Blake's outdated guide to San Francisco. If you could travel back in time to 1997, this would be an awesome list of things to do, places to see, and restaurants to try. My wife and I lived in San Francisco from 1994-1998, and in the Bay Area until 2013.
Best to use public transit or walking as much as possible. A car is a huge headache to deal with.
See/Eat/Experience:
Coit Tower, Pier 39 {Boudin Clam chowder sourdough bowl}, Alcatraz
North Beach/Telegraph Hill Parrots, Filbert Steps, Washington Square Park, St. Peter and Paul
Golden Gate Park (LOTS to see here), Presidio, Cliff House, Sutro
Japantown
Chinatown, Little Italy{ North Beach Pizza (some bad reviews now, used to be great, still worth a shot. We have eaten there a couple of times in the past few years, still good.), The Stinking Rose}
Pacific Heights, Marina District {Ace Wasabi's Rock-n-Roll Sushi}, Ft. Mason
AT&T Park (buy tickets now), Soma
Sushi Boat
Clement street {Burma Super Star, Shabu-Shabu, Swamp}
Super Burrito mission district
High end- Tadich Grill, Boulevard, Palimino, Morton's Steakhouse, Ruth's Chris, Postrio
Tan Long
Sears (good breakfast)
Han's Hibachi
Thirsty Bear (tapas and beer)
Sony Metreon, Union Square
Castro, Haight, Twin Peaks
Amnesia
One of the great things about the SF Bay area is that a 4 hour drive (or less) can get you to wildy different, amazing and beautiful places to visit:
Marin Headlands (Tiburon, Marin, Golden Gate Bridge)
Reno/Tahoe
Carmel/Big Sur/Monterey/Santa Cruz
San Jose Santana Row
Yosemite