Sunday, May 03, 2015

Itinerary Suggestion: San Francisco in 4 Days

So I've taken a handful of travel marketing classes, and in these classes we have had to design completely custom itineraries for fictitious travelers.  I thought, why let these itineraries go to waste?  You might not like the same things as some of these fictitious travelers, but they could give you some good ideas for where you'd like to go and what you would like to do.



Below is a travel itinerary that was to be based in/around San Francisco.  It was for a group of 4 people spending the weekend in SF.




Hotel information: Holiday Inn San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
This hotel has 585 rooms spread out over two blocks, offers free WiFi as well as a heated swimming pool, and has two restaurants on site.  I selected this hotel because it is just a handful of minutes away from the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, which means that this party of 4 can easily walk to this area and spend some free time.  Another great reason to stay here is that it is also a short walk away from the end of the Hyde street cable car, which is a great way to get around the city and enjoy the historic cable cars.

Short day trips of the city and/or local area
Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz island was the most famous prison in the US for about 30 years until it closed due to high expenses.  With the Alcatraz Ticket ($40), guests take a 10 minute ferry ride from pier 33 to the island, where they are given a brief orientation by a US Park Ranger and then allowed to roam the island at their own pace.  This tour will most likely take about 2-3 hours to complete, but can take longer depending on how long guests decide to take.  Our party of 4 can walk the 15 minutes from their hotel to pier 33, which is 0.8 miles in length.
Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf:  This location is one of the main reasons people go visit San Francisco, which is why I placed their hotel so near to here.  Countless shopping stores, restaurants and exhibits are located here, including the world famous sea lions.  Experience some fantastic views at the end of the pier of the entire bay, the bridges, and Alcatraz.
Golden Gate Park: Take a Golden Gate Park Segway Tour; for $70 a person, with groups no larger than 8 people, explore this 1,000+ acre park with ease and speed.  This 2.5 hour tour will take you along a 7 mile stretch, where your tour guide will point out interesting and historical sites which include: Lily Pond and Storybook Cross, the historic Carousel,  the California Academy of Sciences, Music Concourse, deYoung Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, and Japanese Tea Garden, Stow Lake, Strawberry Hill and many other sights.
Cable Cars: Utilizing these cable cars in visits to various parts of the city will allow this party of 4 to both enjoy these historic cable cars and get around more easily in this big city.

Free Time: Some places not to miss are definitely the historic Fisherman’s Wharf.  Within easy walking distance of your hotel, be sure to stop by the Left-Handed Store, the historic wood carousel, and walk up and down the musical piano stairs.  Explore the history of San Francisco Maritime at the San Francisco National Historical Maritime Museum (a short walk from your hotel).  Walk along the waterfront of the San Francisco National Historical Maritime Waterfront and enjoy some excellent views.  Visit Ghirardelli square, a world famous location with lots of shopping and eating available.  If you have time, a visit to Baker Beach is not to be missed; this beach offers fantastic close-up views of the world famous Golden Gate Bridge.

Two dinners: Bistro Boudin & Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory
Bistro Boudin: This historic restaurant has been in operation since 1849, producing their world famous sourdough bread, among other things.  At Bistro Boudin, experience a more intimate dining style with a sit-down service (versus Boudin Bakery which is seat yourself).  They offer a large variety of elegant seafood, pastas, salads and sandwiches. 
Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory: Offering incredible cuisine that ranges from seafood to slow-roasted ribs, this restaurant also comes with amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Bay.

Sunday Brunch: Zazie
Zazie: This highly rated restaurant on sites such as Yelp offers brunch from 9-3 on weekends.  Offering everything you could want at a brunch (eggs, toast, pancakes, etc) and more (Ahi Tuna sandwiches, a wide variety of “brunch spirits”), our party of 4 is sure to find something they all like here.  The only down side is that this restaurant is a fair distance away from their hotel; they will need to take a taxi to reach this location.

Friday
Saturday
--Arrive at SFO @12:00pm; collect baggage
--Take BART (the Pittsburg/Bay Point line aprx 30 minutes on BART) from the Airport to Powell, where you will pick up the Powell-Hyde Cable Car towards your hotel
--Arrive at hotel around 2:30pm, settle in
Holiday Inn SF Fisherman’s Wharf
1300 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA
--Eat early dinner at 4:00pm at Bistro Boudin, located on Fisherman’s Wharf
--Free time on Fisherman’s Wharf
--Enjoy breakfast at the onsite hotel restaurant
--Walk to pier 33 to pick up your Alcatraz Island Tour
--Enjoy late lunch at In-N-Out, a restaurant established in California, after arriving back on the mainland
--Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory
--Free time in the area


Sunday
Monday
--Take a taxi to Zazie’s, a local gem that offers some great brunch items.
--Explore the nearby (2 block walk) Golden Gate Park on foot, before taking your 2.5 hour Segway tour of this park
--Take your taxi back to your hotel
--Free time for the remainder of the day
--Depart on Cable Car Powell-Hyde Line
--Explore the Westfield San Francisco Centre and nearby shopping in this area
--Eat late lunch at Farmer Browns (nearby short walk)
--Depart at 4:00pm


RESOURCES
http://www.nps.gov/safr/index.htm



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