Going to San Francisco next week, RR places to check out?

When I last went there, I paid a visit to Roaring Camp & Big Trees. This was definitely worth a visit, both for the steam trains and the scenery.

http://www.roaringcamp.com

If I had to pick just one, it would be this:

http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/

The F Line is definitely "can't miss entertainment!"

Bob

I would ride a couple of the streetcar lines to the end and back downtown.  Take the one up past SF State college to the ocean, used to be called N-Judah, for one. 

I would suggest the cable cars, and the BART light weight rail...ride it under the bay..It's a GREAT area to visit. Lots of GREAT FOOD.....My favorite city to visit.

As to hobby shops, probably Just Trains in Concord is your best bet (you'll need a car and a good gps).  For clubs, check out the Golden Gate club.  

GGMRC - Golden Gate Model Railroaders, Inc. / San Francisco ...

The TTOS operates in the Vallco mall at Wolfe road and 280 freeway. We are there every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon. There are two O gauge layouts, an S gauge layout modelled after the American Flyer kids club, a standard gauge layout, an HO layout and a large wooden locomotive that was originally a display in a bar, plus an oval of G gauge in the window.

For trains to ride, there is Roaring camp narrow gauge RR in Felton, the Big trees railroad from Felton to Santa Cruz, the Niles canyon railroad in Niles, traintown in Sonoma, and rio vista junction trolley/interurban museum. You can Google these to get the info.

For hobby shops, there is Loco-Boose in Redwood City, Talbot's Toyland in San Mateo, the Train Shop in San Jose

Google Chan's Trains and Hobbies.

My favorites are BART, cable cars, cable car free museum at operating power house, and the light rail network - especially the "F" line with historic streetcars in regular service. I could easily spend a week there just to ride trains and transit and general sightseeing. Other train stuff there which I haven't done yet are Caltrans Peninsula service, Altamont Commuter Express, Niles Canyon Railway, and (outside of town) Rio Vista Trolley Museum. Those last two are more seasonal operation, I think. Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroad at Felton is excellent. Redwood Valley Railway at Tilden Park, Berkeley - 15" gauge railway.   

San Francisco would make a traction fan out of anybody! 

But seriously, with the beautiful scenery, the fabulous food (Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown), the 1:1 IHC (or Lionel) painted ladies , and all the spectacular attractions of the area, my time wouldn't be spent in train stores.

Enjoy one the greatest cities on the planet!

George

If you like street cars and electrics try Rio Vista Railroad Museum. Don

Also Doll Houses Trains and More in Novato north of the GG Bridge. Lots of O gauge but high prices. Don

I can 2nd the Felton and Rio Vista recommendations.  But that is a bit outside the actual bay.

For absolutely stunning views of the bay and some good train fun, the Redwood Valley Railway is great.  This is just above the Berkeley Hills.  So a bit closer to S.F. proper than Felton or Rio Vista.

http://www.redwoodvalleyrailway.com/

If you go to Talbots take plenty of money! They have a huge shop but big prices! Two blocks from BART station.

Gunny

The Powell Street and Market Street Turnaround is a must.  They still turn the Cable Cars by hand.  Here is a video I shot a few years ago:

If you have some extra time and can work it in, consider the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento (about two hours away from San Francisco).  Everything from a NCNG Mogul to a giant SP AC-12 Cab Forward on display there.  Well worth the visit just to see the NPC "Sonoma" 1870's NG 4-4-0 (sister loco to the Eureka).

If you have a free day, definitely try to get to Sacramento and see the California State RR museum.

If you don't have a car, it's easy to get to (maybe easier even if you do have a car!).  Take BART to Richmond and transfer to Caltrain to Sacramento.  The museum is a few blocks from the train station.

In Berkeley, Tilden Park has live steam.

Yes, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Wharf, Alcatraz, Ghiradelli's, and the trolleys.  

Also definitely as mentioned Old Town Sacramento's train museum, awesome engines and the sleeping beauty AC-12.

I wish I was going to San Francisco soon.I went in 2010 and really look forward to going back someday.The video above shows the beautiful tinplate layout at the Sacramento Train museum and the vintage streetcars and cable cars that run in San Francisco.The power station that houses the motors that run the cables for the cable cars is a top destination to visit when you are there.The power station is also a museum.

Dan  

Thanks everyone for all of the great ideas!