One of our favorite city hike is Lands End which is a scenic trek through San Francisco's coast. Take in ocean view, stop by the Historic Cliff house or the Beach Chalet for a refreshment. The hike is four miles from start to the Golden Gate Bridge. At the beginning of the hike is the remnants of the old Sutro Baths, once the largest indoor swimming pool built in 1896.
This is a busy tourist attraction that can get a bit crowded, so it's good to get there early. You can catch the ferry to Alcatraz from here. It's less than a half mile walk to Ghirardelli Square where you can take a cable car to Union Square. It's also close to The Buena Vista , featured below. Fisherman's Wharf is a good starting point to explore many parts of the City.
Located next to the last stop on the Powell-Hyde cable car near Fisherman's Wharf. The Buena Vista is home to San Francisco's most famous Irish Coffee.
Take a sixty minute Bay cruise or head over to Sausalito for lunch. We also love Angel Island, pack a picnic and take a hike or rent bikes and check out all the island has to offer.
October is prime whale watching here in the Pacific Northwest. San Francisco Whale Tours offers exciting adventures from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean and into the protected sanctuary of the Farallon Islands. Enjoy views of San Francisco attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge to sightings of Blue, Humpback, and Gray whales.
See some of the Bay’s most popular attractions up close and personal sailing around Alcatraz Island, directly underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and head back admiring the city’s famed skyline – it’s quite a sight! Catch a glimpse of marine wildlife including pelicans, sea lions, dolphins, and even the occasional whale.
Angel Island is a beautiful and historic place to visit, offering hiking, biking, and 360 degree views of San Francisco and Marin. From 1910-1940 the Angel Island Station served as the mass processing center for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from all over the world looking to start a new like in America. The island houses a museum dedicated to telling the story of these pioneering new Americans. As a bonus, the short ferry ride from San Francisco has wonderful views of the City, Alcatraz Island, and the entire San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest one in North America and covers 24 city blocks. This neighborhood is one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco. It's easy to spend a day here, exploring the streets and alleys, browsing the shops and enjoying the authentic Chinese food. The much-photographed Dragon Gate is the official entrance into Chinatown on Bush Street, where Grant Avenue takes you into the heart of Chinatown. We recommend House of Nanking and Z&Y Restaurant for Chinatown restaurants and Li Po Cocktail Lounge for a no frills environment and a killer Mai Tai.
A San Francisco staple, always worth the wait.
Perhaps San Francisco's most popular Sichuan and Northern Chinese restaurant known for packing plenty of spice.
North Beach, San Francisco, CA, is loved by locals and tourists alike for its character, variety, and beauty. A perfect spot for cappuccino and espresso, this neighborhood rich in Italian heritage compresses cabarets, jazz clubs, galleries, inns, family style restaurants and gelato parlors into less than a square mile. Adjacent to Chinatown, it is easy to visit both neighborhoods in one afternoon. We had several of our first dates in North Beach, and we still love spending an afternoon at City Lights Book Store and visiting the Vesuvio Cafe next door.
This is our beloved neighborhood!! We love the Mission, even if the fog rolls in throughout the city the Mission is usually sunny and warm. We'll highlight some of our favorite bars and restaurants below and we hope that you'll have a chance to checkout our favorite part of the City.
Also known as Dolores Beach because on a sunny Saturday it's wall to wall people, this park is just two blocks from our house and we spend tons of time here. There is a great playground, bathrooms, and usually the best people watching in town. Dolores Park is in the heart of The Mission with some of the best food and drink in the City.
San Francisco's oldest Mission, a beautiful place to visit.
One of our local favorites. Not a lot of seating but the take out is really quick.
Nondescript storefront, but really tasty food! We love it here!
This is our favorite date night restaurant! The roasted chicken for two is amazing, and the oysters are always the best I've ever tasted. It's best to make a reservation in advance, as it will fill up. We love to grab a glass of wine at Hotel Biron on Rose Street before or after our meal--its a cozy little wine grotto owned by our friends that is right behind Zuni. So good!!!
Our local taqueria--the best!!!
The best vegan food we've ever had in a beautiful space that feels very true to our neighborhood.
An underground tiki bar at a fancy hotel on Nob Hill--you'll never go anyplace else like it! The waiters wear white jackets and a band plays on a floating platform on a pool, and every 20 minutes it "rains" around the perimeter of the pool. It's amazing! Worth a trip to Nob Hill!
For some of the best views of the City, take a walk up Bernal Hill! Depending on your starting point, it can take 30 minutes to an hour, and is fairly steep at the end. We usually walk all the way up Folsom Street and then just follow the road. The views are unparalled and it's a great way to start a day in the City.
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, there are miles of coastal hiking trails. One of the most accessible and rewarding is the Tennessee Valley Road, which starts at a parking lot and ends at a stunning beach. The road a fairly flat, although hikers wanting a challenge can climb the bluffs.
Ocean Beach is one of our favorite places. It's a great place to go for a long walk, or just bring a blanket and a book to sit for awhile. Golden Gate Park ends at the Great Highway, so if you are a runner or want to take a long walk, it's easy to incorporate the park and the ocean into a run. There is a great breakfast spot called Outerlands just a few blocks away from the beach, and we highly recommend an early breakfast and beach walk if you have the time!