Walked all over San Francisco for last 4 days. Ask me anything.

You are trying to paint a pretty picture of horse manure. And you did. +1

Were you double masked while walking outside in the wealthy business district?

Film Rep wrote:

Were you double masked while walking outside in the wealthy business district?

No. In fact, I saw very few people (may 4-5%) wearing masks outdoors. I don't recall seeing anyone double masked anywhere.

Most restaurants require vaccine cards if you want to eat indoors. Otherwise, outdoor seating is plentiful. Many restaurants have built seating structures along the curb to handle Covid rules.

Covid doesn't seem to have affected things any more than other cities. Lots of people walking around, doing business, enjoying themselves.

The Lovely Mrs. Flagpole and I lived in the Bay Area (Palo Alto) for 4+ years in the late 80s/early 90s, and we of course went to San Francisco multiple times. Everyone and their brother came to visit us, and they wanted to see the city, so we obliged. I agree with you that it is a beautiful city. I have been back a few times since we moved away, and it is the most beautiful American city I have been to...BY FAR. Location has much to do with it of course, but the Golden Gate Bridge, the cable cars, the architecture of the houses in the city, the food, the weather after the fog burns off by noon, even the touristy areas...all great.

San Francisco is the most liberal city in a liberal state, so it is just a target for Conservatives. Is it PERFECT? Of course not. No major city is. It is though a beautiful, beautiful city, and anyone with the funds to be able to live there is very fortunate.

You are a liberal. Of course you would say those things.

how many miles did you do?

what shoes did you wear?

Go for Ed Chambers wrote:

You are a liberal. Of course you would say those things.

No, I'm not a liberal. Not at all. Pretty anti-liberal these days.

I'm aware of San Francisco's liberal reputation and local politics. I just don't see what that has to do with experiencing the city itself. It is what it is.

I plan to take my family to San Francisco next year at this time (for about 8 days). We've never been there, any recommendations? Where to stay? Day trips if we dont rent a car? Do we need to rent a car?

thoughts and prayers wrote:

how many miles did you do?

what shoes did you wear?

Averaged 12.8 miles a day so far (two days left).

On the first day, I wore some loafers I usually wear to work. That was a mistake. Ended up with some ugly blisters. Day two, I popped the blisters, and switched to my running shoes, and have been fine since.

Mongacious wrote:

thoughts and prayers wrote:

how many miles did you do?

what shoes did you wear?

Averaged 12.8 miles a day so far (two days left).

On the first day, I wore some loafers I usually wear to work. That was a mistake. Ended up with some ugly blisters. Day two, I popped the blisters, and switched to my running shoes, and have been fine since.

That's a lot of walking in a hilly city!

Mongacious wrote:

Go for Ed Chambers wrote:

You are a liberal. Of course you would say those things.

No, I'm not a liberal. Not at all. Pretty anti-liberal these days.

I'm aware of San Francisco's liberal reputation and local politics. I just don't see what that has to do with experiencing the city itself. It is what it is.

You are lying and trolling.

coach wrote:

I plan to take my family to San Francisco next year at this time (for about 8 days). We've never been there, any recommendations? Where to stay? Day trips if we dont rent a car? Do we need to rent a car?

I'd recommend day trip to Angel Island for sure (over Alcatraz). That was the highlight so far - boat trip in the Bay, then walked up Mt. Livermore on Angel Island, then around all the abandoned immigration and military buildings.

We like aimlessly walking around. Coit Tower on Telegraph hill is a good way to start a day (go up the Filbert steps), then walk along the Wharf, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights. That's a decent day, plenty of cool restaurants, great views, up and down steep hills, seeing city life.

Walking through the Tenderloin is intense. I'd recommend it, but it's not everyone's cup of tea,

We walked the Golden Gate bridge. Great views, but loud as hell with the traffic. I'd say it's something to do once so you can say you did it, otherwise ehhh. There are plenty of places to view the bridge.

USS Pampanito WWII submarine is docked on the wharf and worth the admission price.

Twin Peaks - large hill to south west is fantastic viewpoint. And the walk down through beautiful San Francisco neighborhoods was great. Really interesting, if you are into walking around. We then walked to Haight-Ashbury, which is okay.

As far as places to stay, I'd recommend downtown on the outskirts of the Financial District (we are near Chinatown) or around Union Square. Those are good central points to start you day in any direction.

We didn't rent a car, and I really don't think it's needed at all. There is the BART system from the airport, and then you can walk most places. We caught an Uber once because we were beat, and it was easy to get.

Don't forget your vaxx card, as it makes restaurants easier. Other than that, I was barely aware of Covid related issues.

Go for Ed Chambers wrote:

Mongacious wrote:

No, I'm not a liberal. Not at all. Pretty anti-liberal these days.

I'm aware of San Francisco's liberal reputation and local politics. I just don't see what that has to do with experiencing the city itself. It is what it is.

You are lying and trolling.

It always fascinates me how many people let their political views taint their nearly their entire existence. Can't enjoy a vacation unless it's in the correct political climate. Can't enjoy sports or TV. Can't imagine someone could enjoy walking around a city with famously good (decent) weather because the political persuasions of the city council?

Go for Ed Chambers wrote:

Mongacious wrote:

No, I'm not a liberal. Not at all. Pretty anti-liberal these days.

I'm aware of San Francisco's liberal reputation and local politics. I just don't see what that has to do with experiencing the city itself. It is what it is.

You are lying and trolling.

If you says so, Ace.

But I'd highly recommend the place as some sort of vacation. It really is spectacular. Give yourself at least 3 days. Okay? Promise me you'll give it three day, Edward.

I've been here about 10 times for work (this is first time for a vacation), and it still excites me every time I'm here.

Thanks, I too love aimlessly walking around. Our family trip is a year away but I love planning. Your tips are exactly what I was looking for.

I plan to visit next year, after The Big One has reduced SF and its surroundings into a smoldering pile of rubble (though even then human excrement will be evident - on the nostrils and on one's shoes*). There should be some real estate bargains to be had! I'll be in the market for a tumbledown shack...literally.

*If I were in an earthquake, and if given more than a second to live, I'd scream, "Oh, SHIIIT!" It would just be an utterance, though, and not a command or a description of my surroundings. In SF, if someone yelled, "Oh, SHIIIT!" in an earthquake, it would be considered a free license for humans to let loose onto the sidewalks.

Thank you for your lovely and accurate posts about SF. I live in the heart of SF, you probably walked by my house. If you still are in the city, I’d recommend a walk to the mission. Stop by the Tartine bakery or the Bi-Rite grocery on 18th. Grab some food and sit in Dolores Park and have a picnic. Then walk to the outer mission/Bernal Heights. Lots of great things to see and do. If your still in town on Monday, get tickets and go see the Giants play. Oracle is the prettiest baseball stadium in the country and right now the Giants are the best team. A nice run for a visitor would be a 10 mile out and back run through golden gate park and the length of the great highway along ocean beach.