San Francisco Journals

San Francisco Whirlwind Tour

A January 2009 trip to San Francisco by MattF

Quote: My wife and I went for a long weekend getaway in San Francisco. We've been there a number of times, but this time we wanted to experience the city and the sites.

Cheer!
Flag

Seeing San Francisco by Metro and Foot

Story/Tip

Cable Car ride up California St. to Pacific Height

Quote:

This was one visit when we wanted to get out in the city and see alot of the areas we never saw before. To start with we decided to take the the Cable Car up California St. from the Hyatt Rengency and to walk the victorian house tour of the Pacific Heights area. We thought this would be a great way to see alot of the city architecture, one of the more beautiful neighborhoods in the city, and see some inspiring San Francisco views.

We really enjoyed the victorian house tour. The walking was not as bad as you would think with all the hills, you walked through some really pretty neighborhoods, and the homes are as picture perfect as what you always see in the travel magazines. We even saw the house used to film the movie Mrs. Doubtfire that Robin Williams stared in!

After the tour we decided to start walked down through the Filmore District on our way to Haight Ashbury. The boulevard is lined with quaint little shops, store fronts, and restaurants. We had a great time seeing the area, but also noted how alive the District and San Francisco is in general. People are out on foot walking everywhere all day long; walking their dogs, couples strolling and shopping, and sitting in the many restaurants. This city is really alive and you can feel the vibe and energy everywhere.

About half way to Haight Ashbury District we decided it would be wise to take the Metro transportation the rest of the way (way too long a walk). Again, we used our three day Metro transportation pass and hopped a bus the rest of the way. I don't know why, but we really had no problems figuring out which buses to take, and if we had a question, there were 4 or 5 people there willing to help us. My experience with public transportation in other cities was not this easy. The buses are well maintained, clean, and pretty much on time. And in this city - everyone uses public transportation! So you can pretty much be assured that the seats will be full.

The Haight Ashbury District was a must do for us and it was everything and nothing at the same time. There are shops and pubs all over the place and the eclectic neighborhood is what you might think it would be for an area with the 60's history this one has. It is a touristy area that trys to capitalize on it's past, a little run down, but worth seeing if you've never been before.

From here we took the bus to Market St., transfered to a great street car that was originally manufactured and used in Milan, Italy. I love all the old refurbished street cars that the city uses. They are from all over the States and the world, are beautifully refurbished, and provide a ride through the past when you take one. The ride down Market St. on the street car dropped us off at our home base (Hyatt Regency) located in Embarcadero Center and we ended the day with a glass of wine sitting on the balcony. A nice adventure for the day, a wonderful walk and ride through the city, and the end of another San Francisco day watching the sun set. Read Less

Cheer!
Flag

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hotel | "Our Home Base for Adventure"

Quote:

We chose to stay at this hotel for many reasons, and in the end, it was a great choice. The hotel is in a great location in the Embarcadero Center on the waterfront, across from the Ferry Building. If you stay here, your right at the cross roads for all the Metro transportation; street cars that will take you up Market Ave or down the Pier, and the famous San Francisco Cable Cars. The California Ave / Market St. Cable Car starts right out the front door! How great is that!

It is also well located for the shopping crowd. There is a shopping mall in the Embarcadero Center right next to the hotel, and it's only a few blocks from the shopping Nirvana of Union Square. There are a number of restaurants...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 8, 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
5 Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, California 94111
(415) 788-1234

Cheer!
Flag

Biking Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Attraction | "More than we Bargained For"

Quote:

On our long weekend in San Francisco my wife and I (really just me) thought it would be great to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Sounds innocuous enough doesn't it? Well, when you haven't rode a bike in 10 plus years, and you do it on a weekend when all the other bike enthusiasts and runners are out in force, and you think it's a simple ride across the bridge, you find out it's not as enjoyable as you had hoped.

The adventure starts at Pier 41 and ends on the other side of the bridge in Sausalito. This is a LONG ride up steep hills and across a bridge with little clearance for passing. Be aware that it can be a little frightening when heavy trafficed - like on a weekend!

Overall, I will look back...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on May 2, 2025

Biking Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Blazing Saddles 2715 Hyde Street
San Francisco, California 94109
(415) 202-8888

Cheer!
Flag

Trolleys, Buses, and Street Cars

Story/Tip

Quote:

Getting around in San Francisco can be daunting if you don't know your way around and a little intimidating in a car due to the traffic. We were advised by the hotel to get a 3 day unlimited use Metro Pass to use any of the city's public transportation. This turned out to be a grat idea and a great bargain. over the four days that we were there, we used the cable cars, street cars, and buses to see the city, and I mean we really got out there!

I think I love the Street Cars the most. They are antiques from all over the world and have been refurbished back into working order. The street car that impressed me the most was from Milan, Italy. All wood, beautifully restored, and well maintained.
...Read More