Going to California~ Suggestions?

Don't forget Long Beach...

MoLAA = Museum of Latin American Art
Aquarium of the Pacific
Queen Mary

While in SF, you must drive over the Golden Gate bridge; its just timeless.

I was just going to say - Cant beleive no one has even mentioned the GG Bridge! - I only had about 8 hours in total in SF (combination of having to be in Stockton CA and my cousins were workin their residency shifts) - so spent some of it quickly catching some sights. I said to my cousin, I HAVE to go the GG - he said cool, he thought I meant to drive, but I said, na mate, i mean I want to walk it!

misty, cold slightly rainy day in feb 05 and I thought it was fantastic! walked halfway across, and saw the skyline, alcatraz and the swirly currents below - awesome - I can die a happy geezer now!

rest of the time was spent at the bar restaurant that overlooks the Pacific ocean (cant remember the name) drinking and later that night, more drinking at the Four Seasons in downtown with my mates sis who was in SF on business !  I want to go back again soon and check more of it out!

DtM! West London & Slough UK!

I was just going to say - Cant beleive no one has even mentioned the GG Bridge!

I figured she already knew to drive across the GGB! 

Is Ernie's still around?

Don't forget Long Beach...

MoLAA = Museum of Latin American Art
Aquarium of the Pacific
Queen Mary

I always forget to mention the Long Beach things. Probably because they don't seem touristy to me after growing up there.

Another place to go is Balboa.

I had thought of the Golden Gate and I think you have to drive over it to get to Muir Woods anyhow? (Correct me if I am wrong!)

All of these are excellent ideas and some of them I had completely forgotten about! Which is why I started the thread in the first place. We DO tend to forget what is under our noses.

JessieC~ One of my concerns with staying in SF proper is the parking situation. This is going to be the end of our trip, and by then I will have rummaged through my storage unit, gone shopping and the car will be probably loaded down with stuff. As much as I love SF, I had my car broken into there once. It may turn out to be that staying there and picking a hotel with a secure parking garage might be the best idea, despite the cost. The other thing I considered was using a smaller town outside the city but you said they are not great. I just don't have enough SF experience to gauge the situation. My other trips have all been with considerably less luggage. 

Is somewhere along the BART route an option or am I dreaming? I'm trying to balance the budget/hassle/fun factors here. Does that make sense? I feel like I am not explaining myself very well.

Yes, Muir Woods is across the bridge. http://www.visitmuirwoods.com/location.htm
Such a beautiful park, its been years since I went there.  Must take the boy there next visit home! 

Have you thought of staying on the coast in Half Moon Bay or Pacifica?  Some of the smaller hotels right on the coastline have parking lots in front of your rooms.  Just a thought and its so beautiful there!

Let me know if you want any food recommendations.   

Thanks for that idea Jenn! I'll look into it. That may be the kind of thing we are looking for.

Of COURSE I want foodie recs! He's a carnivore though so a balance is good.

I was also considering Beach Blanket Babylon, which I saw a few years ago and loved. But I'm trying to recall if it would be funny to a Brit. Anyone seen it?

How about the Huntington Library and Old Town Pasadena?

Ashley

I had thought of the Golden Gate and I think you have to drive over it to get to Muir Woods anyhow? (Correct me if I am wrong!)

well you can always go around and use the other bridge if you REALLY want to miss the GG.  But it is free in that direction and Muir Woods is just there so you might as well. 

I keep humming the Led Zepplin song when I see you thread...

Going to california with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me theres a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.

Thanks for that idea Jenn! I'll look into it. That may be the kind of thing we are looking for.

Of COURSE I want foodie recs! He's a carnivore though so a balance is good.

I was also considering Beach Blanket Babylon, which I saw a few years ago and loved. But I'm trying to recall if it would be funny to a Brit. Anyone seen it?

We got married in HMB and stayed at a lovely B&B.  The boy likes it so much he wants to live there when we move back! 

I was also considering Beach Blanket Babylon, which I saw a few years ago and loved. But I'm trying to recall if it would be funny to a Brit. Anyone seen it?

This was one of those things I never got around to doing before I left. I think it would be quite funny in the California-America-Liberal sort of way but you'd have to have that mindset when you entered. The show changes all the time so there may be some sketches you won't even understand since you have been away. Basically it is a spoof of pop culture set to music!

Alternatively, you can just enjoy the restaurants and cafe culture of North Beach.  Yum!!

I would say staying in Pacifica or HMB would be great. Its on the coast, and you get amazing views.

If you wanted a small town feel, and are near BART, I would HIGHLY reccommend staying in Walnut Creek or Laffayette. Walnut Creek is a great home base, imho, because it has great shops and restaurants. And you will be near BART, which is handy of course. I am from Walnut Creek, but whenever we have guests I usually point them in the direction of the
Embassy Suites Walnut Creek.

http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=SFOPHES [nofollow]

You are VERY close to BART, but don't worry, it wont bother you in your room.

If you do happen to stay in WC, let me know and I can point in the right directions for what you are looking for. For example, from WC, it only takes a little less than an hour until you are in Napa, or if you need good food recs...

You are going to have a fantabulous time, I am sure...

I know you won't have time to spend hours and hours in one place, but I HAVE to put a shout-out for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Is Ernie's still around?

No, closed in 1999.