Though you've got your own transport, the roads in SF do get very busy, especially the interstates - motorways - which snarl up from around 3pm and before, especially if going over the bridges. f you stay in SF city, then it can be great to get out of it, for a rest
As said earlier, the public transport there is massively better than LA. The BART is the main system you'd use - underground, but MUNI supplements this, as well as the cable cars - an absolute must of course!!, and tons of buses.
BART goes over the Berkeley, about 20 minutes, where it goes above ground, across the estuary, and it's a chilled university town suburb. The uni is great to look around, and the side streets have some good shops.
If you don't get a ticket for Alcatraz, the ferry goes every few minutes to Sausalito, a superb small coastal town. The ferry passes near to Alcatraz, so good for photos, and you'll see Golden Gate bridge too - subject to the mists. Have a browse around Sausalito, coffee/snack/beer etc and take the ferry back. Even if you do get to the prison, then a trip is still a decent cheap excursion.
Consider a b&b, perhaps somewhere near to Golden Gate park. This park is huge, bigger than Central Park, New York. It's fairly close to the Castro district, depending on which bit you may stay near. There's a lovely spot, the National Aids memorial area, that puts your mind onto the terrible losses that have decimated the gay communities there, and others m/f nationally.
The Botanical Gardens link off the park, and interesting if you like plants. Again, it's refreshing to be around more open space/natural things, if you've been around city life. Take a look at the California Academy of Sciences, located in the park too, as a museum. An awesome building, it's stunning too!
Muir Woods is one of the best places for the Redwoods. You'd have seen this on Planet of the Apes, if you saw the recent film. This is a drive, over Golden Gate bridge, and there are some interesting things on the way there and back, such as stopping to see the coast and wildlife.
Parking is a bit of a nightmare in SF, so research that, and check on rates, depending on where you stay. Some of the shops do discounted parking, such as the Westfield centre shopping centre, on Market and 4th St.
If you're doing shopping, then Macys - Union Square, offers international visitors a discount card -take your passport. Some hotels also do bloomingdales (in Westfield shop centre) discounts too.
Alot, but not all, bi and gay life is Castro area. It became uber-cool, so it is often under deluge from straights, especially at weekends, so pick your time accordingly.
Sex shops in SF tend to be a little expensive, imo - perhaps because there's a huge market, and also as silicon valley has thousands of staff living in the city, who are shipped out each day in buses, boats etc, and they earn mega-bucks.
You will see a lot of homeless, and the occasional naked or near naked person. Whilst nudity was recently outlawed, you still see an occasional guy with it all out. There are some known as the Castro nudists, and may wear a cock sock or something similar, as last year there were arrests.
There are clothing optional beaches around. Baker beach is one of them - make sure you know the weather forecast.
It's possible to be in summer heat, such as August, pop into a bar, and by the time you exit, the summer mist has enveloped the city and it's cold and damp. Many locals prefer to leave in summer time, and disappear to warmer spots. The heat in the inland hills pulls in the cooler air, which can create a fairly thick fog. Air quality in SF is very good, due to it being surrounded by water.
The city has regular small quakes, as others mention - they're nothing, just minor tremors, if you even notice them. New buildings are well constructed, and are earthquake safer.
Do visit some of the districts - don't just rely on map distance, as what may appear close could take quite a lot of walking, due to the steep hills. This is tiring too - consider the buses, where the underground doesn't have a network.
I know a fair few hotels and places to stay, so can give some feedback. |
it's a great city, enjoy.
Castro is fun 
