San Francisco

Written By Sydney Moses

** = 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

Sydney Moses
Next

San Diego