Holiday in San Francisco

[Xilef]

It's my first time going on holiday, my girlfriend and I are going to San Francisco (But staying in Oakland), is anyone here from those areas that could help us out with some information?

We've checked out the public transport links and all, but we don't know anything about fares and how to pay, additionally we don't know any sites around that would be good to visit.

Anyone here from San Fran' or Oakland?

 

[Glitchfinder]

It's my first time going on holiday, my girlfriend and I are going to San Francisco (But staying in Oakland), is anyone here from those areas that could help us out with some information?

We've checked out the public transport links and all, but we don't know anything about fares and how to pay, additionally we don't know any sites around that would be good to visit.

Anyone here from San Fran' or Oakland?

Golden Gate Park is a great place to visit. It has a ton of stuff, from an arboretum to some Japanese tea gardens.

 

[Injury]

San Fran is great. When you do the trollies, get the pay once, ride all day, they are pricey but worth it. Goto fisherman's wharf and have a blast! Try to get on a tour around alcatraz, go to the different museums and try to see some shows!

They have subways, and they usually smell like piss... Its not to bad getting around on the subway, but you want to have those all day passes for the trolly because of the brutal hills.

Be wary of bums and other vagrants, they are all over the place. Just have fun! There is a lot to do at fisherman's wharf, check out the original penny arcade down there! Its awesome.

 

[regi]

Yup, Muni (the bus/trolley/train system) is the way to go in SF-- a day pass is probably worth it if you're planning on visiting a bunch of different areas.

Like Injury said, Fisherman's Wharf is a popular place. I'd recommend the Exploratorium if you have a good chunk of the day free, but you may want to do more touristy things if it's your first time. Golden Gate Bridge is obviously a tourist hotspot, and Chinatown's fun to walk through as well. And like Glitchfinder said, they have tons of events in the Park, from concerts to gardens to nice picnic spots where people like to throw frisbees around.

 

[Venetia]

Not to be a party pooper, but I hate San Francisco personally :x. Ridiculous numbers of homeless people (who get "grabby") and everything's overpriced & crowded. But big cities generally make me nervous anyway. The buildings themselves are mostly quite beautiful, and if you like shopping [for expensive shit], it's got a lot of that.

FYI: Don't expect to be able to use the bathroom anywhere but restaurants/bars where you are currently a patron. (A lot of downtown areas are like that, but ... Jesus christ, in that city it's like it's against the law to have a bladder or something, christ)

Fisherman's Wharf is kind of cool but very tourist-y (so high prices and things feel ... "Artificial"). Once in a while you'll see a cool homeless bro who plays music and doesn't harass you. But like 90% of the people on many of the streets are pissy/grabby hobos :/.

I've only been in downtown SF though ... Didn't visit any parks or less-populated areas. Which I have heard are very nice.

Definitely bring cash. Nothing is cheap. And bring comfy shoes, because you will be doing a TON of walking. Avoid driving ... The city is a traffic jam with some buildings around it. Cab fares are outrageous too.

If you are driving TO SF you'll need to locate a parking garage. Expect to pay about $25-35/day to keep it there. Actually I think the garage we parked in was closer to $50. Ugh.

Lastly, Johnny Foley's looks like a cute Irish pub, but the food is really not great. They have good reviews for some reason, but it's like the chefs there have never heard of salt or seasonings.

 

[Venetia]

FYI if you like hiking, there are SO MANY lovely places to hike in the areas between SF & Sacramento. Mountains and streams and trees and temperate weather.

 

[Glitchfinder]

FYI if you like hiking, there are SO MANY lovely places to hike in the areas between SF & Sacramento. Mountains and streams and trees and temperate weather.

Or go south along PCH and have fun in the area around Half Moon Bay. If you like surfing, that's basically a requirement anyway, as they have some of the best surf in the world.

 

[Xilef]

Because of Venetia's post, we are no longer going to san fran', we knew about all that stuff but having someone on the internet tell you like that puts it all into perspective.

We're looking at other places now.

 

[Venetia]

Well, now I feel bad :x. I should tell you, I'm in the minority of people who dislike San Fran. Most people gush about it. Hell, one of my coworkers makes yearly trips to it (though she also LOVES New Orleans, which is mind-boggling, considering how fucking disgusting/filthy/smelly/crime-ridden that place is ... But she's rich as piss, and only stays in the Four Seasons or the Ritz and shit, so she sees sides of cities that only the rich can see).

(You had mentioned staying in Oakland though, which is a pretty crummy place to stay [nothing really nice about it IMO, though it's not horrible I guess], so you dodged a bullet on lodging I think.)

If you're still wanting to take a trip to Cali though, I can't more highly recommend it ... The state's a great place with nearly every type of major ecosystem, and some really great areas.

What are you looking for in a vacation? Nature? Shopping? General tourism/seeing sights? Camping? Hiking? Dining? Nightlife? Theme parks? What's your budget going to be like? How long'll you stay?

I could definitely recommend places if I know what you're looking for.

 

[Venetia]

Also if you're staying in Cali, instead of going to a hotel, search for rentals on Craig's List. I can't tell you how much money you'll save. Especially if you go to South Cali or San Diego -- They don't really have affordable hotels there. If you find something affordable, it's going to be a shitty motel from the 50's or 60's that's no bigger than a matchbox and twice as uncomfortable. Don't trust online pictures.

 

[Xilef]

Nah I've booked a packaged holiday to Tenerife in stead, you've put me off visiting the US entirely for about 4 years.

 

[Juan J. Sánchez]

Frisco is amazing. Go to China Town and have some clam chowder in the dock.

 

[Jason]

Nah I've booked a packaged holiday to Tenerife in stead, you've put me off visiting the US entirely for about 4 years.

Yeah, I wouldn't have minded visiting San Francisco someday since it seemed like a cool place, but Ven pretty much made it out to be a shit hole filled with overpriced shops and tons of homeless people... if I want that I'll just take a 15 minute train into Sheffield, lol

 

[Xilef]

Yeah, I wouldn't have minded visiting San Francisco someday since it seemed like a cool place, but Ven pretty much made it out to be a shit hole filled with overpriced shops and tons of homeless people... if I want that I'll just take a 15 minute train into Sheffield, lol

I know, right? What a kill-joy...

So, anyone know anything about Tenerife?

 

[Venetia]

Hahaha I feel like such a huge asshole lol

Seriously though!! Like I said ... A lot of people love San Fran. I personally ... Just didn't understand why. Wasn't my cup of tea ...

The Castro district was kinda cool ... Good place to hook up with other gay folks if you're single & gay ... They have a lot of festivals/events there ... And, uh ... The weather is temperate ... There was a cool comic shop just outside of downtown (but was very expensive :/) ... And, uh ... Like I said, most of the high rises were nice-looking ...

(And there are plenty of very lovely and cool-to-visit places in the US -- didn't mean to put you off the country entirely.)


But Tenerife looks like a really nice place. I've always wanted to visit Spain (that's not Spain mainland obviously, but they're owned by Spain ...). Also your money will go a lot further in Tenerife and it would in San Fran. IIRC, the Canary Islands are very lovely for weather this time of year (but look at forecasts to make sure there aren't any big storms brewing in Africa before your trip).

Anyway I have zero negative input for Tenerife (haven't ever been); 10/10 would also visit.

 

[Xilef]

Hmm. After such massive negative thoughts given about SF, I am a bit taken a back by your views on Tenerife. Are you just feeling bad so you are telling me Tenerife is great despite you secretly knowing it is terrible?

I will contact the hotel, if you secretly think badly of Spain I'll have to cancel, Venetia's opinion is truth to me, even the secret, hidden opinions.

I must hurry! D:

 

[Venetia]

hahah ... well, if you want negativity, it's close to Marrakech, which may or may not be a stopping point on your trip -- while I haven't been there either, everything I've heard about it is massively topped with commentary about ridiculous amounts of people trying to swindle tourists, filthiness, smelliness, etc. Lots of theft. (Though there are lots of incredible & fascinating things about it as well -- a trip to Morocco would probably be better by skirting around the most frequented-by-tourists areas). Also Morocco is experiencing a deal of unrest and some rioting (though not as bad as Bahrain, Yemen).

i hope that's negative enough for you?

(enjoy your trip ... seriously the canary islands are beautiful in pictures so i'm sure they're even better in person -- A friend (my rich friend at work I share my office with) who went there years ago mentioned to avoid the resorts and try to immerse yourself in local towns instead; more fun, better food, considerably more affordable)