Hey txaggirl!
This is a link to a PDF of a nice (not too detailed) map of San Francsico which shows all the neighborhoods, streets and cable car/metro lines:
http://www.sfvisitor.org/maps/download/citymap.pdf
Here is a sample itinerary I figured out for you that includes many of the places mentioned in this thread so far including some other cool places. FYI Before 7am and after 9pm the cable cars are $1 each ride but between 7am and 9pm the price is $5 each each ride (!). The conductor (and I think ticket machines) can sell you a one-day cable car pass for $10 which is much better deal.
Here we go!
Saturday night check out the Embarcadero shops and restaurants as well as the fountain in Justin Herman Plaza and the Ferry Building. There should be a nice place to get dinner as well as several places for coffee and something sweet.
Sunday
Walk South one block from the Embarcadero to Califfornia Street and catch the
California Line Cable Car.
Get off on Grant St which is in the heart of
Chinatown. Check out the shops and cool buildings.
Walk three short blocks South on Grant Ave out through the
Chinatown Gateway to Sutter St. Turn left on Sutter and stop in
Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland (
http://www.teuschersf.com/ ) at 307 Sutter St. Buy some chocolate (if they are open).
Walk two blocks West to Powell and have breakfast at
Sears Fine Foods (
http://www.searsfinefood.com/ ) at 439 Powell Street. Be sure to check out the funny looking doormen across the street at the
St Francis Hotel
Walk one block South to
Union Square (the heart of the Shopping and Theater district). Check out Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Gump's, Macy's Bullock and Jones and Tiffany and Co. as well as a giant Levi's Store (that can sew customized jeans), a big Disney Store and a four story Williams Sonoma. There are also a lot of galleries and the
Fairmont Hotel which has the
Tonga Room (but it doesn't open until 5pm)
Walk one block South on Stockton to Market Street. There is a giant
Virgin Records Megastore here.
Walk one block SouthWest to Powell Street and the
CableCar Turn Around.
Blondie's Pizza is located here.
There maybe a line but catch the
Powell-Mason Cable Car and take it to
Fisherman's Wharf.
Check out the
crab pots and get a crab cocktail and
clam chowder in a sourdough bowl. Also check out The Musee Mechanque (
http://www.museemechanique.org/ ) just past the crab pots. There is also a WWII submarine and liberty ship at this location
Walk a 1-2 blocks East to Pier 41 and catch the Ferry to
Alcatraz (I suggest you buy your Alcatraz tickets days, if not weeks in advance). When you buy the Alcatraz tickets there should be an option for the self guided tour which is an audio device you wear that leads you around Alcatraz that includes audio from actual guards and inmates.
Upon returning to the Mainland, depending on the time, you can check out
Pier 39 one block East of Pier 41. It is pretty touristy but there are street preformers and "Picture with Freaks" and "Pictures with Tranvestites." There is a Merry-Go-Round. This is a good place to grab a quick bite and a nice view of the Bay and Alcatraz can be had from the end of the Pier. You can also see cruise ships at Pier 35 from here.
Next take a pedi-cab or walk down Jefferson Street to
Aquatic Park (about three or four blocks) the
Hyde Street Pier is here with historic sailing ships and paddle wheelers.
Ghiradelli Square, The Cannery and
The Buena Vista are at this location. Get some chocolate from Ghiradelli and an Irish Coffee from the Buena Vista. There is also a Cable Car turnaround here as well.
Take the
Powell-Hyde Cable Car . This will pass the bottom of the
Lombard Street, the Crookedest Street in the World
You can get off here and take some pictures or stay on the Cable Car and get off at either Union Square and go to the Tonga Room or the end-of-the-line at Market Street. Market Street can be pretty unsavory at night but you can catch the MUNI underground at Powell and take it North two stations to Embarcadero.
An option for dinner/nightlife (if you are not still at the Tonga Room) is to take a taxi to
North Beach and eat at one of the many great Italian Restarants there and maybe catch
BEACH BLANKET BABYLON (
http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com ). You will need to get tickets in advance as it is usually sold out and I don't think they have a late showing on Sunday so you may want to see the 10pm showing on Saturday Night.
Well that is all I have right now for you. I'm sure people here will chime in with other suggestions and comments. There is so much to do and see in San Francisco it is hard to do in one day but it is a beautiful City with lots of great nieghborhoods, parks and places to eat.
