Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Houses overlooking Ocean Beach, a magnificent sweep of sand with fine views
beauty of the
Palace of Fine
Arts
(see pp62-3).
Walk to
Ghirardelli Square
(see p83),
where you'll find a range of
shops, eateries, an old-
fashioned soda fountain, and a
chocolate factory. At the cable
car turnaround, hop onto a
cable car and ride to the top
of
Nob Hill
(see p103)
. After a
wander here, amble down to
the bustling streets of
Chinatown
(see pp96-103).
lined, sky-high terraces. From
here, walk out onto the water-
front to hobnob with fisher-
men, perch on a bench, watch
passing ships and snap the
Transamerica Pyramid
(see p113)
on the skyline.
Walk to
Levi's Plaza
(see p93)
,
a grassy area with a backdrop
of vintage houses on Telegraph
Hill, topped by
Coit Tower
(see p93)
. For lunch, try
Fog
City
(see p224)
for excellent
wood-fired pizzas and a cozy,
casual atmosphere.
A Day Outdoors
Two adults
allow at least $100
Sea views at Ocean
Beach
•
Golden Gate Park
•
Walk Golden Gate Bridge
•
Chocolate galore
•
Cable car ride to Nob Hill
•
Morning
Start with breakfast at the Beach
Chalet (1000 Great Highway),
Ocean Beach
(see p155)
. View
the Depression-era murals, then
set off into
Golden Gate Park
(see pp146-7),
past gardens,
lakes, meadows, and playing
fields to the
Conservatory of
Flowers
(see p154),
a restored
Victorian glass-house filled
with exotic flora. Stroll in the
Japanese Tea Garden
(see p149),
rent a bike or a row boat, or visit
the Botanical Garden
Strybing
Arboretum
(see p154).
Just
outside the park, have a fresh
sushi lunch at Japanese
restaurant
Ebisu
(see p225)
.
Along the Waterfront
Afternoon
Jump onto a vintage streetcar,
or walk to Pier 41 at
Fisherman's
Wharf
(see pp80-81)
and take
an hour-long Blue and Gold
Fleet sightseeing trip around
the bay and under the bridge.
You can also cruise to the
notorious prison island
Alcatraz
(see pp84-7)
for a guided tour.
Back at the wharf, look into
Madame Tussaud's
(see p82)
.
Finally, amble to
Fort Mason
(see pp74-5)
to watch the sun
set over the harbor.
Two adults
allow at least $102
Home of the Giants
•
Gourmet treats
•
A walk in Levi's
Plaza Park
•
Sail around the bay or
pay a visit to Alcatraz
•
Morning
Start your expedition with
a coffee at
Caffè Roma
(see p230)
, then head to
AT&T
Park
(see p260)
, home of the
San Francisco Giants. Stroll
around the perimeter of the
ball park for fabulous views.
Proceed to the tall
Ferry
Building
(see p114),
where in
the glass-enclosed marketplace
you can buy artisan cheeses,
rare teas, pastries, and locally
grown produce. Across the
street,
Embarcadero Center
(see p112)
is a six-block, high-
rise complex of shops and
restaurants topped by tree-
Afternoon
Take Muni to San Francisco's
landmark
Golden Gate Bridge
(see pp64-7)
for a windy walk
across and back. Walk under the
bridge to pre-Civil War-era
Fort
Point
(see p62)
and follow the
bayfront trail to
Crissy Field
(see p62),
to watch boats and
windsurfers. Have a hot drink
here at the
Warming Hut Café
.
Then take a stroll and enjoy the
Fog City, a 1930s-style diner
