My Dad and sister joined us in San Francisco for Christmas this year. Eric and I had a blast exploring the city with my family for the week, (with the exception of Pier 39… I had forgotten what a madhouse that place is).

Here’s a pretty extensive list of the things we saw, places we visited, and spots where we dined. My father-in-law is coming out in February, and we’re hoping to hit a few of these spots again, and add some new ones to the list.

Christmas in San Francisco, 2009:

Alamo Square · Harry Street Stairs · The Front Porch · Chinatown · Union Square · Coit Tower · Filbert Street Steps · Fort Point · Marin Headlands · Muir Woods · Biking on the Embarcadero and all over town · South Beach Cafe · LoveJoy’s Tea Room · Higher Grounds Coffee · Henry’s Hunan · Mission Dolores Park · Toast Eatery on 24th · Glen Canyon Park · Mitchell’s Ice Cream · Panta Rei · Pier 39 · Scooter rides and Beetle rides around the city · Geocaching in Noe Valley, Diamond Heights, and Billy Goat Hill Park · The Little Chihuahua · 24th Street shops in Noe Valley

Alcatraz Island

View of downtown San Francisco from Alcatraz Island

Bay Bridge from Alcatraz tour boat

Dad at Bernal Heights hill

Golden Gate Bridge – photo by my husband, Eric