There’s nothing I love more than a weekend getaway, and one of my all-time favorite places to explore is San Francisco. They have all of my favorite things: seafood, architecture, shopping, restaurants on the water. It’s truly a city filled with culture and incredibly delicious food. Since I love visiting San Francisco so much I decided to share some of my go to places I have been so everyone can experience the best the city has to offer.
Where to eat…
Breakfast:
Dottie’s True Blue Café
My first time going to Dottie’s was an experience to say the least. It was our last day in San Francisco and this breakfast hot spot had been a recommendation so we didn’t know exactly what to expect. Like the picture shows, you do have to wait in a line full of hungry people who haven't eaten yet that day and it really does always wrap around the side of the building but I can assure you it’s well worth the wait. This breakfast spot was so memorable that my second weekend trip out there was very much based on being able to go back and get their incredible buttermilk dill bread and homemade jam. Yes. I went back to a breakfast place for their toast and jelly ALONE. If that doesn’t tell you how amazing this café is then I don't what else to tell you. They have a huge menu, they have mimosas, I honestly don’t know why we’re not having brunch there right now.
La Boulangerie
This was one of those spots we got lucky and just happened upon. We had just left our hotel, knowing we needed fuel to get through our very long day of shopping and were desperate for food and coffee. With my love of everything French, the name sounded inviting enough but then I had this scrumptious breakfast sandwich and I was in heaven. Those fluffy potatoes on the side didn't hurt either. They have yummy pastries, sandwiches, and lighter options too. It’s fast casual so you an order at the bar and find a seat which is a little more time friendly then waiting for a seat at Dottie’s. Everything’s yummy and everything in the building is adorable. It’s a real win for your taste buds and your Instagram.
Lunch:
Dinosaurs Sandwiches
This was another place that was recommended to us and it was one of the best Bahn Mi sandwiches I have ever had. Of course San Francisco isn't short on really good Bahn Mi’s but I haven't had the luxury of trying all of the best places in the city I have had the honor of stepping foot in this tiny little sandwich shop and I was not disappointed. It’s the perfect place to grab a quick lunch while you’re out on the town, it’s also easy on your wallet. You can grab a quick sandwich, maybe some yummy spring rolls, and head back out into the city to sight see. As someone who has eaten a lot of food in a lot of different places around the country, you can trust my full endorsement on these bad boys.
Dinner:
Café Claude:
This little gem is hidden in a cute alley and is a quaint French bistro with the most delicious food and adorable cocktails. If you don’t mind paying a little extra for the quality, you will be in good hands. It’s one of those places where you’re going to spend a pretty penny but you won’t regret a single cent of it. The steak tartar was better than the tartar I ate in Paris and the aesthetic is beyond adorable.
Tropisueno:
This was another one of the places we ended up just lucking into. I was craving some Mexican cuisine and this place appeared almost as if it knew all I wanted were some tasty tacos. It was just another place on the block with a wait for a table but I was glad we ended up staying. The drinks were thirst quenching, the guacamole was worth being extra and it was the perfect place to grab some tacos after a very long trip to shops at Union Square.
Late Night:
Bourbon and Branch:
Every time I find myself in a new city I always feel the need to find a speakeasy and this, by far, was one of the coolest ones I’ve been to. You need a reservation and a password to get in but once you do get in you get the full experience. It’s basically a speakeasy full of other speakeasies I was able to get a reservation on the “Private Investigator” speakeasy inside of the main bar. We were walked aback towards the bathroom when suddenly the wall next to the bathroom door moved and a smaller bar was revealed behind it. The menu was presented as case files and they even had an option to have courses of drinks where each one was stronger than the last. It was a seriously cool way to spend the night and the drinks were strong as promised.
Zombie Village:
This is the bar recommended to us when we were early to our reservation at bourbon and Branch, It’s their sister bar and it’s just a few doors down! I don't know why but one of my favorite parts about this bar was the fact that their little booth areas were old confessionals from a church. It just added to the uniqueness of the place. Their drinks are just as delicious as the speakeasy’s but there’s no requirement for a reservation or a password. They just let you in to drink to your heart’s desire.
Café Mason:
Café Mason was the place where I had my first meal off the plane. It was down the street from my hotel and they’re open 24 hours. Obviously having a place to get food all hours of the day or night is important when you’re planning on being out and abut at all of the hours. Drunk munchies don’t have to be delicious but these munchies sure were. They have an awesomely eclectic menu with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner not to mention their dessert menu is pretty stacked as well. It was the perfect place to stumble into after a night of drinking.
Drinks and Dessert:
Bob’s Donuts:
All you need to know about these donuts, other than they’re the greatest donuts I have ever had, is that I straight up walked uphill both ways with very debilitating bronchitis to eat these fried dough balls from heaven. Seriously, both ways. It’s possible and I did it…to eat these donuts fresh out of the fryer.
Boba Guys:
If you don’t know by my other posts of exploring cities around the country, I do try and hit up Boba places whenever I can. I had seen this place all over Instagram before heading to the bay area so I knew I had to stop by. Like most things that are popular and delicious there was a very long line to even get to the actual store front but I was patient and waited out the storm. There are so many flavors and combinations I was glad I stuck around to try it myself. It was what every Boba lover could hope for and more. The have so many amazing flavors and it’s perfect for an Instagram post.
Verve:
Verve coffee is an adorable coffee shop with delicious coffee and tea. If you’re in need of some fun coffee flavors, lattes and a caffeine pick me up then this is the spot to go. They have delicious pastries and a really knowledgeable staff. It’s another place where you’ll get quality ingredients and a great pick for your Instagram.
Where to stay…
Hilton at Union Square:
The Hilton at Union Square is the perfect central location for everything! It’s right by a majority of the restaurants I love and is right by the Ferry Building and the shopping center. Plus the rooms are nice and cozy plus the lobby bar is gorgeous.
The Palace Hotel:
If the name of the hotel didn't give it away, this place is extravagant! The lobby itself is something out of a fairytale, plus they do afternoon tea?! This was the hotel of my dreams and with a lucky 50% off discount from Booking I got to make that dream come true! It honestly does feel like you’re staying in a palace with winding staircases and gold at every turn. It’s another hotel near Union Square and the Ferry Building so you have access to all the fun sops and yummy food!
What to do…
Ferry Building:
The Ferry Building is the place to head to start your day. It’s full of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and best of all, vendors. Whether you’re looking for ice cream, bread, produce, chocolate, olive oils, or pastries, this place has you covered! You can shop around, check out all of the booths selling goodies and then find a cute restaurant to eat at along the water.
Oracle Park:
Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan this park is a must! It has the best view of the bay and you get to drink beer and eat hot dogs… So it’s really a win-win. If you are a baseball fan then you know you want to check another baseball field off of your list. It really is a cool park and it’s so awesome to get to watch a baseball game that close to the water.
Golden Gate Parl:
If you’re looking to connect with nature, then I recommend Golden Gate Park. It’s a 3-mile-long park that leads to the bay and it is full of trails and gorgeous gardens. It’s the perfect spot to walk or ride bikes or sit and have a picnic. It’s something you can turn into an all day ordeal and end your day at one of the delicious restaurants on the edge of the park near the bridge.
Union Square:
Union Square is the perfect spot to head when you want to shop until you drop. All of the very best stores line the streets and you can spend hours window shopping. There are also plenty of places to stop to grab a bite or head to happy hour after a long day of trying on clothes and buying handbags from Longchamp.
Of course there are plenty of things to see, places to eat and hotels to stay but these are my absolute favorites! San Francisco is such a magical city and it is worth exploring.
Safe Travels, Sunshines!
XO,
Sonny