It's where Jon and I went on our first big adventure together. . . and kept coming back!
It's one of the first real California experiences I had when I first moved here.
It never gets old.
For many years, Jon and I spent at least 1 adventure a year in San Francisco, but most often it was more. We would pack our bags for the weekend and drive up the to a South Bay town and catch the BART in for a weekend of walking, food and fun. Every single time, we did something different. Sometimes, we would spend time with my Jon's cousin and wife, who used to live there! Sometimes, it would be just for a day, but every single time was a grand adventure and we were never bored.
It's been awhile since we've gone at least once a year. The kids got older and life got busier, but something happened and we've managed to go twice so far in the last year . . .and a potential night there is coming soon (kid free, too!). After our quick trip after Christmas, the kids decided we needed to come back and do somethings that they haven't been to and so without realizing it, our summer adventure had been planned. . . and we did so many new to them, some new to us things that it just didn't disappoint! Because there are so many different things to do. So, I sat down with Jon and we came up with our 10 favorite places to visit in San Francisco to share.
But first, I have feel very comfortable walking around the city with my family and even by myself. We avoid areas, like the Tenderloin (which had gotten worse since COVID). Just be smart and keep your eyes open and aware of your surroundings. If you feel unsafe, grab an uber and go somewhere else.
Secondly, when we visit, we park at a BART station and either ride the BART in or catch an uber to our hotel in the city (whichever is cheaper/easier). We've ridden the MUNI and it was great, too! But mostly, we just walk and Uber around.
And lastly, don't NOT take the kids! They will surprise you at how well they walk. Weston walked from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf when he was 5 and we walked up Nob Hill and never once did he complain. . . we were on an adventure!
Here is our list of the top 10 places to visit in the city. I'll save our absolute favorite for last!
This area is a new find for us and it is so cute! The houses are adorable and there are some great shops and eateries on Chestnut. We ate at this super fun (and very tasty) place called Tacolicious. . . but walking by all the other places, I was drooling! It is also not too far from Cow Hollow, which is our next place that we want to explore! This area is close to the Wave Organ, Marina Green and Fort Mason, where you can grab a delicious cup of Equator Coffee. There are also lots of events at Fort Mason, like their Farmer's Market! It is also not far to the Presidio, which is 100 percent worth it to walk over to, visit Yoda (because that's where Lucas Films is!) and enjoy the scenic walk to the Palace of Fine Arts.
9. Sales Force Tower Elevated Park
A few years ago, Ethan built the San Francisco Lego Architecture set and fell in love with new sky scraper that was being built in the SOMA district (South of Market St.). It is currently the tallest sky scraper in the city and the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It's pretty incredible. One of the things that they did, was build this long elevated park full of a wide variety of unique plants and trees, an amphitheater, children's play area and a really cool bus fountain. We grabbed a coffee at a nearby Blue Bottle Coffee and headed up the elevator to walk the park. We almost didn't want to leave. . . it was so peaceful and calming up there. . . you almost forget you're in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a city!
I think one of my favorite parts of San Francisco is how all the cultures flow into each other. Little Italy is located between Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. And one of my favorite parts of town is where China Town meets Little Italy. The churches and breathtaking number of Italian restaurants that fill the streets with the most delicious aroma of garlic and tomato sauce. You can't walk through this area without eating something.
We got to try Tony's this summer and we love a good pizza! This pizza place is award winning, as in best in the WORLD at pizza making. They have several different pizza ovens to cook pizza depending on the type of pizza you order. We also stopped by a San Francisco staple, Cafe Trieste for an iced latte and one of several cannolis of the trip. There are so many fun shops, old book stores, record stores and we even found a flute shop!
From Little Italy, you are not far from China Town, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, and Joe DiMaggio Park. . . This is a great place to let your kiddos play for a few minutes. . . no matter how old they are!
7. Golden Gate Bridge & Crissy Field
The first time I walked across the Golden Gate Bridge, I was in high school and it was pouring down rain and it was amazing! The second time, we only walked half way because we didn't need to go all the way across and a 7 year old Weston was terrified we were going to fall in the water (we weren't). But, it's definitely worth the walk! There is also a smaller model of the bridge and docents that share facts about the bridge out and about at the visitors center. From there it is a lovely walk down to Crissy Field and the beach down there. There's a fun little restaurant and some other businesses, like climbing and trampolines down there. Crissy Field is part of the Presidio, which will actually get it's own post. . . but it's HUGE and so its easy to knock Crissy Field off when you are at the bridge.
6. Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square (and Pier 39, because you're there)
I know that this is touristy. It totally is. But, there are a few things we just can't resist. Fresh crab from vendors at Fisherman's Wharf. . . it's amazing! Musee Mecanique, which is an old building behind the crab people, that is filled with antique coin operated arcade games! (remember the scene of Princess Diaries where the queen. . . Julie Andrew's arm wrestles? That's totally the spot!). It's also home of laughing Sally, who will probably drive you nuts if people keep feeding her quarters, but it's a landmark that you must see. We also are huge fans of Boudin sourdough bread.
Ghirardelli Square is my favorite. They redid the old factory and made it a place for gathering. There are cute shops, including my favorite, LOLA, several restaurants, the iconic Ghirardelli ice cream shop, and a really cool mini golf course (we have now done it twice!)
And because you're in the area, Pier 39 is fun-ish. Its full of chain restaurants and cheesy touristy shops, but when it's not summer, you can find the sea lions camped out over there. That alone makes the pier completely worth it!
5. The Presidio
Okay, I have mentioned this twice already, because it is HUGE. The first time, I visited was kind of a fluke. We were visiting Jon's cousin and his wife and their car broke down on the way to something. Anyways, we couldn't all fit in the tow truck, so we stayed behind and they picked us up later in a different car. It ended up raining and well, we had a blast! There are old barracks and officers quarters, The Walt Disney Family Museum is there, there are trails galore, and even a pet cemetery. It is definitly worth the visit!
4. Union Square
This used to be my favorite part of San Francisco, because I love shopping. But, my favorite store closed up its Union Square location (super sad about that, but it's open much closer to me, so that's cool). Walking around the sky scrapers is a lot of fun, but it's the square itself that wins the prize! In the winter, there is ice skating and the Chr and in the summer, it's just a square with spire and a place to maybe eat a picnic lunch.
It is also not far from The Theater District, where you can see a play at the Curran or any other of the nearby theaters.
Our absolute favorite place to eat is called Sears Fine Dining. It's been a San Francisco staple for more than 50 years! They are famous for their silver dollar pancakes (served all day). The rest of the menu changes with the seasons, but it's amazing! We took our kids there for the first time in December and it was a huge hit!
Golden Gate Park is just amazing. It's huge and green and just lovely! There are museums like the DeYoung Art Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. It is filled with gardens and little lakes, paddle boats and so much more! Not far from the musuems is the Sunset Neighborhood, which has some really yummy eats. We love Tartine (it's super famous and sooo delicious!) and loved Gordo Taqueria (their tacos were huge. . . hence the name!). There are also some pretty great mosaic steps if you want a little out of the way hike. . . or even a little further to Grandview Park (best view of the city!).
Back to the park, though, it basically starts at the beach, with the windmills and goes into the city until it reaches Stanyan St, where you can play bocce ball and drink coffee at Flywheel coffee. . . which Jon says was the best coffee of the trip! (it was!). From here, you aren't very far from Haight and Ashbury. . . if you wanted to check that out. It's kind of a fun area. . . especially if you like old records, like we do. Ameoba Records is right across the street from the park!
2. Nob Hill
We have made the climb up Nob Hill so many times, but it's worth it. The Fairmont Hotel and the Intercontinental are both at the top, along with Grace Cathedral and the James C. Flood Mansion, who was a very successful miner. The Tonga Room in the Fairmont is delicious, and at Christmas, the lobby is filled with a life sized REAL gingerbread house!
1. Ride the Cable Car from Fisherman's Wharf to Powell at night
This is our favorite experience of all! It's usually quiet and (sometimes free) to ride, if it's the last run of the night. But, the views of the Bay Bridge and the lights of the City are like none other. Plus, by then you've walked a bazillion miles and your feet are tired. Hearing the noises of the city, the lights of the buildings and bridges, and traveling through the misty and foggy night is an amazing experience. You get the chance to ride on a method of transportation that's been used for a LONG time, which makes it even more meaningful!
We had a really hard time narrowing it down to the top 10 places we love! We felt kind of bad to leave out places like the Mission District and some really neat places in SOMA. But if you want a good papusa, some great coffee or some great food, like the OG Tartine, just let me know and I will point in a good direction!
We'd love to hear what your favorite places are and maybe we will hit them up on our next trip!
If you are looking for more on San Francisco, check out this post and this post from a family adventures a few years back!
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