Tourist post

Some tourist ideas for San Francisco.

I wrote an email to some friends who are visiting and thought that I'd make a blog post of it so I have it for future reference.

Ride a cable car.  They also have a museum.

Cruise on the bay, apparently this one is good.

Lombard st is worth a look.  And if you want to drive down Lombard st, the best way is to drive north along Hyde St and turn right as most of the traffic comes straight along Lombard st and there can be a three block queue. Map

Golden Gate park, and this one. And a map.   They also have buffalo !!

The Golden Gate Park also has the California Academy of Sciences in the middle and is definitely worth a look just for the butterfly house and aquarium.

Golden Gate bridge.

I'd recommend hiring bikes and riding across it to Sausilito.

I've heard very good things about The Exploratorium.

I've heard Alcatraz is a bit too touristy with not a whole lot on offer, but I haven't been personally. No idea if these guys are any good.

If you want seriously touristy, head for Pier 39 and all along the foreshore to the chocolate house at Ghirardelli.

I'd stop and have a look at the SS Jeremiah O'Brien on Fisherman's Wharf, but that's only because I'm an engineer and like ships. ;)

Also near Union Square which has a lot of the major shopping places, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Macy's, Louis Vuitton etc.

Are you thinking of hiring a car ?

A nearby place to see California's redwood trees is Muir Woods, named after John Muir, who convinced Theodore Roosevelt to create the National Parks. Map.

I can also recommend Marin headlands, which is just across the Golden Gate and has lots of interesting forts and a 1950's Nike missile site.  Map.

I'd also recommend a drive up to Mount Tamalpais, if the weather is clear. It offers awesome views of San Francisco and the Bay area.