Top 49
Golden Gate Bridge*
It would be silly to leave this off the list, right? Thankfully, there are dozens of spots in the city to get a killer view of the Bridge, so keep your eyes open when atop one of the 48 hills in the city! If you're looking for something picturesque, check out Land's End and Baker Beach on the westside (but don't go far right on the beach unless you want to see some of our neighbors rocking the birthday suit), or Crissy Field and Golden Gate Beach on the east side.
Alcatraz*
Al Capone, James "Whitey" Bulger, and Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson (good for you if you know that last guy) all called Alcatraz home at one point, and the self-guided audio tours here are an awesome way to learn more about America's classic criminals—if your into that stuff. Let's be real, you are. The tour takes anywhere from 1.5-3 hours, including a beautiful boat ride across the Bay on your way to and from the island. So book your tickets soon to secure your spot (it fills up!), and be sure to grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby cafes before you go!
Fisherman's Wharf*
The one place people are drawn to when they visit SF is crowded, a little dirty, but always a good time. This is where you come to get fantastic views of the Bay, including the Bridge in some areas, get your "I <3 San Francisco" sweaters (seriously, layer up), and hit Pier 39 to see the seals, shops, and get your grub on. The streets are lined with local vendors, street performers, and even fishers who will fill up your photo album, and even day, if you let it. Tucked away at Pier 45 is Musée Mécanique, a penny-arcade featuring century-old games and weird puppet shows that will give you the creeps but one memorable experience. Plus, this is where Queen Clarisse Renaldi beat the metal man in the classic arm-wrestling match of '01, so in our minds, it's pretty great.
Golden Gate Park*
The largest of all of the city's parks, this massive green area is homes to dozens of fields where you and locals spend their day BBQing, playing sports and riding bikes, and visiting the many museums and sites within the 3-mile stretch. There are too many things to do at the park than I can list within the word count Zola allows, but some of our favorites include the Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, Strawberry Hill, the Polo Fields, Rose Garden, California Academy of Sciences, the Music Concourse, and the myriad of trails that you can stroll with beautiful foliage and shade from the trees.
Alamo Square*
Want to catch some rays or day drink outside the Painted Ladies? Alamo Square is where it's at. Check out Postcard Row featuring the iconic row of houses that brings us back to the late 80's/early 90s (some great years we had back then...) when you tuned in to ABC and caught the Tanners doing their thing. A park is a lively place where people come to take pics, hang out on the sunny hills with friends, and turn the brain off for the weekend.
Ghirardelli Square*
While we all know chocolate sucks, Ghirardelli Square is a pretty cool area right up the street from Fisherman's Wharf and The Buena Vista (where Irish Coffee was first brought to the States). The marketplace within the Square is home to SF Brewing Co, neat little boutiques, and of course, a big ole Ghirardelli Chocolate store. If you're in the area, there's no reason not to stop by the Square and grab something warm to drink and peruse some unique shops to get warm again because it's cold here. It's always fucking cold here (shhh, Minnesotans).
Union Square/Downtown*
You won't want to miss exploring the downtown area and Union Square while staying in town, even if it means just window-shopping and admiring the unique architecture of our city's skyline. Union Square offers your classic downtown retailers (e.g., Nike, Macy's, Apple) as well as the city’s higher-end stores such as Louis Vuitton, Goyard, and DIOR. Head a little bit south on Powell and get to the Cable Car turnaround, where you can ride to Fisherman's Wharf if you want to take in a good stretch of the city and its hill. This area is also home to our offices—Kelsey works at Rising Sun Physical Therapy at 500 Sutter St., and Hayden at Ground Floor Public Affairs on 58 2nd St.
Take a Cable Car*
The cable car is an iconic San Francisco experience, and the easiest way to get around town (just kidding, but that would be pretty cool, right?). The car's tracks run from Fisherman's Wharf to Market and Powell St., right in the heart of downtown. You can purchase your tickets at the booth at Fisherman's Wharf, the turnaround station at Market, or when the car is stopped (e.g., at a crosswalk) and hop on, and a conductor can sell you a ticket. You should try out this if you're staying at the University Club because the car stops right outside the club and can get you up those hills if you don't feel like walking!
Chinatown*
Visit the oldest Chinatown in the U.S. and get some dumplings and matcha ice cream when walking up and down Grant Ave. through the Dragon Gate. The neighborhood is home to some big and colorful Chinese shops and vendors, as well as St. Mary's Square, where you can listen to traditional Chinese tunes and watch residents practice their Tai-Chi (we promise, it's not weird).
Haight-Ashbury*
Many of you may already know that the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is where the Summer of Love and popularity of peace signs first began. We prefer to spend our time window shopping and people watching in the neighborhood because, believe us, there's plenty to see! The walk down Haight St. from Central Ave. to Stanyan St. makes for an exciting stroll where you'll get the opportunity to stop by some of the city's funkiest stores and restaurants to find your much-needed tie-dye shirts and vegan burgers.
Ferry Building*
The Ferry Building is one of the best places on the east side of the city during Sunday mornings. This massive and beautiful building has some of our best artisan food vendors located inside the building while surrounded by one of the city's largest farmers' markets. If you're hungry and didn't catch the Market on Sunday, check out Gott's Roadside for a killer burger or Hog Island Oyster Co. for the best oysters in the city which are open weekdays and afternoons on the weekends.
Salesforce Park**
In 2018, Salesforce Tower became the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco, and with it, a beautiful public park stretching 4.5 football fields in length atop a transit center. We think this will soon fall into the "classic" section because it's one of our largest parks with the unique feature of sitting seventy feet above ground level. Salesforce Park has a walking trail circling the entire park lined plants brought in from around the world, food and drink vendors, a playground, open spaces, and is accessible to the public for free. You can even ride a gondola up to the park from the north side near the Tower's main entrance!
North Beach**
Otherwise known as Little Italy, North Beach is where it's at for pizza, pasta, and pastries. Not only is the food excellent, but it's a neighborhood with a healthy mix of upbeat and relaxing vibes. We love going to North Beach to hang out at Washington Square with the pup, go to City Lights Bookstore, eat at Tony's, and see comedy shows at Cobb's Comedy Club. If you a street-art fan, go to Broadway and Columbus, and on the southeast side there's a Banksy on the roof you can see if you stand across the street!
Hayes Valley**
A small but positive-energy-filled area where we like to come to check out the unique shopping scene, grab some French food, and enjoy a warmer and sunnier part of town. Patricia's Green has a great juice stand to get some cold-pressed goodness, and then once you're done being healthy, you can go to the Biergarten for some authentic German beer and sausages in their outdoor courtyard.
Spark Social**
Food trucks and mini golf. Need we say more? But seriously, this place has tons of options for untraditional cuisine brought in by some fantastic restaurants and food trucks. Across the area with the food trucks is a mini-golf course that is a great place to take your drink and have yourself a solid 30-45 minutes of mindless fun. Not to mention there is a tent with TVs where you can catch the game if that's on your itinerary!
Japantown**
San Francisco’s Japantown is the oldest and one of only three in the U.S., and is a great area to grab some sushi, shop at the Japantown Center, and take some pics in front of the Japantown Tower. In the shopping center is a store called Daiso, where they sell all sorts of household goods and treats at ridiculously low prices and will more than likely fit in the suitcase! Also, if you've never tried a mochi donut or have already fallen in love with them, the best place to get them in the city is at Mochill Mochi, on the westside of the mall.
Giants Game**
The Giants-Cubs series begins Thursday the 28th, and Oracle Park is a great spot to spend the day or evening if you want to put your feet up and enjoy the cool and breezy stadium with fantastic food (you have to try Gilroy Garlic Fries while you're there)! Oracle isn't a huge stadium, so no matter where you sit, you'll get a great view of the game with tickets as cheap as $18. Just don't go Saturday, because, you know, you're busy.
The Castro**
The Castro is a vibrant neighborhood with great restaurants, men's clothing retailers, and a booming Sunday Farmer's market. The Castro is also the neighborhood Harvey Milk called home, with his former home and camera shop now the HRC headquarters and gift shop (all proceeds for the store go directly to the campaign!).
Ocean Beach**
Ocean Beach is San Francisco's largest beach and one of the pup's favorite places to go to put his paws in the sand, and if his feeling dangerous, the water itself. Our main beach is not necessarily a place to put on the bathing suit and go for a swim, but it is a peaceful area to escape the urban landscape and take in the fresh ocean air while getting your steps in. We love going here because it's only about a 15-minute walk from our place, including heading over to the northernmost side to hang out at Sutro Heights Park and smell the wild roses scattered throughout the park.
SF MoMa**
No matter how many times we go, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art always amazes us with its standing and rotating exhibitions. The museum has something for everyone, but for us, it’s the pop art where we get the chance to see Warhol's and Lichtenstein's paintings and all of the other artists worldwide who were inspired by their art. So if you're an art enthusiast and haven't been, consider this an essential while visiting the city!
Sausalito**
One of the best-kept secrets in San Francisco is Sausalito. This sleepy town sits directly north of the Golden Gate Bridge and offers some of the most amazing views of the Bay and city skyline you can get. Rental car or not, if you're looking to escape the city for a few hours, get yourself a ride over the Bridge (another cool experience) and check out the little boutiques, walk along the docks, and eat at one of our favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, Trident!
Cow Hollow**
Just to the east of Fisherman's Wharf are the Cow Hollow and Marina neighborhoods—both great escapes from the craziness of the piers while still giving you plenty to see and do mid-day. Walk along Chestnut St. or Union St. for some fun shopping in a non-hilly area, but do yourself a favor a grab yourself a Super Duper burger because they're amazing.
Nob Hill**
If you're staying at or nearby the University Club, then be sure to explore the neighborhood you’re in because you're likely in Nob Hill! As the name suggests, the neighborhood is built around one big hill, so don't be surprised if you find yourself walking up some of the steepest parts of San Francisco (but isn't that all part of the experience?). Nob Hill is where you'll find some classy and historic hotels, and if you're close by when the sun is down, check out Ina Coolbrith Park and see the Bay Bridge lit up!
Urban Putt***
We love ourselves one-of-a-kind hot spots, and Urban Putt is undoubtedly one of them. Urban Putt is tucked away in the southern areas of the Mission District and is hardly visited by tourists and even long-time residents (according to our friends!). You can grab a drink at a full bar and play one of the coolest mini-golf courses you've ever been to, and afterwards hang out upstairs in the seating are or small arcade room. Playing a full round won't take longer than 45 minutes to an hour, so be sure not to pass it up if you're looking to kill a little time between the goings-on.
Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar***
Check out one of the grungiest, oldest, and best dive bars in the city when you're in the Embarcadero and want to rest your legs. The drinks are dirt cheap, and you can sit right up against the water if you want to feel the wind through your hair.
Bookstores***
We love a good bookstore, and San Francisco has some great ones. Green Apple books has two locations on the west side of the city and sells new and used books with funky trinkets you can only find at independent bookstores. City Lights is San Francisco's oldest bookstore (and smells like it, too), where they sell old and hard-to-find books in a fantastic location surrounded by awesome street art.
Lands End/Sutro Park/Sutro Baths***
On the very northwest side of the city are Lands End, Sutro Park, and Sutro Baths—all scenic areas away from the urban landscape and preserved by their history as a military base. Lands End is a part of a trail that circles an area in the Presidio and offers stellar views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sutro Heights ¬¬¬¬¬Park is a quiet and beautiful area filled with flowers, ocean views, and monuments along grassy paths and shaded areas. Sutro Baths, just north of the Sutro Park, and was once a swimming pool complex built in the 1890s but burnt down (ironic, right?) in the 60s. What was left was the foundation of the complex, which you can still walk around and even check out a sea cave at the very bottom of the ruins.
Napa***
Wine country is only about 1-1.5 hours away, and the drive is not too shabby! August is about the time wineries begin ¬their first harvest, so the region is sprawling with green grapevines in every direction and people coming to see sparkling and white wines get made. There are dozens of wineries to take guided or self-guided tours, but we especially like Rutherford because their tours involve walking through the caves where they house their aging barrels and give lessons on tasting wine.
Muir Woods***
The drive over the bridge and through the woods is an experience you can't pass up if you love yourself some greenery and the sight and smell of the redwoods. Muir Woods National Monument is a state recreation area where you can walk along a flat trail lined with some of the world's tallest trees and hug them if you're feeling like a hippy. If you want to go, make reservations at least a week early and plan out your trip using a rental, Gig Car Share/Zip Car, or the shuttle a few days beforehand.
Balboa Theatre***
If ever you make your way to the west side of town, or to our little neighborhood in the Outer Richmond, the Balboa Theatre is a neat old place to catch a flick if you're looking to tone down the vacay. The theater opened in 1926 and still has much of its old charm via the decor and old movie theater equipment. It has two screens and shows everything from Marvel movies to silver screen classics, and the theaters are big for the neighborhood so you'll probably end up with a row to yourself!
*Tony's Pizza Napoletana
Arguably the best pizza in the world, Tony's Pizza sits in the heart of North Beach in Washington Square, generally with a line out the door—and for good reason! Tony Giamangi is an x13 world pizza champion and offers a myriad of styles of pizza (e.g., Wood-fired, Detroit, California) at his central location. If you want to sit down, make a reservation on Yelp by clicking the 'get in line' option and show up when you're up 2 or 3rd on the list. Otherwise, you can go next door to Slice House, (Tony's to-go) and grab some 'za much faster than you would sitting down and find a place to sit outside or at the park down the street.
*Daigo Sushi
There are a lot of sushi places in the city. ike, a lot. But we've never had sushi better than our own Richmond District-based Daigo sushi. It's a cozy joint, seating probably 20 or so, with top-of-the-line sushi chefs making quality rolls. They also have a special menu with a rotating selection of some of the highest-quality fish you can find (for a night when you want to spoil yourself!)
*Fog Harbor Fish House
Cioppino is a San Francisco tourist staple, and if you're going to get it, get it at Fog Harbor on Pier 39. The restaurant sits on the second floor overlooking the pier, giving you a great view of the Wharf while providing high-quality seafood and a relaxing daytime ambiance.
*Boudin Bakery Cafe
Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is a San Francisco staple, and Boudin serves it best. Their soup is everything you love about a New England clam chowder but served in a crispy outer shell/soft and warm inside bread bowl that will leave you stuffed before the last bite. There are a few Boudin locations spread throughout the city, but the one to see is at the Wharf, where they have massive windows and free tours inside the bakery to see where the sourdough gets made. If you love their clam chowder like we do, you can buy the canned version and bring it home with you!
*Golden Gate Tap Room
GG Tap Room was one of the first, and still, one of our favorite bars in the city. Located 200 feet from Kelsey's office (not intentional), this sports bar is two stories of TVs, arcade games, and a massive list of draft beers. We love going here for NFL Sundays when we get the chance, but it's also the place to be if you're looking for some hair-of-the-dog or to watch baseball on Sunday while you're here!
*Pa'ina Restaurant & Lounge
This Hawaiian-fusion restaurant is one of our favorite places to grab a tropical beverage and wings. It's located in Japantown, meaning you can take a stroll through the Japantown Center if you have reservations or are waiting for a table, and once you sit down, the service is fast and friendly. They'll always recommend something delicious and unique from their menu, including tropical candy-based and adult slushies.
*Burmese Kitchen
If you haven't had Burmese food, you've got to try it, and there's no better place than Burmese Kitchen. We think of Burmese food as a mix of Indian and Thai food; however, it doesn't carry the spice or intense flavors you might think. Don't get us wrong, we love our Indian and Thai food. But when we need something to agree on for takeout or delivery after a long day, their chicken biryani and fermented tea leaf salad is something that we both know we'll enjoy. Not to mention they deliver on every delivery app there is, so if you can't make your way over, get it sent to your hotel!
*La Mar Cebicheria Peruana
We think La Mar has one of the best happy hours in the city. Unfortunately, happy hour is only Mon-Fri on weekdays, and the menu is small, but everything on there is gold. It's a Peruvian restaurant specializing in empanadas that serve delicious cocktails and calamari. If you're in the Embarcadero between 3-5 pm, this is a place to stop by, even if you're not hungry.
*Amelie
Amelie is one of our favorite French restaurants, which we fell in love with because of their wine, charcuterie, escargot, and ambiance. Their servers are all French and are happy to explain anything on the menu that may seem unfamiliar or recommend a great bottle of wine. Plus, the happy hour is on point!
*Home Coffee Roasters
Only one of us drinks coffee, and they swear by this place. If you're looking for something hot, get the birthday cake latte for its gorgeous presentation and addicting aftertaste (however, it doesn't taste like cake, it's just colorful like it). For something cold, the iced lavender latte is superb. Want to bring home some beans? Try the Sunset Blend and wish you had bought more. However, if there's one thing you need to get while you're at one of their locations, it's their mochi-matcha muffins. They're unreal, but don't get there too late in the day, or they'll sell out!
*Comstock Saloon
This bar is where the city's mafia hung out back in the day and now is the second-oldest bar in San Francisco, so it's got some cool history. Although, believe it or not we fell in love with this place, not because of their drinks but their shishito peppers. We know, it's weird. It's a place to grab an old-timey cocktail, some well-prepared bar food, and listen to some live piano and jazz music from the afternoon into the night. And we promise, those shishitos are damn good.
*Hog Island Oyster Co.
We love ourselves some oysters, and our first choice when looking for them is Hog Island. The restaurant has made quite a name for itself in the city, for tourists and locals alike, because of its location up against the water in the Ferry Building and its fresh oysters shucked in the middle of the restaurant for all to see. While you obviously have to eat as many oysters as you can muster while you're there, the other seafood options have never let us down.
*Chez Maman
Their burgers and escargot are the real deal. If you haven't tried escargot, either because you haven't had the chance or are freaked out by the idea, try it here with their pesto/wine sauce and bread, and you'll be glad you did!
*Bob's Donuts
Every city has its donut shop, and Bob's Donuts is ours. Open 24-hours, this is the late-night place if you're on a vacation diet and care about your mental health. If you get there before 10 pm, you'll have all the best options, including a massive 9-inch around donut in glazed and seasonal flavors. Whatever you decide on, we promise you won't regret it!
*U:Dessert Story
Want to take dessert to a new level while in town? Check out U:Dessert Story for their bingsoo and 18-layer crepe cakes. If you've never had either, order them both. Seriously. The mango sticky-rice bingsoo is a refreshing and filling cold treat that you can refreeze if the big bowl is too much for one sitting (but it probably won't be). If you go for the layered crepe cake, try the Thai tea or matcha green tea flavor and awe at the most aesthetically pleasing pastry of your life.
*Hot Sauce and Panko
Hands down some of the best wings in the city. Hot Sauce & Panko has been mastering the crispy wing technique and sauce-to-wing ratio since 'Nam, with dozens of flavors and affordable prices. Because it's a small joint, the wait is usually pretty long (for pickup or delivery), but well worth it for delivery or pickup (there's no seating) in a nice little neighborhood with beautiful houses lining quiet streets.
*Aria Korean Street Food
There's no KFC like Aria KFC. Korean fried chicken is extremely popular in San Francisco and is primarily served with a heavenly sauce called gochujang (e.g., a sweet and savory chili glaze). Aria's KFC is a mouthwatering option if you have a hankering for fried chicken, but also think Korean food sounds good. It's different, and it's worth it.
*Top of the Mark
If you're nearby the University Club, or Nob Hill in general, the Top of the Mark is the place to go for top-of-the-line city views and high-end cocktails. It sits at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel, which, if ¬¬you haven't already booked, is a comfortable and historic place to stay while you are here. Also, don't sleep on their appetizers!
*La Taqueria
We don't pass up on grabbing ourselves some of the best Mexican food in the city at this poppin' and fast-paced restaurant in the Mission District. Everything from their burritos to their agua frescas is fantastic and will keep you full for the rest of the day or evening. While there is seating in the restaurant, the kitchen and open-fire grills are open to the restaurant, which makes it loud, smokey, and ideal for takeout or delivery.