Info on San Francisco please

[Gingee]

I am going to be there overnight on a cruise shortly. I have found some free tours but not familiar with the areas. Since we are on a cruise, I would like something close to the ship and safe. I am looking at the following tours:

 

1. Historic Market Street - Path of Gold

2. Pacific Heights Mansions (I think that may be far)

3. Historic Murals of Rincon Center

4. Castro: Tales of the Village

5. Palace Hotel

6. Chinatown

 

 

Or if anyone knows of any close to the terminal.

 

Also, we like ghost tours. Any close to the terminal?

 

Thanks

[CruiserBruce]

The Market Street toru is closest. However, I would say the China Town one is probably going to be the most interesting.

[nna]

all the tours are close by the ship except the castro and pacific heights mansions.

but sf is 7 miles by 7 miles. I could drive to the castro from the ship within 10-15 minutes...public transport would take about 10 minutes.

 

pacific heights mansions would be 15-20 minutes away. nothing is very far...so if you are only within sf...everything is very doable.

 

I wouldn't worry about time too much

[Gingee]

Oh bummer. I just saw that China tour is only on Monday and we have Alcatraz booked the same time (morning). Second choice?

[nna]

if you are interested in chinatown, you can just wander through it by yourself...it is just up the hill along grant Ave and Kearny streets (going north to south) check out the gate at Grant and Bush--2 blocks from union square.

 

eat at a place on a side street up stairs...there are many many choices. chinatown is really a small place. also walk up hill and check out St. Marys...on clay I think.

 

there must be other private alternatives.

[Gingee]

I have been in Chinatown in NYC. Is it any different? I was waiting to hear special stories and facts about the area.

[chinita415]

Superficially the two Chinatowns are similar in appearances. But in SF, you will hear more about stories related to the Gold Rush, the 1906 earthquake, the bachelor society and hotels, Angel Island etc.

 

This is not free, but reasonable:

http://www.c-c-c.org/act/walk.html

 

I am Chinese and was raised (though not born) in SF.

[Gingee]

Yes I love to hear the story of the area. I will check out the site.