by Ben Frayser

Created on: October 17, 2008   Last Updated: July 25, 2011

I left my heart (and much of my wallet)

I'm generally a walker, and not so much a buyer, but I gotta tell you: when you go to San Francisco (and don't make that an "if"), go with green. There is so much. Not just to do, but to see and definitely to buy.

Lunch at the wharf or Chinatown or Russian Hill or downtown or wait, the Hard Rock. Wander until you're too tired. Take the trolley. Buy sandwiches and stand at the observation deck to watch the seals (sea lions to people who know their animals). Don't even think about walking up the streets unless you are used to steep terrain. Take the bus.

If you manage to leave the market area without spending a month's work, you're a better shopper than I. My personal favorite is the Russian store with the Christmas ornaments and matrushkas, but you might really love all the charm kiosks.

But this article is about the top five sightseeing spots. If you can limit it to these five, good for you! If you're like me (and I know I am), you'll limit it the first time and be back for more.

The crookedest street in the world gets more than its share of lookers. It's not just the street itself that slows the cars down. I have to say, I have stood in the middle and took a picture myself. The park it starts at is pretty nice to sit down for awhile in as well.

Fisherman's Wharf. I'm going to tell you that I am all about variety. I have eaten a different place every time I've been to SF (and I love visiting) and I have yet to be disappointed. Maybe it's because I just really enjoy it there and maybe it's because it's really that wonderful, but the food has never left me wanting. There are a couple truly noteworthy restaurants at Pier 39 and even more just up from there as you walk to the market areas. The seafood is just the way I like it (real, fresh and real fresh). You can't go wrong.

More than just stuff to stuff your face with, there are stores that are a delight to walk through and narrow paths with overfilled bustle. There are robot guys and panhandlers and people who look like they should. I always realize what a hick I am when I'm just turning around and around saying "whoa".

The bridges of Marin County. Enter the city by way of the Bay Bridge. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge while you are there. Go back and forth. These bridges are awesome. No other way to put that.

Chinatown. Try all the restaurants , one or two at a time. I only like Chinese food if it's really good and this is the really good stuff. One of the restaurants has a Kung Pao shrimp that would make me fly back just to eat it. Walking the streets is an adventure and driving it takes nerve.

Alcatraz. If you've never had a relative you had to visit here, you've gotta appreciate this. The tour involves a boat trip and that alone would make this most people's number one attraction. The ride out into the harbor is truly spectacular. Not just the mountain vista, but the man made structures all around. Wow! Then you step out onto a rock of history and wonder. There's a reason there have been so many movies made here. If you get a chance to take the Coast Guard tour, do it.

There's my five list. I know, I know, I stuck plugs in for a few extras, but you can't go to San Francisco without having more than five or ten favorites. You can put on blinders and have just a few things to do the first time or three (you can't just go once), but there's going to be more and more as you go again and again. Face it. Deal with it. Keep coming back.

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