I know I haven't been able to respond to everyone individually but I just wanted you guys to know that I really appreciate the suggestions and you've all been really helpful. I'm going to print out this thread (once I get the printer hooked up) and keep it in one of my folders with other travel/tourist suggestions. Since we're going to have family visiting us out here (both sets of parents, siblings, etc.) it's actually really useful.
Feel free to add more suggestions if you think of them! It's nice to have things to look forward to.
I don't know if it's still there, but there was a very cool Penny Arcade in Seacliff in San Francisco when I lived there with pinball machines and lots of classic clockwork machines that still operated for only a penny.
Go to Pancho Villas on 16th at Mission for the best burrito you'll ever have; check out Zante's Indian pizza next door for the culinary genius of the Indian Pizza (no clue why they haven't done that in the UK yet).
I always make a point of going to Japan centre when I'm town to visit relations. The Japanese dollar stores rock!
Thanks for all the suggestions! I've actually never had a burrito so that's a good place to start. Also Japanese dollar stores sound awesome.
No one else has mentioned this (possibly because it's closer to Sacramento than San Francisco), but you should go see the Redwood National and State Parks. Absolutely astoundingly beautiful.
I'm thinking the Redwoods might be too much for my allergies, but I'm going to start with some other parks and see how I do and go from there. I'd really like to see the redwoods though.
I was going to jump in and mention the Winchester Mystery House and the USS Hornet, but others have beaten me to it.
The Tech Museum is great, too. It's in downtown San Jose. Also, Mission Santa Clara is beautiful, as are the San Jose Municipal Rose Gardens. If you like ancient Egypt, the Rosicrucian Museum is worth seeing.
Actually it helps when multiple people mention the same thing just because then I know that it's popular and not just to one person's taste. I want to go to the tech museum but I'm going to wait to go with my husband to that one. I might do the Egyptian one solo if I get up the courage.
If you have the $$ the helicopter tour is worth every penny IMO. One of the most spectacular parts of the ride is gong over and underneath Golden Gate Bridge + the fly over Alcatraz. Also, SF skyline is beautiful anytime of the day or night.
Helicopter tour sounds a bit scary, but that's a good idea! Also I want to visit Alcatraz, so it would be pretty awesome to see it from above as well.
Welcome to the Bay Area, Kes.
Wow, thanks for the welcome and all the suggestions! I'm already enjoying it out here even if I've only been here a week. Just knowing that there is so much to do and see is encouraging. I don't think I would have ever chosen to leave Chicago on my own, but at least I moved to a great area!
I saw the
Musée Mécanique when it was still located at the Cliff House, but it was moved in 2002 to Fisherman's Wharf and is now adjacent to Alioto's and the Fishermen's Grotto at Pier 45.
Another thing to do in The City is to check out the
Cartoon Art Museum, located on Mission St., just around the corner from the Yerba Buena Gardens complex and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Speaking of museums, also worth visiting are the
DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park and the
Asian Art Museum in the Civic Center area (the old San Francisco Main Library building.)
I love museums, and I didn't know about several of these, so these are all really useful suggestions. The cartoon one interests me in particular. Thanks!
If you go to Santa Cruz I guess you have to see the Beach and Boardwalk. I have actually never been there but it is world famous as an amusement park. The redwoods are a must see too. Roaring Trees in Felton is my favorite. And as much as I try and stay away from it these days my hometown of Monterey really is as most people say "very nice". The coastal drive is a sight to see.
I've heard great things about Monterey. I figure we'll do Santa Cruz first since it's closer. It's probably a day trip sort of thing, right guys?
Come to Sacramento and I'll buy you a cheeseburger.
Careful! You have no clue how much I love cheeseburgers.
Now that you're in CA, you can finally sample the wondrous food that is In-N-Out.
I was going to mention this earlier but forgot...In-N-Out is totally awesome. If you don't like hamburgers, at least try their fries, they are definitely my favorite if I am looking for a quick bite to eat.
My husband took me there and I have to say ... yummy burgers, okay fries. They weren't bad or anything, just kind of there. I had some Parmesan garlic fries at Counter though and my goodness, delicious!
34 posts in, and no one's mentioned Napa !?!?!?!? *tsk tsk*
Actually that's the one experience I have with the area. Three years ago we went to Napa for our honeymoon. We've always wanted to go back but haven't found the time. Now there's no excuse! My brother and his wife are coming out here in October, along with my sis and her fiance. I think we're going to do a weekend in Napa (or nearby) with all six of us.
Also careful, I may just take you up on the coast guard thing!
Someone said you could do a whole day in the city, in reality a whole day would be a small part, there's tons to do.
Thanks for the welcome.
And yeah, I can't believe how much there is to do in SF alone. I'm imagining several trips there on the weekends. It's hard to decide what to do first!
I also helped my friend make a model of it out of sugar cubes. The missions are neat, go visit some!If you mean that it's hot, it really hasn't even been as hot as usual lately, and San Jose is actually quite nice compared to the temps a little to the east of you.
