Tips & Advice

General:

• We'd advise staying in San Francisco at the end of your holiday rather than at the beginning - it makes leaving the slopes a lot easier as you've got something to look forward to, and by the time you return you'll be over the jet lag and able to make the most of all San Fran has to offer.
• Ideally get a morning flight from the UK - you then arrive in San Fran still within UK waking hours, which makes the drive to Lake Tahoe easier.

Dining:

• If  staying at the Hotel Adagio, there's a great place for breakfast called 'Dottie's True Blue Café'  just around the corner - ask reception to point you in the right direction.  It's a Southern diner with heart and soul - one of the biggest and best breakfasts you'll find. We advise getting there early before the queues build up, it's really popular. 522 Jones St, 855-2767
• For fantastic steaks in an elegant setting, try 'Harris's' steakhouse  - absolutely fabulous and reasonable prices. 2100 Van Ness Ave. (at Pacific), Phone: 415-673-1888 www.harrisrestaurant.com. 'Mortons Steakhouse' also comes highly recommended, just near Union Square - 400 Post St, Phone: 415-986-5830
• We advise getting away from the touristy Fisherman's Wharf restaurants (good food but more expensive) and instead try the 'Hyde Street Seafood House and Raw Bar' at Nob Hill for fantastic seafood at excellent prices - it was recommended to us by a taxi driver and was amazing, though they don't have heating so take a jumper. 1509 Hyde St (at Jackson St), Phone (415) 931-3474

Shopping:

• If shopping at Macy's at Union Square, make sure that you ask about the 11% discount that they give to international customers. 

Sightseeing:

• Of course you've got to visit Alcatraz whilst you're in San Fran.  You definitely need to book this in advance as it's very popular, and we recommend you do the evening tour leaving at 4.30pm - it's generally less misty, you're on the boat as the sun is setting and the tour is slightly longer.
• The open top tour buses are a really convenient way to see as many of the sites much as you can in a  short amount of time.  There are a couple of different bus companies but all with the same idea - you pay approx $26 for a ticket that is valid for 3 days and the buses go to all the main city sights on a circuit.  You just jump off at a place that you're interested in and then catch another of the buses once you're ready. You can pay for your ticket on the bus - your hotel will be able to tell you where the nearest stop to you is.
• The Golden Gate Park is well worth a visit and we can recommend tea in the stunning Japanese gardens - entry is approx $5.
• Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest Asian community outside the Orient and is a must see.  The best time to go is before 8am - it wakes up early and you'll see merchants sweeping the nights litter from the streets and delivieries of tangerines, hairy melons and mustard greens being pushed around in ladened carts.  Try amazingly cheap and delicious dim sum in one of the many cafés/ restaurants.
• Golden Gate Bridge - avoid the crowds and visit this in the late afternoon.  The bridge's pedestrian walkway is open from 6am - 9pm and there is a viewing spot on the far side that is great for taking photos.  Many people choose to hire a bike (can hire from Pier 13) and cycle over.

Furtherafield:

• On your way to or back from Lake Tahoe, going via one of the nearby vineyards is a great option.  Napa valley is one of the better known, just north of San Fran - we advise going to the Napa Valley visitors bureau (signposted once you enter Napa) for advice on the vineyards to visit (they sometimes also have vouchers for free tastings), alternatively you can research where you'd like to go in advance.  We can recommend the Black Stallion winery as worth a visit and the V Sattui winery where there's a fabulous Italian deli and you can picnic in the gardens.
• Drive down the coast to Santa Cruz - the coastline is absolutely stunning!

Driving in San Francisco:

• If driving out of San Francisco and there's more than 1 of you in the car, make sure you use the outside car pool lane, it's a lot quicker.
• If driving around San Francisco, be aware that there are a lot of one way streets, so make sure you're know which direction you need to be approaching your hotel.  There will be parking charges at the hotels - you could ask your concierge if there is any nearby public parking that might be cheaper, though it won't be as convenient.