Things To Do
Ferry Building
Wander around the Ferry Building for its restaurants, wine bars, and souvenir shops. Take a ferry while you're at it (some ferries even have bars)! Our favorite place to visit is Sausalito. Or you can take Briana's commute and go to Alameda!
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Half Moon Bay is the perfect place to relax. This beach is a hidden oasis and is our favorite beach spot. It features a hike and a cliff overlooking the beach with stairs leading down to the sand. Be warned - the Pacific is chilly!
Stanford University
Take a day trip down to South Bay/Silicon Valley. If you want to lessen the Uber cost, take Caltrain down and get off at Palo Alto. You can walk down Palm Drive, see the Quad, Memorial Church (MemChu), Hoover Tower, and checkout the Engineering department with buildings like the Gates Computer Science Building, Hewlett, Packard, or take a glimpse at Nvidia Auditorium where Peter and Briana met. The original Google server is under the stairs in front of the Nvidia Auditorium. Checkout Briana's freshman and sophomore dorm, Lagunita Court (West Lag, Best Lag!). Peter mostly lived in Suites and FloMo (West Side, Best Side!). Grab lunch at Coupa by Green Library and get Briana's usual Mediterranean Panini and Tigris Spice Chai Latte. Public bathrooms are located near the Memorial Church or in Tressider Student Union.
Exploratorium
Briana and Peter's senior formal was hosted here. Founded by physicist and educator Frank Oppenheimer in 1969, it is an interactive museum of science, technology, and arts. On Thursdays, they host Exploratorium @ Night with drinks and appetizers for adults.
Golden Gate Bridge
For beautiful glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge, go to Chrissy Field, Fort Mason, or Baker Beach. For more of a hike and closer to the Golden Gate Bridge, go to the Presidio. If you're willing to cross the bridge, the best place to get the quintessential Golden Gate Bridge photo is Battery Spencer.
Chinatown / North Beach
Chinatown and North Beach are great places to grab food nearby the hotel blocks. San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest in North America and is filled with hidden gems like R & G Lounge or Z & Y Peking Duck. North Beach is San Francisco's Little Italy with lively restaurants like Original Joe's.
Pier 39 / Fisherman's Wharf
Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf is the classic tourist spot. Watch the famous Pier 39 sea lions sunbathe alongside the pier. Play an antique arcade game at Musee Mecanique. Try out a burger at California's burger joint In & Out. Walk a couple minutes west, and you will stop by Ghirardelli Square. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, founded by Domenico Ghirardelli, began in 1852 during the California Gold Rush. The rich aroma, iconic sundaes, and friendly service make it a memorable stop. Peter and I love their Caramel Hot Cocoa. The square also features a beer garden called SF Brewing Co. and has an amazing dim sum place called Palette Tea House that overlooks the Bay.
Japantown
You can't go wrong with Japantown! There are lots of great sushi spots. Briana and Peter's favorite spot here is getting Taiyaki ice cream from Uji. Try out the red bean filling paired with their more traditional flavors of Black Sesame, Ube, or Matcha.
Napa
Head to wine country! You can take the Vallejo ferry to get close, and there are a few wine tours that service from the ferry or near there. There also are a few wine bus tours that head out from SF. You’re also welcome to rent a car and drive. Depending on traffic, it is only a 3-4 hours. Briana and her friends previously have enjoyed the Napa Valley Wine Trolley and its stop at Castello di Amorosa.
Try a Self-Driving Car
Self-driving cars by Waymo are the new Uber in SF. Download the Waymo app, and try one out!
Starlite
Beacon Grand's rooftop lounge, Starlite, is the perfect place to grab cocktails and bites while overlooking downtown San Francisco.