Best way to show San Francisco to a first time visitor?

Show: Bottom of the Hill, The Fillmore, The Midway, or The Independent

Hikes: Marin Headlands

Views: Baker Beach

Food: Yummy Yummy (vietnamese), San Wang Restaurant (Chinese), State Bird Provisions (american), Taqueria Cancun (mexican)

Check out the Marin Headlands.  It's not super touristy, but you get an amazing view of San Francisco, can hike amongst the ruins of an old military bunkers, and get a good overview of natural beauty north of San Francisco.  Take 101 North, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, take the 2nd exit (right after the visitor center exit), hang a left, and keep going uphill.

16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project - combines city hiking + awesome views from the top - a 180+ degree of the Pacific ocean. 

Greenwich Steps - another cool place to hike in the city. The views are equally awesome and you get to see the other side of the city. 

Smitten Ice Cream - made-to-order ice-cream :) 

Ariake - locals sushi place - always fresh fish. You may find it a bit pricey but it's worth it once you taste their fish. 

In any city, even my own, I love a good hop on, hop off bus. A friend and I did the one in SFO and had a blast.

Hey Valerie, I would def check out Angel Island State Park for an amazing hike. Off season the ferries don't run that often but it's worth the planning. Also, it may sound a bit odd but see if you can get a tour of the Excelsior Branch Library. My first trip to SF was on biz & I happened to meet a local who was so friendly & happened to be a docent at the library and gave me a tour, it was fascinating. So there's my 2 cents!

Hey Valerie,

This sounds like so much fun!

I'd start the day with a hike at Lands End (good views of the Golden Gate bridge without hoards of tourists) where you can also check out the Eagle Point Labyrinth . After, visit Ocean Beach and see the Sutro Baths . You have a choice of good food options nearby, so hit up Judahlicious for an acai bowl (you can take 'em to go, too!) or Java Beach Cafe .  Other cool sights in the area include Tile steps and Grand View Park .

After, you can visit Golden Gate Park or stroll along Haight St . Haight-Ashbury is always cool to see, and not as touristy as one might imagine.

If you have time, venture to a walkable neighborhood. North Beach (California) , Hayes Valley , Mission District or Marina District are all good picks, and each offers something different:

• North Beach: City Lights Bookstore , Jack Kerouac Alley , Washington Square Park
• Hayes Valley: great shops + Smitten Ice Cream :D
• Mission District: Dolores Park , Bi-Rite Creamery + Valencia St (for food, try Craftsman and Wolves or Papalote , the best burrito in SF!). You can also check out the street art along 24th Street
• Marina: tons of boutiques, close to Crissy Field and the Marina Green Park . Grab coffee at Le Marais Bistro and Bakery and a piece of celebration cake at SusieCakes :)

Hope you gals have a great time!

The Inner Sunset District  is a good place to go if you want to avoid the touristy spots. It is a very cool neighborhood. I recommend eating at Peasant Pies there! And you will be right by Ocean Beach, which is gorgeous!

Lands End (Hike)

Muir Woods (Hike) Lots of Redwoods here

Sausalito / Tiburon (Nice drive)

Bike on Golden Gate Bridge (touristy)

Napa / Sonoma: Plan to visit two wineries per day.

Mission district / Valencia street between 14th and 24th st.

Ferry Building for good food 

Grab breakfast Saturday at the Ferry Terminal farmer's market. Try the Primavera Mexican food where they make the tortillas right before your eyes. Then take a ferry to Angel Island, hike to the top and take in the views of San Francisco, Berkeley, and Marin County.