Customer Reviews

Hidden San Francisco and Northern California (Hidden San Francisco and Northern California, 8th ed)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This guide scored an A+! Every place it suggested was great, and the information was always helpful. We had this book, Lets Go, Zagat San Fran (which didn't even have many of the recommended restaurants listed), and Fodors. This one was by far the best. By then end of our 2 week trip, we had stopped using all the other books. I ended up giving all but this one away. The only thing I would change is the maps. They were not very detailed. I would recommend getting this book and then a detailed San Fran and surrounding area map from a gas station when you get there.

On my first visit to Northern California, I depended on this guide for help in choosing lodging, restaurants and places to visit. As a result, my vacation was very enjoyable! Recommendations were very solid, and arranged in a logical order. The focus on out-of-the-way spots was very valuable and helped us spend time on the most unique and rewarding activities. I can't wait to spend more time in Northern California, and will definitely take my well-worn copy of "Hidden...." along.

This guidebook has some positive features, but ones that would probably best serve someone already familiar with the layout of San Francisco. First, the book divides its sections according to neighborhood without much integration between them or of the city as a whole. This is acceptable if one is already familiar with San Francisco's geography, but would frustrate someone trying to get a sense of how the different parts of San Francisco fit together. Indeed, the only attempt to present what one should consider covering in a trip to San Francisco seems to be a scanty two-page afterthought.

Second, the book does not offer much help as a resource when actually touring the city. The walking tours lack interesting detail about history or architecture and instead quickly note interesting sites. The maps are lousy, as one has to already know where the neighborhoods are to make sense of the maps within each section. The maps also lack detail, as few of the sites listed in the text are actually marked on the maps. The information regarding dining and lodging is frustratingly coded from budget to ultra-deluxe-instead of just listing prices in the text, the guidebook requires readers to decipher code by flipping back to the introduction where the terms are explained or to memorize them.

That being said, the guide offers much for other users. The walking tours cover interesting ground, the guide highlights less frequented sites, and useful information such as websites for attractions of interest are included. Thus, I would recommend using this guidebook at home and sketching out where you want to go, but leave it at home when you go (as its bulk is more useful at home to decide where you want to go, but of limited value once you are actually there). In particular, the book is a great resource for Bay Area residents to consult regarding parts of the city they may wish to brush up on or to lead guests to less obvious sites in San Francisco that often slip one's mind.

We used this book on a trip around Hwy 49 to the East side of Yosemite. This book was a great resource for amazing sites and places to stay along the way.