The coolest bar I have EVER been to is the Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel. The hotel itself is pretty pricey but decently located.
Last time I was in the bay on personal time, we took a trolley to the top of the hill, then walked down through Chinatown, had lunch at a Dim Sum, walked over to Coit Tower, then down to the Pier (basic touristy shopping/eating/crap but located in SF) then took an uber back to the hotel. Saw a lot of classic SF sights. Headed to North Beach for a legit Italian dinner, then checked out the Golden Gate Park and the Presidio the next day, with the requisite trip down Lombard Street, before heading over the Golden Gate bridge to lunch in Sausilito before heading over to Oakland for the start of the drive home.
Other than a gentrified area downtown near Pandora's headquarters, Oakland is a sub-human-infested shithole to be avoided at all cost.
I don't know how much time you have but Monterey and Carmel aren't that far away and are very cool areas to spend a little time. So are Sonoma and Napa up the other way, especially if you're into wine.
Last time I was in the bay on personal time, we took a trolley to the top of the hill, then walked down through Chinatown, had lunch at a Dim Sum, walked over to Coit Tower, then down to the Pier (basic touristy shopping/eating/crap but located in SF) then took an uber back to the hotel. Saw a lot of classic SF sights. Headed to North Beach for a legit Italian dinner, then checked out the Golden Gate Park and the Presidio the next day, with the requisite trip down Lombard Street, before heading over the Golden Gate bridge to lunch in Sausilito before heading over to Oakland for the start of the drive home.
Other than a gentrified area downtown near Pandora's headquarters, Oakland is a sub-human-infested shithole to be avoided at all cost.
I don't know how much time you have but Monterey and Carmel aren't that far away and are very cool areas to spend a little time. So are Sonoma and Napa up the other way, especially if you're into wine.