Ray_Ray: San Francisco

matilda1215

I saw you're going to San Fran.! That's awesome...I went there about 6 years ago. Where are you staying? I stayed in Fisherman's Wharf...which is in the center of it all.  It's such a cool city....make sure you see:1. Golden Gate Bridge....ride over it if you can...very cool to see the way it sways a little2. Alcatraz: I ran around that place like a kid in a candy store...3. All the random street performers....there are tons of them! There was a "tin man," break-dancers, a homeless man who hid behind bushes and scared people as they walked past and then asked for money....seriously it was hysterical...he got my friend and I and we payed up haha4. Sea Lions: There's this one spot on one of the piers where there are like 100's of them. It's really loud and smelly, but cool to see.5. I don't know if you're a baseball fan, but we were able to go on a free tour of the Giants stadium...it's goregous.6. Lombard Street7.  Abbey Road: It's where all the hippies hung out and it's a cool area of the city to walk around.8. Ride a trolley: They can be really crowded, but I think it's almost like going to Vegas and not seeing The Sign hahaWe spent a week out there and didn't rent a car. We did A LOT  of walking. Be prepared for steep, steep hills. The streets are insane! But there's so much to see and do.  If you can, spend half a day on one of those bus tours.....it was a nice intro. to the city itself along with all the sites.  We ended up exploring around on our own and it was a lot of fun. I don't know if it was just us, but more often than not we were called out on being from the east coast because apparently we had "Rocky Balboa accents..." LOL . I'll try and dig up my pics and see if there are any other places that are a 'must see'Have Fun!!

southmeetswest

Coming to San Francisco! I live here! A great city to visit but don't forget to spend time at Golden Gate Park. There are some great museums out here too! A must see is the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square!

Ray_Ray

Ah thanks you guys, I really appreciate the advice! We are staying at The Handlery Union Square. It seems really nice and quite a central location. One thing we have seen today is the Napa Wine Train. We understand that it's not going to be the most amazing meal of our lives but I just think it would be a lovely, romantic way to spend an afternoon! Would you say it's a good thing to do?

matilda1215

When I went I wasn't 21 yet....so couldn't do a wine tour. Although we thought it would be awesome to do. I think you should. Spending an afternoon on a train, sipping wine, checking out the scenery....very romantic and relaxing.On the opposite realm of things....I had seen this on t.v. and wished I knew about it when I went. I don't know if you're into haunted houses, but this mansion looks awesome! http://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/Apparently this lady had people building around the clock. There is crazy construction in there.

Ray_Ray

God, that place looks nuts!

Kayla525

I live in the SF Area and took FI for his birthday on the Napa Wine Train when we first started dating.  It was a fun experience, the food was good (but like you said, not spectacular), and the scenery was awesome.  It was really nice to just sit and let the train lull you into relaxation.... course, the wine helps too! hehehe... If you want a wine tour, I have a few friends with a limo business up in Napa that will take you from winery to winery for tastings.  They're awesome and I may be able to get you some sort of discount if you guys want to do it.  I've done it a bunch of times and it's always nice to not have to worry about who is sober enough to drive. hehehe...

Ray_Ray

Thanks Kayla, it's nice to hear from someone that's been on the train!That limo thing sounds brilliant! Do they have a website I could have a look at? Though I think I'd struggle to get Marcus to change his mind from the train now- he loves the Vista Dome!  

ahendricks23

I live in the San Francisco area too! The Napa wine train is a great way to see Napa, and it is sooooo beautiful this time of year because they usually harvest in the next few months so the orchards are full of grapes. Another good way to see Napa is to go through a limo company, usually can find trips for around $60-$70 per person (the wine trian is $50pp for lunch) and that way you can make your own stops. I highly recommend V. Sattui, its a great winery with good food and $5 tasting! Hope this helps!

Ray_Ray

After both of your posts I have googled limo tours and have to say they look fantastic! Oh now I'm confused! The limo tour obviously gives you the chance to actually see the vineyards but the train seems fun and romantic! Though a day in a limo sipping wine and champagne would be lovely... 

matilda1215

Could you do both? haha

Ray_Ray

Ha ha I would LOVE to do both but we only have 5 nights in San Francisco. Boooo!

Kayla525

Hi RayRay!  Just google "Cristal Blue Carriage" and their website should pop up.  They're a small company and the owners are the drivers and they REALLY love what they do.  They'll take you to the boutique wineries that most tourists don't get a chance to go to.  Most of the time they can get your tasting fee waived because they know a lot of people Napa.  A lot of other limo tours just provide you with a driver, these guys are not only your drivers, but your guides as well.  Trust me, you won't be disappointed!  Over the years, we've become great friends and they even watch my puppy for me when I'm away on vacation.  If you decide to go with them, let me know so that I can get in contact with them first and see what kind of discount I can get you.  You'll love Napa! It's so beautiful!

jendbiker

If you get the chance to visit Mumm vineyards while you're in the Napa Valley, you won't be sorry! They have a WONDERFUL Ansel Adams photography gallery, and the best sparkling wine I've ever had (they don't do very many still wines). The view from the tasting room is absolutely gorgeous. It's an indoor patio with wall to wall french windows that are kept open so that you can enjoy the fresh breeze, and smell of the vineyards as you overlook them. As a local, it's the one place I find myself always wanting to go when I've got a day to myself.

Ray_Ray

Thanks so much for the limo tour recommendations but I think we're going to stick with the wine train for this visit. FI is really into the idea of the train and it fits in well with the time we have there. Plus it means we have to come back later to explore the Napa Valley even more in the future! Another question I have- we are there over Halloween and were wondering if the parade is making a comeback this year? It's not something that we make a big deal of over here so we'd love to see how you guys celebrate!