Visiting San Francisco
Coco’s first visit to the Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco was always “The City” and it was usually reserved for visiting to watch the Nutcracker ballet with my grandma during the holidays (and was a BIG to-do), or for our annual Christmas Eve visit. Now that I’m older, it’s been a lot of fun to head up for day trips or overnights.
Fun Fact: We honeymooned in San Francisco, but my husband chipped a molar, so we had to drive back to his childhood dentist in San Jose and I had pneumonia, so it wasn’t a stellar honeymoon.
We have our lives to make it up!
TO DO:
PRESIDIO TUNNEL TOPS
I have a whole post dedicated to this incredible park! The Park itself is great for kids ages 5-12. The “upstairs” is a great area to picnic with breathtaking, panoramic views.
THE FERRY BUILDING
There are very few times we make the trek up to the city and don’t pay a visit to the Ferry Building. It has it all; Blue Bottle Coffee, Gott’s Roadhouse (really great food), and one of our favorite places to get seafood, Hog Island Oyster Company. Their Chipotle Oysters are TO DIE FOR. It has an insane view of the bay and Bay Bridge, so you can bring your treats and treasures out back and enjoy the view. The Ferry Building also has an insane Farmer’s Market like nothing you’ve ever seen (double check on the link, but current hours are Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 2pm, Saturday 8am - 2pm).
The Gardner is a fun stall in the Ferry Building, where you can shop for crafted goods and delicious coffee and food.
You can pick up pastries from Tartine in the Ferry Building, or visit Acme Bread, which has heavenly fresh-made breads.
We hardly ever visit SF without making a trip to Hog Island Oyster Co. in the Ferry Building. I don’t eat raw oysters (but heard they are stellar), but their clam chowder is insane, they serve fresh bread from Acme, great drinks, and their Chipotle Grilled Oysters are a fave.
The Ferry Building also has an insane Farmer’s Market like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Confession: I have lived 45 minutes from the city most of my life and have never visited Alcatraz! I don’t even know how it’s possible! Visit The Rock and “take a tour of Alcatraz maximum-security prison, and hear tales about it’s infamous residents.” You can book a day tour to The Rock, or a night tour… if you dare!!
Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
A Fun museum to visit for Disney Fans! If you are wanting to visit multiple museums during your visit, look into getting a GoSF or CityPass.
Tara Block shared a photo from her visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum and says “It’s great for families and I have spent hours here!” Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
ALAMO SQUARE
Quintessential San Francisco! Visit the PAINTED LADIES can grab a cup of coffee from the parked coffee van in the park: Lady Falcon! Note to self: this is NOT the Full House House. These homes are featured in the Full House intro, but the Full House exterior shot is across town.
Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids. The Painted Ladies and Lady Falcon in Alamo Square.
PALACE OF FINE ARTS
Touristy? Sure. But that doesn’t make it any less incredible and a great place to visit. Pack a picnic and enjoy the inspiration for the Little Mermaid ride in California Adventure! The Palace of Fine Arts is ‘monumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art.’
Tara Block shared one of her favorite places to bring visitors from out of town, The Palace of Fine Arts. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
STOW LAKE BOATHOUSE
Inside the park, a complete oasis! You would never know you are in the heart of the city. Rent a boat at the Stow Lake Boathouse and explore historic Golden Gate Park!
Can you believe this oasis is right in the middle of Golden Gate Park? Rent a boat at the Stow Boathouse and explore historic Golden Gate Park! Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
ANGEL ISLAND
You can buy tickets to take a ferry over to Angel Island and hike around! “Hike to Mount Livermore, bike around the Perimeter Road, or just picnic at Ayala Cove, you can see everything from wildflowers to whales and local landmarks to international icons” (angelisland.org).
Fun Fact: My sister and I were contestants on a reality tv show pilot that came to a culmination here and I don’t think either of us have ever been so frustrated in our existence on earth.
“Hike to Mount Livermore, bike around the Perimeter Road, or just picnic at Ayala Cove, you can see everything from wildflowers to whales and local landmarks to international icons” (angelisland.org). Photo from AFAR. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
ALAMEDA FLEA MARKET
Just outside the city on the first Sunday of each month is a truly epic flea market where you can score anything from vintage furniture to jewelry and decor. #Tracistip: start on the back and move towards the entry, as the booths near the front tend to be overpriced. Our rules for the flea market is to roam down the aisle, then you have to wait for everyone at the end before moving on. This is especially helpful as the cell hone service sucks here. Ideally, I like to bring $200 if I’m not looking for any big furniture, etc. You can always keep the extra cash, but I hate paying the atm fees. Some vendors do accept cards too.
The Alameda Flea Market has a wide array of vintage items. It’s my favorite place to shop! Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
I was dying over this needle point USA map with state flowers at the Alameda Flea Market! Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
I wanted (and still want) this black emu egg from the Alameda Flea Market. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
TO EAT:
I recruited my childhood friend, Tara Block, who is an uber chic Deputy Editor at PopSugar (I knew her before she was famous;) for her top recommendations in the city. Here are her go-to favorites!
Tara Block, editor from Pop Sugar shares her favorite places to visit in SF!
“Tony’s in North Beach is the best pizza in the city!” Neopolitan style and award winning.
Tony’s in North Beach has the best pizza in the city! Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
“Kokkari is fantastic.” Serving “Modern Greek cuisine driven by the philoxenia, the art of making a stranger a friend” (how rich is that?). I have read multiple people say this is their favorite place to eat EVER. Make a Reservation!
Kokkari serves Modern Greek food to die for. Photo from Kokkari.com. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Kokkari serves Modern Greek food to die for. Photo from Kokkari.com. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Kokkari is the perfect place to share a special meal. Photo by Tara Block. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Mister Jui’s- sleek, upscale Chinese food. “One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!” Make a reservation! “Mister Jiu’s is a testament to the best of Chinese family-style dining (from the flashy gold lotus chandeliers to the indoor tables’ built-in lazy susans) with a Bay Area sensibility that just works. It has redefined Chinese American food in America, and we absolutely love it.” (Resy.com).
Mister Jui’s has a Michelin Star and is ‘redefined Chinese American food.” Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Liholiho is super yummy Hawaiian and they have a newer location in the Mission. Korean Short ribs, Poke, fresh and delicious seafood.
Whole Maine Lobster from LIHOLIHO YACHT CLUB by Daniel S. on Yelp. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
“A Mano means ‘by hand’ in Italian and refers to the way in which the kitchen and the bar approach the creation of each and every dish and cocktail. Each morning, our cooks make our pasta fresh by hand” (amano.com). Make a Reservation!
A Mano makes all of their pasta and bread by hand every morning. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
PAGAN IDOL
My favorite Tiki bar! Get a reservation and order a Painkiller. They have cute little huts
The Pagan Idol is a bit less touristy then the (also amazing) Hurricane Room. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
WAYFARE TAVERN
‘Authentic American’ cuisine. We stepped inside and I immediately thought “I am not cool enough to be in here.” The staff didn’t seem to notice the imposter and pampered us with their complimentary popovers (make sure to request!) and world class service. We felt SO well taken care of. We had only intended to pop in for a nightcap, but everything looked so good and we were enjoying ourselves, we ended up ordering multiple dishes and drinks and everything was top notch.
The complimentary popover are made to order and is the fluffiest, most delicious bread treat I’ve had in a LONG time. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
STAY:
The location is right in the heart of the action and close to Market street. This historic hotel has everything it takes to feel like a PROPER visit to The City.
“Meet me under the Clock” is a famous saying about meeting in the Westin St Francis. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
This repurposed YMCA was the perfect place for my husband and I to stay for a night during our recent trip to the city (and I loved all the little nods to YMCA in the lobby). The room rate was reasonable (and valet was $60) and the location was incredible. We were walking distance to the Ferry Building and we walked to Wayfare Tavern for a nightcap.
A FEW MORE IDEAS FROM TARA BLOCK:)
City View is Tara’s most favorite Dim Sum Place (My mouth is watering!). Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Tara has awarded Basik the “Best Acai Bowl.” Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Wise Sons Jewish Deli has amazing bagels and coffee. Multiple Locations. The perfect spot to pop in first thing in the morning. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Tara is awarding Silk Nails the “Best Nail Salon in SF!” Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids. 1425 Franklin Street.
The Museum of Modern Art is a great way to spend an afternoon in SF. Photo by Tara. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
For your inner Plant Lady: Flora Grubb Gardens is the “Best Plant Store” (and it looks like they have Ritual Coffee in there!!). Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.
Tara loves to find a novel to get lost in the Alexander Book Company. Tips for visiting San Francisco with kids or without kids.