OT: Visiting San Fransisco & Yosemite

Submitted by WhoopinStick on

I've got one kid in college and the other is going to be a senior in high school.  I just decided to try to squeeze in one last family vacation with all four of us before that window closes and my kids are forever off doing their own thing. 

We're planning on going to San Fransisco and Yosemite.  The last time I've been to either was over 25 years ago.  So I'm looking for advice from the board on the best places to go and where to stay. 

We're flying in to SFO and the plan is to rent a car.  We'll spend a few days in the San Fransisco area and a few days in and around Yosemite.  We fly in on a Friday and fly out the following Saturday, so we won't have a ton of time in either place. 

I would greatly appreciate any advice on what to do and where to stay in our limited time we have.  (My kids are very active and like to do things other than just sightsee, but my wife's hip has been bugging her a bit lately so we won't be up for climbing Half Dome or rappelling down El Capitan!) 

Sorry for the personal OT post, but the feedback from this board on these types of topics is usually too good to not give it a try.

 

TrueBlue2003

August 4th, 2017 at 4:20 PM ^

cool places, Yosemite is incredible.  Some places are crowded for good reason, and the crowds shouldn't deter you from enjoying the many parts of Yosemite that are more quiet.  If you only have a couple days, spend them in Yosemite rather than driving around too much (takes a few hours to get from one to the other with the windy, mountain roads).

Only if you had 4 or more days in the mountains would I suggest trying to get to another park after Yosemite (if it's your first time at Yosemite and you're there to explore and not just get a photo of halfdome and leave).

reshp1

August 3rd, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^

Muir Woods is really cool and worth checking out in the area. We really liked Point Reyes as well, but it might be a bit out of the way for your limited time (although it does involve a fun drive along the pacific highway).

SMJenkins3

August 3rd, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^

I'm a long time resident. A couple of quick tips (there is a ton I could say). Don't rent a car. Take Bart into the city and walk/take public transit around. Use Hotwire or one of those and just get a hotel around union square or fishermans wharf/north beach.



Traditional tourist stuff that is still unique- cable car, Lombard (crooked street - walk up/down it), coit tower is fun. If you bike, bike across the Golden Gate.



Just plan to walk around and take it in.

TrueBlue2003

August 3rd, 2017 at 11:44 PM ^

that was my first thought.  Do not rent a car as SFO.  BART is super easy to get into town, OP won't have to deal with traffic, and won't have to pay $40 a day to park the car that he won't use at all while in the city.

And then, of course, rent a car in the city when leaving for Yosemite.

MMB 82

August 4th, 2017 at 1:42 AM ^

Just got back from SFO last week, BART was an easy trip from the airport to downtown (we stayed at the Marriott Marquis, just steps away from the Powell street BART stop, and right by Union Square.) Walk everywhere, or take Uber/Lyft. You really never want to rent a car in a big city (NY, Chicago, SFO- though LA is a different matter).

And another thing: TONGA!!

Sinsoftheschafer

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:04 PM ^

Second on the car.  I'm a longtime resident.  Take a cab to the hotel in SF and rent a car when you leave.  Uber around as needed (or Lyft since Uber is now insanely evil).  There's been a rash of car break-ins in the tourist areas.  Things to do

1) Bike GG Bridge and take the ferry back from Tiburon

2) Go to the Ferry market on Saturday morning

3) Catch a Giants game.  Don't worry that they are terrible, its a fun time

4) Get dim sum in China Town.

5) hit the Museum of Science and spend a day in GG park.  Have tea in the Japanese tea garden there

6) leave and go to Napa for the day

On places to stay: AVOID all hotels in Van Ness/Lombard.  The top of Nob Hill has the classic hotels (Mark Hopkins etc.)  Hotel Vitale is the chic place near the waterfront.  Union Square has lots of hotels; the danger there is that tourists often wander the wrong direction and end up in the tenderloin.  Hotels at 3rd/Market are ok and near SFMOMA, which is nice.

 

DJEasy12

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:10 PM ^

Sinsoftheschafer has a solid list. The only thing I would add - after hanging out at GG park, saunter on over to El Burrito Express at 26th Ave and Taraval for lunch / dinner. In my opinion, best burrito in the city, and I have tried MANY. 

markinmsp

August 4th, 2017 at 5:26 PM ^

 There are better places than Napa in the Bay Area. Gotten over-rated and touristy. Wineries and wine areas are everywhere.

 Personally, I recommend stay on 101N along the Russian River there's some great vineyards and while there hit the Russian River Brewing Company, in Santa Rosa for some fresh Pliny the Elder.

Zeke21

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:10 PM ^

Staying at Mark Hopkins, 282 including tax, 2 double beds.. top of the mark for drinks. 54 for parking. 16 for wifi.

But I'd recommend Cow Hollow INN, for family. Rooms 230 and free parking. Good location on lombard in marina. Hotwire is good, but for 4 is tough. Wharf is more expensive and touristas

Scoma's , Tadich grill are landmark resturants. Sodini's great local italian in north beach, small but reasonable and local flavor.

The city is great. I drive everywhere, but know the city.  Walk the bridge.  GGB Fantastic. And be sure and get a crab sandwich at the wharf and fresh steamed crabs.  Worth the trip.

Good luck.

 

readyourguard

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:11 PM ^

Henry Cowell Redwood State Park is in Santa Cruz (about 80 miles south of San Francisco). Great place to take in nature, walk amongst the redwoods, and ride their open air train.



On your way, stop at Half Moon Bay and hit the surf at Mavericks.

MGoCali

August 4th, 2017 at 12:48 AM ^

great advice on the mavericks, lol 

seriously though, if you are looking to surf (and who isn't?), head down to pacifica state beach. at the south end there is a nice little surf shop that rents boards and suits for the day. the waves a great for beginners and the locals there aren't dicks

MGoCali

August 4th, 2017 at 2:28 PM ^

It's my go to surf spot. The cordiality is amazing compared to Santa Cruz. I've surfed quite a bit in my six years here, and I'm well aware of the lineup rules, but the Santa Cruz dickheads know eachother, and whenever they don't recognize someone, they get pissy. I always wish I had a tazer or something. Saltwater zap would do them wonders. 

I guess if you want to avoid people, go to Ocean Beach, where there are miles of beach and just a few surfers. You feel pretty exposed there though. 

 

markinmsp

August 4th, 2017 at 5:07 PM ^

 LOL, Have a place just across the road from Henry Cowell and agree with it as a destination if you have some active sons. Good nature walks/hikes/tours also and lots of excellent trail biking there and some interesting rope swing/rock/swimming holes on the river at The Junction and Garden of Eden. Also some interesting restaurants just up the road in Ben Lomond called Ristorante Casa Nostra, Good upscale Italian you eat under the stars in a lighted redwood grove, and Tyrolean Inn, cute cross between German Beer hall and alpine chalet with German food/local brews.

 Agree with the surfing in Santa Cruz, though there are tons of surfing there, especially The Point, better to go to Mavericks as a visitor.

 His kids sound a bit old for Roaring Camp Railroad and it's rather pricey.

CC_MFan

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:19 PM ^

Was there 4 years ago.  We stayed at the homewood suites in Brisbane.  They had a shuttel from the airport.  I believe there shuttel also took us to the closest bart station.  

Vengeful Barbarian

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:28 PM ^

the best tip i can think of is to make sure you wear shorts and a tank top when you get to San Francisco so you wont be too hot. lots of tourists don't realize that San Francisco is in California, therefor it tends to be really hot in the summer.

LSAClassOf2000

August 4th, 2017 at 8:15 AM ^

If you take a slightly wider stance and bend back just a smidgen, the wind in the shorts isn't so bad necessarily. Of course, this opens up the doors to other things that might happen in public that could be seen as undesirable. 

b_jodi

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a world class burrito. The best place to go is La Taqueria, within a block of the 24th and Mission BART stop. The place can get real busy so it's good to go not long after it opens; right around 11:20am is the sweet spot. It's cash only so bring it, order a super burrito, and tell them "dorado" so they'll throw it on the grill.

b_jodi

August 3rd, 2017 at 10:38 PM ^

Afterwards burn off some of the burrito calories with a hike up Bernal Heights, just to the south of there. I think it is one of the best views in the city (if it's not foggy), plus it's not crazy crowded like Twin Peaks.

TheRaven

August 3rd, 2017 at 11:02 PM ^

Mt Tamalpais in Marin provides some great views of the bay and you can do that when you do the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, it's only a short drive.  You can take a ferry from San Fran to Sausalito or Tiburon and grab something to eat.  Tiburon is small and quiet, Sausalito has more, but is a bit touristy.  It's not for everybody, but I like Berkeley.  It has some great sections...  Elmwood and Rockridge to name a few.  In the city, Union and Chestnut in the Marina are nice.  One word of caution, don't park your car on the street at night.  There's a decent chance it'll be broken into.

Badkitty

August 4th, 2017 at 12:56 AM ^

If the fog isn't in and blanketing the City, cross the Bay Bridge and check out Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve in the Oakland Hills.  Nice hike, great views of the City (when the fog isn't there).

El Demonio

August 3rd, 2017 at 11:14 PM ^

I just did this same trip in June.  Some suggestions:

1- If you are planning this trip for next year, then great.  Try and make a reservation at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, one of two (the nicer of the two) hotels IN the park.  Staying outside the park means you have a long drive into the park every day.  It's a bit pricey, but it's a nice hotel.  It's also the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in The Shining.  They also do cool, interesting events out of the hotel, including stargazing events which is great.

2- Transportation out of SFO to San Fran is tricky.  Yes, you can take the BART.  But it's old, loud as hell, and feels like it's about to fall apart at any moment.  But it will leave you right in the heart of downtown SF.  During your stay in the city, Uber or Lyft.  However, since you are going to Yosemite, you need to rent a car.  I like SilverCar.  They only rent late model Audi A4s, and they have great promotional rates for first time renters.  The drawback to having a rental car is the parking fees overnight while staying in SF.

3- Alcatraz is really interesting.  Do the audio tour.

4- Muir Woods is great.

5- Spend an afternoon in Golden Gate Park.

6- Finally, if you can manage it, go for breakfast at Plow in SF (but only on a weekday).

 

MGOTokyo

August 4th, 2017 at 12:39 PM ^

Yes, the BART is cheap but when you exit the Powell station, hold your nose.  The stench of urine is nauseating and you'll have to step over the overnight 'campers' in the corridor and on the stairs.

I frequently fly into SFO and agree with almost all of the suggestions above.  Favorite hotel is also the Marriott Marquis, especially if you are a premium customer and have access to their business/food lounge for free breakfast, dinner and snacks.

Drbogue

August 4th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^

The Majestic is a beautiful national park hotel. However, one correction - it has nothing to do with The Shining. 

In the late 70's, Stephen King and his family were living in Boulder, CO. At the end of fall, they were invited to spend the last open weekend at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO before it closed for the winter. They stayed in room 217 and King has always said that "strange things" happened in that room when he was there. Apparently, they had the hotel essentially to themselves which gave him the idea for the book. Kubric filmed the outdoor scenes using the Timberline Lodge in Oregon and changed the room number in the movie to 237 (rumor has it that the Lodge requested that they use a room number that didn't exist at the lodge). The interior scenes in the movie were filmed in England. Athough impressive and isolated, The Majestic Hotel in Yosemite had nothing to do with The Shining.

Macenblu

August 3rd, 2017 at 11:21 PM ^

Everyone who goes to Yosemite wants to go to the valley floor which I'm sure you'll do. But make sure you go to the Tenaya Lake/Toluomne Meadows area on the northeastern side of the park. Incredibly beautiful and much less crowded than the floor. Hike to Mono Pass (only 5 miles total) but well worth it

M-Dog

August 3rd, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^

If you are not home, you are a tourist.  So don't be afraid to do "tourist" things in SF.  It has some of the best attractions in the world.

Golden Gate bridge - take lots of pictures.

Alcatraz - Strange and unique and creepy and cool.  Not a spur of the moment attraction however, you have to plan ahead and schedule around that.

Fishermans Wharf - Get some Ciapino (Italian seafood) soup, a SF tradition.  It gets cold when the sun goes down.  Gheradelli square is not really much to see, but it's close by if you want to buy some chocolate.

Painted Ladies - The hosues that were shown on the intro to the "Full House" TV show.  Yes, a 30 year old TV show is still relvant.  You'll hear the theme song blaring from everyone's smartphone.  

Height Asbury / Golden Gate Park - where the '60s hippie movement started.  Cool funky area with tie dye and head shops.  Lots of rock star's former houses and hangouts like Janice and Jimmy.  

Cable cars - take one down to the Ferry building marketplace, not down to Fisherman's Wharf.  It's much less crowded and the view is great.  Lots of little shops and eateries at the Ferry building.  Transamerica pyramid is a short walk nearby.

Coit Tower - impressive and a great a view, but be warned, the line takes a long time. 

Lombard street - "Crookedest street in the world".  If you have a car, drive down it.

Chinatown - Eat dinner there because you can't go to SF and not eat in Chinatown at least once.

Union Square hotels are central to most things.  

Don't rent a car at the airport, take a cab / BART into the city from the airport.  While in the city, you can easily walk or Uber / Lyft everywhere.  Cable cars are very crowded, don't expect to use them for actual transportation.  When you are ready to leave the city, you can rent a car close to the Union Square hotels and leave from there.