San Francisco in One Day
Monday, July 30, 2012
This one day tour can be finished by lunch if you are fast, or take all day if you linger. - I linger-
•When you arrive at the airport take the Bart into the city. The Bart goes all the way down to the Embarcadero near Market St. Walk across the street and wander thru the Ferry Market Building. If you arrive by ferry you will arrive at either the Ferry Market Building or Pier 39. If you Arrive at Pier 39 Give yourself time to visit the Ferry Building at the end our your day.
•The ferry building has great little shops, wine tasting, bars, and all kinds of cool stuff. I can spend hours here, so relax and enjoy. For dinner or Lunch try The Slated door (modern Vietnamese restaurant), Boulettes Larder, or just graze thru the many stalls. Try cheese at Cowgirl Creamery, by some bread at Acme- there are many so places to nibble. Also on Saturdays there is an open air farmers market. This is a perfect way to sample the local produce.
TIP: Make use of the clean free public restrooms.
• If it is early grab an expresso and some treats for later. Then either jump on the "F" street car (2.00 or buy a visitors passport for 11$ all day -Visitor Passports) It is directly in front of the ferry building. Ride it down to Pier 39. Or walk along the water. (The water should be on your right), Golden Gate Bridge in front of you. It is a little over a mile.
•Pier 39 is a collection of tourists boutiques and restaurants. You won't want to spend much time here, but, try the mini donuts, then walk thru the crowds and make your way toward the left (if facing the bay) side of the pier. (West) Here you can check out large families of seals.
•Next walk the Embarcadero towards fisherman's wharf. Explore and sample the fresh seafood. Dungeness Crab and clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl are the most popular. Pop into Boudin’s for some of their famous sourdough treats. Stop into Musée Mécanique, (admission is free) this is a collection of antique coin operated arcade machines. Most machines are from 5 to 25 cents.
Stay in the same direction and Head toward Ghirardelli Square.
•At Ghirardelli Square grab some candy, ice cream or hot chocolate, then, look for the cable car turn around on the corner of Powell and Hyde. If you bought the Visitors Passport you will use it here or pay 5 $ for one cable car ride.
•Take the cable car from the cable car turn around at Ghirardelli Square, on the corner of Hyde and Beach. This is the Powell and Hyde line. Ride it up to Lombard street (sit on the left if you are facing up hill). Jump off and take pictures (if you bought the 11$ pass) or ride by and look . This line also goes thru Russian Hill. Take the cable car to the Cable car museum. It is free and will take about 5 min to see, but interesting and worth the 5 min. TIP: there is a free, clean public bathroom here. :)
•From the Cable Car Museum, walk to China town (about a 5 min walk). The main street in China Town, the one with the hanging lanterns, is Grant Ave. If you want to try some authentic Chinese food stop here. We ate at Great Eastern it was Yummy!!! But, there are many dim sum bakeries along Jackson, Grant and the many side streets, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
Great Eastern Restaurant - Nob Hill - San Francisco, CA
•From here, Walk over to the cable car on California. And ride it down toward the Embarcadero. (Or walk down if you only bought the one-way ride on the cable car) You are back to where you started. A good nice day if you linger as you stroll.