2 Days in San Francisco - Day 2

Drive to Union Square. Park under Union Square.

Window shop around the Square.
Turn Madien Lane to see Xanadu Gallery
Describe this is a Frank Loyld Wright design gallery

From Xanadu Gallery, walk to the West Field San Francisco Center.
Describe this is a new shopping center in the city.
Take pictures of dome, window shop, enjoy cream puff from Beard Papa

Walk back to Union Square, pointing out Apple store.
From Union Square, drive along Geary west
Turn right on Van Ness, turn left on Lombard

Turn right onto Steiner. Find parking in neighborhood
Have lunch at Lettus or Asqew Grill

Go back on Lombard, go west
Turn right on Richardson and visit Palace of Fine Arts

From Palace of Fine Arts, drive along Richardson to reach Golden Gate Bridge
Stop at Golden Gate Bridge for pictures

Take Lincoln Blvd and go west
Continue of El Camino Del Mar
Hit Land's End/Legion of Honor
Take pictures of Golden Gate Bridge, museum ground
Point to beach at Land's end and tell story of unsuccessful attempt of escapee from Alcatraz

From Legion of Honor, go south on 34th Ave
Turn right on Geary
Go to the ocean, take pictures at Cliff House

From Cliff House, continue onto Great Highway
Turn left on Fulton
Go until 10 Ave and turn into De Young Museum parking lot
Walk around museum ground
Describe the museum has copper skin, which will turn completely green in a few years to match the surroundings

Continue east on Fulton
Park near Alamo Square
Take pictures of Painted Ladies

From Fulton, continue east until Franklin, make left
From Franklin, turn right onto McAllister
Park under Civic Center Plaza

Walk around city hall, Herbst Theater, War Memorial Opera House, Davies Symphony Hall, Asian Art Museum, library

Simple dinner at Crepe House

Then drive onto Van Ness going south
Turn right on Market
Hit CAV for nightcap

I took my parents on the above 2 day trip in San Francisco. They are not first time visitors, but their last visit was in the 70's. This is a reasonably compact schedule, but not too hurried. They had a great time.

2 Days in San Francisco - Day 1

I created the following itinerary for first time visitor to San Francisco, complete with parking tips, restaurant recommendations etc.

Drive into city on 280, exit 4th and King.
Drive along King onto Embarcadero.

Turn right on 3rd street, then left on China Basin St.
Park on street, take pictures of AT&T park
Describe McCovey Cove is where Barry Bonds hits all those home run and how kayakers would rush to pick up the balls.

Go back onto King, continue onto Embarcadero.
Park on street, take pictures of Bow and Arrow

Continue on Embarcadero until pier 39
Park in lot. Walk around Fisherman's Wharf.
Lunch at Crab Station

From pier 39, go onto Beach St to Ghirardelli Square
Park on street. Walk around Ghirardelli Square.
Also take pictures with cable car.
Dessert at Ghirardeli Square.

From Ghirardeli Square, go south on Polk and turn right on Lombard
Drive through crookedest street.
Park at bottom of street to take pictures

Continue on Lombard St to top of Telegraph Hill Road
Park on top. Enjoy city view.
Visit Coit tower's murals, but don't go up!

Come back down Lombard and turn left onto Columbus
Drive through North Beach area
Describe to visitors how North Beach is the Italian neighborhood.

Turn right onto Stockton
Drive through Chinatown

Park at Stockton and Sutter
Walk to Belden Place for dinner at B44

As a nightcap, drive from Stockton and Sutter along Sutter
Turn left on Jones, then left on Taylor and left into Cosmo Place
Wine tasting at Hidden Vine