Sightings and stuff worth witnessing in California (Davis, SF, Sac. and around)

[Compaq]

I'm soon to find myself in Davis. I'm visiting my girlfriend, and we have two weeks to do awesome stuff. We have a few things planned, but I wanted some local insight (always heed the locals' advice, right? ). We're not after the typical, over-priced tourist stuff, but other things that tourists would miss - unless someone told them about it I will bring plenty of film, and hope to get some nice snap shots along with some slightly better snap shots and a handful of good photographs.

Of course, I will witness the Golden Gate, along with the redwoods, but I won't go on a double decker bus to drive around SF. That's a waste of perfectly good coin. Anything from lovely sights outside the city, maybe some nice places within the city that's worth checking out. I'd be interested in a street consisting only of thrift stores and "used stuff" stores, if you get my point. Cosy, little cafés, analog photography stores, quality barbers. A nice building, museums worth checking out (art, science, history, whatever).

If anyone would be willing to help me out, I'd be very grateful! This will be the best vacation EVER!

 

[o hey tyler]

Best thing I did in Cali was ride a Segway. Not sure if that's in the cards for you (steep rental fee) but its SO FUN.

 

[Mully]

Drive up to Mier Woods as it is wonderful park with redwoods .... Muir Woods National Monument - Muir Woods National Monument

Eat crabs on the wharf.

Visit Alcatraz Island - Alcatraz Island Alcatraz Island Prison.


Lots to do in SF ....you will not run out.

 

[Compaq]

I forgot about this thread! Thanks for the suggestions. I put down "rent segways". I'll see if she gives any comment on that

What about the best places for the cliché golden gate shot? Any local SF cosy small street tips?

 

[Onerider]

Coit Tower, Goat Island and Lombard street. 40 something years ago I could recommend some good girly bars.

 

[Onerider]

Coit Tower, Goat Island and Lombard street. 40 something years ago I could recommend some good girly bars.

Fort Point for the bridge.

 

[duhast]

Across the bay, Mare Island has some really interesting old buildings as well as being a very historic shipyard.

And yes, don't miss Alcatraz.

If you end up going to Reno and pass through Truckee, stop by Martis Creek Reservoir and say "Hi" to my first wife, Ranger Jacqui...

 

[Tony S]

The last time I was in Davis while my daughter was getting some volleyball training in they had an awesome farmers market on Thursdays with all kinds of vendors and entertainment going on. Not sure if it's too early in the year for it right now.

Edit: Wanted to add to watch out where you park, the signs are not very visible in some places. Yes, I contributed to the city budget.

 

[Steve5D]

Go up to the Marin Headlands to get a nice shot of the Golden Gate bridge. You can also get some nice shots of it from over by the Presidio...

 

[The_Traveler]

I used to live on the Presidio and still might have a 7 page guide my wife wrote for seeing things in the Bay Area.
If you send me your email by PM, I'll search it out and send.

But, in short.
If staying in the city, don't rent a car. Parking is impossible and public transportation is great.
Shots of the city are best from the Marin highlands (1), shot's of the GG bridge are terrific from the near the Palace of the Legion of Honor (2)or from the Marina District (3) all reachable by bus but the first two take time. The Marina district is beautiful, you can walk along the bay right out to Fort Point. Then go 3 or 4 blocks south to Walnut Street for great restaurants.


Restaurants are terrific, just stay away from the Pier 49 (5) tourists district and overpriced food.
To see where yuppies shot and eat, go to Union Street (not Union Square)
Chinatown is very close to Union Square and is great particularly on Sat or Sunday morning.
Little Italy is just north of Chinatown along Columbus Ave and streets east.

SF is a city to walk in, it's small and every block is interesting.
If you go to Alcatraz, take a coat.
In fact, check weather in SF.
We used to wear parkas and wool hats to see the 4th of July fireworks.
Mark Twain said the coldest winter he ever had was a summer in San Francisco.

 

[runnah]

I know SF is different because of the hills but I still think the best way to see a city is by bike. Most times its faster than a car.

 

[The_Traveler]

I know SF is different because of the hills but I still think the best way to see a city is by bike. Most times its faster than a car.

You have to be in damn fine shape to get up the hills in SF and it is incredibly dangerous going down when the foggy mornings leave a mist on the road. The best biking places are along the bay in the Marina District which is reclaimed land and flat, the rest isn't impassible but damn close.

Here is a map of streets colored by slope. San Francisco, CA, USA ? Streets Colored By Slope

 

[runnah]

I know SF is different because of the hills but I still think the best way to see a city is by bike. Most times its faster than a car.

You have to be in damn fine shape to get up the hills in SF and it is incredibly dangerous going down when the foggy mornings leave a mist on the road. The best biking places are along the bay in the Marina District which is reclaimed land and flat, the rest isn't impassible but damn close.

Here is a map of streets colored by slope. San Francisco, CA, USA ? Streets Colored By Slope

Yeah, never been but seens lots of video/.photos.

I've done Boston and every where in between on a bike.

 

[The_Traveler]

I know SF is different because of the hills but I still think the best way to see a city is by bike. Most times its faster than a car.

You have to be in damn fine shape to get up the hills in SF and it is incredibly dangerous going down when the foggy mornings leave a mist on the road. The best biking places are along the bay in the Marina District which is reclaimed land and flat, the rest isn't impassible but damn close.

Here is a map of streets colored by slope. San Francisco, CA, USA ? Streets Colored By Slope

Yeah, never been but seens lots of video/.photos.

I've done Boston and every where in between on a bike.

Without trying to pull 'been there, done that and so I know', I think biking in SF is for the dedicated and the intent, not for the casual tourist to see things.
That's sweat city.
Buses are ubiquitous and worth every penny. Get a 3 day pass and save your legs and sweat glands.

 

[Compaq]

Thanks, Lew, great information. 30 % grade hill is pretty steep. The steepest I've driven were 25, I think. My grandfather told me that they couldn't see the road when going down due to the hood of the car

We're going from Davis and staying in SF a few nights. We're thinking of taking the train and not bother with the car. I appreciate the input! Luckily I have plenty of warm clothes here in Norway. I just need to remember packing some wool!