It's just a bunch of cheesy shops - ugh. On the other hand, the seals (or sea lions, can't remember) kind of took over the docks on the north side of Pier 39, so it's kind of fun to go watch them if they're still there.

Go eat at the Pacific Cafe at 7000 Geary (corner of 34th Ave.) if you like sea food.

Lots of tourists go up to Twin Peaks for the view. It is nice....”

“Thanks for the suggestions. Seafood is yummy!”

“Bowlder, is it Coit Tower that has the murals that are so beautiful?”

“Yes. I haven't been there in years. No, decades! I was thinking the murals were Diego Riveras, but, alas, the Coit Tower web site, http://www.coittower.org, proved me wrong. Still nice, though!!”

“I second BowlderMan's suggestions on afternoon on the bridge and Pacific Cafe if you like seafood. And the one to not go to Pier 39 (except for the sea lions).

If you are up for a little "urban hiking," the wife and I used to walk from our house in the marina (south side of the bridge), by the bay at Chrissy field, over the bridge, down to Salsalito, take the ferry back to the city(if you go early enough, or do it in reverse you can hit one of the best Farmer's markets in the world at the Ferry building on Saturdays), and walk through down town and North Beach and back to the Marina. It's an all day thing, and the road from the north part of the bridge to Salsalito is a bit dicey, but the views and the experience are really great.

I'll actually be back in town for a short time in November and here are some of the spots I will be hitting:

-Gordo's (for carnitas tacos) in the Inner Richmond
-Giorgio's (pizza) Clement st. also inner richmond
-Burma Superstar (burmese) awesome asian food, rather cheap, always packed (clement st.)
-Naked Fish (sushi, Chesnut st., Marina)
-Curbside II (right near the Lombard gate of the Presidio) for brunch
-Ella's (California and Presidio) best breakfasts in SF
-Marina Lounge (chesnut, Marina) best "locals" bar in town, especially if Sully is bartending.

Have a great trip.”

“Don't forget about the fairys and queer dressers at Pier 39. Always interesting. Lots of things to see that you will never see anywhere else. You won't believe your eyes. Usually out front by the parking lot. Oh and the Sea Lions too.”

“Back for the ND-SU game bongo??

I think I owe you a beer from last year's game. Or the year before. Or the year before that....

Email me if you wanna hook up....”

“bowlder...you got mail”

“The last time I was at Pier 39 there was some guy in a torn up rain suit racing his shopping cart around and yelling at people, that was hilarious! Using a ferry (the boat kind) to get back to the car is a great idea.”

“Ferry can also be great for avoiding Bay Bridge traffic snarls! Sometimes when I have to go into SF for biz I'll park on THIS side & take the ferry across to Fisherman's wharf, then catch cable car into biz district. Saves a lot of hassle!

Don't forget about BART for ease of getting around also.

Oh, yeah, I second or third Ft. Point & Golden Gate SP visits... don't miss the old missle silo's!”