San Francisco; a city filled with world-famous sites such as the Golden Gate bridge, Alcatraz and the Painted Ladies, and was of course the birthplace of the hippie movement in the 60’s. It is however so much more than a few famous anecdotes, and is without doubt one of the most peaceful, calm and beautiful cities that I have ever visited. Not only that, but there are so many different neighbourhoods to see and visit, as well as some truly special places to eat for all of you foodies reading this. I thought I would create a quick guide to San Francisco for you all, packed-full of tips and recommendations for an exceptionally memorable trip there.
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Getting There
Arriving in San Francisco from the UK is very straightforward, and usually requires only one flight in order to do so. You can however make a change at New York for a similar flight price, meaning that you could see multiple cities on different sides of the country for a bit extra. The airport at San Francisco is easy to navigate, and you will be able to find your pick-up with no issues. I would definitely recommend booking transport to your hotel ahead of time however, as usually this is a lot cheaper than a taxi. Speak to your hotel beforehand and see if they do any kind of shuttle. The airport is about 20 minutes away from the city centre, but with the excitement this will pass in no time at all!
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Checking In: The Orchard Hotel
In April, my boyfriend and I decided to stay at the Orchard Hotel in San Francisco for four nights. The shuttle service from the airport was quick and easy, and we arrived at the hotel with ample time. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by exceptionally friendly staff, who offered to take our bags to our room and gave us a map of the city so that we could start exploring straight away. The hotel itself was simply gorgeous, and was a traditional American luxury hotel. The room was lovely and spacious, and had a view down to the road, as well as allowing us to see part of Nob Hill. To top this off, I need to make a special mention to their breakfasts. We had pancakes here on multiple occasions; they are a chocoholics dream. In terms of location, you are only about a five minute walk away from famous places such as Union Square and Top of the Mark hotel, as well as being pretty close to the Ferry Building and Pier 39. If you go to San Francisco, I would strongly recommend staying at this hotel!
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Main Neighbourhoods
San Francisco is made up of numerous major, well-known districts and neighbourhoods as well as smaller, specific subsections and developments. There is some agreement that there are five broad districts; Central/ Downtown, Richmond, Sunset, Upper Market and beyond (south central) and Bernal Heights/ Bayview and beyond (southeast). Within each of these five districts are located major neighbourhoods, totally 36 official neighbourhoods in total.
Central/ Downtown
Without Downtown, San Francisco could easily be seen as simply a collection of villages. The heart of the city, situated around Union Square has a high concentration of cultural attractions and is a never-ending stream of sights, sounds and places to shop. Whether you are up early and enjoying a morning coffee or are out on the town sipping cocktails at a fancy establishment, there is always something going on in this part of town.
Richmond
Developed in the late 19th century, Richmond is in the northwest corner of the city and is in many ways defined by its relation to the parks; to the south is the Golden Gate Park, the Pacific Ocean to the west and to the north of the neighbourhood, Lincoln Park, Land’s End, Mountain Lake Park and the Presidio of San Francisco. There is not all that much for visitors to see in Richmond, as despite its proximity to the surrounding nature, it is a family neighbourhood, and one of the city’s largest as a whole, both in terms of housing and population. What you might be interested in however, is Clement Street, sometimes called the second Chinatown due to its highly-rated Chinese restaurants (which actually get better ratings than those in the city’s Chinatown itself).
Sunset
The Sunset District is the city’s largest neighbourhood and is bordered by the Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean (or, more specifically, the long, flat strand of beach known as Ocean Beach). Prior to the residential and commercial development of the Sunset District, much of the area was covered by sand dunes and was originally referred to by 19th century San Franciscans as the “Outside Lands.” Due to the area’s located on the cold northern Pacific Ocean coastline, the area tends to get much of the fog San Francisco is famous for. Whilst the area is mostly residential, it is home to many large parks and recreation areas, along with the city’s Zoo, and every Sunday host’s a morning farmers’ market (located at 1315 8th Avenue) which is popular with locals looking for California-grown produce, and also has a number of local food vendors and artisans. Should you be visiting the city in the summer, Stern Grove, a heavily wooded park and amphitheater located on Sloat Boulevard between 19th and 34th avenues, is known for its annual summer festival.
Upper Market
Covering the area from Van Ness up to Castro Street is the district of Upper Market. Along this palm-tree lined street there are a number of stores, businesses, restaurants, and bars. If you don’t have loads of time to spare, why not hop aboard one of the classic street cars and enjoy the ride up Market Street in style. Once you make it to the top by Castro Street, spend some time exploring the area which has one of the richest histories in the city.
Bernal Heights/ Bayside
Bernal Heights lies to the south of San Francisco’s Mission District. Its most prominent feature is the open parkland and radio tower on its large rocky hill, Bernal Heights Summit. Many San Franciscans never travel to this part of the city but those who do wander up the incline may find themselves surprised by the quaint urban village that seems almost forgotten by time. The area’s main shopping strip of Cortland Avenue is filled with small markets, cafes, fruit stands, and the residential streets are a huddle of little bungalows and community gardens.
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What to See
San Francisco has multiple world-famous sites to see around the city, some of which are truly special. In my quick guide to San Francisco, I thought I’d list a fair few suggestions of places that you just have to see if you make a visit to this spectacular city…
The Golden Gate Bridge
I think everyone will agree that you cannot visit San Francisco without paying the iconic Golden Gate Bridge a visit. Whilst the one-mile-wide suspension bridge can be seen from a distance (albeit occasionally shrouded by fog), nothing beats a close up view of this enormous structure. If you go to San Francisco, you need to see this bridge. No ifs or buts.
Palace of the Fine Arts
This beautiful and monumental structure was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition as a place to exhibit works of art. It has since become a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, as well as a favourite location for wedding party photographs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pier 39
Located at the edge of the Fisherman’s Wharf district, Pier 39 is essentially a shopping and tourist centre offering everything from restaurants and a video arcade, to a colony of sea lions hauled out on docks on Pier 39’s marina. The pier is also home to a two-storey carousel (which of course I had to ride) and the Aquarium of the Bay, a stunning aquarium with multiple marine species ranging from sharks to otters. There are also a wide-variety of shops and restaurants, although get there early as the queues can be pretty long! Some of the shops are very cool and unique, including a shop dedicated to left-handed people. A possible highlight however is the resident sea-lions, of which there are many! There is a large viewing area where you can get pretty close to these guys. I warn you though, the smell is pretty dreadful so be sure to hold your nose! This is also the place to book a whale-watching adventure should you want to. The price is quite reasonable too, starting at around $40.00 per person. We didn’t get the time to do this unfortunately, but with some spectacular creatures in the water such as humpback whales and dolphins, I would certainly recommend doing it!
Chinatown
Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the most established and famous in the world. It covers a large area in the city, and offers many unique experiences. One thing you just HAVE to do is to sample some of the local delicacies, such as a steamed bun from the bakery or pay a trip to the fortune cookie factory. The best thing about this area of the city is that it offers a completely different culture, and it is like stepping into a whole different part of the world. Keep your eyes peeled for street performances; musical instruments and dances are a common site in Chinatown, and can be a wonderful watch in the evening sun. Why not also visit some of the souvenir shops here too? Some of them have some extraordinary bargains just waiting to be taken, and you can find a whole range of memorabilia for the city of San Francisco.
Alcatraz Island
The most infamous prison in the world certainly lives up to its spooky and immortal reputation. I would strongly recommend booking your tickets well in advanced, please do not just buy them when you arrive as the odds are it will be full. The cruise to the island takes around quarter of an hour, but on a sunny day can be a really nice experience. Try and arrive early and get a seat outside on the boat – it really makes all the difference! The island itself is home to many great sites, as well as numerous photo opportunities. Get creative and try to capture the unique flavour and character of this island. When you look around, take in every corner and don’t rush; there is just so much to see!
Lombard Street
Often referred to as ‘the crookedest street in the world’, Lombard Street is known for the one-way block on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. The 180m long section with its steep descent and eight hairpin turns was intended to reduce the hill’s natural 27 percent grade, which was far too steep for most vehicles to drive down. The street has become a major tourist attraction for those on foot and in vehicles, with almost two million visitors per year, and around 250 vehicles per hour!
Alamo Square
If you wanted a picturesque view of the city, or even a romantic sunset after a long day exploring, this is the place to visit. The square is home to the world-famous Painted-Ladies, which deserve a photo or two when you visit this city. Why not grab a picnic and enjoy and evening up here, where you will be able to see most of the city and the San Francisco Bay. What sort of quick guide to San Francisco would this be if I also didn’t mention that Alamo Square also has free Wi-Fi; always useful to know these things!
Coit Tower
Also known as the Lillian Coit Memorial Tower, this landmark clearly stands out from the rest of the buildings on the seafront of San Francisco, and stands proudly atop the Orange City. When you walk along the coast, you can see it standing on some impressive cliffs, which is enough to make anybody stand and admire it. The namesake of this tower, Lillian Coit, was of huge importance to the early city, and often chased fires that ravaged the city’s wooden buildings as there was no fire department. She was also ahead of her time in other ways, and often dressed up as a man so that she could continue with her avid gambling hobby. When she eventually passed away, she donated a fair amount of money to the city so that they could improve its beauty. It comes as no surprise that this eccentric lady also has another statue dedicated to her in the city, one of three firemen carrying a lady. If you fancy the climb to this tower, be sure to take a peek at its pretty murals, and to take some time looking over the bay and the city itself.
Ghiradelli Square
Just a quick detour away from Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghiradelli Square is home to a wide-array of shops and restaurants that sit just by the seafront. Although the commercial aspect of this square was opened in the 1960’s, it has a rich history which can clearly be seen in the architecture that surrounds the square. Why not take a trip here after going to Pier 39, or on your walk along the seafront?
Ferry Building
The Ferry Building in San Francisco is the key place where people can travel across the Bay to nearby towns and attractions. It is also a strikingly majestic piece of architecture, and truly stands out from the nearby buildings. As well as this, there is a market inside it, home to a wide-variety of treats and souvenirs for you to indulge in. A good plan is to start here, and then walk to the Golden Gate Bridge. The walk will take a few hours, but on a sunny day this walk can be a really lovely expedition on a weekend – be sure to wear sun cream though!
City Hall
Just a few blocks away from Union Square is the City Hall. This impressive building stands somewhat hidden away in all of the tall buildings of the main part of the city, but it is well worth trying to find! The hall itself is typically American, with stunning architecture that is certainly worth a photo or two. It may surprise you to learn that this actually is not the original city hall building, as that was unfortunately destroyed during the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. The building was also used in the James Bond film A View to a Kill, so watch that if you fancy a sneak peak of City Hall before you go!
Union Square
Union Square is at the heart of the city of San Francisco. Getting its name from the rallies that occurred here for the Union Army during the civil war, the square now is a major tourist destination and is home to one of the largest shopping facilities in the United States. The range of shops is incredible, from top designer outlets such as Macy’s, to a large Disney Store just around the corner. It is also right next to arguably the main cable car station in the city, meaning that you can easily get on there to explore. Around the area there is a whole host of different restaurants, ranging from unique fine dining experiences, to the Cheesecake Factory.
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What and Where to Eat
San Francisco is as famous for its restaurants and food trends as it is for its Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars. Among the unique or regionally typical foods to be sampled in San Francisco are abalone, dungeness crab, sand dabs, bay shrimp and crusty sourdough French bread.
• Chowder in a Bread Bowl at Boudin Bakery – Whilst the local San Franciscans may not eat it much, you can’t deny that this is the first food that comes to mind when you think “San Francisco”. Although clam chowder is an East Coast specialty the Californian sourdough makes the taste just that much better..
• Cruffin at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse – It’s Instagrammable, It’s endlessly adaptable to fillings and flavors, It’s inspiring of long waits: It’s the cruffin. A new SF icon has emerged, showcasing the city’s love of innovation and excellent pastries in a mashup between a croissant and a muffin. Truth be told, I would personally grab another treat whilst you’re there too; they’re very good here!
• Smitten’s Ice cream – This ice cream just does what is says on the tin – it leaves you smitten. If you get the chance, be sure to check this place out on a hot day. Make sure you try multiple flavours too, there are lots of good ones and you don’t want to get food envy when you see somebody with a flavour you just should have got.
• Fortune cookie – I know what you’re thinking; surely this belongs in a Chinese city guide?? Not at all is the answer! Fortune cookies were originally created in San Francisco’s Chinatown, and now can be found (rather cheaply) at the Fortune Cookie Factory. Whilst you’re here, don’t just buy the standard fortune cookies. My Californian friend recommended buying the flat cookies and treating them like crisps, some wisdom that I would like to pass on to you. Buy a few bags of these, as they are the perfect eating-for-the-sake-of-it snack!
• Brunch at Mama’s – This place is just… Well… Special. Do you want the best brunch in the city? Then wake up at 6am (yes, really) and make your way down to this place as soon as possible. VERY long queues can form here from 08:00 onwards, and you don’t want to be doing that. Once you’re inside, get ready to indulge in some amazing food. Don’t be an amateur and buy one dish each, you need to stock up a bit as this food is just the best in the city. Treat yourself, and you won’t regret it. To top it off it’s in a great location, the staff are lovely, and it has an incredible atmosphere.
• Dynamo Donuts – Earlier in this guide I suggested walking to the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is another reason. Along the seafront, just a bit after Fisherman’s Wharf, is a small little shack. Don’t let this appearance fool you however, as they have some pretty special donuts, and they’re a steal when it comes to price too! The best part is that the flavours are unique, such as chocolate and lavender for instance. Be sure to try this place out, it won’t disappoint.
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Getting Around
Transport in San Francisco is just excellent. There are multiple different buses and trams, and these will set you back only a couple of dollars tops for a journey. As well as this, the cable cars can transport you in style around the city. Truth be told, unless you’re walking around late at night, the only taxis you’ll ever have to get here are the ones to the airport, and even then, use the hotel shuttles – much cheaper!
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I really hope you enjoyed reading this quick guide to San Francisco and found it helpful. If you have any tips or suggestions to add, please let me know in the comments below. Love V x
