It is summer, and the tourists are swarming again. You want to see the city, yet you want to avoid the crowds and screaming children. Here are some ideas on seeing San Francisco while avoiding the crowds.

Visit San Francisco during the workweek if you can. If you must visit the hot spots, do so during business hours. While you will not avoid other tourists, you will miss the “I’m off of work so I ought to get out and about” rush.

Walk the Embarcadero. This is one of those things to do while people are at work. During the morning hours, it is quite peaceful – especially if you avoid tourist hot spots Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Warf. On Tuesdays from 10am-2pm and Saturdays from 8am-2pm, there is a farmer’s market at the Ferry Plaza. Saturdays tend to be quite crowded, but it is worth checking out. The Embarcadero is home to many restaurants, but it also sports beautiful views of the bay.

If you walk the Embarcadero, a nice place for lunch is King Street. On days where there is no Giant’s game, this is a quiet place with many lunch options. Try Burger Joint (242 King Street) for a cheeseburger, chicken sandwich, or veggie burger. Not only is this place very affordable (and it tastes great), but the food here is chemical and hormone free. Not too shabby for a place that serves fried potatoes.

After lunch on King Street, walk down Third Street and on the right hand side you will see a street named “South Park.” If you follow this street, you will come to a beautiful park, and Caffe Centro. This little neighborhood is home to many tech businesses, but it is not without its history. The park stretches back in time to 1855 when it was part of an exclusive (well-to-do community.) In the 1990’s it regained glory when dot-com businesses took off. Regardless of its history, it is a place to enjoy some shade and a cup of Joe while you decide where to venture next.

Market Street and Union Square are often crowded. The Civic Center is beautiful with its golden dome, but if you go, be aware that many homeless and drug addicted people mill about here – especially near Market street. Street venders also gather around here. Be careful when purchasing from these stalls – while many of these folks are earnest, police do patrol often, inspecting for stolen items.

Geary and many other streets span the length of San Francisco. If you take Geary down to Arguello, you will find yourself in the midst of “the avenues.” While Chinatown and Japantown are popular as great places to eat, the Richmond district also offers much by way of ethnic eateries. There are many Russian restaurants in this area. In addition, if you enjoy architecture, there are many beautiful buildings in this area.

While you are on Geary, you may want to check out the Mel’s Drive-in. This diner opened in 1963. It has been referred to in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Doonesbury comics, Melrose Place, but most famously, it was used as a location in George Lucas’ American Graffiti. Even if its pop culture significance does not tempt you, you should check it out. They serve the best chili-cheese fries I have ever had.

If you get hungry later in the evening, a gem of a steak-house exists on Powell Street. This place called Tad’s Steak House (120 Powell) is home to an awesome steak for under fifteen dollars – up to 11:30 pm. If you are not a red meat sort of person, they also have a great salmon plate.

Stroll over to El Sotano for karaoke and drinks after Tad’s Steak House. The owner is very personable. Karaoke starts at 9pm Friday-Sunday. If you stop by here during the week, they are open until 1am every day – and they have stupendous burritos and margaritas.

Once you have had your fill of the city, do not be afraid to venture outside of it. Half Moon Bay is about forty minutes away. It is a small town with a wonderful beach. If you have the whole day, take a detour towards Redwood City in Woodside to have lunch at Alice’s Restaurant (17288 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA). This is a great little place to eat with delicious sandwiches and microbrews.

Another destination out of the city will have you heading to the East Bay. Berkeley hosts the University of California, Berkeley and many, many great little places to eat. Hop over to the Claremont Diner (6200 Claremont Ave) for a low-key dinner after hiking around Tilden Park. Be aware that they do not take credit cards here, but you will get outstanding service. Order the soup. No matter what the soup of the day is, the owners make it from scratch and it is always fantastic.

Once you are in the Berkeley/Oakland area, you may as well venture through the Caldecott Tunnel – but be sure you are doing so during off commute hours. The first bore was completed in 1937. The most recent bore was completed in 1967. It is a beautiful and historical landmark.

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city, you may enjoy staying at the quiet Lafayette Park Hotel (3287 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette). It is similar quality to the Westin Saint Francis overlooking Union Square, but it will cost you half as much to stay here. It is close to the Lafayette BART station and to Highway 24, so you can access the city within forty minutes during non-peak times. Even if you stay somewhere else, it is home to the Duck Club Restaurant and Bistro at the Park – both fabulous places to eat. This area of the East Bay also boasts views of Mount Diablo and great places to hike.
The key to avoiding the touristy places is to find less crowded alternatives. You can also save money this way (who does not want to save money in this economy?). These suggestions scratch the surface of the plethora of things to do when you are a “un-tourist.”