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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
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hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
When I travel, I like to experience the authenticity by seeing the non toursity spots along with a small mix of tourist ones. I love to just wander around a neigborhood and discover shops, restaurants etc.
DH & I are going to SF this month and he wants to do a hop on hop off tour. After getting over the initial embarrasment of actually being on one of those tours, I'm still not crazy about the idea. I know they usually visit all the important places, but I was planning on taking a cable car or other transportation to the major areas and wander around.
DH is insisting this is the way we should see the city (we only have 1.5 days) but I feel like we will lose the feel for the city.
Thoughts on these tours or SF specifically? TIA
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Posted 2/8/11 9:04 PM  |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
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Jess
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
I've been on one those tours before, and I actually liked it enough that the next time I was there with my family, I went on it again! Touristy, yes - but it's a nice way to see a lot of things - both the typical "highlights" as well as some places you might not have thought to visit on your own, and learn something about the city. And depending on how long you want to hang out at a particular stop (if at all!), they don't have to take all day.
If you choose to do it, since you have so little time there, I'd recommend going on the tour right away once you get there, so then afterwards you can still pick a favorite spot and walk around and get the feel of the city like you want. San Fran has so many different neighborhoods - it might even help you decide where you want to go exploring later in the day.
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| Posted 2/9/11 1:09 PM |
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Blazesyth
*yawn*
Member since 5/05 8129 total posts
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
We have done them in a few cities. I like them. I feel you learn more little details about the city and of course you have easy transportation all over the place.
Usually we'll do a full loop once, staying on at every stop so we get the view of the whole city - and then pick out which places look interesting to us and then get off the next time at that stop.
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| Posted 2/9/11 1:26 PM |
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allikat
LIF Infant
Member since 5/06 283 total posts
Name:
Alli
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
Honestly, I just loved walking around and exploring San Fran. There's a lot to do there, however it's not a huge city. You only have 1.5 days, so I'm sure you already know you're not going to be able to see it all. And their public transportation is part of the charm there.
IMO, forget the hop on/hop off.
I would do research before you go, see what interests you the most, and hit those places.
You will love SF! 
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| Posted 2/9/11 5:32 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
I've never done one of those.
Cabs, cable cars & public busses were easy enough to deal with.
It's not as "landmarky" as NYC-where you'd want to get on the bus to go the the empire state building, then down the statue of liberty, etc.
I'd plot out what you want to do & see if transportation is easy between those areas. I think on a bus I'd feel like I was wasting time, bit taking the most direct route of there was stuff it went to that I wasn't intersted in.
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| Posted 2/11/11 5:58 PM |
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justbeachy
So close....
Member since 7/07 2900 total posts
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
I totttttttttally recommend doing this:
Go Car
My DH and I did this in San Fran and had a BLAST! It's a self-guided (hooked up to GPS) car tour and its SO fun! Especially going down that windy street (can't remember the name....?)
It has a tour built into the car and you get to go wherever you want. Stop for food, etc.
Best way to travel San Fran!
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| Posted 2/13/11 11:28 AM |
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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
Name:
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
Posted by SupaBonBon
I totttttttttally recommend doing this:
Go Car
My DH and I did this in San Fran and had a BLAST! It's a self-guided (hooked up to GPS) car tour and its SO fun! Especially going down that windy street (can't remember the name....?)
It has a tour built into the car and you get to go wherever you want. Stop for food, etc.
Best way to travel San Fran!
this looks like so much fun!! DH said he'd be embarassed to drive in it though- im going to try to talk him into it...
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| Posted 2/13/11 9:55 PM |
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charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
We just used the trolley system to get around the city. I think we took a cab back to the hotel once or twice (we stayed by the Ferry Building). We did rent a car two days so we could drive out of the city (Napa, the Muir Woods, up and down the coast a bit).
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| Posted 2/14/11 1:15 PM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
Posted by SupaBonBon
I totttttttttally recommend doing this:
Go Car
My DH and I did this in San Fran and had a BLAST! It's a self-guided (hooked up to GPS) car tour and its SO fun! Especially going down that windy street (can't remember the name....?)
It has a tour built into the car and you get to go wherever you want. Stop for food, etc.
Best way to travel San Fran!
That's awesome! Now I kinda want to do that in Barcelonoa, but I am a little afraid of real cars running us over.
They have it in San Diego too, but that would make me nervous. There was a lot of trafic & a lot SUVs when I was there.
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| Posted 2/14/11 4:11 PM |
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Re: hop on hop off tours? loosely San Fran related
I went to Washington DC recently, the hop on-hop-off tour there had a night tour - it was about 1 1/2 hours. Maybe you can take that to get a feel for the city then explore the areas that interest you on your own?
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| Posted 2/15/11 10:41 AM |
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