Ferry Building, Farmer's Market and More

Ferry Building and Farmer's Market – On Saturdays the Farmer’s Market takes place at the Ferry Building. Just grab the F street car to get there. If you love food, you'll love this place. Great food-related shops inside, even when there is no Farmer’s Market. Be sure to check out Sur La Table. There is also a great variety of coffee, cheese, chocolate, meats and other food item shops inside. Enjoy a Dungeness crab breakfast burrito as the San Francisco Seafood Market. Then take a nice stroll behind the Ferry Building overlooking the bay. The best views of the Bay Bridge are from here. The bridge is especially beautiful at sunset. Just as nice as the Golden Gate Bridge, only silver instead of red.  

Fisherman's Wharf – Get back on the F car and continue along the Embarcadero to the Wharf. Plenty of places to eat here. Enjoy a Dungeness crab soup in bread bowls at one of the many restaurants along the Wharf, or stop by the Boudin Bakery to partake in some wine tasting and bread. Better yet, pick up a baguette of sour dough and a nice bottle of wine to enjoy later in the evening.

Hyde Street Pier – As you continue walking along the Wharf, you'll eventually run into Hyde Street Pier. This pier is lined with a lot of old boats and offers great views of both Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge.

Ghirardelli Square – Just a couple of blocks from Hyde Street Pier, this neat little plaza has lots of shops and restaurants. There is a Ghirardelli ice cream place recommended in the Frommer's travel book, but the lines can be long. However, just around the corner is a Lori's Dinner. This cool 50's style dinner has the best ice cream sundaes! Try the Lori's Super Sundae.

Russia and Nob Hill via Cable Car or Walk – Near Ghirardelli Square is the other end of the Powell-Hyde cable car line. This hub had extremely long lines, but worth the wait. The walk back to Market Street is extremely long, and goes up and down the steep Russia and Nob Hills. But if you can handle the hills, it is a scenic walk. If you’re not up for the hills, wait for the next cable car.

Lombard Street – Along the Powell-Hyde cable car line, you can also stop and check out Lombard Street. This brick paved street is one block down a steep hill, with lots of switchbacks. The street is lined with beautiful private residences. I have no idea how they get in and out of their homes on the weekends as the street is packed with tourists both walking and driving the street. Go on a weekday if you can. It is a lot less crowded, so you can get better pictures without a lot of other tourists in them.