Heading to San Francisco? Read our destination guide to one of the USA’s most iconic cities below.
To Stay:
Check in to Hotel Drisco, a 1902 Edwardian boutique hotel located in the upscale neighborhood of Pacific Heights, a beautiful residential section of San Francisco that’s still in proximity to the city’s must-see sights. This historic hotel offers complimentary perks such as nightly wine receptions; a chauffeur service; and bicycles to explore the area.
The boutique San Francisco Proper Hotel was decorated by genius interior designer, Kelly Wearstler — when here, design-wise, you’ll notice busy chromatic patterns that thoughtfully clash, eclectic art pieces, and floral-printed carpets. And when it comes to a nightcap, rooftop bar Charlamaine’s is perfect for a cocktail. While the area isn’t the most optimal for a nighttime stroll (daytime is totally fine), being that the hotel sits in Downtown San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood and edges the border of the city’s unbecoming Tenderloin area, you are still in a central location that allows you quick access to some of the metropolis’ best spots: Union Square, The Ferry Building, Chinatown, and Hayes Valley are a few of many.
To Eat:
James Beard Semifinalist Alex Hong does an incredible job of creating an innovative menu that fuses local California cuisine with unique Italian flare. Sourced from farmer’s markets and their own rooftop garden, the ingredients used are as fresh as can be and the dishes showcase each ones’ best flavor.
Situated in the lively Mission District, Curio Bar and Restaurant is perfect for a fun night out with enlightened gastropub food, top-notch cocktails, and live music. You have to order the ribs which come in either Fernet BBQ or Dry Fried Vietnamese. They’re the best in the city!
To Drink:
Located in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood (To note, North Beach is kind of the city’s Little Italy? It’s very charming to walk around here day and night with all its cafes and Italian eateries). Make sure to go to hip cocktail bar Red Window, which offers a menu comprising Iberian-inspired cocktails.
To Visit:
Originally built for the 1915 Panama-pacific exhibition, today it’s one of the prettiest places to take a stroll, have a picnic or photoshoot. The structure itself is stunning with its Greek-style colonnades and central rotunda, as are the manicured grounds which include a pretty lagoon.
On the Embarcadero is the Ferry Building Marketplace which is home to dozens of artisanal producers, food purveyors, chic merchants and more. From small-batch culinary goods to grab-and-go bento boxes to wines & spirits, it’s a foodie’s dream destination in one of the city’s best locations for bay views!
Fort Point & Where to See the Golden Gate Bridge
This National Historic Site has the best views of the stunning Golden Gate Bridge, hands down! It’s a view that you simply can’t pass up when visiting. Got extra time? Explore the surrounding Presidio area!
Fun fact: Golden Gate Park is bigger than New York City’s Central Park. Also, despite what you may think, the park is not next to the Golden Gate Bridge. When here, check out the De Young Museum, the bison exhibit (yes, there are real bison here), and peruse around the Japanese Tea Garden.
Explore the Shops and Cafés of Hayes Valley
Those who love shopping independent boutiques should check out the understated San Francisco neighborhood, Hayes Valley. On Hayes Street, the area’s locus, make sure to pop into home-decor shop Maker & Moss and eco-friendly clothing store, Amour Vert. Also in the neighborhood on Grove Street is debonair menswear boutique, Modern Appealing Clothing.
Alamo Square
The perfect spot for your San Francisco Instagram, this is a park with the “Painted Ladies” in the background (these are the houses colorful Victorian-era houses you see at the beginning of the credits for the 1980s and 1990s sitcom, Full House.
