San Francisco
** = Best of all time!
Welcome to one of my favorite cities in the world - San Francisco!
If you are staying in the city for a few nights, I highly recommend Hotel Drisco in Pacific Heights. It’s on the higher end in a cute, safe neighborhood walking distance to some of the best views and restaurants. If you are staying outside of the city, Cavallo Point is a great option.
Marina / Pacific Heights
Spruce: Upscale California food with a Michelin star. In Presidio Heights so fun to walk through the neighborhoods to dinner.
Balboa Cafe: Classic American food. Famous for their espresso martinis. Fun to sit outside and people-watch.
Octavia: Farm to table California food
Russian Hill / Nob Hill
Saru Handroll Bar**: High quality hand rolls at reasonable prices. I always get 4 hand rolls + miso soup a la carte and leave feeling full. They don’t take reservations so if you’re going on the weekend get there early to avoid the rush or grab a drink at Wood’s across the street.
Seven Hills**: Great Italian food, they accept reservations but are always booked so plan ahead!
House of Prime Rib: San Francisco classic. They serve the cocktails in cocktail shakers, it’s a super fun experience. Get reservations a month in advance.
The Boys Deli: Favorite sandwiches in SF on Polk (back of a small grocery store so take them to-go)
Cafe Meuse: Cozy wine bar with appetizers and heavy pours
Nob Hill Cafe: Italian spot that also serves brunch
The Buena Vista**: Stop by for a famous Irish Coffee! A San Francisco Classic
North Beach
Original Joe’s: San Francisco classic; Italian food
Hayes Valley
Zuni Cafe**: San Francisco classic. The roast chicken is absolutely legendary. Make reservations ahead of time.
Robin**: Omakase priced on a sliding scale (~$100-$200). Incredible experience, favorite high end sushi in San Francisco! Make reservations in advance.
Nari**: Amazing Thai food (technically in Japantown)
A Mano: Handmade pasta, doesn’t take reservations so grab a drink at Fig & Thistle (wine bar) or Anina (fun patio) while you wait.
Lower Haight / Cole Valley
Zazie**: French restaurant with amazing brunch. Always a line so get there early or put your name in and grab coffee while you wait.
Beit Rima**: Arabic comfort food
Lucinda’s Deli: FAT deli sandwiches right next to Alamo Square (grab a sandwich and sit at the park!)
L’Ardoise - Cute French place on Noe Street; great wine, steak and frites, risotto
Schlok’s: Great bagels near Alamo Square
Sunset / Richmond District
Arsicault Bakery**: Best croissants in San Francisco. Always a line out front!
Hook Fish**: Favorite fish and poke burritos. I recommend ordering to-go to eat at Ocean Beach, or go to the Mill Valley location for a better sit-down experience.
Palm City**: Wine bar with great sandwiches near the beach in the Outer Sunset
Devils Teeth Bakery: Special breakfast sandwich with bacon, eggs, avocado, and garlic aioli on a soft biscuit
Burma Superstar**: Great Burmese food. Love their tea leaf salad and samosas. We order takeout from here often
Downtown
Cotogna**: Upscale, amazing Italian. Get a reservation a month in advance! Favorite dish is the Prosciutto with gnocco fritto, gorgonzola & pickled onions
Mister Jiu’s**: Amazing Chinese food, if you don’t have a reservation get there early to get a seat at the bar
Kokkari Estario**: Nicer Greek food in Jackson Square
Pier 31: Great place to get brunch and grab a drink on a sunny dar. Near the Embarcadero so you can hit the Saturday farmers market beforehand.
Mission
Flour + Water: Nicer Italian restaurant; Trick Dog and True Laurel (trendy bars) are right around the corner
Tartine Bakery: World famous bakery
Go-To Takeout / Doordash: Burma Superstar, Yarsa Nepalese, Sweetgreen
To do
Hike Lands End (views of Golden Gate bridge and Sutro Baths)
Bike through Golden Gate Park (fun to combine this with lunch at Hook Fish or Palm City!)
Walk to the Lyon Street Steps for amazing views of the city, walk down to the Palace of Fine Arts
On Saturday morning, check out the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Building (or the smaller Sunday Farmer’s Market at Fort Mason)
Off the Grid food trucks at Fort Mason; generally on Fridays in April-October
Attend a Giant’s game at Levis Stadium
Take ferry to Tiburon for lunch at Sam’s Anchor Cafe (right on the water with great views)
Go to Marin for lunch at Hook Fish (poke burrito, fish tacos) - more outdoor seating than Sunset location with beer and Juneshine
Day trip / weekend trip to Sonoma**
We always stay at Beltane Ranch**, it is incredibly magical and our favorite place on earth maybe? They have refundable rates so I highly recommend booking a few weekends super far in advance
Wine tasting at Scribe Winery** (members only, worth it to join)
El Molino** for dinner (authentic Mexican food)
Drive over to Cavallo Point (hotel) for views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can book a massage or cooking class there
Favorite streets in San Francisco:
Fillmore Street: Pacific Heights shopping/restaurants
Chestnut Street: Marina shopping/restaurants
Union Street: Cow Hollow shopping/restaurants
Sacramento Street: Presidio Heights interior design shops (March SF, Hudson Grace, Anthem, Anyon Atelier, St Frank — most of the shops are closed on Sundays), As Quoted coffee shop
Haight Street: Famous hippie street with thrift shopping and famous Amoeba Music (records)
Hayes Street: Hayes Valley shopping/restaurants