San Francisco 3 days over Christmas 2016

[Quickstatus]

Planning for the Christmas sector of the next trip

looking at SFO arrive evening 23/12 depart 26/12

any suggestions re acom, places to visit?

Secondly apart from SFO any other places to visit (we are coming in from ASE and then departing to DEN at the above dates

 

[BAM1748]

My favourite accom is the Chancellor Hotel on Powell St. Not 5 star but superb service and right in the heart of all things shopping. The hotel staff will help with booking a good location for Christmas lunch. Alternatatively look at some of the Kimpton Hotels in SF.

I always enjoy a walk down to the water and around the Embarcadero and back over Nobb Hill to Union Square. You'll need a moderate level of fittness on the hills.

I like visiting in the colder months, realy brings out that bracing SF plus fewer tourists.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/28382778993/in/album-72157669369779654/

Matt

 

[cjd600]

So, you have 2 days...

Have you been before?
How many of you, kids etc?

 

[Quickstatus]

So, you have 2 days...

Have you been before?
How many of you, kids etc?

have been before but many years ago
5 pax 3 late-teens

Last 3 christmas were in NYC. Thought we would try something different.

 

[Quickstatus]

My favourite accom is the Chancellor Hotel on Powell St. Not 5 star but superb service and right in the heart of all things shopping. The hotel staff will help with booking a good location for Christmas lunch. Alternatatively look at some of the Kimpton Hotels in SF.

I always enjoy a walk down to the water and around the Embarcadero and back over Nobb Hill to Union Square. You'll need a moderate level of fittness on the hills.

I like visiting in the colder months, realy brings out that bracing SF plus fewer tourists.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15264656@N02/28382778993/in/album-72157669369779654/

Matt

Thanks.

Thanks a CC ride will be on the bucket list.

the other bucket list items for 2.5 days are:
GG Bridge - bike?
Old Chinatown
Alcatraz

I heard union square shopping is best?

Anything like NYC broadway in SFO?

Also kung pao kosher Comedy?

 

[cjd600]

Thanks.

Thanks a CC ride will be on the bucket list.

the other bucket list items for 2.5 days are:
GG Bridge - bike?
Old Chinatown
Alcatraz

I heard union square shopping is best?

Anything like NYC broadway in SFO?

Sausalito is pretty cool....can cycle over the GG Bridge, a spot of lunch for the afternoon, and get the ferry back across (with bikes).
Alcatraz is good also (pre-book, don't just rock up on the day) - the boat ride out there is good, as well as the actual tour.
And grab some clam chowder in sourdough bread-bowl if down at Fisherman's Wharf (or anywhere really).
Might need to check what impact Xmas Day has on what is open/operating as well

 

[get me outta here]

The night time Alcatraz tour books out very early. The 'kids' would enjoy the spookyness.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks cjd600 and BAM1748

OAK or SFO is staying in SF?

 

[BAM1748]

Thanks cjd600 and BAM1748

OAK or SFO is staying in SF?

No not really and if using public transport from Oakland or SFO into SF proper stay close to a BART station, good service and good price.

 

[cjd600]

Not sure on Airport, I've flown into SFO, then roadtripped, or roadtripped in and out of San Fran.
probably similar distance, so would go with price if you are asking where to fly to DEN from

We typically stay at Suites at Fishermans Wharf.
Cable car at door, separate living/bedroom, good size, and easy walk down to Pier 39, wharf departures etc
An a nice rooftop courtyard with views over the harbour to Alcatraz, nice for an afternoon beverage

 

[sausagefingers]

Get up to Twin peaks for an amazing view of the city after the fog has cleared.

 

[brickmark]

Westin St Francis - it is on Union Square. Love this hotel. Personally I would not stay in Fishermen s Wharf area - too touristy.

Take the BART to Berkeley and walk around the University of California Berkeley. (CAL Bears). We just walked around. We watched a basketball practice inside stadium and saw inside football stadium. Doors were open so we just walked in and no one stopped us. Bonus is that you get to see Oakland from comfort of train without having to get off. (that was close enough for me)

Have fun - one of my favorite cities.

 

[irv]

The Mosser is central to everything, near where the cable cars turn around.

 

[get me outta here]

If you are interested in walking past a tiny Frank Lloyd Wright building a few steps off Union Square, let me know and I'll look up the actual address. It was apparently the prototype before he designed the Guggenheim.

Here it is: (sorry, can't make the font smaller)

[h=1]Frank Lloyd Wright’s West Coast Experiment, Ramping Up to the Guggenheim http://hyperallergic.com/185312/frank-lloyd-wrights-west-coast-experiment-ramping-up-to-the-guggenheim/[/h]

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks all, keep the suggestion coming.!!!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Golden Gate Park (bigger than New York's Central Park) is great for some time out.

 

[irv]

And City Hall is worth a visit.

 

[Milboo]

We stayed at the Mark Hopkins Intercontiental and liked being up on the hill and away from hustle. Easy walk down to Fisherman's Wharf and cable car nearby.

Enjoyed a night out at Beach Blanket Babylon show.

 

[karen blancfield]

We liked the Warwick Hotel, because we prefer to be near Union Square. Museum of Modern Art fabulous. Upstairs inside Macy's there a small cafe with great views over Union Square. Lori's Diner is fun if you like diners, handy to Union Square.

 

[irv]

If you stay near Union Square try out Johns Grill, like stepping back into the 60's, great chowder.