My San Francisco Recommendations
Restaurants:
The Pub at Ghirardelli Square – great, amazing BBQ! The location is very nice with a view of the bay if you get outdoor seating.
Bistro Boudin at the Wharf – we went for breakfast and it was OMG! They are famous for their sour dough bread and their bread bowls. You will even see the bread for sale in the airport. It’s not a table service place – you order and pick up at a counter then self-seat at any table in the restaurant. There is a very nice outdoor seating area with a fireplace – we were there in October when it was cool so the fire was very nice!
Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop – a must see, must do when in SFO. Have an ice cream sundae and buy some chocolates!
Fog Harbour Fish House – right on Pier 39. The food was really good.
Franciscan Crab Restaurant – On Fisherman’s Wharf. Nice view of the bay and harbor through huge glass windows but average food for the money. We didn’t have crab – maybe that’s the key.
Hang Ah Tea Room in Chinatown – this is a small, out of the way place that serves authentic Chinese food. It was delicious.
Sights and Attractions:
49 mile scenic drive – get a good map or app to guide you because the road signs are few and far between. This is a great way to see a lot of the city. It will take several hours.
Presidio – this is a neighborhood that is on the 49 mile scenic drive. It is quiet and quite beautiful. Very green and great views of the Pacific Ocean. There is a park with an overlook by the side of road that is worth stopping for.
Golden Gate Bridge – can’t miss this, of course! We took the city bus to get there. Take the time to walk across it at least halfway.
Chinatown – interesting to walk through and stop in at a couple of the grocery shops. The dragon gate is pretty.
Fisherman’s Wharf – lots to do here. Restaurants, ferries to Alcatraz and other boat tours, see the Sea Lions on Pier 39, the Embarcadero and Ferry Market building. Many souvenir stores too.
The Embarcadero
Ferry Building Marketplace – another indoor marketplace with food galore!
Cable Cars – we waited in line to get on at the turn around and later saw people just hopping on and off everywhere along the route. This you must do!
Lombard street – Take the cable car then get off at the Lombard St stop to see the twistyest street. You can hop back on to continue riding the cable car or walk down hill on Lombard St.
Twin Peaks – you drive up the hill to get a panoramic view over the city. Great photo opps there and it’s a nice drive. It’s on the 49 mile scenic drive.
Coit Tower – it’s up on a hill so you get great views of the bay, Alcatraz and the city from the top
Ghirardelli Square – it’s mostly about the chocolate – shops where you can buy it and the ice cream parlor. It’s on the site of the original factory.
Pier 39 Sea Lions – you can watch the wild sea lions that congregate here. The pier has lots of restaurants and shops to stroll through too. We saw a free comedy show in the plaza here.
Alcatraz – we didn’t get to go but it is the #1 SFO attraction on Trip Advisor. Gotta leave something for next time!
Tips:
Parking – it’s very expensive – $40 and up per night at hotels. You can get around central SFO easily on the metro – BART, on city buses and on the cable cars.
