Short visit San Fran-Monterrey (San Francisco, Oakland: theater, price, nightlife)

[Novadhd5150]

We will be visiting San Fran and Monterrey in July for a few days. What should we expect weather wise and also what would be the hotspots to see for just a few days. Probably be just couple days in each place. I know this is not much time.
Thanks!

[TheCityTheBridge]

San Francisco and Monterey share mild summers--expect mid to high 60s for highs and low 50s for lows. Bring layers and leave your shorts and tank tops at home.

If by hotspots you mean nightlife, you won't find much in Monterey, but SF has a lot of options. Try the Mission for a 20s & 30s crowd with divey/hipster aesthetic. Polk Street for 20s & 30s with a frattier crowd. Hayes Valley for a more upscale 30s and 40s crowd. Castro for bars catering especially to a gay crowd. Dance clubs are dotted around SoMa and the Mission. Theater, opera, ballet, and symphony crowds will be around Civic Center for performances.

If you mean things to see: Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row in Monterey. Spend a day in Carmel and go to the Carmel Mission. Point Lobos for great hiking.

In San Francisco--see the Golden Gate Bridge. Otherwise, explore, but skip Fisherman's Wharf (and don't stay near it). The best way to see it is to eat, drink, and walk your way through it.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Bring your shorts and tank tops - just in case. They won't take up much room. And yes, otherwise, layers. SF can feel cold even in summer with a very brisk breeze that's nice and moist off the water. A day in SF could mean you start out with a t-shirt and jeans, then add a sweatshirt, then add a warm coat and a scarf and a hat, and still wish you had something warmer. Have you ever been to Seattle? Same thing. Layers are the key.

But, from personal traveling experience, you can bet if you don't pack the shorts and tank tops - you'll wish you had lol!

I love taking a bay cruise. The city is so beautiful from the water. Just google SF cruise to find lots of options. They're a bit pricey, but worth it IMO. The last time I took one was around 5 years ago, and even though I grew up in the SF Bay Area (San Leandro - next to Oakland), I swear when I take one of those cruises, it's like seeing the city for the first time - just magically beautiful. The one I took was the Hornblower, and it included a buffet lunch. You'll be cold on the water for sure, though, so bring your layers if you want to be out on deck. They took us past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate bridge out to the ocean, then turned around and came back. They also do nighttime dinner cruises. I've never done that.

http://www.hornblower.com/

Monterey has it's fun night spots. Ask on the Monterey forum where to go. My daughter worked there, and had some favorite night spots she enjoyed. I don't know the names of them. I think one was a brewery? Anyway, ask on the Monterey forum.

My favorite place to eat in Monterey does not have a view, and is pricey, but OMG, so tasty:

Sardine Factory Gallery

Definitely get a reservation for the conservatory. Be sure and eat local fresh seafood.

If you want a great ocean view, with good drinks, go to, of all places, El Torito:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=sardi...ed=0CAkQ_AUoAg

If the link doesn't work, it's at 600 Cannery Row. Whatever you do, though, DON'T eat there lol! They can't even make decent quacamole. Horrible food. BUT, one of the best views in Monterey. So, sit in the bar, which also has windows that face the ocean, and have a drink or two (which are good), and enjoy the view.

Again, if you like the water, you can hook up with a kayak group in the Monterey/Santa Cruz area, where they do day trips on the water.

Monterey Bay Kayaks - Go Kayaking

Have a wonderful trip!

[Novadhd5150]

Thanks for the responses. I have heard that Northern Cal can be cool in Summer so thats find. Considering it was 20 degress this morning here I can probably handle it.
We are not necessarily looking for nightlife spots just places to see. Thanks for helping.