San Francisco Visitor’s Guide

 

San Francisco is such a fun city! After several visits to the Bay Area, San Francisco has quickly become one of my favorite destinations to visit. Compared to Boston, San Francisco is a (much) bigger, trendier, and newer city, and although there are striking similarities, the west coast’s foggy city presents much to explore in terms of cuisine and culture. There is no shortage of fabulous restaurants, trendy food trucks, and Instagrammable cafés, but sometimes sifting through all the suggestions can seem daunting. Here is a round up of my favorite spots for food and drink, noteworthy sights to see, and fun activities to do from all of my recent trips.

Where to Eat

1 // Rose’s Café

With marble tables and French inspired bistro chairs, Rose’s certainly has a je ne sais quoi. This spot us perfect for a weekend morning brunch or a late afternoon lunch with a glass of wine outdoors. If you go during the day, be sure to try the salmon cozy. I don’t eat fish often, but this little sandwich is perfection.

 

 

2 // Bowl’d Açai at Spark Social

One açai bowl and one poke bowl, please. These will not disappoint! Full of the freshest ingredients and flavor, these hearty portions could turn the most açai averse into açai obsessed. Plus, Spark Social, the food truck park where Bowl’d is located has so many other options as well. You can grab your bowl and a glass of sangria and sit down in the sun or in the shade. Hungry for more? Spend a little time scoping out the rest of the food truck vendors, and you just may end up with a new favorite.

 

 

3 // Tacoliciois

The best tacos ever. That’s a bold statement, I know, but California does Mexican food right. I’ve never been to Mexico, but out of all the tacos I’ve had, these are the best. There are unique offerings, too, such as cactus. Pro tip – be sure to ask for the guacamole, beans and queso trio starter. It’s not on the menu, but trust me when I say you’ll be want to try all three.

 

 

4 // Park Tavern

This is a lively spot for a fun date night. The vibe is a bit eclectic, while being both upbeat and intimate. Whether you’re looking for just apps and drinks at the bar or an indulgent dinner, you will surely find what suits you. No matter what, you’ll want to try the brussel sprout chips – delicious!

 

5 // Réveille Coffee Co.

In addition to great coffee, you can find a chic, yet homey environment here. I felt calm and alert upon walking into the café. This is a great spot to stop and get some work done for a couple hours. Plus, for those of us Instagram obsessed, these light pink tables  are worth the visit just for the photo-op.

 

 

6 // Philz Coffee

With a motto of “one cup at a time,” each pour over cup is made individually. My favorite is the “mint mojito” because it comes with fresh mint leaves and is quite refreshing. There are lots of locations around San Francisco, so wherever you are in the city, you should be able to find a Philz close by.

 

7 // Tonga Room

This is a unique spot to grab a tropical drink or some decadent Asian cuisine. Inside, the venue is teeming with tropical decor, truly making you feel like you’ve stepped into an island oasis. There is even a lagoon in the middle of the restaurant with tables all around it. The Tonga Room is located in the Fairmont San Francisco, which sits at the top of Nob Hill. Outside, you’ll have stunning views of the bay.

 

8 // Jones

Known for unique cocktail combinations, Jones is a trendy spot to meet up with friends and enjoy the rooftop. A trendy and vibrant spot, the busy vibe will not disappoint. San Francisco can get cold at night, and rooftop heaters allow you to enjoy the rooftop even in the evening.

 

9 // Sushi Ran (Sausalito)

If you have a chance to make it to Sausalito across the bridge, Sushi Ran is the place to go for dinner. With super fresh fish in addition to lots of veggie options, you’ll find several dishes here that you just can’t get on the east coast.

 

 

Things to Do/Places to See

1 // Cable Cars

It might be the most touristy thing to do in San Francisco, but it’s worth it. You can buy passes at a local Walgreens and hop on at any stop along the route. I recommend standing and holding to one of the handlebars because when the car gets atop one of those steep San Francisco hills, you will have the best views of the city and of the water.

 

 

2 // Palace of Fine Arts

One of the most breathtaking structures I’ve seen. There is quite a bit of history behind the ornate building, and walking through the expanse of columns and under the large dome is humbling. It feels a bit European, but having been first built in the early 1900s, the structure is much younger than any European architecture. This is a great spot for a quiet walk, and of course, for taking photos.

 

 

3 // Yoda Fountain

Not far from the Palace of Fine Arts, you’ll find the Letterman Digital Arts center, the original home of Lucas Films. Out front is a life size statue of Yoda over a fountain. If you have any Star Wars lovers with you (which I most certainly did), this is a stop you will definitely have to hit.

 

 

4 // The Bud Stop

This is one of the spots in San Francisco I’ve seen on Instagram the most. This flower shop has the most gorgeous displays of all types of fresh blooms – any flower you can imagine! Being just about a block away from Rose’s, it’s a perfect stop after eating to take a moment to “stop and smell the roses,” as they say.

 

 

5 // Alcatraz

This is a spooky spot, filled with a history of notorious criminals and escape attempts. I highly recommend the night tour – you’ll have the most breathtaking views of the bay at sunset, and after dark, the tour will be all the more authentic.

 

 

6 // Painted Ladies

Full House lovers out there, you need to make a stop to see the famous Painted Ladies. I grew up with the show, and it was surreal to see these colorful homes against the city skyline in the background. Pack a picnic and have lunch across the street in Alamo Square. If it’s a nice day, there will be lots of people walking around, playing with frisbees, or taking their dogs out to play in the fresh air.

 

 

7 // Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour

This is most definitely a full day event, but how can you visit wine country without going on a wine tour? There is no shortage of incredible vineyards in the area. I have a few favorites from the times I have visited, but you really can’t go wrong (read more about one of my visits here). One thing to be sure you get to do is to stop in Sonoma Square for some lunch and head to Sweet Scoops afterward for my favorite lavender ice cream. So good!

 

 

Shopping

1 // Ferry Building

The Ferry Building is one of my favorites spots – it is easy to kill hours as time scoping out all of the artisan shops. I love Miette Patisserie for macarons, cupcakes, and unique sweet likes rose flavored turkish delight. Stop in to Bouli Bar for a personalized cocktail made with your tastes in mind or head to Hog Island Oyster Company for an oyster lunch.

 

 

2 // Chestnut Street

This is a colorful street in the Marina teeming with young professionals. It’s also where Tacolicious is located. After grabbing a bite to eat, be sure to pursue the never-ending array of chic boutiques.

 

 

3 // Union Square

This is probably San Francisco’s most will known shopping center, with all the big department stores and high-end designers. If you are looking to do some big time shopping, this is where you’ll need to go.

 

4 // Sausalito

Just over the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito has a bit of a resort town feel. With houses nestled in the hillside, it is reminiscent of the Amalfi coast. In the center of town, there are all sorts of boutiques and shops for every taste. You can stop for something to eat along the water and then continue on your shopping adventure.

 

 

Where to Stay

I wrote a post about our recent stay the Marker San Francisco, which was the perfect, centrally-located spot for all the walking we did.  In the past, I’d also stayed at Sir Francis Drake, which was a lot of fun since it was located right along the cable car line, and allowed for easy access to hop on and off as we pleased.

 

 

What are your favorite spots in San Francisco?
xo -L