San Francisco, you have my heart!
- Sonal Samtani
- Nov 5, 2023
- 5 min read
San Francisco is so much more than a peninsula, it is truly a vibe - it has a progressive atmosphere, a mix of eccentric culture, history and beautiful landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to the amazing food in Chinatown. There is an infinite number of things to do and places to explore in this gorgeous city. Join me on this virtual tour as we explore the heart and soul of San Francisco.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN SAN FRANCISCO
Arrival: San Francisco International Airport is so large and welcomes flights from many different kinds of cities - check flight routes and best deals from your origin here.
Language: English is the main language spoken in San Francisco, but significant Chinese and Mexican populations mean that Chinese and Spanish are also spoken quite frequently.
Credit Cards and Banks: The currency in California is US Dollars. ATMs are commonplace throughout the city and most stores, hotels, and restaurants will accept credit cards.
Climate: San Francisco has a mild climate that features warm but not unpleasant summer days and rainy winters. The city is famous for the fog- “Karl the Fog” that often rolls in from the Pacific. The best time to visit San Francisco is the late summer or early fall due to that time being historically the warmest months.
Helpful Tip: This city has micro-climates and there can be significant weather differences in parts of San Francisco because of the city’s large hills and maritime location. Even on a sunny day, things can get cold! Your best bet is to always carry a jacket, no matter what season.
EXPLORING SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco is separated into many different districts and neighborhoods; each offering a unique feel of the city! The most popular places worth visiting are:
Golden Gate: Named after the iconic bridge, this part of the city has some of the loveliest residential areas, as well as some former military posts – Fort Mason and the Presidio. You can cross the bridge either cycling or with a car and enter the cute city of Sausalito (definitely have lunch here). Or you could also take the ferry there.
Golden Gate Park and Nature's Wonders: Spend a day immersed in nature at Golden Gate Park. Visit the Japanese Tea Garden, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences (here you have an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum all under one roof!). Enjoy a relaxing afternoon picnic or take a stroll through the park's lush gardens with over 2,000 species of plants & flowers.
Fishermen’s Wharf: Another favourite for explorers - there are no longer fishing fleets operating here, but several museums and historic ships can be explored. Visit Pier 39 and note that the boat to Alcatraz Island also departs from this district. Fisherman's wharf is also home to many iconic restaurants, cafes and shops. Don't forget to visit Pier 39 that the adorable sea lions call home!
The Embarcadero - One of my favourite things to do in SF is taking a walk along the Embarcadero - don't forget to make a stop at the famous Ferry Building Marketplace, where local vendors offer fresh produce, artisanal goods, and delicious treats.
Chinatown/North Beach: San Francisco is home to the largest Chinatown outside Asia and it truly is epic - a great place for shopping, strolling and of course eating. North Beach is also home to the Italian district. A walk down Filbert Street is a great introduction to the area.
The Mission: Home to cool kids, colourful cafes and cultural cuisine, The Mission is authentic in every turn and definitely worth exploring. Don't miss the chance to see the murals of the Mission District, which showcase the city's thriving street art scene. The Clarion Alley Mural Project and Balmy Alley are great spots for this.
Union Square & Financial District: This is actually close to where I stayed during my time in SF and it is at the heart of the city. This area is a popular place for visitors with fantastic shopping and theaters in the city, along with a selection of great restaurants and bars.
Drive through Lombard Street: Lombard Street is famously known as the "Crookedest Street in the World." Admire the colourful flowers and zigzag path that makes this street a unique sight.
Twin Peaks & Lake Merced: On the southern portion of the peninsula, this attractive area has distinctive peaks that give it its name. You can take a taxi up to the Twin Peaks and enjoy the glorious views of the entire city. There is also some good hiking around Lake Merced and the San Francisco Zoo is also a good place to visit for families.
TRAVEL TIP
Although San Francisco is set in a relatively small area, at some point or another, you’ll need a taxi. Uber or Lyft are easiest (and most affordable) for hailing a car, so be sure to download your favorite to your smartphone before arriving.
California Coast road trip: If you love road trips as much as i do, this is definitely for you. Hire a car and drive through the California Coast - through San Francisco, Montery, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego-- taking in the incredible beauty on one of the most scenic road trips in the world!
Enjoy the artisanal cafes: You know how much we love coffee and SF is one of the best places to savour locally roasted coffee and farm-to-table cuisine.
Root for the home team at Oracle Park: If you time your visit right, you can’t miss a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T park! Joining the locals to cheer on the Giants is so much fun for any visitor of the city!
Where to Stay in San Francisco
San Francisco is a large city, and there are a handful of neighborhoods that are great to explore! You can find more information on various SF neighborhoods above, under the ‘Getting Around’ section.
Where to Eat in San Francisco
You can find ANY kind of cuisine in San Francisco, so I recommend trying a handful of places during your visit! The city is very vegetarian and vegan-friendly as well! Here are the best restaurants around San Francisco:
CRAFTSMAN AND WOLVES (Patisserie) - A contemporary pâtisserie located in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission district.
NOPA (Brunch, New American) - Nopa’s weekend brunch is a delightful change of pace from traditional egg and potato packed menus. And, you guessed it, you’ll need a reservation a week or two ahead of plans. Otherwise, try showing up 30 minutes before opening and you might be able to grab a seat at the bar.
GRACIAS MADRE (Vegan, Mexican) - I just love this place! It has wonderful organic vegan food in a Mexican style, this restaurant is enough to convince even a carnivore that not every meal needs meat in it.
THE BUENA VISTA CAFE (Cafe, Bar) - Opened in 1916, Buena Vista is known as the birthplace of the Irish Coffee. It's a little touristy but a lot of fun and definitely worth checking out.
BOUDIN (Bakery) - A trip to SF wouldn’t be complete without a big serving of steaming hot clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl (or tomato soup if you're a vegetarian!). Boudin was established back in 1849 and it’s said that they still use the same starter yeast-bacteria culture they developed back in the California Gold Rush. Stop at The Fisherman's Wharf location to see the bakers in action. Be warned—it’s typically packed with tourists, so try your luck in line, otherwise try getting a reservation upstairs.
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