{"id":1970,"date":"2012-03-18T19:21:59","date_gmt":"2012-03-19T01:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=1970"},"modified":"2012-03-18T19:21:59","modified_gmt":"2012-03-19T01:21:59","slug":"eight-great-things-to-do-inaround-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldwanderlusting.com\/?p=1970","title":{"rendered":"Eight Great things to do in\/around San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Vineyard in Napa Valley<\/p><\/div>\n

1. Visit the<\/strong> Napa Valley<\/a>– Although I\u2019m not a connoisseur of wine, I really enjoy watching how things are made.\u00a0\u00a0Wine is fascinating because there are so many varieties that are all made in different ways.\u00a0I\u2019ve been to wineries all over, but I feel like the Napa Valley<\/a> is a special place.<\/p>\n

Many wineries offer free tours of their facilities.\u00a0\u00a0Some charge for theirs but those usually involve additional services besides a basic tour.\u00a0\u00a0On these tours they will explain to you how wine is made from the grapes.\u00a0\u00a0They teach about the formation of the rows, how important roses are to the rows as well.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t realize this until I had a tour of a winery once, but they put roses at the end of each row.\u00a0If the rose begins to die prematurely they know that a disease could be potentially affecting the rest of the grapes.\u00a0\u00a0It is like your front lines crew in a war.\u00a0\u00a0They have the greatest amount of casualties.\u00a0There is much more to learn about wine, so make sure you take a trip to the Napa valley.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Most wineries offer a free wine tasting experience.\u00a0\u00a0You probably won\u2019t have to designate a driver unless you visit all of them.\u00a0\u00a0Most samples are simple, but yet allow you to try their particular brand.<\/p>\n

I also really enjoyed the amounts of cheeses that were found in the Napa valley as well.\u00a0\u00a0Wine and cheese have been a great marriage for hundreds of years.\u00a0\u00a0Many wineries will offer samples of their cheeses as well.<\/p>\n

Overall visiting a wine production facility is a great experience.\u00a0\u00a0Even if you don\u2019t drink the wine it is good to learn about.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve only been to the Napa Valley<\/a> once, but it was over 10 years ago.\u00a0\u00a0With my trip booked in August to\u00a0San\u00a0Francisco it will be exciting to see it again.<\/p>\n

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Pier 39 Seals<\/p><\/div>\n

2. San Francisco<\/strong> Pier 39<\/a>– This pier is great to enjoy as a couple, with a family, or even by yourself. \u00a0The seals that lay on the pier can entertain you for hours. \u00a0Sometimes they fight, but most of the time they just lay there. \u00a0The noises that they make will definitely bring laughter and memories to carry on forever. \u00a0At one point they probably used the pier for ships, but the seals have definitely taken over completely at this point. \u00a0 Even watching the seals beach themselves on the docks can definitely entertain.<\/p>\n

If it were just for the seals this location would be good, but don’t worry, there is much more. \u00a0Shopping, restaurants, and attractions abound in the nearby neighborhood. \u00a0You’re only a couple of blocks from the Ghiradelli Square which is a few blocks away. \u00a0Their chocolate is a great souvenir for any friends and family.<\/p>\n

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Welcome to the Rock<\/p><\/div>\n

3. Alcatraz<\/strong>– \u00a0Welcome to the Rock. \u00a0This is a small island in the Bay that previously served as a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963. \u00a0During this time frame it had infamous prisoners such as Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud, and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. \u00a0During the years of operation there were 26 total attempted escapees in 14 total escape plans. \u00a0The majority of them were caught, but there are three people who were never found.<\/p>\n

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Rates for Ferry Ride to Alcatraz<\/p><\/div>\n

The National Park Service still runs tours of the island and you can see the old penitentiary for yourself. \u00a0You take a ferry to the island from Pier 33. \u00a0It would be best to get your tickets in advance because the tours fill up quickly. \u00a0There isn’t any fee to see the island, but you must pay for the ferry ride to the island. \u00a0The seasons can change the rates, but they generally run about $26 per adult.<\/p>\n

I’ve never done the tour myself, but might be doing it in July when I go to San Fran. \u00a0What has been your experience? \u00a0Is it worth it?<\/p>\n

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AT&T Park<\/p><\/div>\n

4. \u00a0Professional Sports<\/strong>– \u00a0Golden State Warriors (Basketball), Oakland Athletics (Baseball), San Francisco Giants (Baseball), San Francisco 49ers (Football), San Jose Sharks (Hockey).<\/p>\n

Get your tickets in advance as the games are all popular.\u00a0 With two baseball teams, one basketball team, a hockey team, and the 49ers you will have a sport to see for all seasons.<\/p>\n

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Muir Woods<\/p><\/div>\n

5. Muir Woods National Park<\/strong>– \u00a0This is an absolute MUST see close to San Francisco.\u00a0 Drive north of SF over the Golden Gate bridge a measly 9 miles from town.\u00a0 The redwood trees are some of the largest trees on the planet.\u00a0 You can hike through the park and get a break from the business of the city.\u00a0 It feels peaceful even though you aren’t very far from the city.\u00a0 Your children will never forget these trees!<\/p>\n

Thank goodness people have been able to preserve this location.\u00a0 It is a beautiful place.<\/p>\n

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Lombard Street<\/p><\/div>\n

6. Lombard Street<\/strong>–\u00a0 This is known as the ‘crookedest’ street in the world.<\/p>\n

Although the street isn’t very long, it is a novelty.\u00a0 The flower gardens are beautiful and the hedges are perfect.\u00a0 It is kind like a slide that doesn’t last long, but was fun while you did it.\u00a0 We did a couple of runs when I was there.\u00a0 Great thing to do!<\/p>\n

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7. Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge<\/strong>–
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Oakland Bay Bridge<\/p><\/div>\n

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Just as it is known as the “City by the Bay” it is rightfully said.\u00a0 San Francisco is a peninsula that has two bridges that connect it to Oakland(Bay Bridge), and then the northern portion of California (Golden Gate).\u00a0 Both of these bridges are engineering masterpieces.<\/p>\n

The Bay Bridge is a double-decker and has inbound traffic on top and the outbound traffic on the under side.\u00a0 The Golden Gate bridge has six total lanes, but they usually aren’t divided by three and three.\u00a0 Normally the adjust the traffic flow to match the need.\u00a0 In the morning when many cars are on their way into San Francisco they have four or five lanes into town and one or two out of town.\u00a0 In contrast, at the end of the day they do the opposite and have more lanes going\u00a0 out of town.\u00a0 This helps with the flow of traffic over the bridge to keep cars moving faster.<\/p>\n

Both of the bridges are breathtaking and a must-see for everyone.<\/p>\n

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Golden Gate<\/p><\/div>\n

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China Town San Fran Style<\/p><\/div>\n

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8. China Town<\/strong>–\u00a0 Get ready for the largest and most expansive China town in the world (Except for China proper).\u00a0 You can find over 300 restaurants with all of the Chinese favorites like roasted duck and fried rice.\u00a0 They sell gadgets, trinkets, purses, and everything else that you could imagine here.\u00a0 If you ever wanted any type of Chinese souvenir, but didn’t have the desires to visit the orient, this is your place.<\/p>\n

The whole San Francisco Chinatown encompasses about 24 city blocks and had an estimated population of 100,000 in 2000.\u00a0 I’ve been to Asia, and this place feels a lot like stepping into the Orient.\u00a0 Although I’ve never been to China, it feels a lot like Vietnam to me.<\/p>\n

Staying in San Francisco<\/strong><\/p>\n

Accommodations in downtown San Francisco are really expensive. Even if you are using points it will still require quite a few points from your war chest.\u00a0 I recommend that you find something a little ways from the action to save your points for your next vacation.\u00a0\u00a0 Starwood has two wonderful properties that are Category 2 properties which use 3000-4000 points depending on the night.\u00a0 Remember that the Starwood Preferred Guest\u00ae Credit Card from American Express<\/a> offers a bonus of 25,000 Starpoints after $5000 in spending.\u00a0 This would get you up to 10 weekend nights at either of these properties.<\/p>\n

Four Points by Sheraton South San Francisco<\/a>–\u00a0 This is south of town and close to the SFO airport.<\/p>\n

Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael<\/a>– This Four Points is located north of San Francisco, so you would have to make quite a commute, but is a great location if you are visiting the Napa Valley and Muir Woods.<\/p>\n

Remember that the Marriott Rewards\u00ae Premier Credit Card<\/a> has no spending requirement and gives you 50,000 points and a free night at any hotel that is a category 1-4. These are two properties outside of the mainstream that might help those points stretch out a bit.<\/p>\n

Courtyard Fairfield Napa Valley Area<\/a>– \u00a0This is a Marriott Property only requires 10,000 points per night and is located between San Fran and Sacramento. \u00a0You could stay here after a day of enjoying the Napa Valley.<\/p>\n

Fairfield Inn & Suites Oakland Hayward<\/a>– \u00a0Located about 30 mins from downtown San Francisco and only requires 10,000 Marriott Rewards points as well.<\/p>\n

Flying into San Francisco<\/strong><\/p>\n

SFO<\/a> is the largest airport in the area and has flights from almost every US airliner and many other international airlines too. \u00a0It serves as a huge United Airlines’ hub for the west coast.<\/p>\n

Recently Allegiant Airlines<\/a> started offering service into Oakland International Airport. \u00a0They are a Low Cost Carrier based out of Las Vegas, NV. \u00a0Allegiant focuses on a couple flights per week to each of its destinations and charges for everything. \u00a0Most of their flights go to Vegas, LA, Phoenix, and San Francisco. \u00a0They focus on underserved markets and put flights in those areas.<\/p>\n