Quick Link to:
Transportation
- BART: The subway system called BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is one of the best systems across America! The BART goes all over the Bay Area connecting the two major cities San Francisco and Oakland. The BART connects to both airports in OAK and SFO as well. When you are in downtown San Francisco you can ride the famous San Fran trolley. Tickets are $7 for a single ride and $21 for a day pass (Click here to view prices). We purchased our tickets at the 7-11 near the metro Embarcadero station: 43 Drumm St, San Francisco, CA 94111 (Click here for google map).
Food
- The Franciscan Crab Restaurant: San Francisco is one of our favorite places to visit so naturally we have been several times together. We make it a point to always eat at the Franciscan Crab Restaurant.
Our favorite items on the menu are the delicious calamari and the famous clam chowder in a bread bowl. They have a wonderful view of the bay and Alcatraz island. They are located on Pier 43 1/2 so they are not a far walk from everything there is to do at the piers.
To-Do
- Pier 39: If you head a couple blocks down from the restaurant-0.3 miles to be exact, you will reach the famous Pier 39. There are a lot of shops to browse in, but the thing that we love the most is looking at the sea lions, lounging about. It is nice to just relax and enjoy all the beautiful views of the city and the bay.
- Golden Gate Bridge: On a clear day, you can spot this famous bridge and you can even walk the 1.7 miles each way. Just a tip though if you do decide to walk across remember to bring a jacket as it can get pretty cold with the sea breeze! Also remember that the bridge is open for both pedestrians and bicyclists on the walkway so it can get crowded.
- Lombard Street: One thing you absolutely have to see is the “Crookedest Street” in the WORLD! Make your way down to Lombard street by trolley (see above for info on that) on the Van Ness line and get off at Lombard street. Take in the beautiful view, but don’t expect to ever live there-unless you have $2.7 million to drop on a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo.
- Coit Tower: Get your walking shoes on because the walk from Lombard street to Coit Tower is just a little over a mile, up and down some fairly steep hills. Take the many many steps (400 to be exact) up Telegraph hill and you will arrive at the tower. Admission to the tower is free, however you will have to pay the small price of $8 to take the elevator to the top-which I’m sure your feet will appreciate! At the top you will be able to see panoramic views of the city and it will be all worth the long journey to get there.
San Francisco is one of our favorite cities to visit. Anytime we have a long layover there, we enjoy sitting by the bay to see some great sites and eat amazing food.
