One of the highlights of this trip was the day tour of the wineries. The weather was exceptionally kind to us and the scenery was very pretty--the wines weren't bad either! The Van Morrison concert at the Masonic Auditorium was the crowning glory for us. This is a superb venue for a concert. Museums are great, although the Legion of Honour is about a dollar taxi ride from Union Square area, well worth it for the views from the gardens alone. We decided to get the bus back and got lost trying to find the bus stop.
We were wandering around the very up market area of Sea Cliff (home to Sharon Stone and Robin Williams) for quite sometime before we found a bus route. Then after traveling on the bus for about 10 minutes we discovered we were going the wrong way!
We found a good Indian restaurant in North Beach. Lori's Diner in the Union square area is fantastic for breakfast and you can't beat a boat trip round the Bay and under Golden Gate Bridge.
One, and only, downside--lots of winos/down'n'outs in main shopping areas.
Quick Tips:
Don't try to do everything in one day. There is so much to see, so plan the sightseeing over a few days. Don't hire a car whilst staying in the city. Car parking charges are horrendous and the public transport systems are good and cheap.
Best Way To Get Around:
Cable cars are a must, and run along various routes. Buses are a good value. The BART system is very good, especially for getting to the out of city areas. Taxis are plentiful and not too expensive. Stay in the Union Square area and most shopping and dining is within walking distance.