I need some advice. I haven't been to San Fran in 10 years...
-do you have any sightseeing recommendations that teenagers would like? They're not really the art-museum types. We have about a day and a half... we are also going to Alcatraz, which they're really excited about. Anything we do MUST be accessible via public transportation.
-a good, not super-expensive restaurant, preferably in the Pier 39 area or not too far away.
-is Chinatown worth seeing, or is it just shopping?
-any suggestions on nighttime activities? Are there any cool movie houses or theaters in decent areas?
-where's the best area to shop? I told them we would make ONE shopping trip to ONE area, so what's the best place?
Thanks! PM me if you need to.
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
I'm not sure what these girls are like or what kind of shopping they want to do, but the best area for shopping in terms of tons of stores in one place is Union Square. It has everything from Neiman Marcus, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton to Macy's and H&M. The Macy's is 7 floors, and on the 8th floor is a Cheesecake Factory restaurant. Even if you're not going to eat there, I suggest going up and walking out onto the patio dining area (you can even if you're not a patron) to look at the view.
Chinatown is close to Union Square. I've never been interested in it, it's mostly a bunch of little touristy shops.
As far as restaurants near Pier 39, most are touristy.
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Veni, Vedi, Visa.
I came, I saw, I did a little shopping.
let's see, my parents live a little south of SF, so I always go to the city every time I visit them. For restaurants near Pier 39, I think the little italy is about 6-8 blocks south, forgot what the locals call the little italy though. But they have great sidewalk restaurants with awesome Italian food and not too pricey. I love Union Sqaure for shopping, and also, the Metreon is in that area which is a pretty cool movie theatre to visit at night.
I agree with the Little Italy recommendation for dinner...when my bf and I were there last year, we did the tour of Alcatraz then walked to Little Italy and had a good dinner at a cute Italian restuarant....it may have been called Michelangelos? There were a bunch of non-chain restuarants in the area.
z4 - Union Square is actually pretty close to our hotel, so that helps. I promised one girl that I would take her to the Dior boutique, so it's good that it's so close!
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde