Hotel accommodations
Fairmont San Francisco
Atop Nob Hill, San Francisco, California 94108
Please request the Perry-Augustine Wedding for the reduced room rate.
Renaissance
The Stanford Court Hotel
905 California Street
Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA 94108
Please request the Perry-Augustine Wedding for the reduced room rate.
Lodging
Fairmont San Francisco
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco
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Attire or other information
This is a formal event. Black tie is optional.
Things to do in the area
The truth is, there is no shortage of things to do in San Francisco. It really depends on your mood and appetite for adventure! Please plan on doing at least one or two of the following:
1) Alcatraz Island, located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the area. One of the most infamous prisons in the country for housing notorious criminals, Alcatraz holds much history that will interest buffs and novices alike. No longer housing prisoners and managed by the National Park Service, Alcatraz allows tourists to visit by the boatload. Alcatraz was used as a federal maximum security prison from 1934 until 1963, when it was closed due to high costs and security issues.
The tour is open 7 days a week. Anyone intending to visit Alcatraz should book tickets online in advance from the official website, www.alcatrazcruises.com. Tours can book up several days in advance, but it is easy to go online to purchase and print tickets. (Reservations are taken 90 days in advance.) With tickets in hand, proceed directly to Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing on San Francisco's Embarcadero. Plan on arriving 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. The only line you need to stand in is the boarding line for your tour. No printer, no problem. Purchase tickets online and write down your confirmation number. Arrive at Pier 33 a bit earlier than the requested 30 minutes and go directly to Will Call. Bring your confirmation number and photo ID to pick up the tickets.
2) Fisherman's Wharf/Pier 39
The destination for all things seafood. Matt and I have fond memories of seafood breakfast and having clam chowder on a chilly morning is sure to get you going! The seals will often hang out on the rocks and there is lots of shopping and sightseeing to do.
www.goldengate.org/multimedia/index.php
3) Ferry Building Marketplace - A city landmark transformed into a gourmet food emporium and farmers market.
www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
4) Golden Gate Bridge/ Lands End:
The Golden Gate Bridge
is not the oldest suspension bridge nor the newest. It is no longer the tallest or the highest. Yet it remains the most visited and photographed bridge in the world. If you are able to visit the bridge, you can take a walking tour to help understand why the bridge is so compelling to so many people and why it was so difficult to build. Parking is free at the GGNRA lots on the east and west sides of the bridge visitors center on Lincoln Blvd. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the great views and a jacket as it is always pretty brisk to very windy.
You can also ride a bike both ways. Some people ride just one way, go to Sausalito, and then return to San Francisco via the ferry.
There is nothing quite like the views from the Golden Gate Bridge. No matter how you cross - by bike or on foot, it could be one of your top memories of your visit to San Francisco
www.goldengate.org/multimedia/index.php
5) Chinatown-the largest Chinatown outside of Asia!
My family and I have been going to Chinatown for ages for some authentic Chinese food. You are likely to see all sorts of things hanging in the windows and some strange herbal stores. It's all fun and there is a lot of fun shopping. Also, make sure to stop by the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. It's a serious hole in the wall, but they make fresh fortune cookies and you get to sample!
www.sanfranciscochinatown.com
These are just sample ideas to get started. If you want to get out of the city and explore, there are many more things to do! Napa and Sonoma wine valleys are only about 1-2 hours north. The Muir Redwoods are about 45 minutes driving and Sausalito is just over the bridge! Let us know if you want any further information. Happy Sightseeing! And, bring our walking shoes. San Francisco is a very walkable city and has loads of public transportation opportunities. Cable cars are still alive and well and you and you can take one to Fisherman's Wharf. Also, BART and MUNI are very accessible and efficient. If you are planning on using either please check out their websites.
www.bart.gov www.sfmta.com www.sfcablecar.com
Additional information
The Cliff House has plentiful parking and it's free! A real rarity in the city of San Francisco. The parking lots are not overnight so please plan ahead. For those who will imbibe, taxis are probably the best course of action. We will be providing a shuttle for our guests after the wedding reception so everyone makes it back safely. The shuttle will be dropping off all guests who are staying at either the Fairmont or the Renaissance Stanford Court.
More info to come on this!!