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San Francisco Tourist Traps

Hard Rock Cafe at Pier 39 - San Francisco
Hard Rock Cafe at Pier 39
by GUYON
Tips and photos of San Francisco tourist attractions and tourist traps, posted by real travelers and San Francisco locals.
Local Time 6:07 pm Friday, July 25, 2008
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Fisherman's Wharf: There are reasons to see this, but...
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  • By cjg1 on October 2, 2006
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  • Most all of Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap. It has that Times Square feeling of a place you really just want to run away from.

    You get the ferries here for Alcatraz and a few other places. And like nearly all tourist traps, you should see it once so you know what everyone is talking about.

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    Fisherman's Wharf: Commercialized San Francisco
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  • By g_i_r_a_f on January 26, 2006
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  • Sea Lions at Pier 39 - San Francisco
    Sea Lions at Pier 39
    by g_i_r_a_f, 3 more photos
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    This area tends to be the most expensive and the least interesting place in San Francisco. It is designed to take your money. You can find much more interesting things to do than spend your time here.

    Go to Pier 39 and look at the Sea Lions. It's free!! Take a walk down the street and watch everybody spend their money. There are street performers that do their acts, but again, they expect money especially if you stayed and watched their show. You must board the ferry to Alcatraz from this area.

    Just about every other location in San Francisco is better than this area! If you want to see the flavor of this city, you won't find it here. Look at my things to do tips for other alternatives.


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    Cable Cars: Waiting Forever
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  • Updated By 36waterfalls on June 18, 2006
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  • San Francisco Tourist Traps
    by 36waterfalls, 1 more photos
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    Where do all those people come from? It's like all of San Francisco wants to get on! Well, if you, like me, want to experience the cable car; stand in line and be patient.

    At least enjoy watching some people work to get the car turned around, and when you finally get on, just enjoy the ride, it's pretty cool after all.


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    Not Worth It!: 17-Mile Drive in Monterey Area
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  • Updated By Bwana_Brown on November 17, 2005
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  • At Point Joe - San Francisco
    At Point Joe
    by Bwana_Brown
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    On our day trip along the coast to Monterey, we ended up in Pebble Beach. We had heard that the '17-Mile Drive' along the coastal area here was worth a look, so we paid our $8.50 to enter the Drive. This route winds through treed hills overlooking the coast, through elegant housing areas and 4 golf courses as well as some coastal scenery. However, in our case a large section of the drive was blocked off due to gas-pipeline work and the seal breeding area along the coast was a 'no-stop or see' zone from April to June. In addition, compared to the natural spendor of the protected coastline between SF and Santa Cruz, I found the man-made intrusions in this area to be second-rate (maybe it is because I am not a good golfer!).

    Enjoy what you can of the coastal part of the trip. Here, I was videoing 'The Restless Sea' off Point Joe, where an underwater rock shelf causes wave turbulance and has also claimed an number of unwary mariners.

    Try the next-door town of Carmen - it has lots of tourist boutiques and also a nice beach for sunbathing or swimming.

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    Haight Street: It is what it is
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  • Updated By davequ on August 24, 2005
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  • fall into the gap - San Francisco
    fall into the gap
    by davequ
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    I still like the Haight & Cole Valley.

    I love the Victorian houses, and the area holds lots of great memories circa '66 / '67.

    But Haight St. is imho sometimes a semi-pathetic & commercial shell
    of its old pre '67 self, and left me kind of sad this last trip.

    I think the pic says it all.


    "Your revolution is over, Mr. Lebowski. Condolences. The bums lost!! "

    Walk around and soak in the commercial opportunism.
    Marvel at the power pop culture & media possess (if we let it) to screw anything up.

    Buy a slice of pizza or a Ben & Jerry's and get a block or two (e.g. Page and Cole) off Haight to enjoy the beautiful Victorian style houses.

    Get an online Haight history map and hunt up some of the old ghosts from 40 years ago.

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    Pier 39: Something's fishy at Pier 39
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  • Updated By Pounder73 on June 9, 2003
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  • Fisherman's Warf - Pier 39 - San Francisco
    Fisherman's Warf - Pier 39
    by Pounder73
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    Pier 39 - Fisherman's Warf

    Okay, here you go. Now you’ve seen the sea lions. Now you don’t have to go to Fisherman’s Warf!!!

    However this is also where you get on a boat for Alcatraz. Damn, they suckered you in! Well, at least DON'T eat in the restaurant here, especially the one on the end. But you can pick up your refrigerator magnets and SF Snowball thing a bobbers while you are here.

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    Pier 39: Pier 39
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  • By PavlH on January 30, 2003
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  • Pier 39 - otherwise known as Fisherman's Wharf is just a collection of over-priced shops full of 'tut'.
    The sea lions around the back are interesting to watch and far more entertaining than anything on the pier.

    Walk fast!

    Take a stroll further along Embarcadero towards the bridge and you come to some green spaces with some great views.

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    Hey, So We Got Sucked In
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  • By madamx on February 4, 2003
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  • The Japanese Tea Garden ($2 entry fee) in Golden Gate Park is so beautiful, you forget you are in a tourist trap. Even though there were hordes of people there, there were enough little nooks and crannies to have a zen moment. A great way to refresh yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city.

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    Japanese Tea Garden
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  • Updated By Djinn76 on January 18, 2003
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  • The Japanese Tea Garden, a tourist nest.. - San Francisco
    The Japanese Tea Garden, a
    tourist nest..
    by Djinn76
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    Part of the Golden Gate Park, I would have expected the intrance to be free. It was not !
    I agree this kind of garden probably requires lots of manwork... At least it was very nice even if rather small …

    Unless you are really fond of these japanese stuff, I would rather recommend the botanical garden, not far from there …

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    Be Aware!: Visit the tenderloin with caution
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  • By jzeidman on December 24, 2002
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  • The Tenderloin is not a great place to get lost so take cabs to avoid accidentally wandering around here. It borders Union Square on 5th, so its easy to wander the wrong way.

    However, if you're feeling adventurous, try Thai Noodle at 901 Larkin. You can get a beer and lunch for under $10 and it rocks.

    Or, if you're vegetarian, try Golden Era Vegetarian Restaurant at 572 O'Farrell.

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