Here there is a temperate, cool climate, all sorts of food, culture, arts from around the world, including the
California Culinary Academy, symphonies, opera, plays, activities, culture, an international hub airport connecting you to all other parts of the world, and two secondary airports close by.
Visit Union Square, ride on Powell & Hyde Cable Car line, and ride at the front end of the car if possible. The breathtaking view comes toward the last few blocks as it approaches Fisherman's Wharf.
Ferry ride to Oakland, Sausalito, or Alcatraz, or take the Muni F trolley line and just enjoy the scenery, as its long path includes Fisherman's Wharf, downtown along Market Street, gay Castro area, and the Castro Theatre, which plays pipe-organ music and old movies.
So many things to see in San Francisco:
M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, Cartoon Art Museum, Cable Car Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Asian Art Museum, Natural History Museum.
Golden Gate Bridge, the symbolic entry into our city and nation, connecting to Sausalito in Marin County; Angel Island, where the Chinese were detained in the early 20th century; Palace of Fine Arts; the Exploratorium; drive down the crookiest street, Lombard Street; Transamerica building, with its unique pyramid shape for the skyline; SF Main Library; Mission Dolores & Mission district; Chinatown; Pier 39; Japantown with Kabuki Hot Springs; Morrison Planetarium (and Laserium); Steinhart Aquarium; North Beach; Coit Tower; old hippie days of Haight-Ashbury, now gentrified; Pacific Heights; Union Square; south of Market area (SoMa); Lands End, and where the old Sutro Baths used to be.
Visit Treasure Island, the East Bay with Oakland's Jack London Square, Chinatown, Oakland Museum, Lake Merritt, or the Paramount Theatre.
There's Berkeley, with its university, shopping, and eating, head further into wine country for some 200 wineries in Napa and Sonoma, or go further to Sacramento, the state's capital.
Buy a map of the city with all the Muni stops on it so you can navigate around the city. A map marking the 49-mile scenic drive is another way to drive around and see the city. There are restaurants galore, coming out of your ears.
Drive to Fort Point to foot of Golden Gate Bridge view, drive across the bridge to Marin side and up the hill to view of bridge and city.
Quick Tips:
Resources:
Hostels.com,
Let's Go,
Fodor's,
Fodor's hotel listings,
Frommer's,
Frommer's hotel listings,
Lonely Planet,
Lonely Planet lodging list,
City Pass with admission to six attractions including a bay cruise and unlimited rides on the cable car and MUNI for nine days,
Only in San Francisco,
SF Visitor,
San Francisco Theatre,
CityPass,
, Wok Wiz,
Gay Pocket.
Stay out of Hunter's Point/3rd St. area, and Mission St. between 16th to 24th streets may have gang-related problems. The homeless are a problem, but normally not harmful. Stay alert and have a destination in mind.
There's a string of "lower-cost" motels along Lombard Street near the Golden Gate bridge.
Lodging.com,
http://www.hotels.com/>Hotels.com or
Priceline along with
Bidding for Travel to aid in bidding on Priceline for your lodging, unless you're fortunate enough to have a friend with a large enough place to accommodate you. It's expensive to stay or visit here.
Try
Traveler,
Fairs and Festivals, and
SF Station for information.
Pack a light jacket or sweater and a water bottle, as the weather varies throughout the day from overcast to bright sun, and the wind is strong at times, especially down Market St. near Van Ness, where it sometimes seems like a wind tunnel.
Best Way To Get Around:
SFO International Airport is huge and easily confusing. The city is very easily accessible on foot, full of walkable, distinct neighborhoods, so have a good pair of comfortable walking shoes, as streets can be very hilly.
Public transit Muni and BART to/from the airport are the practical ways to getting around the city.
SamTrams 292 local bus is also available to/from the airport, and though slower, is cheaper than BART. SamTrams KX express bus is faster but allows only one carry-on, and only if it fits on your lap while seated.
Transit info can help provide help getting to other places.
Driving is doable, but traffic can get very congested, and parking can be difficult. Don't drive manual transmission if you're not accustomed to driving on the hilly streets. And there are taxis.
Public Transit Muni works well unless you want to get out of the city; you don't need a rental car just to get around the city.
Another option would be City CarShare or Zipcar.
There's 511.org for help on transportation, whether on public transit or driving conditions.