San Francisco on Christmas Day
by CelticSu
It's usually rather quiet in SF on Christmas Day, with fewer crowds and less traffic than normal, but there will be things going on in Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Also, it should be easier to catch a ride on the cable cars! Personally, I'd spend some time strolling the neighborhoods (the "Hidden Cities" of San Francisco).
As for restaurants that will be open - check on OpenTable.com. You can find out what's open and also a price range.
San Francisco is my all-time favorite city! And it's even more charming during its quiet times, like Christmas Day, or early in the morning when the trucks are making their deliveries of fresh produce to the little neighborhood groceries!
Dressing in Layers
by karin1972
San Francisco is one AMAZING city, which has so much to offer. There are many great restaurants (i.e. around Chinatown, Little Italy/North Beach, Mission District, etc) and cultures to experience. The architecture ranges from victorian to ultra modern and the political atmosphere is mainly liberal. Whatever you're into, I can almost guarantee there is a group of people in San Francisco which will happily call you one of their own. I will never forget the feelings I experienced every time I drove on the Golden Gate or Bay Bridges...Such incredible views and sceneries---breathtakingly beautiful, in my opinion. I was fortunate to call San Francisco my temporary home, while in graduate school from 1996-2001. I would love to have a few more years of living there, and experiencing all that I missed during that time.
Through the Looking Glass.
by Guantanamera
From my perspective, VT was like a new kind of looking glass... And that's why I chose the motif for my journey... Having met people through VT, having seen their worlds, I wanted to enter into them, and experience their lives, their realms... Or to use a pop culture reference, I was like Spock at Sarpeidon...
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge:...
by HKBoy
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge: there's good view-points at either side, and if you are feeling energetic, you can walk or cycle from one end to the other. If you come by car, the bridge gets quite busy and queues are common. There's also a toll charge on each of the bridges.
Alcatraz is a good visit as well, but booking is advisable as the tour is very popular. Alcatraz has been featured in a few films and was a high-security prison on an island. Now closed, the tour includes the ferry-ride out to the island. Is Fisherman's Wharf and the famous Cable Car's.
Take a cable car ride and it...
by ameritalian
Take a cable car ride and it MUST be the Hyde Street line! Incredible views, hills, small streets...the essence of a cable car ride. Standing at Coit Tower with its incredible views of the Bay and hills.
My wife ready for some sweet treats
Sea lions lazing around on a sunny afternoon
One of the Cell Blocks
View Downtown from Top of Potrero Hill
