What area of San Francisco would you take out-of-towners to for a nice, long walk?

[red dog 1]

Except for Golden gate Park, which is a great place to go for a long walk, my favorite part of San Francisco to walk around in is North Beach.

I love upper Grant Avenue especially, with all the unique shops, coffee houses, bars, & restaurants.

Around the corner are the Broadway Night Clubs and my favorite SF bookstore, "City Lights."

Also nearby is Chinatown, which is fun to walk around in, and, if the visitors like Chinese food, there are dozens of very good Chinese restaurants.

Parking is a problem though, and finding a spot is difficult, so you might need to use a parking garage.

[Turbineguy]

1. Legion of Honor?

There's a nice park near there with sea views too.

[red dog 1]

12. Absolutely!

I used to go there often.

Not too far away is Point Lobos & The Cliff House, if they like walking.
(or you could drive out to the Ocean, easy parking there)

[mr_lebowski]

16. Seconded ... beautiful spot ...

Right nearby the Legion, there's the Cliff House/Sutro Baths ruins, and a paved trail you can jump on and walk a few miles along the inlet to the Bay, with a Golden Gate view (viewing it from the oceanside) in front of you for most of the walk, with the water to your left, down some steep cliffs ... and across the water is Marin County and Mt. Tam ... it's freaking awesome.

Another great walk is to park near Fort Point (a national park iirc), walk around the Fort (you MUST go up to the top floor!), then when you're done there, walk up to the Golden Gate Bridge ... and walk a ways over it (however far you have energy for). The view from the Bridge is absolutely incredible.

Walking around the Fillmore shopping district is pretty cool too, as is the Union district (different from Union Square).

And AFAIC no trip to SF is complete without a stroll down HAIGHT (you know, by Ashbury St?). And make sure to go to ChaChaCha for tapa's and sangria's. Thank me later

[Mr.Bill]

2. If they want to shop, eat or drink, I like Union Square.

If they want to walk a little distance from there, Chinatown. Ironically, though, the best Chinese food in the city is not in Chinatown. Inexpensive souvenir shopping is good in Chinatown also.

[red dog 1]

6. The Inner Richmond probably has more Chinese restaurants than Chinatown

There still are a couple of very good Chinese restaurants in Chinatown,
(the little ones where most of the diners are Chinese)

[red dog 1]

15. I didn't mention Union Square

Most visitors like that area, (for shopping) and it is close to Chinatown.

(I prefer Washington Square to Union Square)

[3Hotdogs]

3. We were "out of towners." We liked the waterfront and Coit Tower.

[red dog 1]

11. The Waterfront is a great place to walk, especially if the visitors wanted to

see Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.

[3Hotdogs]

24. The time we were there, about 10 years ago, there was a run of salmon.

Fishermen caught an overabundance of the fish and the authorities allowed the fish to be sold from the pier. Whole fish -- $5.00.

I recall seeing a couple of guys riding bicycles with fish tails sticking out of backpacks.....

The fishermen were on the economic balls of their ass.

So this one elderly woman goes up to one of the fishing boats -- "Do you have a senior citizens discount?"

[red dog 1]

28. lol

[ZZenith]

4. I had a very interesting stroll through The Tenderloin once.

[red dog 1]

7. You don't want to stroll through The Tenderloin at night, though.

[mr_lebowski]

18. Huhuhuhuh ... that depends on what you're there for ;)

I've walked around the Tenderloin at night (and in the day) more times than I care to admit ... alone, many of those times.

[red dog 1]

22. Yeah, but you wouldn't want to take out-of-towners there at night, would you?

[mr_lebowski]

40. That depends on how hard they're jonesing at the time ;)

[ZZenith]

23. Or the daytime, as it turns out.

[red dog 1]

26. Daytime, a good walk would be Polk Street (from Market Street) out to the north end of town

With a bus ride back (or cable Car)

[Stargleamer]

5. From City Lights Bookstore to Green Apple Bookstore

with a short diversion to Golden Gate Park

[red dog 1]

8. Is Green Apple out on Clement Street?

via G.G. Park?
That would be a very long walk!...(but on a nice day, a good walk)

[Stargleamer]

13. Yes, it would be,

especially with a diversion to Golden Gate Park. But there's always so very much to see in The City, that's hard to get to by car. And you're right - it is on Clement St.

[Cartoonist]

9. Haight Street

From Golden Gate Park to Buena Vista Park

[Stargleamer]

14. A most excellent choice n/t

[mr_lebowski]

19. I included that one too :) The Haight is must see, at least once!

The Caribbean restaurant ChaChaCha on Haight is like a second home to me and my brothers.

[red dog 1]

21. I haven't been on Haight Street for quite a while.

A good walk would be west on Haight Street (from Masonic) into G.G. Park.

[Mr.Bill]

10. The old ferry building is nice too.

Lots of eateries and boutique shops. It's also interesting to point out to tourists that the ferry building survived the '06 earthquake.

[red dog 1]

17. Yes, and you could walk north along the Waterfront to Pier 39

(If they have kids, Pier 39 is a must-see)

[Mr.Bill]

25. Yeah, many see Pier 39 as a tourist trap,

but I've never taken a visitor there who didn't enjoy it. Easy access multi-level parking right across the street, too.

[red dog 1]

32. Aren't there bumper cars out there too?

Other rides as well?

(It's been ages since I was out there)

[msdogi]

20. Embarcadero

from the Ferry Building to Ghirardelli Square, great views, lots of open space to walk. Maybe a stop at the Explorstorium. Or, start at Ferry Building and head up Market

[Mr.Bill]

27. In '02 my wife and I were staying near Fisherman's Wharf

and took public transportation to a Giants game. After the game it was about 78 degrees with no wind whatsoever so I said let's walk all the way back to the hotel, we may never have another chance to make this walk in this weather again. I figured if we got tired we could just call a cab.

We made the whole walk and I'm so glad we did. My wife's health (arthritis) would prohibit this nowadays.

[red dog 1]

29. That must have been an especially warm day

Sounds like a great walk if the weather is nice.

[Mr.Bill]

30. It was. It was the last game of the baseball season.

That is usually the warmest weather of the year in SF.


On that subject, the OP should remind the visitors to bring some warm clothing even if they are coming in July or August. It can always get cool in the evenings in SF.

[red dog 1]

33. Good advice!

Backpacks are great for carrying warm jackets etc.

[Mr.Bill]

38. I bet the gift shops around the Wharf

sell a lot of sweatshirts in the summer.

It's almost a cliché to anyone from the SF bay area, but Mark Twain once wrote: "The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco."

[Brainstormy]

31. Haight Ashbury. n/t

[red dog 1]

35. Is that great used record store still there on Haight near G.G. Park?

I think it used to be a bowling alley.

[sfwriter]

34. I miss the that city like a lost love.

😪

[red dog 1]

36. Me too!

I was born & raised there!

[brush]

37. i used to live on Carl and Stanyan close to Kezar Stadium.

That's a nice area around and in the stadium, The N-Judah street car runs on Carl if you get tired of walking (at least it used to).

[Mr.Bill]

39. Have you considered taking your guests out to Alcatraz?

Fun trip. If you are going, get tickets in advance. The boats leave right from Fisherman's Wharf.

[red dog 1]

43. I'd love to go on that trip to Alcatraz myself some day

Never been there.

Sounds like a great little trip for when you have out-of-town visitors.

[klook]

41. North Beach!

I don't live there but have visited a few times, and I love N.B. We usually stay at the San Remo Hotel, which is well situated, affordable, and pleasant. A stroll around North Beach is wonderful -- beautiful ambience, always great to stop in City Lights Book Store, eat some great Italian food at one of the many excellent restaurants, maybe hear some jazz, check out Coit Tower, maybe stop in Stella Bakery for Sacrapantina!

I gotta get back there soon!!

The other area I'd suggest is the Marina area. The Wave Organ (go there at high tide) is a must!

[red dog 1]

42. North Beach is my favorite SF meighborhood

I especially love Upper Grant Avenue.

[onecaliberal]

44. I love going to Union Square.

[Auggie]

45. Start here - Union Square ...

Proceed to the Chinatown entrance on Grant Avenue and walk it all the way to Broadway. That will put you in North Beach. I’d suggest a short rest and a glass of wine, then proceed down Columbus Ave to the Wharf.

[Haggis for Breakfast]

46. Ahhhh, the City where I left my Heart.

Lived there for almost 10 years. We lived on 48th, near Moraga, in the Sunset. Left a bedroom window open all year round, just to hear the surf, which lulled us to sleep every night.

As far as parking goes, why battle ? IF you can find parking, the cost is actual highway robbery. Take public transit. There is literally NO WHERE in The City you want to go that public transportation can't take you. And it's cheap. And clean. I worked downtown and never drove to work. No need.

Also, don't miss the chance to take the Cable Cars (Thank you Dianne Feinstein for saving them.) to Fisherman's Wharf. The view is spectacular.

Speaking of views, drive to one side of the Golden Gate and walk to the other side. What a rush. Especially on a windy day. Sailboats on the Bay. Fort Mason has a wonderful view too.

Food ? What's your pleasure ? Also, if you stay in The City, get a hold of the current edition of Dine11. Almost every restaurant in town is a part of it. You can review their menus, then order. Food comes to your door, piping hot.

Depending on what time of year you visit, check out what parades, fairs, festivals, events are being held. Loved Chinese New Year celebrations. Regattas on the Bay. Sunrise ceremony on Alcatraz on Indigenous Peoples' Day was a spiritual adventure. Folsom Street Fair an experience you will not forget. Too many to list.

Does this help ?

[red dog 1]

47. Good advice!

Speaking of Fort Mason, have you ever been to Green's Restaurant?

If so, how was it?

[Haggis for Breakfast]

48. Can't help you on that one.

But if you're looking for vegan fair, I'm sure that there will be great places in The City.

[yuiyoshida]

49. Dude!! Totally JAPANTOWN!