There may be a job opportunity in my future in Walnut Creek, CA.

Is Walnut Creek (and nearby towns where I would probably look for housing to avoid excessive commutes) a decent place for a young, single minority? Or is that part of the Bay Area (if it can even be called that, as it looks to be half way to Sacramento) mainly a bedroom/family community?

There may be a job opportunity in my future in Walnut Creek, CA.

Is Walnut Creek (and nearby towns where I would probably look for housing to avoid excessive commutes) a decent place for a young, single minority? Or is that part of the Bay Area (if it can even be called that, as it looks to be half way to Sacramento) mainly a bedroom/family community?
Walnut Creek is a nice little town. It is not as diverse as many other cities/towns in the Bay Area. They have a nice downtown city center, but there's not a whole lot to do outside of that for a young, single person. Some of the smaller cities outside of Walnut Creet(Antioch, Pittsburgh) have gotten a bad reputation of the last couple of years because of a high crime rate, and the even offer less in terms of things to do.

Since you're young and single, I would live in Berkeley and commute to Walnut Creek. Or maybe even in Oakland in the Lake Merritt or Rock Ridge area. There's lots to do there, very diverse, more urban, and there are more young singles. Despite Oakland's reputation, these areas are safe, clean, and have a lot of professionals living there. This is a reverse commute from the Oakland/Berkeley area, so the drive isn't bad at all if you are driving to Walnut Creek. Also, If you want to take public transportation, the BART train system has a line between Oakland/Berkeley and Walnut Creek. It only takes about 25 minutes on BART.

Hi Paddington-

Assuming you want to live east of the Caldecott tunnel (not recommended; very suburban and boring east of the Caldecott tunnel, but has a much easier drive to Walnut Creek), just be sure to stick to Walnut Creek, anywhere west/south of Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill (just northwestish of WC). As long as you stick to those rules, you'll be in a safe, good, albeit boring community. I'd recommend moving to a city near BART, such as Walnut Creek, anywhere west of Lafayette (if you can afford it), or Dublin/Pleasanton, since east of the Caldecott Tunnel is basically your stereotypical suburbia, with MAAAAYBE an exception for Walnut Creek proper. You'll want to be near BART so you can get to the City, Oakland, Berkeley, etc easily.

Ideally, you'll get to be west of the Caldecott tunnel. For details on that, check Vadin's post above. It's much more suiting for a young single guy. More urban, more interesting, more modern, more fitting overall. East of the Caldecott tunnel is as mentioned and hinted at, for families, old folks, and boring people. However, it is safe, potentially cheaper than Oakland/Berkeley depending on situation, and BART is affordable, fast, and accessible for the most part. Not to mention you get quite a lot of sunshine much of the year.

Visiting in 3 weeks, for 3 days. Any off-the-beaten-path suggestions? Please nobody mention the obvious (cable cars, GG Bridge, etc), you will be slapped. I don't do the typical tourist stuff when I travel. ;-]

So far I've got (including any of the typical tourist stuff I would be interested in): Twin Peaks (for a great view), possibly Haight-Ashbury & Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Bayview and Hunter's Point, Anchor Steam Brewing, Sausilito, Muir, Point Reyes.

My wife and I just like walking around, seeing funky stuff, cool neighborhoods, I'm a craft beer guy (any good craft beer bars?). Any shops that are must see? Any weird museums? Don't like crowds, don't like other tourists.

Visiting in 3 weeks, for 3 days. Any off-the-beaten-path suggestions? Please nobody mention the obvious (cable cars, GG Bridge, etc), you will be slapped. I don't do the typical tourist stuff when I travel. ;-]

So far I've got (including any of the typical tourist stuff I would be interested in): Twin Peaks (for a great view), possibly Haight-Ashbury & Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Park, Presidio, Bayview and Hunter's Point, Anchor Steam Brewing, Sausilito, Muir, Point Reyes.

Can you provide the exact dates and which part of the city are you mostly staying so that we could suggest if something is interesting happening on that day? :)

My wife and I just like walking around, seeing funky stuff, cool neighborhoods, I'm a craft beer guy (any good craft beer bars?). Any shops that are must see? Any weird museums? Don't like crowds, don't like other tourists.

:wink2:

The Monk's Kettle (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-monks-kettle-san-francisco)
3141 16th St

La Trappe (http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-trappe-san-francisco-2)
800 Greenwich St

21st Amendment Brewery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/21st-amendment-brewery-san-francisco)
563 2nd Street

Thirsty Bear Brewing Company (http://www.yelp.com/biz/thirsty-bear-brewing-company-san-francisco)
661 Howard Street

Magnolia Gastropub & Brewery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/magnolia-pub-and-brewery-san-francisco#query:Magnolia%20Gastropub%20%26%20Brewery)
1398 Haight St.

Public House (http://www.yelp.com/biz/public-house-san-francisco)
24 Willie Mays Plz

Jasper's Corner Tap & Kitchen (http://www.yelp.com/biz/jaspers-corner-tap-and-kitchen-san-francisco)
401 Taylor St

Just beer bars that are not going to cost too much $$$

Zeitgeist (http://www.yelp.com/biz/zeitgeist-san-francisco)
199 Valencia St

Toronado (http://www.yelp.com/biz/toronado-san-francisco)
547 Haight St

The Alembic (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-alembic-san-francisco)
1725 Haight St

Can you provide the exact dates and which part of the city are you mostly staying so that we could suggest if something is interesting happening on that day? :)





Aug 28-31

Aug 28-31

Thanks, check out this calendar (http://www.sfstation.com/calendar/) since it will help out if your interested in some events. Also, since both of you like walking why not go on one of the free city walking tours (http://www.sfcityguides.org/current_schedule.html?month=August%202011). Check the website to read more about the tour descriptions.

Here are my choices of the walking tour:

Sunday

Haight-Ashbury
Rising Steel: Two Centuries Of San Francisco Architecture
Castro: Tales Of The Village
Murals And The Multi-Ethnic Mission
Gold Rush City
Nob Hill
Victorian San Francisco
North Beach By Night

Monday

Chinatown
Bawdy & Naughty
Fisherman's Wharf: A Hidden History
North Beach By Night

Tuesday

North Beach
Palace Hotel
Castro: Tales Of The Village
City Hall and the Civic Center
Ferry Building
Historic Market Street: Path Of Gold

Wednesday

Coit Tower Murals
Gold Rush City
1906: Phoenix Rising
Nob Hill


These options would provide you plenty of sights and walking to explore some interesting parts of the city. Check on the time schedule for those available tours and if your not interested on doing a group tour those places would be more than enough to walk around by yourselves. :) Also, if you are interested to go on top of a skyscraper/ public rooftop garden (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/20/NS4MTFVTS.DTL) and bring a lunch with Mrs. Northsider would be nice too. I prefer the one on the 15th floor of 343 Sansome St. roof garden. ;)

P.S.

Try to visit the California Academy of Sciences (http://www.calacademy.org/) if you really want to visit a cool museum. It is located at Golden Gate Park and for sure it can take the whole day if you'll having fun exploring and seeing all the animals. I don't think SF has a standout on the museum category. It might just be my own personal bias since I have been to amazing ones in NYC and in Europe.

Also, one shop comes to mind if your in the Haight-Ashbury district would be the store called "Loved To Death (http://www.yelp.com/biz/loved-to-death-san-francisco-3)". You can visit Magnolia's Gastropub and Brewery nearby at the Lower Haight then hike the trail to the top on Buena Vista Park. The view is amazing if its sunny and you can just sit on the top of the hill to relax (walk from Haight St. entrance).

Bayview and Hunter's Point is really outside the "touristy" areas and I am not sure if I would recommend you to visit those areas since it's not exactly safe.

I hope I helped a little bit! :colgate:

^^ Awesome, thanks! That website first listed seems great!

Bayview and Hunter's Point is really outside the "touristy" areas and I am not sure if I would recommend you to visit those areas since it's not exactly safe.
I've survived favelas and shantytowns...I can handle Bayview :-p

hah, just kidding. A colleague from the Bay Area suggested it as a "really off the beaten path" thing to do.

Granted the last time I visited was four years ago but from my experience Oakland is pretty off the beaten track as well and has some fairly cool areas to visit such as Chinatown and Jack London Square. Berkeley also seemed to have alot of good stuff going on as well and is generall less touristy than San Francisco and if you ever get a chance to head into Marin County I would recomend that you check out Sausalito as well. Inside San Francisco it seemed like The Castro and Japantown was off the radar to tourists as well.

Also just so you know San Francisco has an overabundance of bums/aggressive panhandlers (in fact I would say it would put many "third world" cities to shame in this regard).

^^ It has actually improved a lot since you were here 4 years ago. I mean you can still see some bums but I don't see much of them compared to 4 years ago.

^^ Awesome, thanks! That website first listed seems great!

I've survived favelas and shantytowns...I can handle Bayview :-p

hah, just kidding. A colleague from the Bay Area suggested it as a "really off the beaten path" thing to do.

Hehe, did you went on those favelas tours? A friend of mine did it in São Paulo and I would say visiting the crappy parts of SF is like peanuts for you. :lol:

Hehe, did you went on those favelas tours? A friend of mine did it in São Paulo and I would say visiting the crappy parts of SF is like peanuts for you. :lol:

Not a tour, no. I work for a map company and I have actually been driving through these areas to map them. We're not supposed to be in there, but...

Also just so you know San Francisco has an overabundance of bums/aggressive panhandlers (in fact I would say it would put many "third world" cities to shame in this regard).
I was in SF earlier in the year for work, but only for a day. I did notice that the bums were more aggressive than I'm usually used to in Chicago. Ehh, no worries, I'm good at ignoring people.

Not a tour, no. I work for a map company and I have actually been driving through these areas to map them. We're not supposed to be in there, but...


I was in SF earlier in the year for work, but only for a day. I did notice that the bums were more aggressive than I'm usually used to in Chicago. Ehh, no worries, I'm good at ignoring people.

I'd also recommend Pt. Lobos and the Quintara st. Stairs at the end of 6 Parnassus Line as places to go to.

^^ It has actually improved a lot since you were here 4 years ago. I mean you can still see some bums but I don't see much of them compared to 4 years ago.

That's good to hear. I must say it was pretty annoying getting hit up for money every few seconds in some places such as around Fishermans Wharf and around Union Square although I found it amusing to see some overweight guy panhandling with a sign claiming he has "aids". :lol:

Hi!

Looking for furnished studio/small rental for max 2000 USD/monthly for a 7 month stay in SF. Prefer mission district close to public transport. Where would you locals search for something like that besides on craigslist and roomarama? Any advice on other online places or local news papers to use for this purpose?

Thanks in advance!

^^ You might have to battle it out with a lot of folks. I'll think if some sources that might help you out later. Do you prefer to live by yourself or your alright with sharing?

S.F. apartment rent rises as vacancy rates fall

Apartment hunting in San Francisco has turned into a competitive sport with hopeful renters swarming open houses and experiencing more rejections than contestants on "Survivor."

"You have to pounce as soon as you see an ad you like," said Chris Covert, a manager at Symantec who was among 18 people vying for a $1,395 Nob Hill studio last week. "It's definitely nuts."

Driving the demand is a new wave of tech workers at the city's rapidly growing social media and technology companies.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/08/10/MND91KLCIE.DTL#ixzz1UkcdWlLE

^thanks for the article - it sure does look competitive.

I did plan to live by myself - but I can see from craigslist that a lot of people are living together and the market for shares seems to be much larger - so I guess i am also open to that.

^^ An article today on what 2K can get you in SF

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/g/a/2011/08/12/sf_apartments_2000.DTL&object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2011%2F08%2F11%2Fba-apts2000_0503932777.jpg

I'm going to be in SF in March for a technology summit and am very interested in checking out as much as I can in as little time as possible. I'll be staying at the Omni Hotel on California Street. Does anyone have any suggestions for must-see architecture/culture that I could easily get to in that area?

I probably won't have much money for extra travel so walking or cheap transit options is a must! Also, are there any areas I should stay away from? Any other tips for a mid-westerner who hasn't been to CA since he was a child?

I'll also come back and update this thread with pictures when I get back.

I'm going to be in SF in March for a technology summit and am very interested in checking out as much as I can in as little time as possible. I'll be staying at the Omni Hotel on California Street. Does anyone have any suggestions for must-see architecture/culture that I could easily get to in that area?



Kalt, your hotel is located within walking distance of Chinatown, Little Italy, Financial District, and Union Sq. --- you won't need any guide since just walking 5 blocks aways its a complete different world. :)

Kalt, your hotel is located within walking distance of Chinatown, Little Italy, Financial District, and Union Sq. --- you won't need any guide since just walking 5 blocks aways its a complete different world. :)

Right on! Is there anything that I absolutely shouldn't miss that's not too far away?

Right on! Is there anything that I absolutely shouldn't miss that's not too far away?

Can you tell me how long your staying and what's your schedule like? I mean if the only time you can do touristy stuff is during lunch breaks then it would depend. You can even do a 24 hour tour of San Francisco if you like!

-3VOtbaqfuw

5DnNAEQNkUA

56D0USpAqKc

Hy guys :),
I'm writing here as I know in California there is one of the most important wineyards region in the world.

I just opened a new thread about most beatiful wineries in the world:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1479047

so, why not to have also information from you about what could be seen in Napa Valley? :)

PS sorry for my poor english :)

Hello!

I was checking flights online and saw that Phoenix to San Francisco (to Oakland Airport) are going for a pretty good price. So I have been thinking about going in may or june and was planning it out a bit. I don't want to rent a car or use any taxis, but just BART and walking, etc. Besides SF itself, I think would definitely take a trip over to Berkeley and maybe Sausalito. Now from checking BART and what I know, Oakland Airport has a connection to BART and I can get around SF and Berkeley, no problem.

Now the two things I am wondering considering the above: what is best way to view the bridges and cross them with no car? At least the Golden Gate I would like to go across. Is it worth the trip? Are walking or biking across good options?

And would the ferries be of any use to me on a trip like this? I couldn't really tell by looking at their websites. Or would a ferry trip really just be more for a one time sightseeing trip?

actually, third thing - Best/easy way to get to sausalito? worth it?

thanks!

AJphx,

Yes, you can get to SF from the Oakland Airport on BART. You do have to take a quick shuttle from the airport to the closest BART station. No big deal.

Sausalito is a bit touristy, and expensive, but there are some decent restaurants if you want to sit near the water. It’s easy to get there on the ferry from SF, which is a fun ride (good views of SF and the Bay).

The Golden Gate bridge is worth crossing, though it could be shrouded in fog during June. You can do it easily on foot, or on a bike if you have one. There are plenty of places to rent bikes. The nice thing about a bike is that you can pedal around Chrissy Field and the Presidio on the way out, which is fun.

The Bay Bridge is car only. I think there are buses that go from SF to Treasure Island, so if you wanted views from the Bay Bridge that might work.

Cheers

Thanks spaceman3, very helpful! Well the only other things I can think of I will toss out here:

- what are the nightlife places in SF? either the regular bar/club areas or places with cool pubs and breweries?

- is Berkeley a good side trip for a short 3/4 day vacation. Is spending half a day there worth it? or too much to do there for a short trip?

Generally speaking, the clubs (think DJs) are located South of Market and the best bar scene is in the Mission. North Beach and the Tenderloin also have a varied selection of bars.

There are music venues (think bands) spread out all over. Good ones include the Warfield, Fillmore, Independent, Great American Music Hall (awesome place!), Slims, Bimbo’s. Others I can’t think of off the top of my head.

For beer-centric places check post 255 of this thread. Animo listed all the good ones, but one I would add is Schroeder’s (Financial District), which is a beer hall with a bunch of German beers and glassware.

You may want to check out the Anchor Brewery also. Since you’re not coming for awhile, I’m sure you can reserve a spot for a tour. Highly recommended!

Thanks spaceman3, very helpful! Well the only other things I can think of I will toss out here:

- what are the nightlife places in SF? either the regular bar/club areas or places with cool pubs and breweries?

- is Berkeley a good side trip for a short 3/4 day vacation. Is spending half a day there worth it? or too much to do there for a short trip?

I don't know type of nightlife atmosphere you're looking for (nightclub, dive bar, strip club, etc) but I'll throw out a place where me and my girlfriend like to go.

The most popular club in SF by far is Ruby Skye on Mason St. I enjoy going there although lines are a bitch and the cover charge is steep, especially if a big name DJ is spinning that evening. Immediately to the left of Ruby Skye is an unmarked club named Slide.

There is no cover charge and hardly ever any lines at Slide. The reason for it's name is because the bar is underground and to access it from street level you can either take the stairs or go down a spiraling playground slide. I did some research on the place after my first time there and the reason for the slide and the building being unmarked is because it's an old speakeasy. During the days of Prohibition you needed a password to get in and the slide led you to the bar.

Anyways...no lines, no cover charge, chill atmosphere, good crowds and a unique history for the venue. And the best part, there's a goddamn slide in there!

The Bay Bridge is car only. I think there are buses that go from SF to Treasure Island, so if you wanted views from the Bay Bridge that might work.

Cheers

Bus to Treasure Island (1/2 way across Bay) leaves from the TransBay Terminal (between Howard & Folsom). I believe they have the usual bike racks on those busses if you wanted to take some mobility (rented bike) for use on TI. Classic Bay Bridge photos are taken from Yerba Buena Island (the natural island through which the bridge tunnels) but you can get good shots also from Treasure Island (artificial) and also good skyline shots.

Thanks spaceman3, very helpful! Well the only other things I can think of I will toss out here:

- is Berkeley a good side trip for a short 3/4 day vacation. Is spending half a day there worth it? or too much to do there for a short trip?

You could spend an hour in Berkeley (eating lunch) or several days, depending on what you had in mind. It's a college town in many ways so it has the usual collection of college-related businesses and the campus is pretty large. It also has the sort of stuff you'd expect in an affluent inner-suburban business district.

Berkeley is easy to get to from San Francisco by BART: Take the Richmond train and get off at the Berkeley (not NORTH Berkeley) stop. You will be about 2 blocks from the campus on Shattuck Ave which has a lot of businesses. A few blocks up Shattuck is the so-called "gourmet ghetto": http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Berkeley+gourmet+ghetto&fb=1&gl=us&hq=gourmet+ghetto&hnear=0x808579363a8549d3:0x94ea1595a675e993,Berkeley,+CA&ei=V6s2T837OafKsQLulJGRAg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&ved=0CAgQtgM

If you can get a map before you go, locate Sather Gate/Telegraph Ave. and walk up there from the BART station. Telegraph is mostly where the college-related stuff is concentrated.

Besides just walking around and getting the feel of UC and the town of Berkeley, at night there are a number of movie theaters including ones showing art films and there is the Berkeley Rep theater company. I'm sure there are plenty of student-oriented bars but I'm not clued into those (I see a lot of Berkeley students over in SF weekend nights). Sometimes there are on-campus events such as at the "Greek Theater" (an open-air venue on the hillside).

I don't want to rent a car or use any taxis, but just BART and walking, etc.

First of all, understand that BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is just that--an area-wide heavy rail service that mostly gets commuters and others to and from SF and the suburbs.

Within San Francisco, you would use MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway). Under Market St. in downtown SF there are actually 2 levels of subway--the upper one is MUNI, the lower one is BART. But MUNI runs the city busses, cable cars, light rail and so on.

So if you plan on using it, you really need a MUNI map. Fortunately MUNI has a great web site: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mhome/home50.htm and puts it's maps online: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mmaps/indxmaps.htm

Also, Muni offers unlimited use "passports" for 1, 3 or 7 days which can be a good deal if you plan on using it a lot and especially if you plan on riding cable cars which have grown absurdly expensive for single-ride tickets (and they don't take the transfer used on the rest of the system).

By the way, if you just want to ride a cable car, consider the California St. Line--much less busy than the other lines (board either at California and Van Ness or California & Market at the Embarcadero).

For beer-centric places check post 255 of this thread. Animo listed all the good ones, but one I would add is Schroeder’s (Financial District), which is a beer hall with a bunch of German beers and glassware.

You may want to check out the Anchor Brewery also. Since you’re not coming for awhile, I’m sure you can reserve a spot for a tour. Highly recommended!
Yeah I was definetly thinking of Anchor, gotta have Steam beer, the local style, when in San Francisco.
And Schroders sounds good, thanks!

Thanks for the suggestion Ichiban! I wouldn't mind checking out some of the clubs, but can't really be spending too much money so Slide sounds like a good place.

First of all, understand that BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is just that--an area-wide heavy rail service that mostly gets commuters and others to and from SF and the suburbs.

Within San Francisco, you would use MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Railway). Under Market St. in downtown SF there are actually 2 levels of subway--the upper one is MUNI, the lower one is BART. But MUNI runs the city busses, cable cars, light rail and so on.

oh I see. Thank you for telling me that. I knew that BART was just commuter and just went in a straight line through the center of the city... but I guess I thought SF's only local mass transit was cable cars and buses. I didn't realize there was this whole local rail system. Is the MUNI rail the best way to get around SF(to the major neighborhoods and attractions?)

oh I see. Thank you for telling me that. I knew that BART was just commuter and just went in a straight line through the center of the city... but I guess I thought SF's only local mass transit was cable cars and buses. I didn't realize there was this whole local rail system. Is the MUNI rail the best way to get around SF(to the major neighborhoods and attractions?)

Depends on where you are going. That's why if you plan to depend on public transit you should get a map of the Muni system--either buy one when you get here (Walgreen's sells them I think) or download it from the links above.

This is the rail system only (it's street level as a "modern streetcar" in most places; some places it runs in the median so it doesn't have to compete with cars and under Market St is a subway):

http://transit.511.org/static/providers/maps/SF_712200722845.gif

You may notice (if you know the city) a big gap in the Muni rail network: The Richmond District. Everybody agrees there needs to be a Geary St. rail line but there isn't so no rail to that whole part of town (they have a plan for BRT). A Geary Line would parallel the (blue) N-Judah line and (purple) L-Taraval line on the other (north) side of Golden Gate Park. For now there's the amazing(ly crowded) 38 Geary bus or the parallel 5-Fulton, 31-Balboa and 1-California bus routes.

The bus network is much more extensive--Muni's goal is that you are never more than 2 blocks from a bus stop. But the two--rail and busses--work together.

Then there's the cable cars:

http://www.sfcablecar.com/images/sfroutes.gif

Like I said, these are stupid expensive unless you have a pass--either a monthly unlimited pass or one of the tourist passports I mentioned.

Depends on where you are going. That's why if you plan to depend on public transit you should get a map of the Muni system--either buy one when you get here (Walgreen's sells them I think) or download it from the links above.




He could also download some free apps (http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/04/12/whats-the-best-smartphone-app-for-checking-muni-arrival-times/) and be mobile. :wink2:

looking for low crime.. liberal.. beautiful scenery.. laid back.. good transport.. good air quality.. safe from natural disasters
m from u.k.. and moving to cali

San Jose has the lowest crime by far of any major city in California, is also statistically one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world (and liberal), has a small-town friendliness despite its size, phenomenal weather, and has the highest private sector salaries in the US if not the world. Air quality is far better than LA, not as good as SF. Earthquakes will be a risk anywhere in California, but at least you won't have to worry about any other natural disasters here.

looking for low crime.. liberal.. beautiful scenery.. laid back.. good transport.. good air quality.. safe from natural disasters
m from u.k.. and moving to cali

Palo Alto, CA. If You are from UK You will like that place.
Little too expensive tough :)

looking for low crime.. liberal.. beautiful scenery.. laid back.. good transport.. good air quality.. safe from natural disasters
m from u.k.. and moving to cali

That's a tall mix for the Bay Area, especially the "safe from natural disasters" part. Most of coastal California is earthquake country.

For relative safety from disasters and all but the "good transport" I'd recommend the North Bay--Novato in Marin County, Santa Rosa or just about anywhere in Sonoma County. The transport here is improving with construction of the SMART rail system (there's a thread for that) but outside San Francisco I'd think you'll need personal transportation (car, motorcycle, at the very least a bike) anywhere in the Bay Area.

The North Bay is the least urban part of the Bay Area--large parts are set aside as parkland and protected from development--which means IMHO it has the best scenery (certainly the best natural scenery). In the coastal mountains (a short drive from the rest) it is redwood country and the ocean isn't far with scenery like the famous "Big Sur" coast. And, of coarse, Sonoma is a wine region.

You've been so helpful on other trips, I have to ask resident locals and experts for their opinions. Let me first preface it by saying I'm unabashedly a tourist: I'll have a camera around my neck escorting a 7 and 3-year old. I'm not fooling anyone, so I'll eat my crab at Fisherman's Wharf over a more "authentic" place off the beaten path.

How does October rank in the tourist season? We'll be in SF on Sat-Sun-Mon, which includes Columbus Day. Big lines and crowds for places like the Cable Cars and Exploratorium? Parking trouble at Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park?

We're coming from Hawaii, so anywhere's colder. We harbor no illusions that SF can get chilly, would jeans and sweaters be enough in October, or should we go warmer?

For Cable Cars, we heard it was better to board a stop or two after Powell & Market to avoid a long wait. Is this feasible with two small kids (7 & 3)? Does the cable car stop, or do we get on running? Less likely to find a seat? We're planning on a Saturday.

At the Ferry Building Farmers Market, can we get Chowder in a Sourdough bread bowl?

I did read I could purchase 1-day Muni cards on the cable cars themselves. Cash only, or debit/credits cards okay? We'll probably start from the California Line after the Ferry Bldg Saturday market

Parking meters: Are they usually the card type, or quarters? I read that you have to pre-pay for a $20 card to slide in the parking meters. I don't plan on driving all that much. What happens if I don't use it all?

We're also going afield, including Sonoma, Tahoe, and Reno.

We have decided on Sonoma over Napa, heading to the Benziger Winery. They have a playground on premises and a child rate for their tractor tour. From that, I'll make the bold assertion they don't mind kids. The first thing they asked "Do we get to taste the grapes?". Good question, Anya?

How does October rank in the tourist season? We'll be in SF on Sat-Sun-Mon, which includes Columbus Day. Big lines and crowds for places like the Cable Cars and Exploratorium? Parking trouble at Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park?[/

We're coming from Hawaii, so anywhere's colder. We harbor no illusions that SF can get chilly, would jeans and sweaters be enough in October, or should we go warmer?

For tourists "in the know", early October (and late September) are arguably THE BEST time to visit San Francisco. July and August can be foggy and therefore cold. By mid September (now) there usually begin to appear nearly fog-free days (today is one). These persist until the winter rains--Pacific storm fronts--begin which can happen around Halloween. There can be 90 degree days in September, 80s in October but we haven't had any so far. Today's predicted high (in spite of the sun) is in the 60s. Bring a jacket, especially if you plan to be out in the evening (it gets chilly--you'll think frigid--after sunset).

Surprisingly, the crowds aren't bad. August is the month for European tourists, with some in June and more in July. By October, they are gone and the great weather seems a secret. That means the crowds and lines you imagine don't really exist. There are just about always mid-day lines in a few places like the CA Academy of Science so try to go early if you go. But otherwise I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

For Cable Cars, we heard it was better to board a stop or two after Powell & Market to avoid a long wait. Is this feasible with two small kids (7 & 3)? Does the cable car stop, or do we get on running? Less likely to find a seat? We're planning on a Saturday.

If you just want to ride a cable car, skip the Powell St line entirely and opt for the California St line. It begins at California and Market near the Ferry Building on the Bay and goes over Nob Hill, past Chinatown, and terminates at California and Van Ness. Tourists don't seem to know about it. Hardly any lines, even in mid-summer. You can transfer to the Powell Line near the top of Nob Hill if you want.

The cars do stop at intersections--in fact, they frequently stop in the middle of the intersection, block both streets. There are "Cable Car Stop" signs at the curb where this happens but it's most intersections. On the Powell St. Line you probably won't find a seat this way--adults can hang on the running boards, somebody might get up and give the kids a seat (or maybe not).

At the Ferry Building Farmers Market, can we get Chowder in a Sourdough bread bowl?

The chowder in a bread bowl thing is a specialty of Boudin Bakery so what you want is a Boudin Cafe (http://www.boudinbakery.com/index.cfm?page_id=158). There is not one in the Ferry building but there is one basically across the street in the Embarcadero Center mall right on Justin Herman Plaza (the open plaza with the ugly fountain that looks like the remains of a dismantled freeway).

I did read I could purchase 1-day Muni cards on the cable cars themselves. Cash only, or debit/credits cards okay? We'll probably start from the California Line after the Ferry Bldg Saturday market.

They take credit cards if you buy at the kiosk or elsewhere but probably not on the vehicle. You'll find more about the tourist passports (which include more than just cable cars and other transit) here: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm . If you are going to be using transit, you should have a map of the system such as those here: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mmaps/indxmaps.htm

Parking meters: Are they usually the card type, or quarters? I read that you have to pre-pay for a $20 card to slide in the parking meters. I don't plan on driving all that much. What happens if I don't use it all?

Can't help you much. There are a variety of meters because the city has been installing new ones that take credit cards. The older ones just take coins. Never tried the prepay cards but info here: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/pmeter/parkingcard.htm

We're also going afield, including Sonoma, Tahoe, and Reno.

We have decided on Sonoma over Napa, heading to the Benziger Winery. They have a playground on premises and a child rate for their tractor tour. From that, I'll make the bold assertion they don't mind kids. The first thing they asked "Do we get to taste the grapes?". Good question, Anya?

Most of the wineries have wine tastings but grape tastings? Can't say. Here's about their wine tastings: http://www.benziger.com/sonoma-wine-tasting . I bet they'd let the kids have a grape but I really don't know.

Visiting SF early next month. Any things of note to see other than the usual tourist sights?

Also, any idea on how much it is to rent sat navs, and whether it's necessary or not?

Visiting SF early next month. Any things of note to see other than the usual tourist sights?

You're going to have to give a few hints as to what you might be interested in and what you consider "the usual tourist sights".

If it were me, for example, I might be interested in going to the symphony or opera, and I don't think those are "usual tourist" things, but I realize that's just me. SF has a plethora of medium-sized museums rather than one big one and, again, one or more might interest you but you also may consider them "usual tourist" places. If you like to eat, there are a variety of slightly out of the way places for ethnic food (The Mission for Latin American food, Clement St for Asian, Larkin St. for Vietnamese etc). Farther afield, there are definitely things to see like Muir Woods (redwood forest), Highway 1 (coast road with jaw-dropping scenery similar to Big Sur), wine country, Russian River (more redwoods, gorgeous stream flowing through coastal mountains, summer resort area)

Anyway, drop some hints.

Also, any idea on how much it is to rent sat navs, and whether it's necessary or not?

I grew up before they existed so for me it's never necessary. If you are hooked on using one, it might comfort you IF YOU ARE DRIVING. Actually, a car is far more trouble than it's worth in the city and, without a car, you shouldn't need a GPS device. But if you do plan to drive up the coast or to the wine country, it would help. With a car, they rent for around $5 or $10 a day I think.

In the city, you might want a 1, 3 or 7-day unlimited use transit pass: http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm

Well we'll do things like the Golden Gate Bridge, Cable Cars, Alcatraz... but often there's equally interesting (and cheap!) things to do that don't get much space in the tourist brochures?

We're driving across the south west of the US, but will probably park at the hotel in SF and use public transport for the time we're there. A trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods looks good though..

^^Well, since you have a car, consider driving up to Twin Peaks (where the big TV tower is--right in the geographic center of town--which is oddly hard to reach on transit though most tour busses go there) for this view:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/San_Francisco_Bay_Panorama_from_Twin_Peaks.jpg/1385px-San_Francisco_Bay_Panorama_from_Twin_Peaks.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks_(San_Francisco)

If you'll be riding transit, you might want to consider the Muni (SF Municipal Railway) Passport (http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfares/passports.htm) which not only covers the cable cars and other transit for up to 7 days, but also admission to most of the city museums. If "we" includes kids, I highly recommend the Exploratorium and the California Academy of Sciences (essentially a nature museum/aquarium--with indoor "rainforest"--in a fantastic Renzo Piano-designed building:

http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/calacademy/calacademy1.jpg
http://www.greenroofs.com/projects/pview.php?id=509

Adults might be more interested in the SF Museum of Modern Art on 3rd St across from Yerba Buena Gardens (my favorite city "park" which happens to be on top of the convention center).

Like I said above, there are several streets adults might enjoy strolling down for some of the flavo of the city. There's Columbus Ave. through Little Italy. The main street of the traditional Chinatown is Grant Ave although locals actually do more shopping a block away on Stockton St. (Grant is mostly tourist schlock, Stockton is more stuff for recently arrived Asian immigrants), but there's the newer Asian shopping street called Clement St in the Richmond District (say between 5th Ave. and 12th Ave. or so). And Mission St. is the center of Latino Sam Francisco (maybe a little gritty for kids).

If you want to see how the 1% lives in SF, outer Broadway (near the Presidio park) is where they live, Fillmore St north of Bush or so is where they have coffee and shop (also Union St.). Chestnut is another shopping street, this one more for the younger affluent crowd. Castro and upper Market St are the gay part of San Francisco (although gay residents now live everywhere including outer Broadway)--I used to consider it suitable even for kids but not right now since a couple of fat, old "urban naturists" starting sitting around sans clothing (I don't think the city is going to tolerate it much longer but it does for now).

Mission Bay is the city's newest neighborhood (take the "T" LRV line), being developed from a large old rail yard. Much of it is a new campus for UC San Francisco (essentially UC Berkeley's medical campus) but there's housing and buildings full of mainly biotech lab space.

Although you can drive to Sausalito and/or Tiburon on the way to or from Muir Woods, try the commuter ferry from the Ferry Building at the end of Market St on the Embarcadero for a nice cheap boat ride. Go for lunch when it's not crowded--Sausalito has plenty of places to eat (the boats run about every hour so you can go over at 11, come back at 1). And the Ferry Building itself is definitely worth seeing (mostly a food shopping hall).

No kids, just two of us. We're gonna have a pretty packed schedule I think, but we're looking for little 'filler' things that might be easy to get to and free/cheap.

I've already decided it'd be best just to park at the hotel and get a Muni passport, but does that allow BART use? Even if just BART in San Francisco? I've a friend in Berkeley that I might go and see- but then she might meet us in San Francisco. Is Berkeley worth visiting?

^^No, Muni 1/3/7 day Passports and the CityPass that includes museums and such is NOT good on BART which, if you are going to Berkeley, is just as well because the monthly transit passes the locals buy are good on BART only for rides that begin and end in San Francisco so that wouldn't work going to Berkeley either. Just pay a regular fare to go to Berkeley (use the machines in the stations)--it's not hugely expensive.

Is it worth going to Berkeley? Might be. Obviously, UC is there which is a large campus--open to the public (even the dining venues in the student union)--and interesting to walk through. Telegraph Ave. which leads out the main (Sather) gate is lined with student-oriented dining and clothing options. There used to be more book stores and stuff but these days everybody buys books on the internet, even students. Berkeley also has a "gourmet ghetto" of fine dining (and food shopping), starting with Chez Panisse which more or less created the genre of "California Cuisine" decades ago but still holds its own with fairly simply cooked fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Berkeley being Berkeley (and therefore uber-tolerant of divergent lifestyles as well as politically left), even Telegraph has its share of annoying panhandlers and social parasites who are part of the scenery. Locals just step over them. You should too. San Francisco (just SF) spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year on social services trying to convince them to get off the street but so far it hasn't worked, and Berkeley does the same.

SF has built and is building more entire buildings with onsite drug and alcohol treatment, and medical services just to lure them inside but some want to stay outside and no one in the Bay Area (except me) is of a mood to stop them. The latest example is the "Occupy" encampment on Market St. in SF in front of the Federal Reserve Bank ("the Fed") which, as of a recent census, consisted of exactly 4 (four) people protesting and 30 alcoholics just camping there (and making a mess). But the cops and city are not of a mood to make them go. I mention all this because you'll see (and possibly recoil from) these people all over both San Francisco and Berkeley (the 2 most liberal governments in the area) but they need not be as pitiful as they look. It's a choice.

Filler things:

- Like I said, drive up to the top of Twin Peaks and take photos;

- consider the ferry ride to Sausalito (it's a couple dollars, takes maybe 2 hrs over and back),

- maybe get off the cable car (California St. line) on top of Nob Hill and check out the Episcopal cathedral there,

- possibly check out City Hall (taller dome than the US Capitol, excellent example of Beaux Arts-style, small city museum inside),

- Mission San Francisco de Asis (built 1776--where the city began and interesting graveyard: It's on Dolores St next to a larger, newer church),

- shop on and around Union Square including the full block-occupying San Francisco Centre urban mall (spelled the British way--in the US that means it has pretentions to class) for the full array of global upscale retailers,

- take BART to 16th St, come out of the station (dodging the drug dealers) and walk down 16th St (south) half a block to Pancho Villa Taqueria and get a burrito or a couple of tacos (actually, it's harder to get to but the best tacos in town may be from the El Tonayense truck parked in front of Best Buy).

Cheers for the advice. We're definitely gonna go up to Muir Woods, and I suppose we'll see what else we can fit in while there.

Pretty terrified about driving such long distances in a day relatively often...

Pretty terrified about driving such long distances in a day relatively often...

???

Do you mean in the Bay Area or through the Southwest to get here?

I am someone who, when I want to get somewhere, just drive. I have driven coast to coast in the US in 3 days. Twice a year I drive San Francisco to Tucson (900 miles or so, 14 hours) in one day--though I admit I think I'm approaching my limits doing that as I age (I'm now 67).

But none of the places I mentioned in the Bay Area take more than 1 to 1 1/2 hrs to get to (if you want to drive a bit further, there's Lake Tahoe and Yosemite ;) ). The road to Muir Woods, once you get off 101, is a bit curvy but that's what makes it scenic.

We're driving Los Angeles - Palm Springs - Phoenix - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas - Death Valley - Yosemite - San Francisco - Monterey - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles.

Some of those journey distances are, for European standards, ridiculous. Death Valley - Yosemite could be particularly tiring... :s

^^If you say so :)

Americans drive LA to Palm Springs for dinner or a show. Monterey is considered a day trip from SF (drive down, take the kids to the Aquarium, have dinner, drive back).

Given the roads (part of which are the same for my SF to Tucson migration), it may take a few hours to drive from Death Valley to Yosemite if you take the long way through CA although I highly recommend the scenery on route 190 heading west from Death Valley to 395, north on 395 to 190 (Tioga Road) at the village of Lee Vining, west on 190 over the Tioga Pass and through Yosemite to 41 into Yosemite Valley. I'm not sure what time of year you will be doing this because the Tioga Road (190) is closed by heavy snow (many feet of it) in winter. It also can be a problem for oldsters like me and anyone with respiratory or cardiac problems since at the top of the pass the altitude is something like 11,000 ft, but boy is it scenic--and much shorter in terms of miles driven than the other way through Bakersfield and up to Merced.

Views from (and of) Tioga Road

http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/TuolumeneMeadowsP.jpg

http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/TiogaRoad2P.jpg

http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/TiogaRoad3P.jpg

http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/TiogaPassDescent.jpg

Mono Lake at the intersection of routes 395 and 190
http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/MonoLakeP.jpg

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/TiogaRoad2P.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.halfaya.org/leo/cycling/1999/reno/June22.html&h=321&w=1150&sz=255&tbnid=6DAFSNt9GJ8vmM:&tbnh=36&tbnw=129&zoom=1&usg=__nJm2e5GjaCWNpLrJfUtMIN7-yfw=&docid=Dnpl1so3MT6RpM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0upkUNLnIIja8ATRsoHoCA&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQ9QEwBA&dur=2981

What happens to the road in winter:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/images/tioga1.jpg
http://campingsierra.com/2009/192/

How's the weather in San Francisco between December 24 and January 1? I'm considering it as my vacation destination :)

How's the weather in San Francisco between December 24 and January 1? I'm considering it as my vacation destination :)

Highly variable. SF's "Mediterranean" climate means winter is the rainy season (usually there is virtually no rain between May may and late October). Depending on the meanderings of the jet stream, in late December you can have a Pacific storm blow in with rain and wind every 3 or 4 days or you can have some pretty nice weather, if a bit chilly (though rarely freezing), with clear blue skies. The one thing there isn't much of in winter is fog--that's largely a summer thing.

Question: as I'll be moving to LA soon, what does Amtrak from LA to the Bay Area look like ? It looks like you have to change lines at least once. Is that correct ?

Question: as I'll be moving to LA soon, what does Amtrak from LA to the Bay Area look like ? It looks like you have to change lines at least once. Is that correct ?

There's no need to. You'll be riding the Coast Starlight for that case since it goes through the Bay Area between Fairfield/Suisun and Gilroy via Martinez and Oakland. You can also take the more-frequent San Joaquins that requires you to transfer in Bakersfield or the Pacific Surfliner that requires you to transfer in Santa Barbara (but make sure to have an Amtrak ticket to ride the Thruway bus). :D

There's no need to. You'll be riding the Coast Starlight for that case since it goes through the Bay Area between Fairfield/Suisun and Gilroy via Martinez and Oakland. You can also take the more-frequent San Joaquins that requires you to transfer in Bakersfield or the Pacific Surfliner that requires you to transfer in Santa Barbara (but make sure to have an Amtrak ticket to ride the Thruway bus). :D

Options! I love it! And I can smell the garlic as I pass through Gilroy. :lol:

If you indeed want to smell the garlic, I'd advice you to take the Coast Starlight because it indeed goes through Gilroy, while the San Joaquins will travel through the Central Valley... But, of note: the Coast Starlight leaves LA's Union Station once a day, while the San Joaquins operate up to five trains a day.

If you indeed want to smell the garlic, I'd advice you to take the Coast Starlight because it indeed goes through Gilroy, while the San Joaquins will travel through the Central Valley... But, of note: the Coast Starlight leaves LA's Union Station once a day, while the San Joaquins operate up to five trains a day.

Just kidding about the garlic, but I'm pleasantly surprised with the frequency, and the options. Also, I know nada about the Central Valley and can imagine it would be a picturesque ride.

^^ The reason why the San Joaquins end abruptly in Bakersfield is because of the Tejon Pass and the Angeles National Forest that, with its tall peaks and winding slopes, have proven to be difficult to build a proper railway en route to LA. Thus, to substitute, Amtrak provide Thruway bus service to Los Angeles to help passengers get to their final destinations. Instead of fighting over the mountains, Amtrak uses a more westerly course that provides great views of the Pacific Ocean en route to Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Salinas (for Monterey), and San Jose to the Bay Area. And note: since the stretch between San Luis Obispo and San Jose are more rural in nature, that is a reason why Amtrak operates through there once a day, with plentiful of Thruway connections.

The main difference between the San Joaquins and the Coast Starlight: the former passes through Fresno, Visalia, Merced, and Stockton en route to either the Bay Area or Sacramento, while the latter passes through more scenic views.

Gotcha, thanks for the valuable feedback! I'll probably take the scenic route first, then the other when I have more time.

^^ Awesome! The inland route though can be a bit drab, especially when you reach Stockton, Modesto, and Fresno. You'll see large cities for sure, but take any of the day trains to see the vast farmlands.

Thanks again. And I know that you Californians probably think you're still playing catch-up, but I'm looking forward to all the rail options as opposed to what my Florida currently offers.

On the flipside, Florida is about to build a 'fast rail' line from Orlando to Miami. Speed ranges from 79 to 125 mph, fairly modest, but you'll still be able to go from Orlando to Miami in under three hours.