San Francisco Destination Guide
We traveled to the city of San Francisco in July of 2019 and had the opportunity to experience so much of what the city has to offer. In this post, we list a number of hot spots as well as some hidden gems in San Francisco.
Cable Cars
A unique experience in San Francisco is riding on one of the cable cars. There are several cable car lines to choose from, and we ended up waiting a little over an hour for our ride. The experience was well-worth it!
Pier 39
The famous Pier 39 is located along the historic San Francisco waterfront. Although it has a number of attractions, most visitors come to admire the sea lions. You’ll spot them lounging on the dock. We were quite entertained by their playfulness.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
We purchased tickets for a late morning cruise from Pier 43 to get an up close view of Alcatraz Island and go under the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The cruise was an hour in length and we were able to learn about the history of the Golden Gate Bridge as well as history of San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants Baseball Game
Located in the SoMa neighborhood is Oracle Park, home to the San Francisco Giants. We came to Oracle Park to watch the SF Giants play the Chicago Cubs. The stadium is located in McCovey cove, where fans come in boats and kayaks to see if they can catch a home run ball (also known as a “splash hit”). We also tried the popular garlic fries, a fan favorite at Oracle Park. They were indeed delicious!
Union Square
We stayed in a hotel in Union Square. The area not only has historic landmarks, but is also a prime destination for shopping and dining.
Chinatown
We walked around Chinatown San Francisco, taking in the neat culture and history of the area. There were vibrant street performers near The Dragon Gate, along with many shops and restaurants. We also walked by Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral, admiring the clock on it’s tower.
Painted Ladies
Colorful Victorian-style homes, known as the painted ladies, line a San Francisco street right across from Alamo Square Park. The Painted Ladies were on the popular television show, Full House. Many tourists come to the area to admire the homes.
Lombard Street
A popular San Francisco landmark is known as the “crookedest street in the world.” Lombard Street is in a neighborhood surrounded by mansions. The street has eight sharp curves. Visitors come to the area to take in scenic views – from flowers and nature to the breathtaking view from the top.
Coit Tower
Located on Telegraph Hill and surrounded by Pioneer Park is Coit Tower. Visitors can pay to go to the observation deck, where they can get a 360 degree view of the city of San Francisco. On our visit, we learned that the tower was named after Lillie Hitchcock Coit. She left some her wealth to beautify the city of San Francisco. The funds where used to build Coit Tower. Inside the lobby on the ground floor of the tower, you’ll find painted murals that show what life was like in San Francisco in the 1930’s.
Town of Sausalito
Just right across the Golden Gate Bridge and only 10 minutes away from San Francisco is the charming town of Sausalito. We ventured around the town, admiring the hillside homes and the incredible views of San Francisco. We also walked through yacht harbor and sat on a dock to watch the sailboats. Sausalito is known for it’s fresh, local seafood restaurants. It also has a handful of farm to table restaurants and boutique shops as well as art galleries. And, Sausalito is just a 40 minute drive to wine country!
Fire Museum
While walking in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, we located San Francisco’s Fire Museum. The museum has a large collection of memorabilia, including old fire trucks and a historic bell. We admired the collection as well as the photos and artifacts on the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. There was also a display about Lillie Coit, who was a patron of the SF Fire Department. We learned that the San Francisco Fire Department was established in 1866. The museum is operated by a nonprofit called Guardians of the City and is run by volunteers.
Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is a historic landmark that opened in 1898. It began as a place for commuters arriving by train or ferry. The building’s iconic clock tower has been a waterfront landmark in San Francisco. Today the Ferry Building is a food marketplace and is known for it’s renown farmers market.
Dining in San Francisco
For donuts and baked goods, we found Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. There was a neon light up sign inside that states “I got baked in S.F” Unfortunately, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse is now closed.
We also dined at Mama’s on Washington Square for breakfast – be sure to get there early and join the line outside. It’s a popular spot! We also enjoyed breakfast at Brenda’s French Soul Food. (We were told by locals to take an Uber ride there and back – it is not in the best area.)
Our first evening in San Francisco, we dined at Tadich Grill in the Wharf area (which was a place recommended by locals). We were seated at the bar, where we were entertained by the bartenders and wait staff. We enjoyed delightful, fresh seafood entrees! On another evening, we ate at the House of Prime Rib. We enjoyed martini’s in their lounge area while we waited for a table. The dining experience and food was well worth the wait. The portions were large and the food was outstanding!
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