Summer Vacation

[saitaina]

Mere and I are planning a summer trip to San Fran, California sometime this summer. No clue when though.

I used to live around there and can't think of anything to do besides driving out to the Winchester Mystery House (I've ALWAYS wanted to go there). Anyone from out there got any ideas? I want to do touristy stuff as well as not so touristy.

Comments

[lysimache.livejournal.com]

You should definitely go to Muir Woods, which is the redwood forest across the bay. It's super pretty, and very easy to get to, with tour companies and the like (or a rental car, which I don't know if you'll have). If you like ice cream, definitely go to Ghirardelli Square, which has *fabulous* chocolate sauce for their ice cream. Very, very, very good. If you wanted to go to the beach, Santa Cruz, about an hour down Highway 1 -- a *gorgeous* drive along the Pacific Coast -- has a very fun boardwalk and beaches. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, about another hour or so down 1, is definitely the best aquarium I've ever been to -- it has otters! So cute. Monterey, of course, is the Steinbeck town -- Cannery Row -- if you're into that sort of thing. Carmel, by Monterey, is a very cute little artists' colony, as is Sausalito, back up by SF. (Monterey and Carmel, again, are tour company destinations; that's the way my friend and I saw them last summer.)

[saitaina]

I've been to the aquarium and the beach (I grew up all over California and have probably spent time on every beach...things I miss most), but going again would be cool. Everything else is way new.

Thanks for the ideas! We're taking our own car (It's only a few hrs away) so we'll have our own transportation).

Oh, forgot, I'm also for SURE seeing Alcatraz. One of my life long goals.

[babychee.livejournal.com]

the redwood rainforest, alcatraz, the sea world thingy, the different piers have very touristy stores, and that hippy street...forget what it's called!! I don't live there...but it's like my favorite all time vacation spot.