Sanfrancisco

[Julie'5']

Has any one been here? I've been looking for a long weekend with a compny that would have an itinery, I fancy visiting alcatraz, I don't want to just get there and then have to sort everything out, I like to know what the day will bring and choose some excursions if poss. I had been looking at staying in a hostel for cheapness as I'm not that fussy about staying in a hotel, after all you only sleep there. When would be the best time to go?. Thanks for any advice.
Julie

[Cal and Dave]

You can book Alcatraz in advance on the internet, you just pick your tickets up when you get there. This is the best way to book Alcatraz as it gets booked up pretty quickly. They also to trolley tours from Pier 39 (have i got the right number) although didn't do one of those.

I am not sure when the best time to go is. It's pretty windy there even in the summer months.

[Mazzy]

October is the best month for weather in San Francisco. We are going in August, purely because of school holidays, but would pick October as first choice.

It a long way to go for a long weekend, it's a 10 hour flight. We are visiting Monterey, LA and Hollywood as well, to make the most of the trip. It's really not that difficult to sort out your itinerary yourself, just book things up before you go, so that when you arrive you know exactly what you're doing each day.

Hope this helps a bit.

[poohspals]

You can go down that really winding road - i am sure someone will be along with the name soon, take a tram ride, see all the seals

[Malcolm]

Hi...We did SF and Yosemitee National Park with Virgin Holidays stayed near the waterfront and did Alcatraz (last evening tour is best as can feel spooky) also if you want a laugh do the Big Red Fireengine Tour, the two that run it are nutty as hell and its a scream, takes you through the old naval base over the bridge and back again.

[Julie'5']

Thanks, the idea of a long weekend could be changed, yes booking things before you go was a good idea, as I was reading about a cycle tour over the GG Bridge, A trip to chinatown. Any suggestions on a decent travel operator, will have a look out for any deals. The idea about a long weekend came because I travelled with travelscope to NYC last Nov and they included an itinery.

[lesliejohn]

hello,
funnily enough my uncle and his s/o are off there wed, lucky or what!i thought it was a great place ,did not do alcatraz but would highly reccomend the golden gate bridge, amazing or what.
the name of the winding road was it freemont or something like that,the trolley bus is another must do, where the thing goes on a turntable, mason???i had the best hot dog i ever had there!
les......

[nic]

We were there during the second week of November and the weather was mild and sunny.

I agree, it's definitely a very long way for a weekend and would be much better to do as part of an extended trip.

You just need to hire the bikes and take yourself over the Golden Gate bridge, or wherever you fancy going, no need for an organised tour. Well that's what we did. We booked our Alcatraz tickets online before we went, do the night tour it's really atmospheric.

We also got a San Francisco City Pass which included entrance to several attractions, and 7 days travel on the cable cars and MUNI transport for approx $49 each. Very good value, Chinatown is walkable from the centre of SF or from Fisherman's Wharf if you are staying there.

[parker]

We went in mid-July and it was lovely and warm. There was some fog/mist early morning but it burnt off by mid-morning. We booked the tickets for Alcatraz on-line and it was grey and misty as we approached which added to the atmosphere.
We stayed at the Argonaut hotel on FW which was handy for the cable car turn around.
We stayed 4 nights and did not have enough time to see all we wanted to.

[ju_itfc]

We've been twice now but on the first time which was booked via Virgin Holidays we had a fellow guest in our Limo transfer that was only there for 3 nights, so it can be done but I tend to think on a first visit 5-7 nights are more practical.

Make sure you do

Alcatraz
Bike over the Golden Gate (amazing)
City Tour (never been a fave of these but this one takes you everywhere)
Market for shopping
Cable car
Walk the Embarcadero
Ferry Building (especially if there is a market on)
Fishermans Wharf including Pier 39
Cable Car Museum (it's only small but gives you an insight)
Catch a Giants baseball game and do the tour of the stadium (one of the best modern stadiums in the US)
Eat well (not difficult :) )

We went in June and it was very foggy and cool, temps didn't get much beyond 65c around the bay, in Vallejo (an hour boat ride away) the temps were 100c!!!

October is a nice time to go. Lovely weather, blue skies....what more do you want?