I did the hopeless tourist thing about 9 years ago, so I don’t have much advice beyond that. But despite the crummy weather, Fisherman’s Wharf is a must. And so is the Ghiradelli chocolate factory.

Locals will have to help you out on the non-touristy stuff.

A couple of suggestions-

If you’ve never seen a redwood tree, the Muir Redwood grove is a very short drive north across the GG bridge. Redwoods are really a must see. Keep a sharp eye out for the banana slugs.

Spend a day down at Monterey and check out the acquarium, which has the only great white shark in captivity. Go see the sea otters. Go to Pacific Grove and check out the butterflies.

There is a funky old movie theater in Oakland that servies food and drink inside the theater with couches and tables. Sierra Nevada on tap. Yum Yum.

A couple months ago I did the business/hopeless tourist thingy. I do have to second Fisherman’s Wharf. There are many good fresh seafood restaurants to choose from, you can see some fantastic street artists at work, and don’t miss the sea lions chilling at pier 39.
Take the cable car from Powell street and it should end at Fisherman’s Wharf. It will stop by Chinatown and Lombard street so you can easily hop off and on if you choose to take a detour.

If you like shopping, there are some good shops on Powell and Union Square. (My personal favorite is the Urban Outfitters on Powell)

Try the Ferry Bldg., at the Emabrcadero BART stop. Lots of nice little shops and restaurants. There’s a bar with a great view of The Oakland Bay Bridge, with steamed clams, oysters, and Anchor Steam beer.
Try someplace for Dim Sum lunch, perhaps Canton or Yank Sing (both, strangely enough, NOT in Chinatown!).
Go for a walk in Golden Gate Park, or at Chrisy Field.

I was in San Francisco for Thanksgiving several years ago. The weather was dreary, but warmer than upstate New York. I recommend the Cable Car Museum (don’t remember the address) and the Musee Mechanique (on Fisherman’s Wharf but easy to miss) for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

I’d avoid Monterey simply because that area (including Santa Cruz) has enough attractions for its own long weekend. However, I second Drew’s idea of a quick drive to the Muir Woods…plus, the drive will take you over the Golden Gate Bridge.

As for neighborhoods, if you walk from your hotel (probably near downtown/Union Square) uphill through Chinatown and then down the other side towards Coit Tower and the Embarcadero, you’ll pass through Nob Hill and some other cool spots. On the way down, the neighborhood reminded me of the side streets of Bondi, in Sydney.

I spent 2 weeks there a couple of years ago and had a great time. Its a small city but has lots to offer, and the Bay Area in general can’t be beat. My suggestions

I would check out North Beach- restaurants, Coit Tower, the home of the Beat Generation. If you are into that type of literature, check out City Lights Bookstore and the Vesuvio Bar right across Columbus Ave-both are old haunts of Kerouac and Ginsburg and other Beat luminaries.

You should also check out Golden Gate Park. fantastic. Walk up/bus up Haight and enter there, but before going in check out Amoeba Records. A true music mecca. Haight is also fun to do some shopping.

Nightlife- I really dug the mission district (Valencia), it was recommended to us by a local we met at a bar while waiting to be seated for dinner. He was dead on and had a great there the two weekends I was there.

Outside if the city-if you will access to a car, i also suggest Muir Woods and then continue up Highway 1 to Muir Beach Overlook. Fantastic views…not only there but along the entire coastline. I also enjoyed the little town of Stinson Beach, a bit father north from Muir Beach Overlook and not far from Point Reyes.

Wine country is also quite fun if you have access to a car-i would go up Sonoma and down Napa Valley- more free/cheaper tastings in Sonoma Valley. Though if you head down Napa, be sure to stop at the Mondavi Winery and just take a peek around. It is truly beautiful.

HAVE FUN!!!!

I’m from the bay area, (and miss it so much) and would recommend that you take Bart to Berkeley, and walk around Telegraph Avenue, its best on a Saturday, there’s tons of street vendors selling their goods. Also, in Golden Gate Park, there’s a beautiful Japanese Tea Garden, to walk around, and its very fun, you can order tea, and they’ll bring you a plate of cookies and snacks.

Hey guys, thanks a lot for your input – the trip was great and I got to see a lot of stuff.

Ate a couple of great lunches in Berkeley, just off Telegraph Ave…shopped a lot on Telegraph…took the ferry from the ferry building to Sausalito, walked around, walked all the way from Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge…explored chrissy field a bit. Then made our way to Golden Gate Park and checked out the Japanese Tea Garden, snacked at a cute eatery around UCSF, took the Muni and then F streetcar to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 from the embarcadero. Enjoyed the shopping and Sea Lions.

Went out a lot around where the hostel was – North Beach. went on some pub crawl and have no clue what pubs I went into.

Walked around the hills and Coit tower…good advice Home Skillet.

Also shopped a lot in Chinatown and Union Square – and managed to sneak into SF Modern Museum of Art to see my fave Rivera and Kahlo paintings.

Ended eating dinner at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley with my friend, who had a coupon for the Paragon restaurant….great views of the Bay and setting sun.

Perfect 4 days…sunny and 60-65 for 3 of them!