Author Topic: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?  (Read 2942 times)

Emergo

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Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« on: November 17, 2015, 06:39:32 PM »
So im taking an amtrak train that connects to illinois to san fran from houston ( so i could go through a scenic route). Im staying 5 nights at a hostel in san fran. How can i maximize my experience and have the best time there? I like nature, and nice scenic places. Thanks.

Dee18

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2015, 08:35:39 PM »
I rented an electric bike for half a day...had a great ride to Golden Gate Bridge and through the park.

turketron

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2015, 10:01:37 PM »
If you like outdoors stuff, Muir Woods and Mount Tam are great. They're both north of the city, so I'm not sure how feasible it would be to go to either of them without a car, but maybe you could rent one for a day?

CowboyAndIndian

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2015, 08:44:36 AM »
Muir woods is absolutely beautiful.

Take a trip to Napa valley, drive down the Silverado trail, or alternately, take the wine train.

Take a short drive down the pacific coast highway (extremely beautiful).

MandalayVA

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2015, 09:21:56 AM »
Seconding Muir Woods.  Very beautiful and peaceful.

Also make sure to eat a burrito in the Mission District.  I recommend Taqueria San Jose.

JJNL

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2015, 09:32:44 AM »
Seconding Muir Woods and cycling across the Golden Gate bridge and then taking the ferry back. In fact, if you're really into cycling you could probably make it all the way out to Muir Woods. I also liked the Japanese Tea Garden and the Botanical Garden, and they have some good museums. I also loved just walking around there, for example in the Mission, Castro or Haight-Ashbury.

Also, this: https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/san-francisco/free-things-to-do-in-sf

Sibley

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2015, 09:53:38 AM »
Wander around San Fran on foot or bike. It's not a huge island, though plenty of hills. There's a lot of gorgeous old houses in certain areas, plus all the predictable areas that people love. I'm not interested in really expensive stores, but Union Square also has ice skating in the winter, maybe that's up?

The pier is all touristy, but often sea lions gather on the back side of it and you can watch them. Plus the people watching the pier allows.

There's some good museums if you're into that, and a decent aquarium. Never went to the zoo, so no idea about that.

Muir Woods was awesome. San Rafael is just north of the city (across Golden Gate Bridge) and many people also like that city. I'm not sure why though, never looked into it.

Then there's Alcatraz Island, if you're interested and willing to pay for the trip.

I'd totally find a good place to sit and watch the ocean for a few hours. If you don't mind cold water, I'm sure you can get down to the water's edge as well and go wading.

bognish

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2015, 12:52:48 PM »
Rent a bike at fishermans wharf, ride west through the Marina district and over Golden Gate Bridge. If you a feeling fit turn left (west) as soon as you get off the bridge and head into the Marin Headlands. This drops down to Rodeo beach and there is a light house you can visit along the way. From there ride to Saucalito, grab an ice cream and take the ferry back to Fishermans Wharf. This would be a mellow half day even if you are not a great biker.

You can also catch a ferry from Fishermans wharf to Angel island for a nice hike with great views. The ferry schedule can eat up a bit of time.

Lands End & the Preisdio are good places in the city to get away from crowds and enjoy views of the Pacific and mouth of the bay.

There is a guide book for the stairs of San Francisco. It gets you to lots of obscure walks in the city where the streets get to steep to drive so the sidewalks turn to stairs. These are all over the city, and sometimes seem like they are going into someones house. There are a few cool ones around Coit Tower that head towards Levi Plaza or Fishermans wharf.  A flock of green parrots live in this area (or did 7 years ago when I lived in SF).

There are some good free neighborhood guides on www.sfgate.com Go to the travel section and the neighborhoods.

Ricky

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2015, 06:40:49 PM »
I went to SF this past Summer and stayed a week. For those recommending you go outside the city, that is saying something. I did not personally find the majority of the city itself to be attractive or having an abundance of interesting/fun things to do. Fisherman's Wharf is an overcrowded tourist trap. Downtown is very dirty and really not unlike any other commercially dominated city. What I liked most was walking some of the most expensive neighborhoods. I stayed near Buena Vista Park. Some of the neighborhoods are very beautiful amongst the very steep hills. Plenty of exercise! Golden Gate Bridge was pretty nice (definitely an incredible feat of engineering) but ultimately it's just a bridge (no offense).

I get a kick out of simple things like riding the bus and seeing the city that way. It's really cheap and you get to watch the locals.

I spent a day at Yosemite during my trip and I wish I had spent my whole week there.

Conjou

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2015, 03:44:33 PM »
I also recommend skipping SF for the Berkeley Hills area parks like Wildcat Canyon and Tilden Park. You can BART over, rent a bike and have a fantastic time among the dirt paths and eucalyptus trees. Stop at Berkeley Bowl for amazing selection of deli and produce for your eats. If you are splurging, you could eat at Chez Panisse. Other than the east bay parks, I'd suggest or second the others' advice of Marin Headlands or Muir Woods. Couldn't pay me to spend limited time fighting with the herd or the drive to wine country though.

oneday

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Re: Solo trip to San Fran - things to do in San Fran?
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2015, 10:44:02 PM »


...Levi Plaza or Fishermans wharf.  A flock of green parrots live in this area (or did 7 years ago when I lived in SF).

I was in SF earlier this year for a 5K starting at the Ferry Building.  There's a small grassy area at the corner of Drumm & Clay...the parrots were there.

My suggestion to the OP: Walk up or down the curvy part of Lombard Street!  Between Hyde & Leavenworth.  I believe Hyde is the "uphill" end & Leavenworth is the "downhill" end.  Usually lots of gorgeous flowers.  Walking is free, but I believe they ask for a donation.

 

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