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Five Things to do on a Rainy Day San Francisco

From Betsy Malloy,
Your Guide to California Travel.
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When it rains, there's still plenty to do

Contrary to lyrics of the popular song, it does rain in California. Some years it rains a lot, some years it rains a little. Most of the rain falls between November and March. If you're in San Francisco and it's raining, don't despair. Check the weather first. While it's raining in San Francisco, it may be clear in Monterey and Carmel, or in Napa.

In addition to the things you might associate with rainy days, like museums, here are some things to do when it's raining in San Francisco.

  • Go on a Pub Crawl - Try the Beach Chalet for fantastic ocean views and excellent ales any time, Gordon Biersch for German-style lagers and the best view of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco Brewing Company, the last standing bar of the Barbary Coast. Please have a designated driver along, take public transportation or call a taxi.

  • Go on a Tour - City Guides offers some indoor guided tours. Go behind the scenes at the Palace Hotel, see the upstairs murals at Coit Tower, or visit the San Francisco Fire Department Museum.

  • Browse for Books - City Lights Bookstore is a true book-lover's bookstore. Stop next door at Vesuvio Cafe, a remainder of the Beat era.

  • Take Some Photos - It's not as crazy as it sounds. Rainy days can offer the photographer some interesting photos. Try a black-and-white photo of the skyline from the end of Pier 7. Focus on details. Look for reflections in puddles.

  • Learn How Things are Made - Just across the Bay Bridge in Berkeley, you can tour the Scharffenberger Chocolate Factory (reservations required), or learn how sake is made at Takara Sake. A drive north takes you to the Jelly Belly Factory.
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