How to see San Francisco in 2 days? (San Jose, Monterey: to rent, transfer) - City-Data Forum

katestar · 07-07-2012, 10:05 AM

I am hoping some locals can help me out. My GF and I will be visiting San Francisco the first week of October and we will be there Saturday through Tuesday. Monday/Tuesday we plan to rent a car and see the Muir Woods/Sausalito and head down to San Jose/Monterey and Carmel. Saturday and Sunday we will be in the city travelling via public transport. What's the best way to see the city?

I am thinking of doing one of those bus tours that includes Alcatraz, which will take up the majority of one day. We want to see as much of the city as we can and learn about the history and the people, which is why I want to do the narrated tour.

Any suggestions?

California Vagabond · 07-07-2012, 07:42 PM

Your current plan just might be best. A guided tour undoubtedly will cover lots of bases; that's what such tours are all about.

Still: if you're planning on getting around here by public transit, you could stop at the Powell/Market cable car station to pick up the invaluable $3 Muni map -- Muni Maps -- and then roll a tour of your own, hitting only those San Francisco highlights that appeal to you. I still think that this under publicized $3 map is all you need to use transit in San Francisco.

If you'd like a guided historical tour along the way, there are the great 'donation requested' San Francisco City Guide walking tours, conducted by volunteers. ( San Francisco Walking Tours | City Guides ) City Guides offers around 7 to 15 free tours every day.

Charles22 · 07-07-2012, 07:49 PM

This =>> Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 12 - Fri Oct 5, Sat Oct 6, & Sun Oct 7, 2012

deff · 07-08-2012, 06:27 AM

In my opinion, I would not spend much time in San Jose / South Bay. It is like so many other metropolitan city areas, very spread out and dry culture wise...you will never see anything in San Jose that you wouldn't see in at least 10 other cities in the country. The only exception is if you are planning on visiting/touring some of the many high tech companies there.

In SF, there are so many things to see. The bus tour may be a good idea - It will hit Alcatraz and many other must see tourist spots. The tourist spots I usuallly take people are Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradeli Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard street, and downtown (Market st./Powell area, lots of big buildings and the famous huge Westfield shopping mall). If you have time or desire to go, Golden Gate Park is also a nice place to visit.

If you're looking for local culture, Dolores Park is a great place to eat a to-go meal, but it is a little away from the rest of the tourist attractions. Same with Castro (16th/Market), if you want to see the most openly gay community in the country. For nightlife, I'd recommend going out in the Nob Hill area, plenty of bars and clubs in the area.

Ms Kitty 98 · 07-08-2012, 01:02 PM

I never heard of any buses going to Alcatraz but you might try a ferry boat tour to the rock, you want a public transportation tour of the city I would recommend you try the MUNI # 33 Stanyan/Children's Hospital, the 38 Geary Point Lobos out to the beach and don't forget to ask the driver for your transfer tickets. There's other routes as well the street car F Line is also a good one probably the best one and you can catch that one on Market going either way, there is so much to see and do in San Francisco that you will never get enough of it.

oldtrader · 07-08-2012, 02:16 PM

The unfortunate thing, is you cannot get to really know San Francisco in only 2 days. The thing to do is figure what to you will be the most interesting things in the city from a good visitors guide, then plan on how to see these sights. Target the most important to you in order of want to see most, and then plan on how to go through those places and I guarantee you will not get through your whole list. In 2 days, you will only get to know a small part of the city. I was a California native, and have been to San Francisco many times since the 1930s, and I still find new things to see every time I go there.

katestar · 07-09-2012, 02:54 PM

Thanks everyone. I booked a 3.5 bus tour of the city and we will do a ferry tour to Alcatraz as well. I didn't think we would see everything in two days, but I think we might stretch it out to 3 days and we wanted to go to San Jose to see the Winchester house, unless it's not worth it? We also want to see the Muir Woods and Sausalito, but we are renting a car for a day or two to get to these places.