Things To Do
Baker Beach
Great place to see the Golden Gate Bridge (FYI it is a nude beach but hardly anyone is nude)
Crissy Field
Another great place to see the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a grass area and a beach area, pack a snack and have a little picnic! Also there is a trail for running or biking- if you're into that sorta thing...
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Go here if you actually want to walk on the bridge, its a pretty short bridge actually. One side is for pedestrians and one side for bikers. Speaking of bikes, you can rent a bike at the wharf and bike across the bridge to Sausalito (ill mention that later) and then I believe you can take a ferry back if you're too tired to bike.
Alcatraz Island
Feel like learning stuff? Tickets sell out far in advance for Alcatraz so plan ahead. There is also the option to get a ferry ticket for Alcatraz and Angel island (i've never been to Angel Island but i hear its nice). Bundle up, it gets chilly over there. Alcatraz also offers night tours (not sure if they are offered in February though) which i hear is cool and depressing at the same time.
Fisherman's Wharf
Want to make sure you hit all the touristy spots? Ghirardelli Square, Fishermans Wharf, and Pier 39 are definitely on your list then (ill add pins for the others)! Lots of hustle and bustle and fun shops to wander in and out of. Dan enjoys the variety of seafood options at Fishermans Wharf- grab a snack and find a place by the water to sit and enjoy. But watch out for the gulls, they WILL try to steal your food.
The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop at Ghirardelli Square
Best 12$ ice cream sundae you'll ever have (or one of the best at least)! Share it with a friend, otherwise you'll get a tummy ache (speaking from experience of course).
PIER 39
All the little shops and souvenirs you could want! Also don't forget to check out the seals!!
Ferry Building Marketplace
Pretty building, reminds me of the French market at Ogilvie with all the food and shops (great empanadas). Except theres water! And its more California... aka more organic and expensive.
Chinatown
San Francisco has the BEST China Town, it's the oldest in the country and one of the largest. I do not recommend trying to park there. Have your ride drop you off at Dragons Gate and wander up Grant.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Tiny little place in an alley, get in, get your cookies, and get out. (cash only under 10$ i believe) They have yummy chocolate covered fortune cookies and for like a dollar you can write your own fortune and they'll put it in a cookie for you! I love this place. I heard it might close due to raising rent costs (stupid San Francisco) so make sure you check it out before its gone forever!
Good Mong Kok Bakery
dee-licious hole in the wall dim sum. Cash only. No place to eat your food inside so take it outside and eat on the sidewalk or wander till you find place suitable for feasting.
Lands End Labyrinth
Nice place for a nature walk. Go to Sutro Baths first then find your way up to the labrinth.
Golden Gate Park
So many activities in one place! The main attractions of GGP are: the Japanese Tea Garden (be sure to get a miso soup and enjoy it looking out over the gardens), conservatory of flowers (at least go look at the outside, the building is beautiful), the botanical garden, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences (if you're in town on Thursday, they have night life- the museum is open late for 21+, they serve drinks and have a theme every week).
San Tung
DRY. FRIED. WINGS. and they probably have other food too. expect to wait, but you can order to go.
Arizmendi Bakery
BEST. BREADSTICKS. EVER. they have two locations, this one and one on 24th street.
Twin Peaks
Best view of the city. Be aware, some might say this is a strenuous hike. We live in this neighborhood, reach out and see if we're home! Smooches and Glenn Coco would love to meet you! Just kidding, they hate people, but we still love you :)
Muir Woods Visitor Center
Want to be one with nature (with a bunch of other people too)? Check out this Redwood forest just outside the city. Definitely take the shuttle to the woods as the road to get there is windy and parking is limited. Plenty of parking in the shuttle lot or have a car drop you off.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Cute sea side town with a nice beach and shops to wander in and out of. If you head to Carmel, you can make a stop in Monterrey. The Monterrey Bay Aquarium is supposed to be AMAZING! I recommend an over night.
Big Sur
BEAUTIFUL CALIFORNIA!!! I suppose it is doable in a day but I recommend an over night.
Sonoma
Yes, I said Sonoma instead of Napa on purpose ;) Sonoma generally has cheaper wine tastings than Napa. Both are gorgeous and look the same. They are next to each other so you can totally go to both. I feel like Sonoma has more to the town square than Napa does to their downtown, but let's be honest you don't care about that, you just want to drink wine. St Helena is also very nice for wineries. Be safe and have a DD or hire a tour/ service to pick up/ drop off from the city. Some wineries let you bring in outside food, otherwise I enjoy having car picnics. Winery recommendations available by request. This is a day trip.
Livermore
Bet you never heard of Livermore for wine tasting, have you?! Well, let me tell you. There are beautiful and delicious wineries here and they are by far the cheapest with tastings on average 10-15$ compared to Somoma 15-25$ and Napa 20-40$ (these are all rough estimates). Maybe not as many rolling hills here but a great day of wine tasting none the less.
Tahoe City
February is a winter sport season, right? Ski and snowboard your heart out! Or simply enjoy the beauty of nature. Assuming the roads are clear, Tahoe is a 3-4 hour drive one way. You may need chains depending on the type of car and weather. This is an overnighter.
Smitten Ice Cream
One of my favorite places for ice cream! But pretty much all ice cream is my favorite. They have seasonal flavors, I like the earl grey with chocolate chips, Dan likes the chocolate chip cookie dough. There are a few Smitten locations, this one is in the mission. The mission is a pretty cool neighborhood to check out, you'll find amazing tacos, burritos, and murals.