First time (live in, restaurant, nearest)

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Pinecrest Diner - San Francisco, CA

About a block west of Union square on Geary,open 24 hours a day.

Ha! Beat me to recommending Pinecrest. There are a couple of others in the general area that will be open too. A few more farther down Market in the Castro area.

[NewishtoLA]

Thanks all.

How far is greyhound station from the major tourist sights? Is the city safe?

[dalparadise]

The Greyhound Station is South of Market, on the eastern side of the City. It's generally safe around it, but it will be pretty dead at that hour of the morning. A walk 6-8 blocks north will put you in the Union Square area, where there's lots going on. A walk a few blocks east will put you on The Embarcadero waterfront near the Bay Bridge. It will be very scenic with the sun coming up and possibly some morning fog on the water.

If you follow The Embarcadero around, you will come to the Ferry Building at the foot of Market street. It's a pleasant, scenic walk. On Tuesday, there will be a farmers' market there (later in the day, around lunchtime). There are several restaurant tents that open up in the plaza out front. There's a mostly gourmet market and lots of great, but probably pricier than you are looking for, restaurants inside the Ferry Building, too. A good exception is Gott's Roadside--more expensive than In-N-Out, but much better.

You will be in a good part of SF to walk around and see a lot. You have your Hop-on Bus pass to fill in some of the longer stretches, but things like Chinatown, North Beach, Coit Tower, and Union Square are within fairly easy walking distance.

[NewishtoLA]

^^^ Thank You! God bless all

[dalparadise]

Have fun. It's not enough time to fully enjoy the City, but it is enough time for a great adventure. Yes, bring some clothing layers. If your Hop-On-Hop-Off bus takes you to the Golden Gate Bridge (almost a religious experience to walk across and take in the views), or up on Twin Peaks, it could be in the 50s with a chilly wind. (Heh, it could also be in the 70s if the fog isn't in). This is all at the same time that its in the 60s in The Haight, 70s in Union Square, and 80s in The Mission. It's usually not that varied, but it's possible.

The fog and wind makes a big difference in what it feels like. So, sunny and 63 can feel very warm, while foggy, windy and 63 can chill you to the bone. You can have both within a few blocks in San Francisco. Enjoy it.

[Ruth4Truth]

Other recommendations: I don't know the Hop-on/off bus's route, but if you get out Geary Ave. near Golden Gate Park, definitely spend time in the park. Japanese Tea Garden, plant conservatory, De Young Museum (look it up first, to see if there are any exhibits you'd be interested in. If not, move on to...) the aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences.

If you're up for a long walk, you can walk all the way out to the beach, through the park. Catch the 5 Fulton bus to go back downtown (long trip, one hour+ ), or take the 38 Geary--Beach bus. Ask the driver to let you off at a "limited" 38 bus stop, so you can get an express bus (called: "limited", or 38L) to downtown. Or get off at Japantown, halfway to downtown, and explore that.

For lunch, if you're in that neighborhood, 2-3 blocks north of the park, off 6th Av. on Balboa, is the Cinderella Cafe, a restaurant/hang out for the local Russian community. Good home-style Russian food, and fabulous pastries to take with you.

Another option:

The Presidio (a historic site and park), near the GG Bridge. Stroll the Presidio, and head over to the Bridge, to walk part-way across. This is best done early afternoon, after the morning fog has burned off, and before the evening fog rolls in. Spectacular views.


You'd do well to find out your Hop on/off bus's routing, also get a good map of the city, and a transit map, if possible.
This will be a very long day for you. Plan rests, like in the park, and at lunch.

[GalacticDragonfly]

Take BART to Berkeley and have some great cuisine for dinner around the University or downtown, pick up some weird items and neat trinkets on Telegraph Ave

[afdinatl]

I never understood people that will visit another city and look for a chain restaurant that is in the city that they live in. Why not try out a new restaurant? That's like if I travel to San Fran and go to Waffle House

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

I never understood people that will visit another city and look for a chain restaurant that is in the city that they live in. Why not try out a new restaurant? That's like if I travel to San Fran and go to Waffle House

I get it. The dude doesn't have a lot of time and he's trying to get a San Francisco experience in a matter of hours. He also seems like he's on a strict budget. That's all good. The tendency will be to stay with what he knows.

SF is unlike any other city in the world, though. Your point to venture beyond what he knows here is well taken. It may take a few hours of walking around for him to understand that, though.

[Sovetsky Medved]

Your doing this as a one day TRIP, OMG! that sounds so tiring!
Find a cheap room and spend a few days, really get to see the city.
I know there isn,t much cheap rooms here, but you can get down around 100-110 a night around Ocean beach and Judah.
I opted to spend a little more $129 a night plus 15% tax at Seal Rock inn.
Im spending 2 weeks here and that's not even enough to take in this vibrant city.
One day would just burn me out.
But Have Fun!
And yes, Do bring a jacket, just a long sleeve shirt might not be enough.
The busses are 2 dollars a ride, you can buy an entire weeks unlimited bus and cable car pass for $29