San Francisco is one of my favorite city’s in the US to visit for a weekend or for a whole week. It is a city filled with beautiful parks and vibrant neighborhoods.
San Francisco is known for it’s hippie era of the free love movement in the 70’s, and for being the birthplace of the yearly pride parade. In the US this city is one of the most expensive places to live.
Quick Facts About Visiting
• Dress in layers: Northern California is not known for it’s amazing climate like Southern California. In the past I have always had to visit San Fran in August, and have always had to buddle up because it can get very chilly there during the day. But, then as you walk around you might start to feel hot. So, dress in layers.
• Getting Around: The best way I find of getting around is to use Uber/Lyft. You don’t want to rent a car as driving in San Francisco can be a nightmare with it’s many hills. They have a metro system and a bus system you can use, but if you there for less than a week just use Uber/Lyft. It usually doesn’t cost a lot.
What to See and Do in San Franscisco
1.Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
This bridge is just a tiny bit famous, right? But, it is a beautiful bridge! The bridge is over the mouth of the bay and is 2 miles long. If you are interested in an afternoon walk there is a pedestrian walkway. For a perfect photo op, there are many locations people recommend to take pictures at for a great view of the bridge. I recommend Golden Gate Overlook/Visitors Center( this is a great place to buy official GGB souvenirs), Fort Point, and Baker’s Beach.
2. Grab a bit at The Ferry Building Marketplace & Go to their Farmer’s Market
Located along the Embarcadero is the Ferry Building Marketplace.One of my favorite places in San Fran, because it is filled with so many yummy food options. There are many types of places to eat at here from coffee, to pastries. My must eat places here are: Blue Bottle Coffee,Brown Sugar Kitchen,Cowgirl Creamery, Danelion Chocolate,Humphry Slocombe, and Mariposa Baking Company.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturday’s they hold a wonderful farmer’s market with even more delicious food options to pick.
https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/
3. Visit Golden Gate Park (specifically the Japanese Gardens)
Golden Gate Park is huge! It is bigger than Central Park in NYC. The park is filled with gardens, Conservatory of Flowers, and two museums ( California Academy of Sciences and De Young Museum of Fine Art). But, my favorite part of the whole park is the Japanese Tea Gardens.
The Japanese Tea Gardens are a beautiful area to walk around, and only takes one hour. What I love most is at the entrance of the gardens they have a traditional tea house which serves food.
4. Walk through Chinatown
Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the biggest and best one’s in North America. It is filled with delicious places to eat from dim sum, bakeries, and teahouses. I love looking at the stores in Chinatown that are filled with exotic and fun goods. The Gold Rush of the 1800’s and the building of the pacific railroad brought Chinese immigrants to San Francisco looking for work. The best place to start walking through Chinatown would be at the Dragon Gate Arch ( on Grant Avenue and Bush Street).
5. Take a Cable Car Ride
You can’t have a true visit without taking one of the iconic cable car rides. Cable cars were introduced to San Francisco in 1873. It is 7$ for a one-way trip, or you can off for a pass option ( 1-day visitor pass, 3 day, or 7 day). The cable cars operate from 6 am to 12 pm. I would recommend you go earlier in the day, as they tend to get crowded with tourists. I would recommend taking either the Powell/Hyde line or the Powell/Mason line.
6. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
Fisherman Wharf and Pier 39 are fun tourist areas filled with shops, bars, and restaurants. At Pier 39 you get a beautiful view of the bay and you can see sea lions basking in the sun. The best place to eat at in Fisherman’s Wharf is Boudin Bakery which is famous for their sourdough bread. Also, if you are not from California you need to go to In & Out for their amazing burgers and fries.
7. Visit Ms. Doubtfire’s House
Who doesn’t love the iconic house from the film Ms.Doubtfre from 1993 starring Robin Williams. It is located at 2640 Steiner St, San Francisco, CA 94115-1142. Now, if you really want to visit the house you can take an Uber/Lyft to it. There are people who live there, so try to be respectful when visiting the house, and don’t walk about the steps. You only need a few minutes here at most to take pics.
8. Walk down Lombard Street
The most crooked street in the world is Lombard Street. There are steps to walk down Lombard Street which makes for a short walk and is not too hard. Again, you don’t need to spend that long when visiting this spot. I don’t think I would ever want to drive down it, because it would give me nightmares.
9. Visit the Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts was built way back in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific expo. Luckily they left the beautiful structure up. It is known for it’s tall columns and dome rotunda. The lake around it and the grass makes for a beautiful place to walk around or have a picnic.
10. Visit The Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies are colorful and are Victorian Style architecture. Now, they are a registered historic landmark. The houses are also known as “Postcard Row” or the “Seven Sisters”.
11. Take a boat ride over to Sausalito
An easy boat ride about from down San Francisco is Sausalito. It is a relaxed community filled with shops and cafes. I enjoyed walking around.
12. Take a tour of Alcatraz
Alcatraz is one of the most well-known jails in the world. It was a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. If you are planning to visit Alcatraz plan for at least half a day. And, book your tickets in advance. The best thing to do would be to find a tour company that takes groups to the island.
13. Take a day trip to Muir Woods
I would suggest finding a tour company that takes you to Muir Woods. It is one of the most majestic places you can see in California. I think the tree’s are the tallest living things on earth. It is located about 20 miles from downtown San Francisco in Marin County. I would suggest taking the Redwood Creek trail since it is the easiest and is flat and has a boardwalk. Muir Woods is famous for their Coastal Redwood trees. Most trees are over 800 years old, while the oldest is thought to be over 1200 years old.
14. Take a day tour of San Francisco
One of my favorite things to do in any new city is to take a short day tour to help me get familiar with the city. Also, tours can take you to places that make it easier to get to certain places.
Where to Eat in San Francisco
I love to eat, and exploring new places to eat is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. San Francisco has a huge variety of amazing places to go to for any kind of meal.
Breakfast/Brunch in San Francisco
• Mama’s on Washington Square- I love this place! Was it worth the 1 hour and a half wait? Yes! It is a small restaurant, but it has a very homey feel. My favorite item of theirs is their Monte Cristo sandwich. It reminded me of the one I get at Disneyland. Also, I love their pancakes. All around a solid breakfast place.
• Dotties True Blue Café- A good solid breakfast menu filled with unique options.
• Zazie- A quaint French bistro. Loved the egg options, and their pancakes are great!
• Sweet Maple– Great pancakes options and egg options. And, great french toast!
Lunch/Dinner in San Francisco
• Boudain’s Bakery- They are famous for their sourdough bread! If you come here get their famous clam chowder in a bread bowl.
• Firenze by Night- When it comes to Italian restaurants I want an authentic place that makes great pasta. Pasta is my comfort food. And, they made amazing gnocchi and other food as well.
• Brenda’s French Soul Food– Loved their beignets! And, their Shrimp and Grits. If you love southern food you will enjoy this place.
• Zero Zero– Is a hip more modern Italian restaurant. My favorites: Stuffed Arancini,Ricotta Gnocchi, and of course their pizza. For dessert: Ricotta Doughnuts!
Pastries/Bakeries/Café’s in San Francisco
• Mr. Holmes Bakery- Famous for their cruffin pastry, but everything that they have is mouth-watering. Favs: Everything! Get there early in the day if you want a cruffin because they sell out quickly in the day. Not much space to sit down inside.
• B Patisserie – One of the best French pastry I have been to outside of France and in California. Favs: Kouign Amann, croissants, and everything! But, get the Kouign Amann if you get one thing from this bakery.
• Caffé Greco- I love Italian pastries, and this was located near Firenze by Night restaurant. Favs: Canoli, Tiramisu, and other italian treats.
• Tartine Bakery- A small place packed with so many pastry options. I wanted to eat everything here when I visited. Popular options: Morning buns, Croque Monsieur, and their croissants.
• Humphry Slocombe- Delicious ice cream with very unique flavors like Honey Thyme or Prosciutto.