Sequoia National Forest/San Francisco
05-27-2018, 03:23 PM
#1
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Sequoia National Forest/San Francisco
A couple of years ago, I asked for info on the Grand Canyon and got some really good recommendations and info from the gang here so I thought I'd press my luck once again. Our 30th anniversary is coming up in September. We are going to fly in and out of San Francisco and will probably spend a couple of days there before heading to Sequoia National Forest. Looking for recommendations on things to do in San Francisco. Also hotels, restaurants, etc. and anything else along the way between the two destinations. We really prefer the self-guided type stuff. I'm not so interested in canned tours but If there was something that was really outstanding, then I might consider it.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
05-27-2018, 03:44 PM
#2
Admirals Club 
Is there a reason you are choosing Sequoia over Yosemite? I've been to both and I think Yosemite has a wider variety of scenery and has some breathtaking views - plus it is closer to San Francisco. Sequoia has a few trees that are bigger than what you would see at Yosemite, but I think the trade off makes Yosemite a better choice.
05-27-2018, 03:49 PM
#3
Admirals Club
Oh man you are going to love it. SF is my favorite big city. So much to do and you really cannot go wrong. Easy to get around on BART and trolley cars. If you want to go iconic, consider the Westin St. Francis. Definitely ride the street cars, go down to the wharf. Walk along the water starting at Ghirardelli Square, past Fisherman's Wharf at North Beach, down the Embarcadero, ending at Rincon Park. Stop anywhere and have a bread bowl full of chowder. In the evening, head to Crissy Field and watch the windsurfing and kiteboarding. Do a bike or segway tour over the Golden Gate bridge, or just do it yourself. Once over the bridge head down to Sausalito, it's a neat little town. Definitely go check out Muir woods while you are on that side.
This goes without saying, but be a tourist and go to Alcatraz. It's an amazing experience. If you like history it's worth the trip. Also go walk through Chinatown and, if you are daring, go eat at any suspect looking restaurant and you probably won't be disappointed. To this day the best hot and sour soup I've ever eaten was served in a place that I had to descend a dank, dark staircase to find.
Have fun!
This goes without saying, but be a tourist and go to Alcatraz. It's an amazing experience. If you like history it's worth the trip. Also go walk through Chinatown and, if you are daring, go eat at any suspect looking restaurant and you probably won't be disappointed. To this day the best hot and sour soup I've ever eaten was served in a place that I had to descend a dank, dark staircase to find.
Have fun!
05-27-2018, 04:05 PM
#4
Member
We stayed in downtown San Fran. Took the trolley down to fishermans wharf and spent the day looking around. Another day we went to the Muir Woods and the third day we went to I believe it was Fairfield, CA and did a factory tour of the Budweiser plant and Jelly Belly plant. That was pretty neat. As places to eat go just expect to pay twice what you are used to. And the biggest thing to remember is bring plenty of clothes. Most days it is chilly and foggy a lot of times because of the bay. Drive inland 20 miles and it is way warmer.
05-27-2018, 04:37 PM
#5
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https://www.google.com/search?q=imag...w=1262&bih=994
If you go to Sequoia...also go to Kings Canyon...
If you go to Sequoia...also go to Kings Canyon...
05-27-2018, 09:06 PM
#8
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Yosemite is reservation only.
Try the beach chalet for lunch on the great highway and check out ocean beach
Ft Point under the south approach of the gg bridge is a cool civil war era ft with million dollar views of the bridge and bay.
Embarcadero and ferry terminal market is pretty cool.
Dizzy around gg park
Cross the bridge and exit to Marin headlands for billion dollar views.
Muir Woods is reservation only.
To see redwoods and bigger trees than Muir, go to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville about 1.5hr north.
Try the beach chalet for lunch on the great highway and check out ocean beach
Ft Point under the south approach of the gg bridge is a cool civil war era ft with million dollar views of the bridge and bay.
Embarcadero and ferry terminal market is pretty cool.
Dizzy around gg park
Cross the bridge and exit to Marin headlands for billion dollar views.
Muir Woods is reservation only.
To see redwoods and bigger trees than Muir, go to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville about 1.5hr north.
Last edited by aln; 05-27-2018 at 09:12 PM.
05-28-2018, 05:19 AM
#9
Originally Posted by aln
Yosemite is reservation only.
Try the beach chalet for lunch on the great highway and check out ocean beach
Ft Point under the south approach of the gg bridge is a cool civil war era ft with million dollar views of the bridge and bay.
Embarcadero and ferry terminal market is pretty cool.
Dizzy around gg park
Cross the bridge and exit to Marin headlands for billion dollar views.
Muir Woods is reservation only.
To see redwoods and bigger trees than Muir, go to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville about 1.5hr north.
Try the beach chalet for lunch on the great highway and check out ocean beach
Ft Point under the south approach of the gg bridge is a cool civil war era ft with million dollar views of the bridge and bay.
Embarcadero and ferry terminal market is pretty cool.
Dizzy around gg park
Cross the bridge and exit to Marin headlands for billion dollar views.
Muir Woods is reservation only.
To see redwoods and bigger trees than Muir, go to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville about 1.5hr north.
05-28-2018, 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by rickpcfl
Is there a reason you are choosing Sequoia over Yosemite? I've been to both and I think Yosemite has a wider variety of scenery and has some breathtaking views - plus it is closer to San Francisco. Sequoia has a few trees that are bigger than what you would see at Yosemite, but I think the trade off makes Yosemite a better choice.
Originally Posted by dr_bw
Oh man you are going to love it. SF is my favorite big city. So much to do and you really cannot go wrong. Easy to get around on BART and trolley cars. If you want to go iconic, consider the Westin St. Francis. Definitely ride the street cars, go down to the wharf. Walk along the water starting at Ghirardelli Square, past Fisherman's Wharf at North Beach, down the Embarcadero, ending at Rincon Park. Stop anywhere and have a bread bowl full of chowder. In the evening, head to Crissy Field and watch the windsurfing and kiteboarding. Do a bike or segway tour over the Golden Gate bridge, or just do it yourself. Once over the bridge head down to Sausalito, it's a neat little town. Definitely go check out Muir woods while you are on that side.
This goes without saying, but be a tourist and go to Alcatraz. It's an amazing experience. If you like history it's worth the trip. Also go walk through Chinatown and, if you are daring, go eat at any suspect looking restaurant and you probably won't be disappointed. To this day the best hot and sour soup I've ever eaten was served in a place that I had to descend a dank, dark staircase to find.
Have fun!
This goes without saying, but be a tourist and go to Alcatraz. It's an amazing experience. If you like history it's worth the trip. Also go walk through Chinatown and, if you are daring, go eat at any suspect looking restaurant and you probably won't be disappointed. To this day the best hot and sour soup I've ever eaten was served in a place that I had to descend a dank, dark staircase to find.
Have fun!
Originally Posted by Octane
We stayed in downtown San Fran. Took the trolley down to fishermans wharf and spent the day looking around. Another day we went to the Muir Woods and the third day we went to I believe it was Fairfield, CA and did a factory tour of the Budweiser plant and Jelly Belly plant. That was pretty neat. As places to eat go just expect to pay twice what you are used to. And the biggest thing to remember is bring plenty of clothes. Most days it is chilly and foggy a lot of times because of the bay. Drive inland 20 miles and it is way warmer.
05-28-2018, 09:03 AM
#13
Admirals Club
If you're up for a drive, go south and spend the day in Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best in the world and there's plenty of touristy stuff to make a great day trip.
I LOVE Chinatown (as said above).
I LOVE Chinatown (as said above).
05-28-2018, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by semperfifishing
https://www.google.com/search?q=imag...w=1262&bih=994
If you go to Sequoia...also go to Kings Canyon...
If you go to Sequoia...also go to Kings Canyon...
Originally Posted by Saltydawg15
Would hit Wine country before going to the park.
Originally Posted by aln
Yosemite is reservation only.
Try the beach chalet for lunch on the great highway and check out ocean beach
Ft Point under the south approach of the gg bridge is a cool civil war era ft with million dollar views of the bridge and bay.
Embarcadero and ferry terminal market is pretty cool.
Dizzy around gg park
Cross the bridge and exit to Marin headlands for billion dollar views.
Muir Woods is reservation only.
To see redwoods and bigger trees than Muir, go to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville about 1.5hr north.
Try the beach chalet for lunch on the great highway and check out ocean beach
Ft Point under the south approach of the gg bridge is a cool civil war era ft with million dollar views of the bridge and bay.
Embarcadero and ferry terminal market is pretty cool.
Dizzy around gg park
Cross the bridge and exit to Marin headlands for billion dollar views.
Muir Woods is reservation only.
To see redwoods and bigger trees than Muir, go to Armstrong Woods in Guerneville about 1.5hr north.
Originally Posted by kennyboy
Rent a Harley/BMW/Goldwing and do it on wheels
Thanks for all the replies so far.
05-28-2018, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Dulcecita Lures
If you're up for a drive, go south and spend the day in Monterey. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best in the world and there's plenty of touristy stuff to make a great day trip.
I LOVE Chinatown (as said above).
I LOVE Chinatown (as said above).
05-28-2018, 06:49 PM
#17
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Originally Posted by Saltydawg15
what do you mean reservation only? I have been to Muir several times with no reservation needed.
