I have written this out in an email so many times, I figure I might as well put it on a website, and then at least I can embed some convenient maps and links!
Funny enough, I haven't yet written down where to eat, but I will get to it, I swear. For now, the post includes some highlights of where to visit in terms of San Francisco attractions and landmarks.
Where to Eat and Drink
It's not a food blog if I don't tell you where to eat, right?
Little Italy
Comstock Saloon - map
Snazzy bar with live music, specializes in cocktails.
Vesuvio Cafe - map
Kind of dive-y bar in the heart of little Italy, famous for being frequented by Kerouac back in the day. Enjoy a drink and people watch at the prime location.
Cigar Bar and Grill - map
Really fun place on a Saturday night - they have live salsa music and offer lessons. On any given night though, it's a cool place to hang out, buy a cigar and a drink and enjoy the unique indoor/outdoor bar.
Sotto Mare - map
Known for their Cioppino, which is a seafood risotto with tomato sauce. This dish is a San Francisco invention of Italian immigrants, and Sotto Mare is one of the best places that cook it, and they do it at a reasonable price too.
Civic Center
Located near the opera, ballet, and symphony, the part of civic center west of Van Ness has a many good places to eat, supported by patrons of the arts venues near by.
Nojo Ramen - map
They uniquely specialize in a chicken based broth - it's very good.
Suppenkuche - map
Traditional German fare, beer included.
Chez Maman - map
Traditional French fare at a reasonable price. Small restaurant with limited seating, expect a wait at peak dining hours
Haight-Ashbury
If you're visiting the famous painted ladies (the houses featured in the opening of Full House) or trying to get a view of the area famous as the center of the hippie movement, you will not go hungry.
Magnolia - map
Brewery with absolutely fantastic food, I have never been disappointed by anything on their menu, and I love their fried chicken (which is only served on Thursdays unfortunately)
Ice Cream Bar - map
Ice cream shop with a 50s soda bar vibe.
Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill - map
Reliably delicious middle eastern fare.
Lower Haight
Located between Civic Center and Haigh-Ashbury, this neighborhood is not frequented by tourists, but if you're stopped by I have two good suggestions for you:
Toronado - map
Dive bar with extensive beer menu. Cash only.
Berliner Berliner - map
Previously the home of Rosamunde's Sausage Grill, they serve, well, sausage. Nextdoor to Toronado, consider getting a Weiner and beer!
Golden Gate Park (south side)
Zazie - map
Small French bistro, food on point.
Tartine - map
Famous San Francisco name in French baked breads and pastries.
San Tung - map
Get the wings, you won't regret it. Rest of the menu is well executed Chinese-American.
Mission
The mission is known for its burritos. This is very much a local's neighborhood, but it's worth going out of your way to get a burrito, and while you're here, a triple margarita wouldn't hurt either.
El Farrolitos - map
Hands down, best burritos around.
Latin America Club - map
Dive bar that serves triple margaritas. Lots of good memories here.
Tartine - map
Main location for the famous SF staple - French baked goods and pastries are supreme.
Zeitgeist - map
Biker bar turned cyclist bar, they have an extensive menu of craft beers and a really big patio which makes for a fun night out. Located a bit further north in the mission than the other spots
Where to Stay
North Beach, near Fisherman's Wharf
Few locals live here, but if you're visiting and you want to get around without worrying too much about renting a car the whole time, or being well connected to public transit to get around the city, then this is the area I recommend.
The hotel I would suggest in the area is:
~$150-$250/night in off-season
~$200-$250/night in peak season
Keep in mind, I live here, I never book hotels in the city.
Things to Do
Walking: Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach & Russian Hill
Walk Pier 39 and check out the shops and look at the sea lions
Walk to the Boudin nearby and get some San Francisco sourdough Do a chocolate tour at The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop at Ghirardelli Square
Head Lombard Street and see the windy road
Head to Coit Tower, go up to see a great view of the city
Stop by the Cable Car Museum and then take a walk through China Town
I have two walking tours I have put together, each can be done in a day, though I recommend calling ahead to Boudin if you want to do a tour while you stop in:
Pier 39 to Boudin, to Ghiardelli, to Lombard Street, to Coit Tower:
Pier 39 to Boudin, to Ghiardelli, to Lombard Street, Cable Car to the Cable Car Museum, then Chinatown and Coit Tower
Note that below map has only walking instructions. My recommendation is that if you want to take the cable car, hop on on Hyde street, at the top of the Lombard Windy Road (make sure you're going in the uphill direction). Stay on the cable car until Washington street, then get off and walk over to enjoy even more cable car fun at the museum!
At the end of either walking tour, you're in a prime position to walk to North Beach/Little Italy and enjoy some good food, good entertainment, and bars. Restaurant recommendations are in the food section of this post
Biking: Fisherman's Wharf, Crissy Field and Sausalito
Rent a bike from Blazing Saddles at Pier 41 and ride it across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, then ferry back This will take you past Crissy field which also has beautiful views of the golden gate on a clear day
Take an Uber/Lyft: Golden Gate Park
Japanese gardens
De Young Museum
Cal Academy of Science has late night on Thursdays and they turn the place into a bar, highly recommend
Take an Uber/Lyft: Sutro Baths, Lands End and Point Lobos Walk around the paths and also take a walk over to the Lands End Labyrinth
Holocaust Memorial
Leave som etime for yourself to just walk an explore the area
Recommended Self Guided Walking Route: https://goo.gl/maps/dvDviu86QFicnn4G7
Rent a Car: Napa Valley
I mean, you didn't really come all this way to NOT go to Napa right? Love it or hate it, it's a must see. I will have to set up a separate blog post on how to eat and drink your way through Napa Valley, but in the meanwhile here is a map of some spots, and keep in mind to book ahead for tours and tasting
9:30am-5 pm $50-$95 per tasting, reservation required
10am-3 pm $60 per tasting, reservation required
This place has my favorite wine, but funnily I've never actually been for a tasting
10am-5pm $20 for a glass on the grounds, $55 for tasting tour
Best place to go for a wine making tour on my list wine making tour, tour times are 11:15 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm
10-4 pm $50, reservations required
By Appointment Only $50
Beautiful grounds, great wine. Worth making the appointment in advance
10am-6 pm $50 per tasting, reservation recommended
Not as famous for their grounds or wine, but good lunch spot as it has a full service deli and weekend food trucks
10-6 pm $50 per tasting, reservation required
10am - 5pm $40 per tasting, reservation required
Beautiful grounds and building. Their specialty are sparkling wines
10-5 pm $25 per tasting, walk ins accepted
Laid back winery, tastings at 11am, 1pm, & 3pm Thursday – Sunday.
Rent a Car: Muir Woods and Stinson Beach
Muir Woods is a National Park with lots of old growth red wood trees. If you haven't seen red woods before, plan to make a trip out here, it is well worth it, the park is also very well maintained, and has accessible routes. Keep in mind that parking at Muir Woods can be difficult, especially on a weekend in peak season. I've had to park as far as 1 mile from the main entrance. Note there is no service in the park, so while you can take an uber/lyft there, you won't be able to call one to leave. If you really don't want to rent a car for the day trip, consider taking an uber/lyft to Marin or Sausalito and then taking the Muir Woods shuttle bus from there
Stinson Beach is just one of my favorite beaches in northern California, and the drive along the Hwy 1 to get the is iconic, being a road carved into with dramatic cliffs and hills along teh oceanside.
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