As with any major city, there are plenty of things to do. Here are some things that we suggest:
San Francisco
"The City by the Bay", the place where Tony Bennett "left his heart" -
there's always something happening. Whether it's a cable car ride up California Street,
a zig-zag down Lombard, or a lockup in Alcatraz,
there's plenty to do. If you are staying at the Omni, it's a few blocks to Chinatown or North Beach (San Francisco's Little Italy). Two great web resources for local activities
are sftravel.org and
citysearch.com. One note -
if you want to visit Alcatraz, be sure to get tickets at least 2 weeks in advance of the day you want to visit!
Wine Country
Living in the Bay area, it's difficult not to feel the influence of the world-famous Napa
and Sonoma valleys. From Oakland, you can be wine tasting in about an hour.
We personally prefer Sonoma Valley,
being that it's a little less crowded and slightly less commercial than Napa. Wine Country
magazines with maps and directions are available at almost any hotel in the area. There is also the Lodi Wine region to the east, and the Paso Robles region to the south.
The Morcom Rose Garden in Oakland
One of our favorite places to visit for an hour or two - just to relax and quite literally "smell the roses".
Golden Gate Park
If you're looking to relax, this is one place that you should not miss. We personally recommend a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden, followed
by - what else - a cup of tea!
Hiking
The trails in the Bay area are well maintaned, and range from easy, scenic strolls to rigorous climbs.
California Redwoods
One of the many things that California is known for are it's Redwoods. Although the
really tall ones are located several hours north and close to the Oregon border,
Muir Woods is a short drive north from San Francisco.
Walking Tours
If you're a walker who finds an interest in local culture, history, and architecture,
San Francisco City Guides is a wonderful
group of volunteers who will take you on a walk around various parts of San Francisco.
Beach Blanket Babylon
This was a local favorite, but performed their last show on December 31, 2019.
