Ooh, thanks for this. We are going to SF in June for the second time -- last time was about 6 years ago -- so I'll be paying attention to the responses you get!

My best friend lives in SF, and I usually go once a year. Restaurants I like are Michael Mina, Quince, and Boulevard. Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley is legendary, and its reputation worth it every time I have been there.

Love Golden Gate park, so much to do there. Alcatraz is interesting if you haven't been there, and of course Napa is just a short drive away. There are always fun things to do in SF. Have fun!

A must for me in San Francisco is Sam Wo in Chinatown. Definitely not fine dining, but a SF institution.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sam Wo on Yelp

After watching a recent Anthony Bourdain, have to try to get into Swan Oyster Bar. I'm going for a conference in June, so hoping DH is able to come along with me.

Lots of gourmet treats in the Ferry Building, including some nice places to sit with a glass of wine, a little seafood, and watch boats and people come and go.

Are you ice-cream people?
I have read that this place is wild:
Humphry Slocombe.

Check out the flavors!

Here is a link that might be useful: ice cream place

Thanks! Has anyone been to Sutro's in Cliff House?

What sort of restaurants are you looking for? Hip and foodie-oriented? Or more casual? On the casual side, my suggestion is Henry's Hunan Restaurant (three locations in the city, but I can only vouch for the one on Sansome, near the Embarcadero). DH and I found this place years ago when we were both in grad school, and we went all the time. Still go every two years on a pilgrimage when visiting family for Thanksgiving! It is absolutely food nirvana, but it's also the spiciest chinese food you'll ever have. Get Marty's special if you go--it's the best.

As for things to do, I second the suggestion of strolling the stalls at the Ferry building. I also like visiting the old Mint, and my favorite GG Park place is the Steinhart Aquarium within the California Academy of Sciences.

My daughter had a summer internship in SF and we ate at the Cliff House when I was visiting her. I remember that it was good. Unfortunately, it was pretty foggy the day we were there, so we weren't able to really enjoy the view.

We love to eat - especially Mediterranean e.g. Italian, Greek, middle eastern. Also love Indian food, Thai, Korean, and Chinese. That said, our peculiarities rule us out as foodies. While we are not vegetarians, we're getting there -- the only animals we eat are chicken, turkey, and fish.

As you might expect from someone on this forum, I really enjoy restaurants with great view, or great decor, or great atmosphere. Would LOVE to go to an elegant, excellent Chinese restaurant, as there are slim pickings where we live.

Thanks again for the tips -- I'll be printing this out before we go. The last time I asked for recommendations, two of the restaurants suggested were absolutely fabulous!

Since you mentioned Thai and great atmosphere, you might try Khan Toke Thai House. It's in the Richmond district, and it's a beautiful, ornate place with excellent food. You have to take off your shoes, and the tables are sunken down with pillows around. It looks like you have to sit on your knees, but there is actually a well underneath the table so you are sitting normally, albeit on cushions. It's a popular "special occasion" restaurant.

Oh I miss SF so much.... I haven't lived there in more than fifteen years, so I am a bit nervous to give recommendations, but will go ahead and give a few anyway. There is a classic old SF restaurant, The Tadich Grill, which is terrific. I used to really enjoy MacArthur's Park. Bardellis. Go to Trip Advisor -it is always my GO TO when I travel, and I am rarely disappointed. I wish I could remember the name of the place I loved in Chinatown -but that is a great place to walk around, shop and nosh too!

Great idea to stay in Berkeley -it will definitely be warmer there. Will you have a car? There are some great hikes in the Berkeley/East Bay area, around Mt. Diablo, etc.

Another fun thing to do is to rent bikes (look in the Marina District in SF), ride across the GG Bridge and back, or ride into Sausalito, and then take the bikes back on the ferry (check to make sure you can still do this). The Alta Mira is a wonderful choice for lunch in Sausalito particularly on a pretty day. You can sit outside and look all across the bay. Also north of the GG bridge you will find a nice little hike with redwoods in Muir Woods. A more adventurous hike would be through Tennessee Vallee/ Mt. Tamalpais -ending at Stinson Beach.

GG Park, particularly on Sundays, when a section is closed to cars, is fantastic for people watching. There's lots to do there -museams, outside stuff, etc.

Have a GREAT time!

Darn, Bestyears... Both Bardellis and MacArthur's Park have closed. Too bad because your suggestions were right up our alley -- we did Alta Mira in Sausalito and hiked Muir Woods too. I'll definitely look into the Mt. Tamalpaid area too. Thanks!

Bardellis closed?!?!? That was an oldddddd place! I had my wedding reception on the veranda at Alta Mira -on a gorgeous March day! Don't forget to look at Trip Advisor...