What are some touristy things to do in San Francisco?

We rented bikes and rode across the olden Gate then took the ferry back to San Francisco. It was a blast and the WX in October should be great for a ride.

there is no rail system across the GG bridge. But there are plenty of Bike Rental shops that will rent you a bike to ride across the bridge and then to Sausalito, where you can take the ferry back to SF.

I try to get out of town guests to Coit Tower – great views! and the Mission District for Mexican food.

Good move. You don’t need a car. San Fran might have the best Pubic Transportation in the country.

I would make sure you go to Chine and get some food.

Go to Chinatown and shop and eat. Take the Ghirardelli Square tour at Pier 39. Ride the cable car (perhaps from Fisherman’s Warf to Chinatown). Check out Union Square. Just pick a direction and walk a ways and just see the city.

Ride the cable cars
Have dim-sum lunch in Chinatown
http://blog.framedance.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/dim_sum.jpeg
Visit Coit tower
http://redandwhitesf.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/coittower04.jpg
Walk down Lombard street
http://www.visitingdc.com/images/lombard-street-picture.jpg
Visit Fisherman’s wharf
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Dungeness_Crab_Fishermans_Wharf.jpg
Visit Ghiradelli square
http://www.nmgastronome.com/usa/specialty/images/Ghirardelli01.jpg
Visit Alcatraz prison
Take a boat to Tiburon, have dinner at Guaymas Mexican restaurant with a view of the SF skyline reflecting on the water
Drive to Napa Valley to tour the wineries, stop at Muir Woods on the way to see the giant redwoods

Be sure to ride them trams at least once there soo cool! Also take the fairy around alcatraz. We did and it was totally worth the money to go see it. There is also a 9 story mall in SF if the weather goes bad I would reccomend a day there its pretty neat

Bring a jacket.

Key movies to see before your trip!
– Bullitt (1968)
– The Conversation (1974) St. Francis/Union Square
– Dirty Harry (1971)

Buff up on Victorian architecture before you go (Stick, Italianate, Queen Anne, etc.) Then bike all around Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, and Alamo Square to identify them.

It’s in April, but the best event I’ve ever been to in San Francisco? Yeah, BYOBW! Favorite rider?: A guy sitting on a little mini SUV, with a long blonde wig, center lane, going very slowly, while talking animated on a cell phone.

I’m always mesmerized by The Palace Of Fine Arts; like some ancient ruins. Some prefer Golden Gate Park.

Also an Anchor Brewing tour, if you appreciate beer making.

Views? I guess The Carnelian Room is closed. Too bad. Maybe Top Of The Mark is best now, unless something new has opened in the old spot.

Bars? Back in the day it was all about “The Triangle” in The Marina, or looking for good jazz/blues (The Boom Boom Room). Or The Final Final, Liverpool Lil’s, Ha-RAs, Sam’s (on Geary), Gold Coast, City Tavern, Royal Oak, etc. etc., and trying to avoid places like “The White Swallow”.

Although not gay, I’m gay for San Francisco. It’s a frickin’ great city.

check out the haight & ashbury neighborhood. and see the new disney museum. its super cool

Dine at the Cliff house. Both the seafood and views are great.

Don’t forget to visit Fluther headquarters.

If you stumble upon Home Plate one morning, they have fantastic breakfast:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60713-d373595-Reviews-Home_Plate-San_Francisco_California.html

Great ideas by everyone else, above.

After visiting San Francisco many times over the years, I finally decided to take the Grand city + Alcatraz Tour, and I was very glad I did. The bus driver was very knowledgeable and the bus was comfortable and restful to ride.

Ride the cable car all the way to the end of the line, which is at water’s edge, graze on seafood at the various stands, or find any restaurant with a few of the water and eat like there’s no tomorrow. Be sure to order lots of sour dough bread and butter.

Running down Castro Street in a speedo, wait, that was the result of the loss of a bet on my part.

If you happen to be there on the 31st you’ve got to hit the Castro.