Re: Going to San Francisco - Updated again
Be a little careful with the weather, as at that time of year you can get a little cold. If I remember correctly, when I was living out there about 5 years ago, they had snow at christmas time. Several inches just south of SF as a matter of fact. So pack accordingly. Fishermans wharf can be real entertaining, last time I was there, there was a PETA nutcase wearing a fish costume with a sign that said, "Don't Batter Me". Made me think about shooting fish in a barrel. But I digress.<br /><br />Chinatown is very entertaining. If you go into the parks stay on the trails. You might see something illegal in most civilized countries.<br /><br />I don't know what you are going there for but you can rent boats in the harbour that double as hotel rooms. I don't have any contacts for this but it looked like a really cool way to hang out in SF. Not cheap but the best place to be IMHO. Bring your camera, it is a great place to shoot pics. I will say that on weekends the cable cars have long lines you will have to wait on at the turnarounds. If you can get on midpoint. I saw lines of several hundred people to get on the cablecars so I hired a cab.<br /><br />SF is a big city, where are you staying? SF is not my favorite city in CA. But you could do worse. It is a beautiful city, and very expensive. Depending on time of year it can cost a ton to get a bad hotel room. <br /><br />IMHO if you have a few days to yourself, rent a car get on hwy 80 east and drive 4.5hrs. You will see one of the most beautiful parts of this country. You will drive thru Sacramento state capital home of the governator, and end up in Truckee, Lake Tahoe. The drive after Sacramento is breathtaking. The people are genuine, and there is enough to do for a month. It is a place that everyone should try to go to at least once in their lives. It has had a lifelong impact on my life, that is how breathtaking I found it. If there is anyway you could extend a couple of days, you are as close to heaven as I have ever seen. But that is just my simple minded view of things. I lived for two years in Auburn, about 1.5 hours west of Tahoe, (down the mountain). I am not as well traveled as many on this board but I have seen a majority of this great land of ours, and this place (Lake Tahoe area) is #1 on my list of places to go in the USA.
).<br /><br />But in the meantime, I always think a bit of local knowledge makes all the difference when you visit somewhere new...<br /><br />So...what tips, advice etc can you give a Kiwi joker for his first trip to San Fran?...(keeping it seemly 
