As a Bay Area resident, let me give my full endorsement to the Alcatraz tour. The wife and I went a few years ago and it was absolutely great. We've been meaning to go again and just haven't gotten around to it.
We haven't been to the DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park, but everyone raves about it. Similarly, I've been meaning to get to the Disney Museum in the Presidio, too, but haven't gotten there yet. High marks to the Asian Art Museum and SF MOMA, too. Living in Pacifica, I'm prejudiced toward time spent at the coast. A trip from, say, the Cliff House (a nice spot for a late afternoon drink), down the Great Highway (which is temporarily closed at Skyline Blvd.), then down the coast to Half Moon Bay -- or even Pescadero -- is a very nice drive. One way with no stops to HMB should be about an hour, and there are some very nice places for lunch or dinner on the way. (If you want specific names, let me know). I haven't been to the Googleplex (for obvious reasons), but everyone raves about it (I don't know if it's set up for civilians); our Yahoo campus is nice, but not really worth a trip. If the Giants are in town, an afternoon at the ballpark is nice -- IF you're sitting between the bases; anywhere else has terrible sightlines. There are a million good restaurants in town (again, names available if you need them), The Union Square area is very nice, but is darn close to the Tenderloin. Regardless, lots of good shopping and things to see. I've never understood the appeal of either Chinatown or Fisherman's Wharf, but people flock there. As far as I'm concerned, they're both massive tourist traps. Some decent restaurants, but that's about it for me. North Beach and the Castro are nice, but impossible to park in, as are many parts of the city -- Noe Valley. Cow Hollow, the Fillmore. The Haight is another point of bafflement to me. Yes, there's history there -- not to mention Amoeba Records (which is the only reason I go there) -- but it is littered with people who still think hippies abound or who will try to aggressively panhandle you. Other musts: Twin Peaks (you can't miss it; Mt. Sutro has the giant TV tower that is visible from anywhere in town) has unparalleled view of the city; take a walk across the Golden Gate. It's a great walk with great views -- even if you can see the briny deep just below your feet. I'd recommend the Marin Highlands, but they're closed right now. The Saturday Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building. Some good restaurants and shopping in Sausalito. I'm sure there's a million things I'm leaving out, but if you have specific questions, please ask.. --Dave Sikula On Mar 12, 5:29 pm, Doug Eastick <east...@mcd.on.ca> wrote: > I'm considering going to The Bay Area for a long-weekend in April or > May. The main purpose is just as a place to get away with my wife. > > Anyone got suggestions on things to do or see? Any ideas are appreciated. > > Everyone on the list has always been helpful with suggestions whenever I > have requested such tips. I don't think my wife (non-tech) is up for a > tour of the google or yahoo campus, so I'll have to go with > middle-of-the-road suggestions. > > and if you are actually in the bay area, let me know that too. > thanks, > doug -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to tvornottv@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to tvornottv-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
