ACOT Message Board

 my dh will be doing research in aug and invited me to tag along...ok this is good but, is there a site to see whats to do there? have you been there and what did you like or didn't like? so many choice for hotels too. just seems overwhelming to me right now. we will drive so a car is no problem. any good sb stores? quilt stores? no children so adult places are best. thanks for all suggestions.

 The bay area is pretty big so it depends on what part you will be in. Do you know yet?

 his research is at the san fran martine national history park on hyde street. since we have our car anywhere within 100 miles would be ok.

 You mean Marine National History Park right?

I'm asking hubby for you since he knows the area much better than I do. 

You should spend a day at Fisherman's Warf which is about a block away from there.
Go to the Golden Gate Bridge if you haven't done that yet.
Legion of Honor is a fantastic art gallery and the grounds are interesting are interesting as well.
Coit Tower
Golden Gate Park - that has the DeYoung Museum, Acadamey of Sciences, Chinese Garden


I will try to find some links for you or you can google these. PM if you have any questions.

If you want to leave San Francisco and come north into Marin which is just 30 minutes north of San Francisco. We'd love to show some beautiful places around here! Mount Tamalpais, Point Reyes, Olompali State Historic Park.

 sounds like fun...

 Depends on how adventuresome you are.  S.F.'s Chinatown is world famous.  You will be a short distance from Monterey/Santa Cruz by car and the beaches at Monterey and the 17 mile drive are fantastic.  Santa Cruz has the University of California there and sounds like that might be up your DH's alley so to speak.  It is one of the most interesting and scenic campuses in the state.  
I agree on Fisherman's Wharf since if has so many diverse stores and restaurants and is so traditionally S.F. and there is a Christmas store there in the Anchorage (shopping area near Fisherman's Wharf) that is amazing.  Also park there and take a world famous trolley car to downtown just for the experience of riding one.

Another interesting thing in the great bay area that includes San Jose, Monterey, Santa Cruz  etc. are our California Missions from when the Spanish owned that part of the world in early 1800's.  I am sure there is a site on the computer which lists and would send a map.  I have been to a couple of them and they are beautiful and historic. 

Hope this helps you all.  Oh and Be fully aware of your surroundings and where you park at all times.  They are also world famous for their crime.  Sorry as a native of California and a person who lived in that area at one time, I had to mention that.  Tourists are easy picking.

 We're going to visit some friends who actually live in Washington but are in the Bay area for a few months.  I've never been there, but I'd bet there's a lot to do.  I'm excited about going.  Have a good time.

 Berkeley is a lot of fun and nearby.  There is  HUGE scrap store there, Scrapbook Territory.  Lots of shopping and interesting things to see.  Both San Francisco and Oakland have zoos.  I agree that if you don't mind the drive, the Monterrey Bay Aquarium is worth visiting.  There is a four story fabric store in San Francisco, Britex....can't remember what street, but you should be able to look them up on the net.  Chinatown in S.F. is a lot of fun with some really great food.  The Curran theater usually has some really good performances (years ago saw Les Miserables & Phantom of the Opera there).  Lots and lots and lots to do there!

TiikkiStars wrote: Berkeley is a lot of fun and nearby.  There is  HUGE scrap store there, Scrapbook Territory.  Lots of shopping and interesting things to see.  Both San Francisco and Oakland have zoos.  I agree that if you don't mind the drive, the Monterrey Bay Aquarium is worth visiting.  There is a four story fabric store in San Francisco, Britex....can't remember what street, but you should be able to look them up on the net.  Chinatown in S.F. is a lot of fun with some really great food.  The Curran theater usually has some really good performances (years ago saw Les Miserables & Phantom of the Opera there).  Lots and lots and lots to do there!

The Britex store is right across from Union Square on Geary...it's AMAZING!

You need to ride the cable cars...drive down Lombard St. since you'll have your car!

So much to do and see in the city of San Francisco...Golden Gate Park has an amazing new Science museum, the ferry to alcatraz (I've heard you can do Segue tours there!), the shopping in SF is awesome!

 oh my gosh  We forgot to mention Ghiradelli Square

http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardellisq/

 ...and just how long will you be staying so we can plan a Cherry get together??

I'll be in Monterey by then.  Dude, there is sooo much to see and do. Definitely go to the wharf and have a soup bread bowl for lunch, then Ghiradelli for dessert. I agree that you've gotta drive Lombard street and ride the trolley just to say that you did.

 Just do bring a jacket.  Yes, even in August you will need one in downtown SF!!  It's a cold wind that blows in off of the water!!!!

AnnOminous wrote: Just do bring a jacket.  Yes, even in August you will need one in downtown SF!!  It's a cold wind that blows in off of the water!!!!

LOL...says the woman from the hottest place on earth, this side of hades!!!

 I agree on the Monterey trip to the aquarium
There is so much to see and do - Chinatown, Downtown Ferry building and the Wharf are high on the list. The de Young museum is great but so is MOMA depending on your tastes.
Scrapbook store in Berkeley is great and there's a smaller one in South San Francisco called Scrapbook Nook.
Try as many restaurants as you can - there are all sorts of price ranges and food types!

 If  you are in SF take one of the trolley tours.    They always give a good overview of the city and insight in to what you want to explore more.

 we will be there for 8 days. so far the sb stores, fabric store , 17mile drive, ghirardelli, fisherman's wharf and monterrey aquarium are on the top of our list so far. Thanks for all the ideas.

 I love San Fran!!!  You can just ride the BART train pretty much anywhere.  Sigh...I'm really jealous.  Have a terrific time!!!