no one mentioned alcatraz? but it will be cold. i think it's worth seeing.

Don't go to Napa. Napa is for tourists. Go to Sonoma.

Yes there's a fire in lake county (clear lake). Definitely go to Napa. And Marin. You don't need a car in the city. Dim sum at city view on commercial (Chinatown) only. Golden gate park, Chrissy field, eat in the mission (more than once), grab bi rite ice cream.

Anonymous wrote:Another question: would you rent a car or use Uber?

If you're planning to mostly sightsee in the city, don't rent a car. Parking and traffic is horrible in downtown and in other neighborhoods with tourist attractions. Hotels in the city also charge at least $20 a night for parking. However, you should really get out and see some of the spectacular scenery away from the city, like Point Reyes National Seashore. San Francisco has some kind of car sharing so you could get a ZipCar or something similar for a daytrip. If you would like to drive up or down the coast (or to Napa/Sonoma) and stay somewhere else for a couple of nights, renting a car would make sense. I would definitely check where wildfires are now while you're figuring out if you want to stay somewhere outside of SF (I think there's a fire in Napa County???). Although they will probably not be burning when you get there, a charred landscape isn't very pretty. SF is also home to some amazing restaurants--if you want to go somewhere really in demand, make reservations well in advance.

bump

Another question: would you rent a car or use Uber?

Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park
Drive down to Big Sur
Redwood grove at Muir Woods, Muir Beach, Pelican Inn
Ferry boat on the Bay (Angel Island with bike rental from Fisherman's Wharf area, or lunch in Sausalito)
Palace of Fine Arts area/Ocean Beach/Cliff House/great views from lands End trail
Found an authentic Chinatown in the Sunset District, Irving and 24th area, real noodle & dim sum and Chinese grocery, also near Golden Gate Park
Coit Tower
cable car from Union Square through Chinatown
Visit famous City Lights bookstore and drinks at Vesuvio bar (bohemian landmark) and Italian lunch or dinner in North Beach
Exploratorium
The art & academy of science museums are good
Go to Yosemite

DH and I (no kids!) are visiting the bay area in November for a wedding and will stay a couple extra days. What should we see and do at that time of the year?