San Francisco New Year's Eve/Day

[dorothyinAus]

DH and I will be flying from Australia and landing in SF on New Year's Eve, staying through the 2nd/3rd.  We already have hotel reservations but other than that, we're at a loss.

How crowded will the Fisherman's Wharf area be?  I'd like to avoid really crowded areas, but DH wants to see something fun -- even if it's just the public fireworks display.  I'm happy enough to hang at the hotel and watch on tv.

Also, will restaurants (we don't need anything fancy, fast food is perfectly acceptable) be open on New Year's Eve/Day?I'm not sure how we'll feel after the trans-Pacific flight, so I'm really hoping for somewhere that doesn't require reservations.  Will shops/stores/malls be open on the 2nd?  DH wants to do some serious clothes/shoe shopping while we're in the land of the cheap stuff.

Just trying to get a feel for what we're getting into.  Thanks!

[orangello]

What time do you land on NYE? You may be better off taking the BART in instead of a cab, traffic gets crazy that night. The city will be a madhouse pretty much everywhere - Union Square is sort of the epicenter, and I never hung out at FW or Ghirardelli Square that much, but I would guess they will be as well. Cabs will be very difficult to find, so keep that in mind.

If it were me, I'd make a reservation for dinner somewhere within walking distance of my hotel, and then play it by ear - nighttime cable car ride (this will also probably be crowded), walking around, drinks at the hotel bar, etc. But, I loathe crowds, so take that FWIW.

As for NY Day, restaurants will definitely be open. However - San Franciscans loooooove eating out (and waiting in line!), so everyone and their brother will also be out and about that day, especially at brunch time. Be prepared to wait wherever you go, and you will be much happier. All the stores will be open on the 2nd, so have fun shopping!

[ashap]

You might be better off staying in your hotel and visiting an on-sight restaurant if there is one, and maybe a room service breakfast on the 1st if you really want to avoid crowds altogether.

The 2nd will be a great day for shopping so enjoy!!