San Francisco
- associate.x
- Apr 13, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 8, 2021
San Francisco is home to an eclectic bunch - including millionaires, tech-heads, college kids, Asian immigrants and hipsters. It was also where the hippie and LGBT civil rights movements were born. Its diversity is reflected in the variety of trendy eateries, vibrant night life and funky street art, which co-exist alongside the extravagant Victorian-style homes and beautiful bay views. My friend Crystal has been living here for the past couple of years and is largely responsible for this fun itinerary (you can check out Crystal's other fun adventures here). I also added some things from my very first trip, as a 19 year old. San Francisco is such a unique and fun place to visit and I recommend at least four full days. Writing this has made me want to go back do this all again!
1. VIEWS FROM BERNAL HEIGHTS SUMMIT
3400-3416 Folsom Street, San Francisco
The Bernal Heights Park Trail is a short, easy track leading to 360-degree panorama views of San Francisco. It is a less touristy, less crowded alternative to Twin Peaks, with a swing at the top. We could see the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown and all of the different neighbourhoods of San Francisco. We happened to get up there at golden hour just after I touched down, and it was a warm and fuzzy welcome to San Francisco.
2. CROSS THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Walk, ride or drive across one of the wonders of the modern world. This iconic suspension bridge crosses over the San Francisco Bay and connects San Francisco to the cities of Northern California. Bikes can be hired from Pier 39, but be prepared to pedal up some of those famous San Francisco hills.
3. ENJOY VIEWS FROM KIRBY COVE BEACH
Walk 1 km on a downhill trail to a sandy beach for awesome views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Park near Battery Spencer.
4. ADMIRE THE PAINTED LADIES
710-720 Steiner Street, San Francisco
Simply walking the streets of San Francisco will give you a taste of the hills and colourful Victorian houses which are at the heart of San Francisco. The most famous of these houses are the beautiful “Painted Ladies” located at 710-720 Steiner Street.
5. EXPLORE HAIGHT-ASHBURY
Corner of Haight and Ashbury Streets, San Francisco
The quirky Haight Ashbury neighbourhood is the home of the hippie movement. We only got to drive through because of bad weather. Cool things to see include colourfully painted Victorian houses, a lot of tie-dye and the famous CD collection at Amoeba Records.
6. SEE THE SEA LIONS AT PIER 39
The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Explore the liveliest and most famous of San Francisco’s piers. Here, you will find colourful souvenir shops, restaurants, a carousel and arguably San Francisco’s favourite residents, the Californian sea lions (or "sea potatoes" as one of my friends fairly describes them) who haul themselves onto the docks of the pier and bark incessantly at nothing. They are surprisingly mesmerising.
7. EAT CHOWDER AT FISHERMAN'S WHARF
The Embarcadero, San Francisco
Next door to Pier 39 is Fisherman's Wharf where you will find stalls selling San Francisco's famous clam or crab chowder and bread bowl. I've only been to San Francisco in the winter, and on those chilly days, chowder has been a necessity. A lot of people who don't ordinarily eat clam or crab (including me) still really get into chowder because it just tastes sweet and creamy. Also nearby is the original Ghirardelli chocolate factory (now Ghirardelli Square, a strip of trendy restaurants and cafes) where they give out free miniature squares of sweet San Francisco chocolate.
8. GO DOWN THE MOST CROOKED STREET IN THE WORLD
Lombard Street, San Francisco
If you want to see something unique, check out the ridiculously windy Lombard Street. Driving down is a fun, weird experience, but for those without a car, the other options are joining a segway tour or walking down. Either way, it is a pretty busy little street.
9. SEE THE SKYLINE FROM COIT TOWER
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA
Take an elevator up for panoramic views over the city and bay. Tickets are $9 USD for non-residents.
10. EXPLORE CHINATOWN
San Francisco is home to the oldest Chinatown in North America. The official entrance into Chinatown is marked by the Dragon Gate on Bush Street. Grant Avenue is the main tourist street that runs the length of Chinatown, but in its entirety, Chinatown actually covers a whole 24 blocks and contains many streets and alleys to explore. This busy, picturesque neighbourhood is full of shops and of course, authentic Chinese food. Legend has it that fortune cookies were actually invented right here in San Francisco, and if you are in the area, you must make a stop at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley where you can watch little ladies folding and filling cookies by hand. Hopefully, you receive some good fortune will you're there.
11. EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH THE FERRY BUILDING
1 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
This historic building is the terminal for the ferries traveling across the San Francisco Bay. Not only is it an historic architectural landmark, but a busy food hall full of cheese, olive oil and chocolate samples, and fresh produce. There are several highly rated sit-down and quick-service restaurants packed inside boasting the best grilled cheese, the freshest oysters and fish and chowder. Sadly, I didn't have time to sit down and eat. I did however try every single chocolate sample at Dandelion Chocolate and treated myself to a shot of their rich European drinking chocolate. It is like drinking pure chocolate, just the way I like it. At the back of the building is a beautiful view of the bay and the glorious Bay Bridge.
12. RIDE A CABLE CAR
Riding the steep hills of San Francisco hanging out the side of a cable car is much more fun than walking them, but it is pricey. Unfortunately, my cable car stalled so we had to help push the tram backwards, so I still got a bit of a work out.
13. TAKE A FERRY TO ALCATRAZ ISLAND
This island prison housed some of America's most famous criminals including Al Capone. It is now a museum full of fascinating stories and demonstrations. You must make an advanced reservation at https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ to avoid missing out. The booking includes a ferry to the island and cellhouse audio tour.
14. PICNIC AT THE PALACE OF FINE ARTS
3601 Lyon St & Marina Blvd, San Francisco
The lake and Greco-Roman style buildings are a beautiful backdrop for a picnic and other chilling activities.
WHERE TO EAT
In America, the authentic local foodie experience isn't going to be friendly to your waistline. Luckily, there are lots of hills to walk up and down in San Francisco because I found the food to be pretty irresistible. I already mentioned the delicious chowder which is a must at Fisherman's Wharf. Here is some of the other tasty food that is worth planning a trip around.
THE FAMOUS MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH AT MAMA'S ON WASHINGTON SQUARE
1701 Stockton St. (at Filbert St.), San Francisco, CA 94133
Taste American comfort food at its best. A battered and grilled sandwich filled with roasted turkey breast, honey-baked ham, cheddar and gruyere cheese, served with homemade jam. This popular brunch spot usually has a line but it's worth the wait!
MAC'D
Marina; 3347 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Russian Hill: 2127 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
An intense build-your-own mac and cheese experience - optional toppings include hot cheetohs. I forgot the cheetohs!!
IN-N-OUT BURGER
333 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
No visit to California is complete without a fast food stop at In-n-out. It is infamous for being cheap (you don't have to tip!) and tasty (HOW ARE THEY SO DELICIOUS?! What is in that pink sauce...) There is only one burger on the menu but the not-so-secret menu allows you to add and subtract ingredients to create your perfect burger and fries. I added grilled cheese to my burger and look how much cheese I got! It tasted freakin amazing. The fries were great too.
MR HOLMES BAKEHOUSE
1042 Larkin Street, San Francisco
A modern bakery selling pastries and specialising in cruffins (an indulgent cross between a crossaint and muffin) - there are rotating flavours. Prepare yourself to get baked in San Francisco. Instagram: @mrholmesbakehouse
BOB'S DONUTS AND PASTRIES
1621 Polk St, San Francisco
A bakery that is so famous that it sells SF's biggest and arguably best donuts 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If you finish the XXL (what I generally call, "American portions")" doughnut and if you finish it in 3 minutes you win a t-shirt. I wish I had known this on my trip because nothing makes me want to do anything more, than when it is a competition. I don't want a t-shirt but I always want to win. Instagram: @bobsdonuts
HOT COOKIE
407 Castro St, San Francisco
We stumbled across this bakery while we were lining up for the "Bohemian Rhapsody" sing-along, in the middle of the vibrant Castro district. Historically, this area was one of San Francisco's first LGBT communities and the sexually suggestive business names on this street and cookie shapes at Hot Cookie were very entertaining. The cookies are rated pretty highly too!
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