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Travel Questions: San Francisco Bay Area

156K views 369 replies 130 participants last post by  SutroTower 
#1 ·
I'm going to Santa Rosa in a couple weeks for business and I'm flying into San Fran. I've been to SoCal countless times, but I've never been to San Fran or anywhere in NorCal.

Any suggestions of where to stop on the way from SFO to Santa Rosa to get good pics of the city? I mapquested my trip to Santa Rosa, and it appears that I'm going to take the Golden Gate bridge, does that sound right?

Thanks in advance for any responses.
 
#27 ·
What do you mean it's sunny? It's the middle of the night! ;)

Palal is right with his observation, though, anti-cheesehead. :) And we've had a lovely series of bright, sunny (albeit still a bit chilly) days. :eek:kay: Do keep an eye out for that weather page ... of course we all know they're as often right as they're wrong with their predictions. :cheers:
 
#29 ·
HO-LY SHIT. The Bay Area is ridiculously gorgeous. I just got back tonight and the weather was great there on Monday and Tuesday. I had to do a lot of work, but it was worth it just to see the area.

I took 150 pictures, here's some of them:



















 
#32 ·
You took some wonderful pictures anti-cheesehead, you're lucky, you were here when the weather was great, it's currently raining on and off here. Lovely picture of the Bay Bridge and Pier 28, which might be the future home of the International Museum of Women if they get the money. Looks like you also went to Coit Tower. I really hope you had a great time.
 
#35 ·
Thanks. Now, I've been to all three major California cities.....San Diego, Los Angeles, and now San Francisco and the bay area, and they're all gorgeous. This last trip just reaffirms my belief that California is indisputably the most beautiful state in the country, and I've been all over the country. Anyone who thinks otherwise just doesn't know. :) You guys who live there don't know how good you have it.

I really, really like this pic. It shows the city density and the golden gate:



Here's a few from the Santa Rosa and Napa area:

Wine country, they have vineyards like Iowa has cornfields:









This one is from right outside of the office I was working in in Santa Rosa. I don't know how these people work when they can look out the window and see this. In downtown Minneapolis where I usually work, I look out the window and see the side of an old brick building.



Bodega Bay:



 
#38 ·
Well, JARdan, SF Bay Area people live in an amazing part of the world! Of course we know it's not the only one, but I believe people here have every reason to consider themselves very fortunate, at least as far as their location is concerned. :)

And, anti-cheesehead: JARdan is right! Those are amazing photos! :eek:kay:

I'm really glad to see that you managed to take in so much during your trip. :cool:
 
#43 ·
San Francisco RULES!!! :rock: :righton: :master: :dance2: :dance2: :dance2: :master: :pepper: :pepper: :cheers1: :bow: :dance: :bow: :righton: :carrot: :booze: :applause: :applause: :applause: :drunk: :cucumber: :banana: :nuts: :gunz: :rock: :rock: :cheers: :cucumber: :drunk:
 
#44 ·
Going to San Francisco!

Hey guys...

I'm going to the States next month, I'm spending a week up there, 4 days in Vegas and after that I'm heading to San Francisco.

Thing is, well, my dad wants to go by CAR ehhe, I've already checked expedia, seems to be a bit far away, but the road must be pretty scenic since we'll get in the middle of all those mountains, which will still be snowy I think (I've never seen a snowy peak).

Anyway, we're spending 3 days there (April 6th (night) - 10th (morning)) and well, I'd like to know what to do in the city AND where to stay. I know some stuff like the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz prison, what else?

Formerly we were planning to stay in San Francisco in the 6th, 7th and heading to Los Angeles at the 8th. But then I realised we'd only have like 1 full day in both cities, so it would be mostly a waste of time. We talked and decided to stay in SF since it seems more touristic than LA.

Anyway, what are your recommendations?

Thanks in advance!
 
#45 ·
Hi Boom,
LA is a lot closer and if youd like to spend some time there and is only 200 miles compared to 570 miles to SF-Southwest Airlines has 25 daily nonstop flights from LA to Oakland(Southwest's Hub-15 miles from DT SF) for only $59. You have to book online though and it is a special offer.

The only reason I mention this is because the drive from Vegas to SF is really boring IMO-whilst the drive to LA from Vegas is less then half the time and the flight to SF is only an hour from LA. Southwest also has 15 daily nonstop flights from Vegas to Oakland for about 100 dollars each way.

Just a tip.

Also,
San Francisco is cool pretty much all year round-even in the summertime, its best to pack a light sweater, cause even though its sunny most of the time-there's a breeze that comes in from the ocean-day and night.

While your in The City,
there are lots of things to do in downtown-on foot. You can do Chinatown, Union Square and North Beach by foot because they are all close to each other. Fisherman's Wharf is farther so you can take the F(street car that goes from The Castro(Gay Mecca) to Fishermans Wharf(Tourist Mecca)) to the Wharf and check out the touristy areas there(us locals despise the place, but no matter how much we hate it, visitors really like it-LOL)..and The Financial District is there also, in case you want to take pictures of skyscrapers(only on this forum would that be included in a thead on travel..LOL)

Union Square is the region's premier shopping and entertainment area and is the location of many hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, theater and the arts. Like I said, its also right next to Chinatown, which is right next to North Beach(an Italian neighborhood), which is right next to Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower-LOL..everything is walkable-but I wouldnt walk up to Coit Tower..a car or bus would be better

There are lots of neighborhoods to see. Haight Ashbury and The Mission to me are very interesting.

You can also check out Golden Gate Park which has its own things to see and do, The Beaches(the water is very cold here) are more for pictures then for swimming.

At the wharf,
you can take ferries on the bay that go out to the Golden Gate Bridge as well as to Alcatraz. You can also sample the seafood there which is varied and very good-but pricey.

A rental car is better if you actually want to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, or if you want to explore areas outside the City such as Marin or The Napa Valley.

You can also catch BART(subway that runs along Market Streeet) into the East Bay...Id get off at the Downtown Berkeley Station, which is the same stop as UC Berkeley and check out the sights there as well the shops on Telegraph Avenue...but I would do that only in non commute times(say 11-4) cause BART is pretty packed during commute times.

Or you could cross the Bay Bridge by car(which is also fun) and take The 80 Freeway, get off on University Av(which is also the exit for The Berkeley Marina(the views of the city, bay and bridges is great) and drive east to dt berkeley.

Its a shame that I'll be in Utah the first 2 weeks of April otherwise, Id like to take you and your family to dinner or something. Anyway, some other time.

In the meantime, have a good trip and post pics!

Tchauzinho.
 
#46 ·
^^ Isn't there a highway from SF to LA in the coast that's really scenic?

I was thinking not to go to LA cuz u know, there wouldn't be enough time as flights from LAX to Brazil depart usually at 2pm (and we get here 10am the other day :(). The thing is I'm going to Las Vegas for an event, so I'll have to be there for those 4 days, that's why my schedule is so tight. To save time I think we could do it all by plane and have 2 days in both cities. (6th afternoon and the 7th in SF, the 8th and 9th in LA, 10th = packing and coming home)

Anyways, obrigado pelas dicas! :cool:

keep posting! :D
 
#48 ·
Hello boom

heres a rundown of some stuff

Highway 1 the one by the coast highway you want beautiful views if you want to take it but it will take longer plus the travel is 10 hours depends on how you travel the main highway with no views but farmlands is faster 7 to 8 hours

Las vegas isnt great if your a young kid Curfew etc and its getting way to expensive up there because of damn tourist lol :jk:

you need way more time than 1 or 2 days in SF you need like 2 weeks to explore the area

Wine Country Cross the golden gate bridge
monterey SUPER BEAUTIFUL
DO NOT GO TO OAKLAND unless you want to die or something lol
SF Embarcadero is your main thing if you want to do touristy things
Finacial Shopping
Chinatown SUPER fun place
Haight street Hippy love is a great place to buy urban clothes and stuff
Ocean beach BEAUTIFUL beach,the views
 
#50 · (Edited)
I think I'm gonna go for a quick bath in the PACIFIC OCEAN. I know it's gonna be like 12 degrees during the day, but u know... lol :lol:

BTW I'm going to Las Vegas cuz there's gonna be an event of ExxonMobil there (we work with ExxonMobil in Brazil). I might have some spare time on the 3rd and at night, we're giong to Cirque du Soleil too eheh. Well, I'm 19 so I cannot play in the Casinoes, but I don't really care heh. In the 6th we're leaving to SF.
 
#51 ·
Hey boom!
I'd really recommend taking the time to drive on highway 1 with all the awesome views instead of taking the other highway...I think is highway 5...which is well...boring...the only things you can see are farms, hills and mountains...
But since you say you only have one and a 1/2 day then just make sure to visit Union square and the Golden gate park, there are many things to see and do in and around the park like The Conservatory of Flowers, The de Young Museum, The Japanese Tea Garden etc. Most of the attractions require money, so please keep this in mind.
I hope you enjoy your trip:)

Nawkternal said:
DO NOT GO TO OAKLAND unless you want to die or something lol
STFU:colgate:
 
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