I'm coming to visit SF for the first time next week Fri - Tue, and I have some specific suggestions I would like to get from this community. I'll be staying near downtown area without a rental car. So I wont be able to wonder too far out. This is what I'm looking for.

1.)Chinatown - Popular dim sum place?

2.)Any car accessory shops. I can't really bring back wheels or body kits, but shops like the one in Japan that sells all kinds of car accessories from air fresheners to shift knob (and I'm not talking about Pepboys).

3.)Alcatraz tour/Japan town - worth going or a tourist trap?

4.)Any events happening - Obviously, I'll be missing the Formual D

5.)Best Beaches to go or scenic view for driving off the beaches - I'll probably try to get a rental car for one day out of my visit, since I like to see the famous Milpitas meet.

6.)Finally, where NOT to go when the sun goes down?

I already got some of the places to go eat from the sticky thread. Any other suggestions or opinions, feel free to throw it in. Thanks mucho in advance!!

 

2.) i would suggest going to japantown. there's a store in the center that sells shift knobs, air freshners and a bunch of random stuff. keep in mind, it's a small store, but at least it's JDM stuff.

5.) you definately need to visit our milpitas meet.

 

6. Possibly hunters point?

 

golden mountain on broadway in chinatown is a good place for dim sum. and def visit jtown

 

1) not sure if it offers dim sum but my fav. chinese restaurant in the city is R&G Lounge right in chinatown. a dim sum place about 15 mins outside of the city is Koi Palace in Daly City. it's pretty expensive and there's always a huge wait, but i think it's worth it.

 

be sure to visit the tenderloin district

 

There's some good clubs tucked in there, but otherwise. . .

 

Golden mountain in Chinatown,Koi Palace on the day i have the rental car. Got it

I did a quick search, and its a ship/naval yard of some kind?

 

There isn't really a "good" dim sum restaurant in Chinatown, but if you must dine there then Gold Mountain (pronounced 'gum saan' in Cantonese) on Broadway or New Asia on Pacific Ave.

Koi Palace is good, but it is very expensive.

 

Yep, and the neighborhood around it has the highest homicide rates in the Bay Area.

If you've got the S, driving the GG Bridge and driving some of the coast (either north or south) is great!