Proposal Location in San Francisco
 

Hello,

I am new to this forum, however feel it will be a great location for this thread.

I am planning a great trip to San Francisco from the midwest, and have never been there before. In late July I plan to propose to my girlfriend and would like to do it in San Francisco.

Can anyone please speak to preferable locations with scenery in the San Francisco Bay area. Preferably near the downtown area and with a disguise to get there (ie, we'll go here to eat/hangout/check out scenery, not get proposed to).

I appreciate any help you can provide and will certainly share the outcome of the trip.

What about crossing the Golden Gate and driving up the Marin Headlands? The view of SF and the bridge are spectacular and might make for a romantic setting perfect for your proposal.

I would have to agree with that Analise!..thats a spectacular view!...

Or...on a cable car ride?... Or Alcatraz?...

Coit Tower. Nice views and easy to get there.

PS: Buy a transit pass. That makes it very easy to get around SF.

I think the Giants might be able to put your proposal on the scoreboard for a fee. An A's game might be even cheaper!

I agree that the Marin Headlands would be great. You could then continue up to Sausalito for a meal. If you're the biking sort, you can rent bikes and ride across the bridge, although the superior view, in my opinion, is up a fair hill from where you would be. There is also a nice (more crowded) spot easily accessed with bikes. Twin Peaks offers another great view of the city, but why eat a hamburger when you could have a better hamburger?

First of all, congratulations and best wishes to you both. ^ ^

The Coit Tower recommendation is a good one, nice views. If you wanted to make it over a meal, Julius Castle is a very nice historic restaurant with great views, very near to Coit Tower. If you tell them when you make a reservation of your plans, I'm sure they'll give you a nice table.

Of course San Francisco is not short on good restaurants, so you have lots to pick from if you go for the dinner approach.

I hate to be contrarian (not really) but as a daily Muni rider I must disagree. Muni is fairly mediocre, particularly on the tourist routes (i.e. non rush hour service). Much quicker to take a taxi to most places, and not too pricey. The only exception is the F streetcar line which runs from the Castro thru downtown (near many hotels) to the Ferry Building and ultimately to Fisherman's Wharf.

I would also veto tremendously overpriced Julius Castle. If you want a great view, try a drink at the Top of the Mark (M. Hopkins Hotel) or Harry Denton's starlight room.

The Headlands are a great spot, but not particularly close to downtown. Coit tower is nearby and offers some great views, but it will be packed with fellow tourists (if that matters to you). Another option might be to head out to the Marina green which offers great views of Alcatraz and the GG bridge ($10 taxi from downtown or half hour ride on the #30 bus). You could then celebrate at one of the many fine eating establishments on Union St or Chestnut St. Also nearby is the Palace of Fine Arts, which would make a great backdrop for a proposal. :cool:

Feel free to p-mail me if you need logistical advice.

Whoa. All the very best !

1. Dont do the Giants game thing - there have been a few funny (and not-so-funny) pokes in the SF Chronicle lately about people who have done that.

2. I'd recommend one of the posh hotels in Nob Hill (strongly second Boraxo's recommendation of the 'Top of the Mark' in the Mark Hopkins hotel) or the Carnelian room (www.carnelianroom.com on the 52nd floor of 555 California Street in the middle of downtown).

3. Alcatraz is nice, but you'll have a ton of people looking on (but hey maybe you like that kind of thing)

4. Twin Peaks at sunset. Spectacular view but a little chilly. Would give you the opportunity for a huuuuuuge hug and kiss. But you are going to be gambling that there's no fog.

Our fair city has a whole bunch of activities/tours for all tastes. Perhaps you can dig a bit and find something your girlfriend likes. Would be very meaningful to propose in a place/time/scenario like that.
For example, is she into films? If so:
-There's a really cool restaurant called 'Foreign Cinema'. I'm sure you can guess what its all about
-There's more than one 'Film Noir' tour - take you around the spots in SF from famous movies like Vertigo et al.

Cheers. Keep us posted if you can on how it goes.

-seenu

I'd be thinking Marin Headlands or even farther up the coast if you really want to get away from it all.

Perhaps Sausalito(sp?) if you want to stick close to the city...

My favorite spot in SF really isn't suitable for a proposal - unless you want to shout to be heard over the cacophony of 300 barking sea lions. :)

Am I the only one who thinks proposing marriage at a prison is a bad idea? :)

I like the Palace Of Fine Arts idea... here's a link to show you what the area looks like
http://marksquires.com/Images_Photos...rts_2002sc.jpg

On the weekends it's a popular area for wedding photo sessions so keep that in mind (maybe plan to go on weekday, or use the wedding parties you might find there as a way to 'pop' the question).

Or maybe the Palace Of The Legion Of Honor. I think it's a small but under-rated museum with some great views of the GG just beyond the museum
http://photos4.flickr.com/9009735_bf1f99b630_m.jpg
(google images of "Palace Of The Legion Of Honor" for other pics of the area)

Good luck!
DD

Another for the Coit Tower...though not at the top. In the semi-kept grounds at the bottom

The OP cross-posted this question in the SFO Forum as well.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...wpost&t=441328

The Palace of Fine Arts is a smashing location, really world class -- and what a story behind it! Particularly beautiful at sunset. It is a naturally romantic place where the scenery and architecture draws you together (unlike the GG bridge or Coit tower where it draws you apart).

Napa. or Sonoma. It's my answer to anything today. Do you have a favorite wine from out there? Call and ask if you can use their private cellar room (most of the wineries have them) for the proposal, tell her you are going to a tasting at one of your favorite wineries, arrange for them to cater a lunch or dinner, etc. You will not be the first person asking, just tell them how much she is worth to you, and let them run with it.

Indeed it was. Under the dome looking at the swans in the pool got the Mrs Rehabusrab to say yes a few years ago...