san francisco

[beachk]

hey everyone i'm making a san francisco/norcal trip next month (yay october!) with my mom. does anyone have advice on things to do/where to stay/places to eat/etc? i hate touristy stuff, she kind of likes it, but we don't want anything too touristy with a ton of people/kids.

i still have a lot of research to do but wanted any suggestions we're definitely going to go to napa valley, and hopefully drive down pacific coast highway and visit a few beaches.

[ilovemyairmen]

Pier 39 (99% sure that's the number)!!! Its just a long boardwalk from what i can remember, but its the Fisherman's wharf and has lots of shops, seals off to one side all the time, and the best clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudins. I haven't been there in about 10 years, but its AWESOME!! Oh, and you gotta go to Chinatown! Busy on the weekends, though...just saw that you don't like too touristy of places. I don't know how far from San Fran you are going but Lake Tahoe is amazing, and about a 2 hour drive away...Sacramento's not quite as far, and they have a lot of neat places around there for the Capitol city. My favorite place is Placerville, CA, also about 2 hours from SF. Lots of neat historical things to see...can mine for gold (place of first gold rush in california) and all kinds of arts and crafty shopping.

I hope at least some of this helps.

[lauren.]

if you end up coming to sacramento... it's where i live! so let me know!!

[beachk]

Originally Posted by ilovemyairmen Pier 39 (99% sure that's the number)!!! Its just a long boardwalk from what i can remember, but its the Fisherman's wharf and has lots of shops, seals off to one side all the time, and the best clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudins. I haven't been there in about 10 years, but its AWESOME!! Oh, and you gotta go to Chinatown! Busy on the weekends, though...just saw that you don't like too touristy of places. I don't know how far from San Fran you are going but Lake Tahoe is amazing, and about a 2 hour drive away...Sacramento's not quite as far, and they have a lot of neat places around there for the Capitol city. My favorite place is Placerville, CA, also about 2 hours from SF. Lots of neat historical things to see...can mine for gold (place of first gold rush in california) and all kinds of arts and crafty shopping. I hope at least some of this helps.

awesome, thanks! i have always wanted to go to lake tahoe actually...i flew over it a few weeks ago and i was like i want to be there now, haha i will definitely check out some of the places you suggested!

Originally Posted by lauren. if you end up coming to sacramento... it's where i live! so let me know!!

we actually might, i think we have some family around there

[joshsbeautiful]

Like ilovemyairman said, there is Pier 39.
If you like art or science, this place is AMAZING. http://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/index.php

[LoveKiss]

Sooooo jealous. San Francisco is on my bucket list. Have fun!

[PrincessBlue505]

The exploratorium is sooo fun. DH and I used to go there for our dating anniversaries before we married and moved away. Make sure to do Alcatraz while you're in San Francisco. It's touristy but full of history. Ghiridelli Square is near Fisherman's wharf and has amazing ice cream. Wait times are up to an hour or two on weekend evenings though.

If you're driving down the coast, definitely hit up Half Moon Bay, Pebble Beach, and Monterrey. Monterrey has some shops and an aquarium. Oh, and Santa Cruz! It's a beach board walk with rides and shops.

That's all I can think of right now.

[ilovemyairmen]

Originally Posted by beachk awesome, thanks! i have always wanted to go to lake tahoe actually...i flew over it a few weeks ago and i was like i want to be there now, haha i will definitely check out some of the places you suggested!

my parents honeymooned at lake tahoe 30 years ago...I've only been there twice, but man its wonderful!!! i also jumped in the water when it was only like 50 degrees...it was freezing, but totally worth it!

[kann007]

DH and I just got back from SF Pier 39 is pretty cool lots of shops. We went down the pacific coast highway that was nice. We went wine tasteing in Sanoma County and Napa valley. FYI the winery "Valley of the Moon" is free tasting for military and you get 1/2 off everything

[*Larz*]

Originally Posted by ilovemyairmen Pier 39 (99% sure that's the number)!!! Its just a long boardwalk from what i can remember, but its the Fisherman's wharf and has lots of shops, seals off to one side all the time, and the best clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Boudins. I haven't been there in about 10 years, but its AWESOME!! Oh, and you gotta go to Chinatown! Busy on the weekends, though...just saw that you don't like too touristy of places. I don't know how far from San Fran you are going but Lake Tahoe is amazing, and about a 2 hour drive away...Sacramento's not quite as far, and they have a lot of neat places around there for the Capitol city. My favorite place is Placerville, CA, also about 2 hours from SF. Lots of neat historical things to see...can mine for gold (place of first gold rush in california) and all kinds of arts and crafty shopping. I hope at least some of this helps.

Originally Posted by PrincessBlue505 The exploratorium is sooo fun. DH and I used to go there for our dating anniversaries before we married and moved away. Make sure to do Alcatraz while you're in San Francisco. It's touristy but full of history. Ghiridelli Square is near Fisherman's wharf and has amazing ice cream. Wait times are up to an hour or two on weekend evenings though. If you're driving down the coast, definitely hit up Half Moon Bay, Pebble Beach, and Monterrey. Monterrey has some shops and an aquarium. Oh, and Santa Cruz! It's a beach board walk with rides and shops. That's all I can think of right now.

They said it all. Watch out for the Treeman (or Bushman?) by Fisherman's Wharf. He's a sneaky little sucker!