San Francisco VISITOR GUIDE

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "San Francisco VISITOR GUIDE"

Juliet Gilbert
5 years ago
Views:

1 San Francisco VISITOR GUIDE We hope you have a great time in San Francisco! We made this guide to help you discover what to do, see, eat, and drink during your stay. If you re looking for something specific don t hesitate to contact us and we ll help you find it! Love, Sonia & Kim

2 GENERAL TIPS Dress in layers San Francisco can be sunny and warm during the day, but in the morning and at night it can get a bit chilly. This is especially true in the summer where the city is often covered in fog in the morning and at night. Prepare for transportation You ll most likely use a mix of transportation (options outlined in next section), and you can do a few things to make your transportation go a bit smoother. We recommend downloading (and creating an account for) the Uber and/or Lyft apps where you can order taxi-like cars, and getting a Clipper card for public transportation loaded either with cash or 1/3/7 days of unlimited use. Book dinner reservations To avoid frustration from waiting to be seated at a restaurant, or from walking restaurant to restaurant to find a place that can seat you right away, we recommend planning at least some of your dinner meals ahead of time and make a reservation. Be connected on the go If you re not from the US, you should consider getting a local SIM card that will allow you to make calls, send texts, and use your apps that require data. It will be very useful in helping you find what you need while you re out exploring the city. If you choose to go this route we d recommend going into a T-Mobile store and get a SIM card for their Pay As You Go offering. Alternatively, you can find free wifi in many locations around the city, either in coffee shops like Starbucks or the public free wifi which is available along Market Street and in selected parks (look for #SFWiFi network). 1 / 17

3 Public Transportation HOW TO GET AROUND San Francisco has a well-developed public transportation system with a few different modes of transportation (subway, bus, metro). If you plan to make extensive use of public transportation, it may make sense for you to get a Clipper card, which can either be loaded with cash to use on any system or with a 1/3/7 days of unlimited use to use on all systems except for BART. To find out how to use public transportation to go from point A to B, using Google Maps is highly recommended. BART The subway system for the entire Bay Area, can be best option for getting between certain points in San Francisco, but for going to the East Bay and to the airport it s the preferred public transportation option. The fare is based on length of travel, tickets need to be bought in advance from a ticket machine, or you can simply use your Clipper card. MUNI bus This is the bus system for San Francisco. Generally bus lines go either East-West or North- South, and coverage across the city is very good. The fare for adults ($2.25) is for 90 minutes of travel, and can be paid either in cash with the driver or by using your Clipper card. Note that if paying with cash you should have exact change is the driver doesn t have cash to provide for change. Also, if paying with cash you should make sure to get your transfer ticket, to show proof of payment for your 90-minute ticket in case you change to another line. If you have a Clipper card you just use it and it ll determine whether you need to pay again or not. MUNI Metro A system of light rail cars that offer faster transportation within the city but with less reach than the bus system. If paying by cash you will need to buy a ticket before boarding the rail car, and Clipper card is of course accepted. 2 / 17

4 Cable cars The iconic cable cars! The main starting point is at Powell & Market, where two of the three cable car lines depart from. Note that the fare is higher than on other public transportation ($6 for adults). Both cash and Clipper card are accepted for fare payment. Other Options Driving It s not recommended driving around in San Francisco, mostly due to cost and availability of parking. If you do need to drive somewhere (e.g. outside San Francisco) and need a car for just a few hours or a day, you should consider Getaround or RelayRides, where you rent another person s car. It s cheaper and more flexible than normal car rental companies, although they re certainly an option too. Taxi services The general taxi services in San Francisco are decent, but the difficulty getting a hold of a taxi, frequent lack of credit card payment option, and generally poor service has lead many locals to use either Uber or Lyft. You use their mobile apps to request the car, and payment is also taken care of automatically (you enter your credit card info when you sign up). It s very easy and will often be cheaper than a normal taxi, though note that at busy times they may increase their pricing ( surge pricing ) by %. For Uber we recommend using the UberX option. Walking Although San Francisco has some very(!) tough hills to climb in certain areas, the city is actually extremely walking-friendly since the city is pretty compact. Biking San Francisco is decently biking-friendly depending on what area you re in. It s highly recommended to use Google Maps to see where there are bike lanes and sticking to riding on these, as certain roads can be rather dangerous to bike on due to heavy traffic with fast-driving 3 / 17

cars. And do show extra caution when biking, as not all car drivers are used to looking after bicyclists in city traffic. http://www.

5 cars. And do show extra caution when biking, as not all car drivers are used to looking after bicyclists in city traffic Cable car on Hyde Street 4 / 17

6 WHAT TO DO AND SEE Shopping Union Square The center of shopping in San Francisco, with major department stores, brand stores, and luxury boutiques. Westfield San Francisco Centre, a large shopping mall with 170+ shops and restaurants, is also close by. Ferry Building Marketplace A historic building with lots of small shops offering delicacies. They have a farmers market three days a week where the front and back of the building is filled with vendors. Neighborhood shopping The best shopping is done out in the different neighborhoods! These are some of our favorites: Hayes Valley go here for boutique clothing and accessories Mission (Valencia Street) best area for vintage shopping (clothing and home) Pacific Heights the place for home furnishings and decor Museums Legion of Honor Collection is focused on European art, and is beautifully located with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and few steps from Lands End walking trail. De Young Collection is focused on American art, and is located in Golden Gate Park. There is free access to their tower with great views of the park and city. 5 / 17

7 Academy of Science One of the largest natural history museums in the world, located across from the De Young. Features a rainforest, aquarium, and planetarium. Exploratorium A science museum that sits right on the Embarcadero waterfront. Great for kids! Cable Car Museum Very small museum but shows the history of the cable car and how the whole system operates. Parks Golden Gate Park The breathing hole for locals, with attractions such as museums, the Conservatory of Flowers, botanical garden, Japanese tea garden, rose garden, tulip garden, and enough hiking trails for hours of walking and fresh air! Crissy Field Long stretch of waterfront park with excellent views of Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the city, and the bay. If you re visiting Golden Gate Bridge, walking back to the city through Crissy Field along the water is a wonderful 1-hour walk. Dolores Park Arguably the most lively park during sunny weekends, and the park with the best view of the San Francisco skyline (at the top of the park, in southwest corner). We love going to here with a couple of burritos and soaking up the sun! 6 / 17

Lands End Hiking trails stretch around the northeastern part of the San Francisco peninsula, offering excellent views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. This is where we got engaged!

8 Lands End Hiking trails stretch around the northeastern part of the San Francisco peninsula, offering excellent views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. This is where we got engaged! Presidio This park is a former military base, and besides offering a glimpse into its military era history the park features lots of great hiking trails and vantage points with amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. Alamo Square This is a short walk from our home, and it s so uniquely San Francisco! This park is famous for it s view of the San Francisco skyline with the Painted Ladies in the foreground, known from movies and the Full House TV show. Painted Ladies and San Francisco skyline view from Alamo Square 7 / 17

9 Other Sights Alcatraz Tour the infamous jail island in the middle of the bay. The boat ride to the island offers beautiful views of the city. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance! (Fun fact: Even though Sonia was born here she only went for the first time this year and she loved it!) Coit Tower One of most recognizable parts of the San Francisco skyline, go to the top of the tower for 360- degree views of the city and the bay. Twin Peaks The second-highest point in the city, and with spectacular views of the city and the bay to one side, and the outer parts of the city and the ocean to the other side. Victorian houses San Francisco is famous for its collection of architectural styles of homes from the 1800s and early 1900s. The most well-known style is Victorian (like the Painted Ladies by Alamo Square), but there are many other beautiful styles with exquisite ornamental details and bright colors. Below is a guide to the different styles, and the best neighborhoods to see these houses are Haigh-Ashbury, Lower Haight, Pacific Heights, and Marina. Neighborhoods Downtown Great shopping and quite lively during the day due to the high concentration of tourists and office workers in the area. Many options to eat as well, though beware of the many touristfocused places with overpriced and low-quality food. Main section is the triangular area between Mason, Bush, and Market. 8 / 17

10 Hayes Valley Our first home in San Francisco, until the neighborhood got so popular that rent increases forced us out! Small neighborhood but with many great small shops and eateries. Enjoy a Ritual or Blue Bottle coffee in the park, or treat yourself to a Smitten ice cream made with liquid nitrogen. Main section is Hayes between Franklin and Laguna. Mission Historically (and still) the main Latino neighborhood of the city, but certain parts have become very popular for the young and hip. A top nightlife destination with its many bars within walking distance of each other. Main section of hip area is Valencia between 16th and 20th. Check out Clarion Alley (between 17th and 18th) for cool street graffiti art. Haight-Ashbury This area is known for being the origin of the hippie subculture that emerged during the Summer of Love in the 60s. It still has a hippie feel to it, but it s gotten much nicer in recent year. Main section is Haight between Masonic and Stanyan. Marina During the day it offers great shopping and eating, while at night it attracts a younger crowd to its many bars. Close to the waterfront with great views of the bay, incl. Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Main section is Chestnut between Fillmore and Divisadero. Pacific Heights Similar in ambiance to Marina, though without the nightlife and instead of being close to the water it s close to a nice park (Alta Plaza Park). Main section is Fillmore between Bush and Clay. North Beach Also known as the Little Italy neighborhood of San Francisco, meaning lots of great Italian cafes, restaurants, and pizzerias. Washington Square Park is a great place to enjoy the great weather, perhaps before walking up the hill to check out Coit Tower. Main section is Columbus between Pacific and Greenwich. 9 / 17

11 Activities Biking Although biking around the city is not the preferred mode of transportation, there are certain areas where biking is a great experience. This includes biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and biking inside the Golden Gate Park. Bike rental info in How to get around section. Hiking Several of the parks listed in this guide are good for hiking, such as Golden Gate Park, Lands End, Presidio, and Crissy Field. Baseball This time of year the only major sports league in action is baseball (MLB). The city s team is the San Francisco Giants, 3-time World Series champions in the past 5 years. Even though we re not baseball fans, we see it as a fun way to spend a couple of hours if the weather is nice. (best way to buy tickets) Performing Arts & Classical Music San Francisco offers excellent opera, symphony, ballet, and theater experiences, and the venues for most of these are located in the Civic Center area close to the City Hall Concert There are many great music venues in San Francisco, below are some of the most popular ones! / 17

12 WHAT TO EAT First thing you need to know: Whatever you re looking to eat, Yelp.com is the best resource to find a good place. It s used religiously in San Francisco, and with hundreds or even thousands of user reviews for each restaurant you can definitely trust the ratings. Generally we d recommend that you don t go below 3.5 stars... You should also know that it s normal to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to 1+ hour for a table around dinner time at many restaurants in the city, even during the week. If you know a place you want to eat at for dinner, plan ahead and make a reservation, most places take reservations online through their Yelp page. $ - $10-25/person Patxi s / Little Star Both are great pizza restaurants serving deep-dish style pizzas, and with many locations across the city. Our go-to pizza joints! Good for take-out or eat-in Woodhouse Fish Company Casual lunch spot that specializes in New England-style seafood dishes like lobster roll sandwich and clam chowder soup. Ramen Underground Very small but serves our favorite ramen noodle soup in town. El Farolito One of the best spots for authentic Mexican food / 17

13 The Little Chihuahua Not quite as authentic as El Farolito, best still excellent Mexican food and our favorite! Pacific Catch Another great seafood lunch spot, this one with an Asian twist to some of its dishes. SoMa Streat Food Park Food trucks are found all over town, but this place features 10+ of them and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Off the Grid A series of food truck gatherings across the city, the biggest and best are at Fort Mason and Presidio. We love the Sunday picnic version at the Presidio! Umami Burger This is the place to go to satisfy your burger cravings. La Boulange Delicious bread and pastries and dozens of locations across the city. Great place to grab coffee and breakfast while planning how to spend your day! / 17

$$ - $25-50/person Limon The city s best Peruvian restaurant. http://www.yelp.com/biz/lim%c3%b3n-rotisserie-san-francisco-4 http://www.yelp.com/biz/lim%c3%b3n-rotisserie-san-francisco-3 Foreign Cinema A San Francisco institution, great for brunch and dinner.

14 $$ - $25-50/person Limon The city s best Peruvian restaurant. Foreign Cinema A San Francisco institution, great for brunch and dinner. Every night they show a movie on a wall out in their covered patio area. Foreign Cinema 13 / 17

15 Lers Ros A slightly upscale Thai restaurant with both classic and modern dishes L Ardoise French bistro serving classic French cuisine in an intimate setting. Zuni Cafe Great dinner spot famous for it s roasted chicken and burger. Burma Superstar Chances are you ve never had Burmese food before, this is your chance and it s delicious! Skool A hidden gem that serves an excellent brunch. Has a nice outdoor patio. Magnolia Gastropub that brews its own beer, and serves British-style dishes. O-Toro A good casual sushi spot that also has other Japanese dishes. Domo Small and intimate sushi restaurant with some unique dishes / 17

16 Absinthe Brasserie with excellent drinks. Sidewalk seating for people watching in Hayes Valley! Hong Kong Lounge Our favorite Dim Sum restaurant in the city. $$$ - $50+/person Coqueta Excellent restaurant for Spanish tapas, also has great drinks. Nopa Another San Francisco classic, great for dinner and also a popular brunch spot. Zushi Puzzle Sushi restaurant famous for its Omakase (chef s choice, sitting at the sushi bar) House of Prime Rib Old school restaurant that only serves prime rib steak. Alexander s Steakhouse If you re in the mood for a more upscale steakhouse, this is the place to go! State Bird Provisions One of the city s most hyped restaurants, tapas/dim sum style with unique dishes. You ll need to book a table months in advance / 17

17 Sons & Daughters If you want a fine-dining experience, this is one of the best (value for your money) 1-star Michelin restaurants. Great service, intimate, and of course excellent food. And if you re in the mood to try the best of what the San Francisco food scene has to offer: Drink Mikkeller Bar San Francisco location of the Danish beer bar. Great beer and bar snacks. Top of the Mark Drinks with a view of the city, extensive menu of Martinis. Biergarten One of the few outdoor drinking spots, all German beer and snacks. Hotel Biron Intimate and casual wine bar. Bourbon & Branch Speakeasy bar with several sections that require password or reservation. Vesuvio Cafe An iconic bar with an eclectic ambiance, frequented by Beat Generation icon Jack Kerouac / 17

Coffee Blue Bottle http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bottle-coffee-san-francisco-8 http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bottle-coffee-co-san-francisco-7 http://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-bottle-coffee-co-san-francisco-8 Ritual Coffee http://www.

18 Coffee Blue Bottle Ritual Coffee Four Barrel Coffee The Mill 17 / 17

A WEEKEND GETAWAY GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO 4/14/17, GWEN LANE

A WEEKEND GETAWAY GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO 4/14/17, GWEN LANE It s time to head to north to the city by the bay, San Francisco! I remember going to San Francisco pretty frequently when I was growing up,