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San Francisco is known for many things—its hippie history, a massive (not to mention culturally significant) Chinatown district, quirky culture, and coastal views, all within the watchful gaze of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll want to pack good walking shoes, since the city is pretty hilly, and a sweater, since it’s also notoriously breezy, so you’re totally comfortable as you explore this incredibly diverse and bustling city.
Traveling means sampling the culture—literally! San Francisco has plenty of unforgettable places to get food and drinks. Fuel your journey through SF by stopping at these hotspots.
2889 Mission St | Downtown | taqueriasanfrancisco.com
Grab some lunch at La Taqueria, a no-frills, cash-only burrito joint that serves up some of the best Mexican food in NorCal. It’s known for offering traditional, rice-free burritos, so what you’re really getting is a hand grenade of meat and toppings. Order yours “super,” get a Corona, snag a spot at a table, and get ready to enjoy pure, meaty goodness.
255 Columbus Ave
Jackson Square | vesuvio.com
Vesuvio Cafe is as rich in history as it is in eclectic decor. Founded in 1948, this North Beach saloon has seen greats like Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, Allen Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, and Francis Ford Coppola.
2101 Sutter St
Lower Pacific Heights | sweetmaplesf.com
Open from 8 am to 2:30 pm during the week and 8 am to 3 pm on the weekend, Sweet Maple is a delicious way to start your day or a cozy place to take a mid-afternoon break.
Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, start the day off right at a neighborhood gem in Lower Pacific Heights—Sweet Maple. Deep-fried French toast, brown sugar-coated Millionaire’s bacon, and breakfast pizza are perfect if you’re super hungry, but they also offer lighter options, like sweet potato pancakes and Dungeness crab omelets.
12 William Saryoen Pl | Jackson Square | specstwelveadlermuseumcafesanfrancisco2.bestcafes.online
Sip on a reasonably-priced cocktail as you take in your heavily-adorned surroundings at Specs’. With a story that dates back to 1968, this bar is sure to have you looking around and thinking, “If these walls could talk …”
San Francisco’s beautiful scenery and contemporary aesthetic have made it a popular setting for TV shows (Party of Five, Charmed, Monk) and movies (Dirty Harry, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Mrs. DoubtFire), and you simply can’t come to the city without doing some sightseeing. Here are some of our top places to hit.
700 Steiner St | Alamo Square
Take your sandwiches and baked goods to the park to see some of San Francisco’s iconic and colorful Victorian homes, also known as the Painted Ladies. You probably recognize them from the opening credits of the TV show Full House (you didn’t think we forgot about that one, did you?) The home used for shots of the actual Tanner house is located a few blocks away. The door is no longer red, but if you’re discreet, you can still snap a photo or two.
B/t Sea Cliff and Cow Hollow
Presidio of San Francisco | presidio.gov
While not quite as famous as Golden Gate Park, the Presidio is just as loaded with things to see. Inspiration Point offers views of Alcatraz, the Palace of Fine Arts, Angel Island, and art installations along trails make for beautiful hikes, and there’s even a Yoda statue from Star Wars hidden here!
1000-1099 Lombard St | Russian Hill | sftodo.com
You’ve probably seen pictures of the famously winding Lombard Street before, but it’s one of those things that you have to see in person to fully appreciate. San Francisco is notoriously hilly, and its way of building streets to compensate for that is one of the city’s most charming quirks.
The Embarcadero and Beach St
Fisherman’s Wharf | pier39.com
Next, visit Pier 39 and the lazy sea lions that call its K-Dock home. There’s loads to do here from tours of Alcatraz, souvenir shopping, seafood restaurants, bars, attractions, and more.
Whether you just check out the atmosphere and get a picture of the iconic sea lions sunning themselves on the dock. The sea lions have been residents of San Francisco since 1989 when they migrated to the area after the Loma Prieta earthquake. Now, they’re a must-see at Pier 39.
Whether you spend a full afternoon doing a tour or just explore Pier 39 on your own, it’s definitely worth stopping by.
You’re sure to get a healthy dose of culture while you’re visiting SF. With so much art, history, and diverse forms of entertainment, you won’t have trouble rounding out your itinerary with some vibrant experiences. Here are some of our favorite corners of the city.
Pier 45 | Fisherman’s Wharf | museemecaniquesf.com
Load up on spare change, and head to the Musée Mécanique, an old-school arcade where most of the games were popular well before the 1980s. An impressive and amusing—and sometimes creepy—collection of machines from the 1930s through the present day are kept in working condition and only cost a few cents to play. It’s one of the most extensive displays of vintage games in the world, and who doesn’t love a museum where you can play with the exhibits?
261 Columbus Ave
Chinatown | citylights.com
San Francisco is known for its history with Beat Generation of the 1950s and 1960s, and nowhere in the city is this more celebrated than at City Lights Bookstore. This indie bookstore was founded by famous poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti in 1953, as the first all-paperback bookstore and a beat publishing house. To this day, it boasts a voluminous selection of interesting titles.
1633 Haight St | Haight-Ashbury
When we said “old school,” we mean old school—this bar is cash only. So hit the ATM, order a stiff martini, and enjoy this watering hole that’s withstood the test of time.
Aub Zam Zam is a beloved, old-school dive that’s the perfect place to disappear for a bit. Known for its exotic 1940s decor and vintage jukebox, you’ll seriously feel like you’ve stepped into a film noir.
Grant Ave and Bush St
Chinatown | sanfranciscochinatown.com
Looking for a place to eat? R&G Lounge is a renowned Cantonese restaurant that’s famous for its salt-and-pepper fried crab—the clay pots, lettuce cups, and Peking duck are also solid choices!
San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the US. Top attractions include the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, Portsmouth Square, Dragon’s Gate, China Live, the Wok Shop, and many, many others.
Want the lowdown on visiting San Francisco throughout the year? Here’s what you need to know: Summer can get a little busy, but the sun on the coast is worth it—if you don’t mind some crowds. Spring is kind of chilly, so the waning warmth of fall makes for a better transitional season. Winters are mild but rainy, so if you choose to visit then, pack an umbrella and rain boots.
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