Private Sightseeing Service for the San Francisco Bay Area
  • About
    • Afterglow, or Regret?
    • What Clients Say on Trip Advisor et. al.
  • Destinations
    • San Francisco Tours >
      • Full, or Half Day? Tour
      • SF Neighborhoods
      • Must-See Places
      • After Dark
    • Redwood Forests
    • Wine Country Tours >
      • Our First Time in Wine Country
      • ​Wine, After Redwoods
      • Wine After Noon
      • Bringing the Kids
      • Multi-Day Tours
    • California's Coast >
      • Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea
      • Big Sur
      • Multi-Day Tours for Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel
      • West Marin County, Pt Reyes
      • Mendocino, Anderson Valley
    • Silicon Valley
    • More Wine Country >
      • Napa Illuminated
      • Sonoma Savored
      • Russian River Wine Region
      • Teetotalers' Tour
      • Mainly Champagne
      • Foodies' Delight
      • Art Lovers' Wineries Tour
    • Tours for Groups (7+ People)
    • Hitchcock Movie Tours >
      • "Vertigo" Movie Tour
      • "The Birds," a Horror! Movie
      • Quintessentially San Francisco Movies
    • Un-Usual Itineraries >
      • More Unique Tours >
        • Down on the Farm
        • Hearst Castle Overnight
        • Yosemite Overnight
        • And More >
          • Antique Trains
      • Oakland & Berkeley
      • "High" Road Cannabis Tour
      • Filoli Estate
      • Santa Cruz
      • Way Off the Beaten Path
      • Staycations
  • COST$
  • Recommendations
    • Where to Stay?
    • Where to Eat?
    • A Perfect Week
    • Plan Ahead
    • The Fine Print
  • FAQ
    • Car Seats for Kids
  • Why Tour w/ Us?
  • Contact Us / Reserve Tours
  • About
    • Afterglow, or Regret?
    • What Clients Say on Trip Advisor et. al.
  • Destinations
    • San Francisco Tours >
      • Full, or Half Day? Tour
      • SF Neighborhoods
      • Must-See Places
      • After Dark
    • Redwood Forests
    • Wine Country Tours >
      • Our First Time in Wine Country
      • ​Wine, After Redwoods
      • Wine After Noon
      • Bringing the Kids
      • Multi-Day Tours
    • California's Coast >
      • Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea
      • Big Sur
      • Multi-Day Tours for Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel
      • West Marin County, Pt Reyes
      • Mendocino, Anderson Valley
    • Silicon Valley
    • More Wine Country >
      • Napa Illuminated
      • Sonoma Savored
      • Russian River Wine Region
      • Teetotalers' Tour
      • Mainly Champagne
      • Foodies' Delight
      • Art Lovers' Wineries Tour
    • Tours for Groups (7+ People)
    • Hitchcock Movie Tours >
      • "Vertigo" Movie Tour
      • "The Birds," a Horror! Movie
      • Quintessentially San Francisco Movies
    • Un-Usual Itineraries >
      • More Unique Tours >
        • Down on the Farm
        • Hearst Castle Overnight
        • Yosemite Overnight
        • And More >
          • Antique Trains
      • Oakland & Berkeley
      • "High" Road Cannabis Tour
      • Filoli Estate
      • Santa Cruz
      • Way Off the Beaten Path
      • Staycations
  • COST$
  • Recommendations
    • Where to Stay?
    • Where to Eat?
    • A Perfect Week
    • Plan Ahead
    • The Fine Print
  • FAQ
    • Car Seats for Kids
  • Why Tour w/ Us?
  • Contact Us / Reserve Tours

Create a Personal Itinerary

For consideration as you plan for your trip, including what to pack,
and perhaps experience new!​--massage, ballet, whale watching, the Tactile Dome at The Exploratorium.
 
What to Wear in Our Climate?
     The city of San Francisco has a mild, Mediterranean climate—little to moderate heat in spring and summer, occasional rain but no snow in "winter" (usually late November to late April). The region as a whole (Napa, Silicon Valley, Carmel, San Jose et. al.) is a mosaic of micro-climates whose particular features are determined by distance from the Pacific Ocean or the Bay, on which side of a hill you're walking, and by whether fog comes out to play.
      Visitors often find the city of San Francisco chilly! especially on its many windy days, and after sunset. Layered clothing almost always works best: light to medium-weight, long-sleeved casual shirts and blouses, full-length pants. Bring a nice sweater, hoodie or windbreaker too...and bring it with you when you go out for more than an hour or two. 
      Our tours assume that you are a reasonably fit pedestrian, although length and difficulty of walks are up to you; in any case, well broken-in shoes are highly recommended. If your mobility is limited, we will try our best to accommodate you through careful planning and a more leisurely itinerary; people in lightweight, foldable wheelchairs have enjoyed many tours with us. A collapsible umbrella, rain hat or light poncho is advisable for November through May. If you're in the habit of wearing sunglasses (or a sun visor), you'll want to bring them as well. For people ​particularly ​sensitive to cold, bring a coat to help preserve body heat in the evening, and when traveling over water or in a forest.
      How to dress for an evening out?  We're more informal than not. For men, a nice jacket or blazer will suffice at most upscale restaurants, the opera and symphony; blue jeans (invented by Levi Strauss in San Francisco) are acceptable most everywhere. For women, high-end venues welcome dressier evening wear if you're looking for somewhere to show it off.

Upon Arrival...
      Anyone traveling a significant distance to reach our area is advised not  to commit to a major pre-paid activity within 4-5 hours of his or her scheduled arrival time--your flight may be delayed due to fog...there may be traffic congestion coming in from the airport or across a bridge…you may just be tired from all the effort of getting here. What if you've settled into your hotel or friend's home but still have nervous energy? Start recovering from jet-lag and your long day by relaxing with activities that do not require reservations: ride the "little cable cars that climb halfway to the stars" (the Hyde Street line from the turnaround at Powell & Market, near Union Square, is the most scenic and popular)...they take you up Nob Hill thru Chinatown and down to Ghirardelli Square...try anything with fudge :-)  Never board or exit a cable car until it comes to a complete stop; do try to sit or stand in the open-air bench area, not the closed-in glass area. And never substitute a clever, "bucket list" photo op for safety.
      Walk over to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 where hundreds of amusing sea lions often hang out; appreciate views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge; make dinner of fresh crab from a street stand or clam chowder in sourdough bowls at Boudin's. Still not tired enough for bed? Take Lyft or a taxi to Coit Tower up on Telegraph Hill for its panoramic views of city lights and the Bay...take the next bus back down to the North Beach neighborhood. Back in your room, indulge in a great local wine or beer (or gelato), realizing that your wonder-full California vacation has already begun! 
​
Un-expected Events
      Yes, we do have earthquakes! here, but the probability of a significant tremblor occurring during your visit is miniscule. In the rare case that you do feel shaking, move away from anything that might fall on you, then wait for the moment to end seconds later...what a story to tell when you get back home!
      Unfortunately, wildfires and their smoke have become all too familiar here in our Golden State. We can't predict these outbreaks or their duration. A Friend in Town suggests that you pay attention to hotel and other vendors' cancellation policies, consider travel insurance, and generally be alert to activities and venues that may be affected. 

                            ________'Things to Do' in and around San Francisco_________
     
     
These are activities for which we suggest planning and/or reservations well in advance of your visit…especially if you intend to be here on any holiday weekend, or Spring Break through the Thanksgiving holiday. Be aware that with some guided  tours you gain access to a period Victorian home interior, the magnificent nave of Stanford's Memorial Church, or the most delicate murals at Coit Tower--places often closed to the general public. A Friend in Town can alert you of those possibilities once we know your particular interests.
      These time frames are approximations. A lucky visitor may find available tickets (or seating, an appointment, etc.) on the same day of a desired activity or event; but that would be the exception.


.............Activity or Event Description (Location), Planning Time Frame,Contact..............                                                                                       
Marrakech Magic Show (wonderful entertainment for the whole family), 2-3 weeks,
       sanfranciscomagictheater.com       
​The Ahwahnee Hotel (Yosemite National Park) possibly the most beautiful lodge in the
       nation--
room reservations available a year ahead for peak season...otherwise, several
      months ahead; or, The Lodge at Yosemite Falls (bigger rooms, more modern) 
                  
Alcatraz Island Tour (famous prison complex), tour reservations available 3 months in
      advance:  www.cityexperiences.com/san-francisco/city-cruises/alcatraz

Boulevard (Art Nouveau-style French restaurant, San Francisco), 2-3 weeks
Chez Panisse (Alice Waters' original "California Cuisine" restaurant, Berkeley, a month 
  
The French Laundry (French...Yountville in Napa Vly), Eight Tables (Chinese...SF Chinatown)
      top-rated
 haute cuisine restaurants $$$$. For Laundry, book exactly three months 
      prior to your preferred date.

San Francisco City Pass public transit, museum fees at a discount, buy on arrival
Massage/"mud bath" in Calistoga various spas (north end of Napa Valley) 3-4 weeks
     

Paramount Theater free Tour (one of best examples in the country of spectacular Art Deco-
      style movie palace), 1st & 3rd Saturdays A.M., or by arrangement 

San Francisco Ballet (one of the nation's best troupes), 1-2 months
San Francisco International Film Festival (first-run, first-rate, hard-to-find movies
​      ...some may never appear on Netflix), April/May...Also Film Noir, Frameline (LSGBT+), 
     Jewish, Arab American, Asian America...many more film festivals


San Francisco Opera (grand musical drama), 4-10 weeks
San Francisco Symphony...also Oakland Symphony (orchestral excellence), 1-2 months
SF Jazz Center, superb performance space, 1-8 weeks
Land's End serene 3-mile (round-trip) walking trail, mountain views, snack bar
     & bookstore featuring local natural attractions


The Exploratorium (an unique space for understanding science), one of the nation's most  
     creative science "museums,"
3-4 weeks for the sui generis Tactile Dome
Trapeze Arts classes & just fun (summer & weekends) Oakland & Sonoma, trapezearts.com
Local/Regional Theater: Berkeley Rep, the Aurora & The Marsh (among the best in the
     nation for classic and new/experimental  works) 
Berkeley & San Francisco), 3-4 weeks

Yoshi's (premier jazz club in Jack London Square, Oakland)
Whale-watching, 2-3 weeks (during migration season)
      oceanicsociety.org, sanfranciscowhaletours.com,  sfbaywhalewatching.com

      In the Bay Area, one of the best resources for finding fascinating activities in which to participate, or to watch, is the 
San Francisco Chronicle's e-Guide: www.sfgate.com. Check out our comedy clubs featuring both well-known and up-and-coming artists; find people to hike or bicycle with; be inspired by folk and flamenco dancers. We have several world-class art museums and places to expand your science knowledge. We're also famous... infamous? ...for our kinky and mainstream nightlife possibilities.
​

                           Come, enjoy your vacation of a lifetime!

​A Private Custom Sightseeing Service  for the San Francisco Bay Area

 E-Mail: tourpilot@outlook.com 
          Call! 1-510-455-6602
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