San Francisco - Off the Beaten Path Recommendations?

Gang,

I have a dear friend who is visiting Northern California around the Fourth of July.

They have never been to San Francisco before but want to do things that are not the normal touristy things to do.

What would the local crowd recommend? Any unusual restraunts? Things to do?

Thanks in advance.

William

Well, first, I'd suggest that he/she not refer to the city as "San Fran" when talking with locals ;)

I don't know if it qualifies as "off the beaten path," but a drive to the top of Mt. Diablo is nice and the view, on a clear day, spectacular.

Well, first, I'd suggest that he/she not refer to the city as "San Fran" when talking with locals ;)

I don't know if it qualifies as "off the beaten path," but a drive to the top of Mt. Diablo is nice and the view, on a clear day, spectacular.

I'd agree about the 'San Fran'. Also, "Frisco" is definitely an out-of-towner expression.

I think Mt. Tamalpias may be a little closer, but I have never been to the top of Mt. Diablo. You can be some spectacular views from the top of Mt. Tam. If you will be in Marin, drive to the edge of Tiburon and go for drinks or lunch at the restaurants at the end of Tiburon drive for a view of SF.

If back in SF, consider Lands' end:

http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/lands-end.html

Also, consider going to the SF MOMA, pizza or pasta lunch at Zero Zero (one of the best places for "modern" Italian), then stroll around Yerba buena gardens with a cup of coffee and look at the architecture.

For casual French, consider Chapeau or Clementine (they've merged). The owner is ominipresent and greets the diners. The french food is good (not great, but very solid), and fairly priced.

Consider a stroll at Crissyfield. It's certainly not "off the beaten path" because there are tons of people there, but it's less touristy (certainly less than the stop at the GG bridge with all the tour buses) and just a beautiful place to see San Francisco and the GG bridge.

For "neighborhood" type feel, consider a stroll in Noe Valley on 24th street all the way into the mission. It really gives you a good feel of the local climate of SF, and it's interesting how it changes from yuppie-ville to the mission. Great restaurants all along the way in both parts of town.

Well, first, I'd suggest that he/she not refer to the city as "San Fran" when talking with locals ;)

I don't know if it qualifies as "off the beaten path," but a drive to the top of Mt. Diablo is nice and the view, on a clear day, spectacular.And don't refer to it as "Frisco", either ;)

Now staying in line with heights, drive up to the Marin Headlands for an amazing view of the city

Consider a ride (including a possible ferry ride) to Alameda to visit the Hangar One distillery, as well as a group of wineries right nearby.

or a few days..advice may depend on how much time they will spend here.

One of the best views of Berkeley, Oakland, and the SF Bay can be found at a small turnoff/parking area on Fish Ranch Road via the last exit on 24 westbound before the tunnel.

If you're of a certain era, a visit to Altamont Speedway will make you shiver.

They will be there for 3 days after doing a few days of vineyard tours.

If it is there first time to SF, they really do have to some of the "touristy" things. Some are really a must do for any first-time trip to SF.

1. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge on a, hopefully, clear day. The bridge is amazing and the views are amazing.
2. Visit at least one of the fine art museums: SFMOMA or the de Young. Other museums worth visiting: the Legion of Honor, Academy of Sciences, and Asian Art Museum.
3. Catch a performance of the SF Symphony, Opera or Ballet. The Opera and Ballet are in the beautiful War Memorial Opera House and the SF Symphony is one of the finest symphonies in the world.
4. Eat, eat and eat. SF has some of the best restaurants in the US, from small ethnic eateries to high-end dining.
5. Walk the various neighborhoods in SF: Hayes Valley, Fillmore, Chestnut, Haight, Castro, etc. For a true experience of Chinatown, visit Grant and then walk up to Stockton where Chinese people actually do their shopping. Clement St. further West is also authentic with a more diverse mix of Chinese and non-Chinese shops/restaurants.
6. Take a ferry ride to Marin instead of the one that goes on the tour around GG Bridge and Alcatraz.

How about a visit to Wyatt Earp's grave in the Jewish cemetery in Colma? Bet you won't see many tourists there!

If it is there first time to SF, they really do have to some of the "touristy" things. Some are really a must do for any first-time trip to SF.

Well, I think one would have to put Fisherman's Wharf in that category if we're talking about the quintessential "touristy" things -- particularly if it includes a cable car ride to get to it :)

One of the best views of Berkeley, Oakland, and the SF Bay can be found at a small turnoff/parking area on Fish Ranch Road via the last exit on 24 westbound before the tunnel.

If you're of a certain era, a visit to Altamont Speedway will make you shiver.
I would suggest going up to the Lawrence Hall of Science.

I think a picnic at the Hog Island Oyster Farm in Marshall always makes for a nice local outing.

Biking over the Golden Gate is great if they are athletic types. They can take the ferry back.

Are they baseball fans? AT&T Park is a great place to see a game.

Stairway hike and wild parrots
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/san-francisco-walking-tour-3/

The book Stairway Walks in San Francisco is a great start on finding interesting paths with spectacular views most tourists won't see. It is available directly from Wilderness Press or Amazon.

1 They should avoid Fishermans Wharf at all costs.
2 They should try to avoid Union Square and Powell Street
3 If they are interested in food, the Ferry Plaza, particularly when the farmers market is on, should be on the list.
4 Base neighborhood tours on the best coffee shops (Ritual, Blue Bottle) etc., as these tend to open in interesting (by which I mean not homogenized) areas
6 The majesty of the GG Bridge is unmatched but it can be enjoyed from Crissy Fields instead of the regular tourist spots.
7 Coit Tower is touristy but it does give a fantastic overview of SF's geography, and the walks down are lovely.
8 On a nice day, GG Park is beautiful and its museums are interesting (but, if truth be told, they are local museums - if you visit major cities regularly, you will be underwhelmed)
9 The trip to Sausalito and Muir Woods will have you rubbing shoulders with tourists but they both take advantage of SF's amazing setting.
10 A trip to either Stanford or Berkeley is interesting - both world class.

Well, I think one would have to put Fisherman's Wharf in that category if we're talking about the quintessential "touristy" things -- particularly if it includes a cable car ride to get to it :)
Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf area is dreadful. But I do think a cable car ride should not be missed even though it is "touristy" and not really used as any meaningful mass transit. It is an authentic, historical form of transportation that has all but disappeared.

1 They should avoid Fishermans Wharf at all costs.
2 They should try to avoid Union Square and Powell Street
3 If they are interested in food, the Ferry Plaza, particularly when the farmers market is on, should be on the list.
4 Base neighborhood tours on the best coffee shops (Ritual, Blue Bottle) etc., as these tend to open in interesting (by which I mean not homogenized) areas
6 The majesty of the GG Bridge is unmatched but it can be enjoyed from Crissy Fields instead of the regular tourist spots.
7 Coit Tower is touristy but it does give a fantastic overview of SF's geography, and the walks down are lovely.
8 On a nice day, GG Park is beautiful and its museums are interesting (but, if truth be told, they are local museums - if you visit major cities regularly, you will be underwhelmed)
9 The trip to Sausalito and Muir Woods will have you rubbing shoulders with tourists but they both take advantage of SF's amazing setting.
10 A trip to either Stanford or Berkeley is interesting - both world class.
I haven't been in Coit Tower in years, but the best part of Coit Tower are the WPA-era murals. I hear the views at the top are impeded by plastic that is much scratched and clouded from age and abuse.

The fine-art museums in SF are a mixed bag. The Legion and de Young don't have world-class collections. Academy of Science is only okay IMHO. Kind of underwhelming post renovation. However, with SFMOMA getting to display the Fisher (Gap founder) modern/contemporary art collection, it truly has jumped to the world class status with the likes of MOMA. However, the some of the collection was on display in an exhibition and now the collection awaits the museum expansion and reno.

I'll be in town to run the Big Sur Marathon next month and I don't want to flaunt my East Coast ways!

"The City"

What days of the week and do they have any particular interests?

What days of the week and do they have any particular interests?

Dunno about particular interests, but the days of the week are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday -- pretty much the same as elsewhere.

"The City"
or San Francisco. "SF" would be acceptable but as said before, never say Frisco.

Gang,

I have a dear friend who is visiting Northern California around the Fourth of July.

They have never been to San Francisco before but want to do things that are not the normal touristy things to do.

What would the local crowd recommend? Any unusual restraunts? Things to do?

Thanks in advance.

William

Check out a restaurant called Foreign Cinema - one of the best in the city. Make reservations though - the sooner the better. (at least a week or so before)

Dunno about particular interests, but the days of the week are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday -- pretty much the same as elsewhere.

:D you crack me up Richard!

Its too early to tell if they will be on the calendar but if they like dogs they should look at Golden Gate Fields website. A year or two ago I went there on a weekend and they had bring your dachsund to the track day. My lord that was entertaining and quite adorable. It isn't a formal dog race but anyone can bring their weiner dog and they have about 10 of them line up at a time and release them from the starting chute and about 8-9 of the dogs immediately walk around the starting chute to where their owner is standing while the 1 or 2 that decide to mosey down the track about 50 yards wind up the "winners". If the sun is out its a great way to spend an afternoon and see how a politically correct dog race is run in Berkeley lol ;)

Yeah there's kids of course but many of the exhibits focus on Walt's political views (conservative) and are illuminating as to both his genius and his shortsightednedss (IMHO) about McCarthyism. There's a ot of hands on stuff to play with for adults (create music that matches a cartoon) and very intelligent docents.

Plus they'd be able to go to the Presdidio Social Club for a meal after....


www.presidiosocialclub.com/

A great many (most?) of these recommendations are already posted in the "Things to do and places to go in San Francisco" thread at the very top of this forum -- PLUS others! @:-)

The book Stairway Walks in San Francisco is a great start on finding interesting paths with spectacular views most tourists won't see. It is available directly from Wilderness Press or Amazon.

This wonderful book, by Adah Bakalinsky, has gone through multiple editions, starting in the early 1980s (my copies date from that era ;)).

The most recent one appears to be the 7th edition, published in 2010:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899976379/