I love to do this, as in searching, I always find something new. It also gets me wanting to go back, and I'm even starting to search for fares to a summer visit.
A lot depends on how you feel when you get to Iceland.
The SFO flt gets in about 3pm, so with passport control, walking to baggage claim, duty-free (if so inclined - worth a look while you wait for the luggage), and driving in to Reykjavik, you will get to the hotel about 5pm or so.
Depending on the flight, being able to get some sleep and such, you may want to take a nap and then head out. It will light the entire time so that is not a factor. While there is a sunset time, it never really gets dark this time of year...just dusk.
Here is a link to a map of Reykjavik that shows your hotel:
http://www.icelandair.com/files/file...ile5380429.pdf
On the map, the Park Island Inn is #29. The map index lists #29 as the SAS Island Inn, but it changed names a while back. It will give you an idea of your location in Reykjavik.
If you connect the dots 6-35-13-21-10, you get an idea of the main area for downtown Reykjavik, with what I would call ground zero the park in front of the National Assembly near #9. The big church (Hallgrimskirkja) is by #13, a tourist info spot by #44.
Laugavegur is the main shopping street, and there are many, many nice restaurants with menus in the window on this street as well as nearby side streets.
I would make it a point to get into the downtown area on your first night, just to get a feel for the area, and pick some places for further exploration on your last night. Consider stopping by the tourist info to pick up additional free info for the places you will be traveling to during the week.
This is peak tourist season, and with unlimited daylight, everything is open late. In the mornings, central Reykjavik seems dead until 10am or so, so if there is something to see/buy/do, it would be best to do it the night of your arrival, rather than wait for things to open on your first road trip day. So many things to see and do....
I have gone to the Google satellite and tried to duplicate the map link above with a satellite photo:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...24783,0.131321
On the photo, on the far right side look for an oval racetrack. This is in the park area near your hotel, which is on the curved street just below the park. The arrow points to a location about 3 blocks southeast of the church, and the main shopping/tourist area is just above and to the right of Lake Tjornin, visible on the left side.
This area is not far from your hotel, about 2km, but as you will be walking a lot in the city, you may want to consider taking a bus or cab to the area, and save your energy for exploring the city area. There is not much that I would find interesting between your hotel and the central area....just offices, businesses and such.
My experience has been that most everyone has a good time in Iceland, a few hate it but many more fall in love with the place (as I have) and keep wanting to go back.
The best comments I have seen concerning this come from a post on TripAdvisor, which I'll include here:
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You are right, Iceland is addictive. After our maiden visit we have become committed Icelandphiles, with an ardent desire to return soon. I view this visit as the first round at a buffet table, where you survey the range of items and load your plate with modest amounts of everything. Then, wiser from the sampling, you go back for more with a directed, but more intense, focus.
I shall make no grand pronouncements of the sort "Icelanders are < insert your favourite drib of insight>" like many are wont to do. Understanding the nuances of a people and their culture takes a great deal of time spent in their company. Casual observations as visitors won't do. That said, there are many qualities of Iceland and Icelanders that are prima facie admirable, but that evaluation has to be shaped by individual experience and must be subject to alteration following new experiences & knowledge. The following are the initial impressions we formed _as tourists_.
- Iceland is one huge eye candy store. There is no point in my oohing and aahing about everything like the "nature nannies" we get to hear from nowadays.
- The quality of tourist services is exceptional. Prices are high but you get value for money spent. Thr private guides we had were more than mere professionals doing their job, going through the day's chore. They seemed to genuinely like their metier and it was as if we were out with an old friend.
- The quality of the hotels we stayed at was good (clean & functional), but not exceptional. I don't think there exists a true international 5-star hotel in Iceland. This is meant as an observation, not criticism. Hotel Centum in Reykjavik and Hotel Ranga in Hella were standouts.
- No baggage handlers at hotels in Iceland. And the concept of tipping (and the expectation of a tip) is virtually non-existent. I can't even begin to describe how civilised all this is.
- Vegetarians need not fret about being in Iceland. At every place we asked for sandwiches to be made without meat and we were invariably fixed a delicious toasted veggie&cheese sandwich. The quality of ingredients was excellent and consequently the taste (if you live in America, the difference in taste in the produce will at once be obvious). Furthermore, the Indian restaurants in Reykjavik are superb and Austur Indía Fjelagið (
http://www.austurindia.is/home.html) is highly recommended. I was also shocked to tears of joy to find, of all things, Goan food in Reykjavik! The cuisine of my hometown Goa is now available in Reykjavik at The Indian Mango! See
http://www.indianmango.is.
- Driving in Iceland calls for some preparation, especially for those used to the world-class American roads. While signage is adequate, you don't get as much advance notice (sometimes none at all) as you do on American roads. Speed limits are nominal; it pays to assess the road conditions and drive accordingly. Do NOT exceed the speed limit no matter how tempting it may seem in the wide, open spaces. You never know when a herd of sheep will get in your way (there have been many fatal accidents involving tourists in recent years). And the extra caution required at the transition from paved to gravel road cannot be underscored. Also know that some turnouts can be tricky. We stopped for a photo op at a small turnout and while making a circle to get back to the Ring Road our car got mired. Fortunately an Icelandic couple in a big jeep stopped and hauled the car out using a tow rope. Just one example of how unpredictable - and exciting - Iceland can be.
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I think the idea by bnladiesfan of a trip report is great. I'd really like to know how your trip works out.
The more I look at all of this, the more I want to get back there.