i'd recomend taking the ferry into san francisco.
sailing through the rising hills is an amazing experience (:
plus you get to disembark right into the pier district.

also, while your in the area there is a place called half moon bay.
it isnt on the island.
its a couple hours drive, but soooo worth it.
there are EXCEPTIONAL beaches! :D

it was the first pacific beach i ever visited.
now, i have been on the gulf coast, east coast, &&up and down the pacific coast.
but half moon bay still strikes me as the most gorgeous of all!
(:

oh, &&p.s.
i just noticed your username.
if your looking for great sushi,
you absolutly must visit the mall in japan town.
there is an amaaaazing sushi place,
where the sushi floats in little boats around the dining area! :D
the prices are fairly reasonable.