With houses that defy the rules of gravity, ocean views, a beautiful bay, colorful diverse neighborhoods, an infamous former prison, and the golden gate bridge- San Francisco is a destination everyone falls in love with. I didn’t have any plans for my birthday weekend, so my husband, Daniel and I headed to the airport to see which flights were available to have an adventure-filled weekend. It was going to be a rainy weekend for most of the US so when we saw that San Francisco was going to be sunny and foggy we hopped on the plane! Whether you love the beach or the hills, shopping or hiking, museums or murals, street food or fancy restaurants, San Francisco has it all.
What we saw (did):
Fort Point: Fort Point is a military fort that was designed to protect San Francisco from a Civil War sea attack that never ended up taking place. It’s a national historic site, a great place to walk around, and an even better place for amazing views of the golden gate bridge!
Painted Ladies: We went to Alamo Square Park to take in the sight of the famous painted ladies. At the top of one hill was a coffee truck, so we sipped our cappuccinos while looking out on the amazing views of the city. Make sure to walk around the neighborhood because they have other homes that are equally as beautiful.
Chinatown: San Francisco isn’t the only city in the US to house a bustling Chinatown, but it is the home to the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. Allow yourself a few hours to enjoy dim sum, go tea tasting, and wander through the shops and streets. Grant Street is the main road through Chinatown and it gets a bit touristy; Chinatown’s alleys are where the neighborhood really comes alive and show its identity. Make sure to check out Golden Gate Fortune Cookies to watch fortune cookies meticulously folded by hand and be sure to sample some warm cookies! You can even write your own fortunes for an additional cost.
Cable car: Hop on one of the three cable car routes in the city for a fun, classic view of San Francisco’s hilly streets. As the only manually operated cable car system in the world, they are a unique cultural experience. We took the Powell line to Chinatown, and each ride costs $7 each way. If you’re lucky enough to be crossing paths with another cable car, high fives are expected.
What stayed:
Hotel G: For an affordable stay in downtown San Francisco, check out Hotel G (located one block from Union Square.) This boutique hotel promises chic decor, comfortable beds, and a welcoming staff. They also have the best blackout curtains against the sunlight, and as someone who is constantly suffering from jetlag this was a bonus!
What we ate & drank:
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse: I’m sure you’ve seen this place pictured on social media at some point. It’s a small space only meant to take pastries to go. I took the matcha croissant on the plane the next morning, and it was one of the best croissants outside of Paris I’ve ever had (and it was a day old!)
Boba Guys: This is boba tea on a whole different level. Boba Guys do not use powders. They only use real tea leaves and have partnered with a local dairy farm to provide customers with the best milk. If you’re lactose intolerant, they also offer almond or oat milk. We tried the black lavender milk tea, and it was one of the best and unique boba teas I’ve ever had.
Burma Superstar: You may have to endure a long wait, but trust me it is well worth it! The food is delicious, unique, and comes out quickly. The most popular menu item is a must — the fermented tea leaf salad. I’ve never had anything like it before. It’s crunchy, nutty, and fresh. In addition, I’ve never had Burmese food before, and it was so much fun exploring a new cuisine.
Plow: While a silhouette of a pig hangs outside the restaurant, it is clear that eggs are the star. I thought the best way to sample Plow’s menu was to order its namesake dish. “The Plow” comes with two eggs, your choice of meat, two small lemon ricotta pancakes, and their famous crunchy rosemary potatoes. If I haven’t sold you, then the décor surely will. They even provided blankets for those who ate outside.
Homeskillet: One thing I noticed while exploring the streets of downtown San Francisco was the number of diners. So of course we had to try one. Homeskillet offers breakfast all day and traditional omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and burgers. It is the perfect spot if you’re looking for some classic American comfort food.
Hang ah dim sum and tea house: If you are a dim sum lover like I am, then this place cannot be missed! We ordered six different types of dim sum, and they were all different and amazing. The shrimp dumplings, sticky rice and chicken, and soup dumplings were our favorites. If you are unsure of what to order, the staff will guide you in the right direction. We loved this place so much that we went twice over our four-day trip.
Layover Tips:
- Although traffic can be frustrating, car transportation is the most practical. (We used uber).
- The hills are no joke, so make sure to bring comfortable footwear.
- If you are interested in going to Alcatraz make sure to order tickets in advance. Since our trip was so last minute, tickets were sold out for the entire weekend.
- Take the BART into the city from the airport. You will save yourself both time and money.
- Choose a centrally located hotel
- Check for fog! We woke up early to see the sunrise over the golden gate bridge, and because of the fog we couldn’t see two feet in front of us (let alone the bridge.)
