I spent quite a bit of time there around the year 2000 both for work and playing and recording with a band (nothing ever came of it).

We usually stayed in North Beach and there was a pizza place called Za's that served good New York style pizza. The person we stayed with did not have parking, so we always had to search for nearby parking and then make sure we moved the car in the morning before street cleaning.

I think Pier 39 is fun for a bit if you've never been before. You can get some good fresh seafood and see some seals.

I liked the Alcatraz tour.

When I was there for work I stayed near the Disney Store in Union Square and we walked through the Tenderloin to get to where we were working on Market Street. I admired the architecture in the area, but it is a very seedy neighborhood and we'd get hit up by many homeless people on our way to work. Sometimes I'd visit the local art galleries in the evening. There are many good ones near Union Square. Also, there are several good restaurants nearby. I remember a good Thai and Brazilian restaurant near the Courthouse near Union Square.