I highly recommend looking up the history of this place before visiting so you can truly appreciate what the Cliff House and Sutro Baths went through over time. I can just imagine this beautiful place in it's heyday, beaming above the waves of SF's coastline. The foundational remains of what you see today do not compare to what it was, but you can get a great idea of how massive it used to be. My favorite thing to do is stand between the Cliff House and Louis' Restaurant off Point Lobos Ave. and imagine the monumental size and majesty of what this place once was. Explore the ruins and equally gorgeous coastal area via the trails surrounding - it is just beautiful! Also, get there early and during the work week, if possible as weekends are very crowded and parking is hard to find.
You can find a lot of fun activites going on at this beach. I've seen vendors selling wares, artists decorating the sands across the beach, models being photographed by the crashing waves, and sandcastles abound. Always a beautiful and cool spot to hang out if you want to get away from the buzzing City.
I highly recommend looking up the history of this place before visiting so you can truly appreciate what the Cliff House and Sutro Baths went through over time. I can just imagine this beautiful place in it's heyday, beaming above the waves of SF's coastline. The foundational remains of what you see today do not compare to what it was, but you can get a great idea of how massive it used to be. My favorite thing to do is stand between the Cliff House and Louis' Restaurant off Point Lobos Ave. and imagine the monumental size and majesty of what this place once was. Explore the ruins and equally gorgeous coastal area via the trails surrounding - it is just beautiful! Also, get there early and during the work week, if possible as weekends are very crowded and parking is hard to find.
I am not sure if I enjoyed the animals or the landscaping more! This is a beautiful zoo in a beautiful area of San Franscisco. I am just very partial to the coast side of the City since it is so different from the crazy metropolitan side, so the location alone was a plus. The only downfall is how crowded it can get here, so keep in mind the days you visit - I recommend during the work week (with potential field trips). Plan on spending most of the day here to pace yourself and enjoy all the zoo has to offer. One of the coolest attractions for me were the free-roaming bald eagles (they are unable to fly and are therefore not caged) - that was amazing! Lastly, wear layers or bring a coat if you are not used to cool, coastal weather. No matter how warm and sunny it is in downtown SF, it will be foggy, damp, and cool at the zoo.
One of my favorite state parks. As a resident of Alameda, this is a very convenient destination, and it is connected to the Mt. Tamalpais State Park. If you give yourself a day to do so, you can hike down to Stinson Beach from here - a must for visitors and residents! This forest is an extremely peaceful, rainforest retreat from the busy and often smoggy Oakland and SF city life (and neurotic inhabitants). As a plus, you can end your day trip in Mill Valley at the base.
This hotel is very comfortable with a fun and funky style. I stayed here with my husband for our honeymoon and we would love to come back again. I believe it is dog-friendly (I think, it's been 4 years since our stay) and if you are staying for a special occasion the staff will work with you to make it vey special. It is also right by the Chinatown gate - so it is a perfect spot!
This place is a must-see, a unique estate with so much to offer! The lobby alone is breath-taking. There are many shops, places for eats and treats, and sight-seeing to partake in. There is a lot of history to take in and so many stories of what has happened there. Grab yourself a seat and some treats in front of a firepit on the Sun Deck Bar & Grill and watch the waves. Or in winter, ice skate in the back yard!
Perfect place to stay for when you don't want to spend all of your trip money on accomodations. The room was very clean and bed was comfortable. Had a large mini-fridge, which is handy if on long stays. Shower was also big, another plus. It's also across the street from a gas station/mini-mart, in case you need anything you forgot. Also walking distance to other inns and restaurants, and only just over a mile walk to downtown.
We were not able to visit this until the day we were leaving, but we were still able to experience enough of it to feel the spirit of its history. Like many memorials, it was a moving experience, and to see the wall of names from so many who lost their lives for us and share a moment of silence. It was crazy seeing the oil still seeping from the ship, too.
We were realliy looking forward to visiting this place. The upside: it's absolutely gorgeous. The downside: there are too many visitors per session and a lot of visitors do not respect the Hawaiian lands and waters (stepping on the coral, moving sea life or rocks, etc.). Also, just too many people crowding the waters (running.swimming into you obliviously).