Dearest Readers,
Thanks so much for reading our review / write up of our tour of San Francisco. Below we map out our notable stops, review each place, what we ordered, provide the addresses and estimate how much we thought we spent in ranges. Hopefully our adventures inspire you to also do a friend trip down to the bay. Enjoy!
Click this link for our downloadable PDF map that was made specifically with the recommendations from our friends and organized by number, bars, food, and sights.
Pictured above is (Langston, Sofia, Leia) our gallery of all the food we ordered & remembered to take a picture of.
Thursday
Picaro
3120 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Mission
Leia: This restaurant was the perfect place to start off our food adventures through SF. Each dish was so simple but filled with a lot of flavor. You have to get the patatas brava, I’m obsessed with the garlic aioli! Although be warned, it is super garlicky. Overall, I would absolutely recommend checking this place out, you will definitely not be disappointed.
Sonya: This could not have been a better beginning. Having lived in Barcelona for a short few months, I already knew what we had to get. I used to get pimientos de padrón, patatas bravas, pan con tomate and jamón serrano everytime that I would go out. These small plates were perfect to share between us all, and instantly reminded me of the more relaxed lifestyle that everyone aspires to in Europe. The only thing that I wouldn’t get again was the sangria since it was a little too sweet. Should I return to SF, I’d go back and try their paella.
Overall: Definitely worth it! This cute Spanish tapas restaurant had a cute, and relaxing atmosphere. It wasn't too fussy, and it was a family restaurant that served delicious food. We ordered ropa vieja, pimientos de padrón, jamón serrano con pan con tomate, patatas brava, and sangria, good for a light meal to share.
Anchor Brewery
1705 Mariposa St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Spending: $-$$
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill
Leia: I loved how open and airy this space felt. It had a very casual and comfortable vibe, a place that you would come with friends to chill.
Sonya: I thought this spot was super dope, and reminded me of a brewery that you’d go to in Ballard. Hella indoor seating with a wide variety of craft beers, and outdoor seating with a food truck nearby. Definitely a nicer spot to go to in the evening after a long day or work, or just to kick it with homies.
Overall: Super fun spot to grab a quick beer or food from the food truck of the day. They have trivia, a good range of reasonably priced beers, and outdoor seating.
21st Amendment
563 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Spending: $$
Neighborhood: South Beach
Leia: This bar had some interesting beers with really fascinating descriptions. Looking back, I wish I had done a flight to try more of these unique beers but I was happy with my Summer Saison. Light and easy to drink, I would recommend trying it. This place definitely had a more dimly lit, sort of date-like vibe going on.
Sonya: At this point in the day, I was already a little bit drunk. I went with a safe bet and got a more simple beer, at least in comparison to what they did offer. There was limited seating by the bar, but we grabbed a table for 5 in the corner of the bar. Everything that I tried tasted pretty darn good. I would certainly recommend going to this spot before a game, or to start a fun night out.
Overall: Restaurant feel, with a unique variety of beers. Fancier than a brewery, this spot is a little more intimate, and offers a food menu.
El Techo
2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Spending: $$$
Neighborhood: Mission
Leia: Let me be honest and say that at this point in the night I was feeling fairly inebriated and most anything was going to taste good (this is what happens when you have been drinking since 9 am with little food consumption). I would definitely have loved to come here when there was more daylight and possibly more sober to be able see the views but nonetheless it had a really fun, young energy to it. Shoutout to the bartender for making some really good (and strong) margaritas.
Sonya: Big shout out to Justin for the hook ups! This spot was super busy on a Thursday, like almost to the point of what you’d see on a weekend. A little bit more pricey, this spot has some small bites to share, and some killer pitchers of margaritas. It would have been nice to see the sunset at this spot, but nonetheless I had a great time, and was sufficiently drunk. There is also a weed spot just next door that we popped into.
Overall: Perfect for a week night out with a rooftop bar. This place can get pretty crowded but their pitcher of margaritas are on point. We recommend getting the chips and guac for a snack while you are sipping.
Farolito’s
2779 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Spending: $-$$, CASH ONLY
Neighborhood: Mission District
Leia: From what I remember, it tasted good! Sorry, I wish I could give a better review.
Sonya: We pulled up to Farolito’s around 11 pm after our 5th stop on our drinking-capades. The veggie burrito was pretty good, and good in size as well. I remember trying the tripe tacos (to which I was hesitant to try) and it was super tasty. It soaked up the sauce and complimented the spices really well. Everything I had that night was delicious.
Overall: Honestly we were a little too drunk to remember how everything tasted. We ordered tripe, chorizo, carne asada tacos, and a vegetarian burrito. Good place for late night eats once the bars close down, or as a nightcap.
Friday
Boba Guys
429 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Spending: $-$$
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Leia: I would definitely recommend coming early so that you can avoid waiting in a line. Really cool spot to get customizable boba and try homemade jelly (almond or grass flavor). I do wish we got to try this spot again to get another flavor to get a better review of it but overall pretty impressive.
Sonya: I’ll echo what Leia said. Get there early so that you do not have to wait as long. This was my second time here and last time I got black milk team 80% sugar and without any extras (9/10), and this time we got a dairy free drink with almond jelly which I honestly didn’t like at all. I couldn’t drink more than a few sips. If I can, I stick with the full diary, tapioca balls or lychee jellies and to thai tea, green tea, black tea or taro flavored teas. I would go back for sure but this time get my own drink that falls into those above parameters. I do like that they let you choose your sugar level etc, as I’ve taken a few times to perfect that ratio. It’s nice to be able to completely customize your drinks.
Overall: We both had differing opinions of the drink that we ordered. Perhaps we should summarize it as the right boba spot, but the wrong drink.
Great Eastern Restaurant
649 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Spending: $-$$
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Leia: I don’t know about you, but dim sum is my ultimate hangover food. Something about eating dumplings and sipping on tea really helps me to feel more like a human again. My personal favorites were the steamed pork buns and the sticky rice, really can never go wrong with either of these.
Sonya: While this stop wasn’t on our map, I always welcomed the idea of dim sum. We went here at the spur of the moment in a hangover haze. This spot was a little different than what I’m used to from Jade Garden or Harbor City in Seattle, but it was still pretty tasty. I wasn’t a fan of the cheong fun (rice noodles stuffed with meat, usually shrimp) but the zongzi (sticky rice) & char siu bao (steamed BBQ buns) were delicious & are staple items that are safe bets no matter where you go. I would go back if someone else wanted to go there, but I would also love to try all the spots that are noteworthy.
Overall: If you're into dim sum in the Seattle area, and are pretty familiar with the dishes that you like, this is the perfect place to try some new takes on things. Great way to jump start your day.
Philz Coffee
549 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Spending: $$
Neighborhood: Financial District
Leia: My only regret from this trip, well maybe not only, was not getting one more mint mojito from Philz. I’m usually a pretty simple coffee drinker, lattes, americanos, drip..etc, but not here. You have to get the mint mojito. In my head, mint and coffee seem like such an odd combination but somehow Philz just gets it right. Not too sweet, not too much mint, and perfectly roasted coffee. I’m truly obsessed and wish that they bring a Philz Coffee to Seattle (hint hint).
Sonya: I first tried Philz Coffee in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA and instantly fell in love. I love fresh drinks with mint, and I also love coffee and iced drinks. I think our overall opinion comment really hits the mark with how my experience was, and what the drink is like. Cold delicious coffee, topped with a sweet cream and a mint leaf. I could maybe drink this at least once a week.
Overall: You have to get the mint mojito! It's a cold brew drink with a sweet cream top, and fresh mint. If you really like your coffee and are ready to splurge, this is the place for you. It's essentially a made to order coffee bar.
Ferry Building
One San Francisco Bay Trail, San Francisco, CA 94111
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: South of Market
Leia: I’m definitely the type of person that tends to avoid super touristy areas, mostly out of annoyance of long lines and overpriced food and drinks. That being said, getting to see the beautiful views and walking along the pier was one of the highlights of the trip.
Sonya: This is a beautiful location that if you happen to be walking by, I would suggest taking a moment to appreciate the views and find a nice seat to relax in. Inside the terminal, there are a ton of shops including restaurants, specialty stores, etc. It reminds me of chophouse row, or any small shop terminal throughout cities that you can find. The only downside is that it’s a high traffic area and super packed.
Overall: Tourist attraction with beautiful views. There are a lot of restaurants and bars along the way to Pier 39. Unless you want to take a ferry or look at the views of the bay bridge, there isn't much more function of visiting.
Pier 39
Beach St & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: North Beach
Leia: I probably would have appreciated this a lot more if I were a child but it was still a lot of fun walking around. The sea lions are a must see and something that I probably could’ve spent a solid hour watching.
Sonya: Reminiscent of Disneyland, this pier is full of fun stores, loud people, huge signs, and a ton of items that you probably don’t need, and extremely overpriced foods. It’s a fun spot to walk through and if you can splurge, to get a drink at. It’s a must stop location, especially, or at least for the sea lions, and the view of the bridge and Alcatraz. If you continue to walk down the street towards Ghirardelli Square there are a ton more restaurants and stores and live performers that are fun and worth checking out.
Overall: A really cool Pier, with Disneyland feels. Full of many stores, bars, restaurants, and sea lions! Spend time watching the sea lions and you won't get bored. Very touristy area, that is almost too crowded. You get a view of Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate bridge.
Crab House
03 Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133
Spending: $$$-$$$$
Neighborhood: North Beach, Pier 39
Leia: If I had an unlimited budget to spend all the money on food in SF, I would’ve absolutely splurged on some seafood here. However, I am newly graduated grad student (hello student loans) and had to hold back a little bit while I was here (lol). I can only imagine that it was hilarious watching three adults splitting two crab cakes, but hey you gotta do what you gotta do. The views were beautiful, beer was good, and from what we tasted, the food was also delicious.
Sonya: While this stop was an extension of pier 39, it’s specific stop is not on the map. We popped into here on a wim, and were pleasantly surprised. It’s interior offered a ton of fresh air, good lighting, and filled with white tiles decorated with fun painted crabs. The food itself was delicious although extremely expensive. I would go back here if I could ball out but for what it was everything was good: the food, the views, the atmosphere, the beer etc.
Overall: Very expensive, but provided a really cool white tile / nautical themed restaurant. We ordered the crab cakes (2), and while they were $18 dollars for two 2 inch in diameter patties, they were delicious, and were made up purely of crab and seasoning.
San Francisco Brewing Co
3150 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Spending: $$
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
Leia: I wasn’t too impressed with this brewery. Beer was decent and the food menu looked enticing, however thinking back I wish I tried something else. I had the lambic, which unless you like drinking warheads in liquid form, I would not recommend. Atmosphere was very relaxed and provided a nice break from the hectic and crowded pier.
Sonya: Also not on the map, we walked into Ghirardelli Square and decided to grab a quick beer at random. I probably wouldn’t return here as I wasn’t super into the music, or beer but it seemed to be well liked and very busy both inside and outside.
Overall: Decent beer, with nice outdoor seating and live performances. Something to do when you're walking around Ghirardelli square or exploring the wharf. They also have outdoor games such as foosball, and ping pong. Offers food.
Sushiritto
59 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Spending: $$
Neighborhood: South of Market
Leia: So I work in a upscale sushi restaurant in Seattle, the only unfortunate thing about working with such high quality ingredients is that it makes everything else of lesser quality seem highly inadequate. I’m glad I got to try this fad, instagram food but I would rather spend the money on really good sushi.
Sonya: If you haven’t tried it before I would suggest going for it but as Leia said it wasn’t anything special. It’s a food trend to try and Instagram but making a habit of it will only hurt your wallet and possibly your idea of high quality sushi. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but it wasn’t great. I think the rolls could use more sauce, and a more careful rolling job. The last time I went in 2015, they wanted to charge me $1 for sauce.
Overall: Okay food. Good, but not worth the $13. If you appreciate high quality sushi, this may not be the place for you. However, it was a fun meal to try if you're into fad / hypes. Very Instagram-able.
54 Mint Cucina Italiana
16 Mint Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94103
Spending: $$-$$$$
Neighborhood: South of Market
Leia: Good drink selection! Happy with my rose, but definitely wish I could’ve tried some food here. Oh well, this will have to wait for a future visit.
Sonya: This small & higher end feeling spot was great for a quick drink, and from the looks of it, for a bite as well. If you’re staying at the Hampton Inn Hotel in SOMA, you may as well pop in. It might be best to make reservations if you can.
Overall: We only got drinks at this bar, but the atmosphere was relaxing, romantic, and elegant. The drinks we ordered were Agave beer & rose. The bartender was very friendly, and drinks were overall good. Overall good impression. Would recommend for a quick happy hour drink.
Off the Grid
Landmark Building C, 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Fort Mason
Leia: What young, millennial doesn’t like getting food from a truck? I do! It was fun seeing the variety of food that was offered and is so much more enticing to try small bites of food when served from a truck. I got lumpia, empanadas and cookie dough. One of my guilty pleasure in life is eating raw cookie dough (I know you shouldn’t) and finding out that there was a full stand dedicated to cookie dough was like a 5 year old dream come true.
Sonya:
Overall: Off the Grid was an experience similar to any other food truck round up in Seattle, however, they have a station for beer & wine. They had a wide variety of food trucks ranging from Latina, to Asian, to Southern, and dessert.
Radhaus
Landmark Building A, San Francisco, CA 94109
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Fort Mason
Leia: I appreciated that this place stayed true to its roots and had a large German beer selection, however it was incredibly intimidating to order anything (everything was in German). You know when you’re in a new bar and you get a slight panic before ordering because you’re frantically searching for a beer that sounds either familiar or easy to say? No? Just me? Well regardless, the beer was good and the place had a very chill vibe to it.
Sonya: This spot was cute, pricey, hipstery, and had relaxing vibes that made you want to sit and talk all night. They also were playing all the throwbacks jams from early 2000’s which was a fun and surprising. The beer itself was pretty good and you could get a small mug or a full stein of beer. It’s a nice way to top off your time after eating at Off the Grid.
Overall: Epitome of a hipster brewery. If you are familiar with the design term scandy, it was all that. For example, the walls were white, there was industrial lighting, and lots of wood accents. The beer itself was good, although we could not figure out what any of them were, we all ordered the rothaus pilsner.
Saturday
Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: South of Market
Leia: Another great coffee spot that truly takes pride in their coffee. This is not cheap. This is also not your local starbucks that whips up a drink in a minute, be prepared to wait a little longer but in return, you will get to enjoy a truly delicious cup of coffee.
Sonya: Hipster at its core, this trendy yet minimalist shop has made to order coffee and is surely worth a trip if you’re in the area. The coffee was delicious, and I am pretty picky with my coffee as I drink it black, and hate when it tastes bitter, or burnt. They also had a few things to pick out food wise, and I had to go with the ham & cheese sammy. It was good, but it was $10 and they didn’t have an option to toast it which was a little disappointing.
Overall: Cute hipster cafe, very spendy but if you enjoy coffee this will be a place that you will like. The New Orleans iced coffee was rich, creamy and slightly sweet. Their regular brews were refreshing and had a really balanced taste. Would also recommend the baked goods, and ham & cheese sandwich.
AT&T Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107
Spending: $5 (LOL WHAT)
Neighborhood: South Park
Leia: The view alone is worth coming to this field. I do enjoy a baseball game now and again (says the girl who has been to one Mariners game this season...lol), but I was amazed at the view of the bay. I also can’t complain with the price of tickets, easily one of the cheaper things we did in SF.
Sonya: All I can say was WOW, what a beautiful view of the park, full of people and food stalls, and all overlooking the bay. You could see people on their boats, listening to the game, and even historically been able to catch a ball from there. As expected, the drinks & food cost more than you’d want to pay, but you gotta do what you gotta do to get a lil tipsy at games. I was only disappointed in the garlic fries, and happy with all my drinks. If tickets are always that cheap, and the weather is that nice, I’m coming back for sure.
Overall: Beautiful views of the bay. It is something else to do if you are looking for a non touristy activity. The garlic fries were not garlic-y enough for those familiar with Safeco field. The beer selection and food stalls were plentiful throughout the stadium. Who doesn't love America's favorite past time?
Thanh Long
4104 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Spending: $$$-$$$$
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset.
Leia: Big shoutout to everyone that told us to come here, you the real MVP (lol who am I?). But really, this place did not let us down. There are really only two dishes that you need to get: roasted crab and garlic noodles. Be prepared to spend some money on the crab but I can tell you that it was absolutely worth it.
Sonya: Get ready to spend all yo money because this place is worth it. Just be ready to smell like garlic, and nom your face off. With a wide variety of restaurant goers, and with a large menu, everyone knew to order the roasted crab & garlic noodles. Some folks even ordered a crab per person, which I honestly wish I could have done. Everything was delicious and packed with flavor, yet so simple in ingredients. Sometimes the most seemingly simple of dishes can be the best. While I liked the eggplant dish, I don’t know if I would get it again as it was a little too sweet for me. I will be recommending this spot to anyone and everyone who asks me where to eat. It’s a little out of the way, so you may as well make a day out of Outer Sunset / Golden Gate Park.
Overall: First off, you need to get the roasted crab and garlic noodles. That is a must. These two dishes alone were all you need. However, we did also get the eggplant dish which was also very delectable. This place has a calming atmosphere, and was more high end than we expected it to be. Make reservations if possible and be ready to shell out for an amazing dinner.
Golden Gate Park
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
Leia: Word of advice: when you uber here, you will be taken to the most random spots in the entire park. Literally, in the middle of nowhere, so be prepared to walk...a lot. That being said, the park was huge and clearly offered a lot of space to hangout. It’s a shame that we had to speed walk through the park to get to Thanh Long in time to devour some crab but otherwise I would recommend coming here with some food and drinks to have a chill afternoon.
Sonya: I had no idea how big the park really was, so it was perhaps a little too ambitious of us to walk from the center all the way to Thanh Long (35-40 min). Since we didn’t get to spend time in the park relaxing or seeing what it has to offer, I am a little sad about that but it looked to be a bustling area where kids could play, you could set up a picnic, and where you can see bison. The weather wasn’t the best on this day either, but the park instilled a feeling of calmness & stillness which I admired.
Overall: Beautiful and really quite large park with places to hang out, see bison, or take a nice long walk. We did not get to stay for long, but our 30 minute walk was nice. Best save this venue for a nice and sunny day.
Golden Gate Bridge
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: Presidio
Leia: BRING A JACKET. If you truly want to be able to enjoy the views of this bridge then please dress warm, otherwise you will be mildly miserable with how cold it is. Again, very touristy but honestly if you have never been here, it is worth the trip. The view is unbeatable and let’s be honest, you are just looking for a place to take your next instagram photo.
Sonya: Stupid windy, you’ll want to put your hair up or in a hat, or wear a heavy duty jacket because you might just get blown away. The view, although foggy-ish, was breathtaking. There are plenty of spots where you can sit down or walk away from the crowds to soak in the view. The only thing is that parking or catching an Uber there can be a little tricky.
Overall: Super touristy, but worth the views. Make sure to bring a down jacket with you as it's extremely windy and cold. You'll be lucky to catch it on a sunny and not so foggy day. There is plenty of room to roam or bike if you so choose to. Don't miss it.
Baonecci
516 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Leia: I would come back to place in a heartbeat. Delicious food, good wine, and overall a very cozy atmosphere. A place where you just want to take your time eating, drinking and enjoying the company with you.
Sonya: This is the spot to come to if you wanted a homemade, and heaven sent Italian dinner. Everything was beyond delicious, and the company even more so. The vibe of the whole place transported you to Italy. A small, but warmly light, and full of the sound of conversation and laughter. You won’t feel any better than when you’re eating scrumptious noodles, sipping the wine and conversing with your friends.
Overall: Shout out to our Uber driver Bayaraa because this spot was smacking! We ordered the house made bolognese, margherita pizza and a bottle of red wine. All super simple but so well done that you'll forget you're crammed into a tiny room with no space to move. Perfect for a date, but a fun place to hang out with friends.
Comstock Saloon
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Leia: I loved being able to go to a bar and feel somewhat transported to another time. Live music is always a plus and this place really knew how to a draw people in. Drinks were good, I got the mint julep and boy was it strong. Overall, I think it’s a cool place to check out.
Sonya: I really liked this bar as it had a dope ass vibe. Full of patrons, and vibrant with live jazz music, it definitely felt as if I was no longer in San Francisco, but rather an older city in the South, perhaps even in a different time period. It was refreshing to walk into a bar such as this as Seattle doesn’t have many, if not any, jazz bars that are that lively. The drink itself was bomb! My drink was made of gin, lemon, sugar, mint, and seltzer. I could have drinken a whole pitcher of this sweet & refreshing cocktail.
Overall: As soon as you step into this bar, you feel like you've been thrown back into the past. The saloon offers live jazz music, and has a refined variety of cocktails that are worth trying. We got the mint julep (6/10), the south side (8/10) and a customized drink specialty of the bartender (8/10). Drinks are strong here, but creative. Would recommend for splurging on a cocktail or even to just enjoy the music and atmosphere. Don't forget to tip your musicians.
Sunday
UC Berkeley Campus / Telegraph Ave
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: Berkeley
Leia: I think it was a lot of fun taking a day trip over to Berkeley to check out the campus and also this little city. A lot of the areas of campus and the surrounding area made me feel as if I was on the Ave at UW. There looked to be a lot of restaurants and places to hangout.
Sonya: A beautiful campus, reminiscent of UW, full of old beautiful buildings with grassy areas spread about, it almost felt familiar. We went at the beginning of the quarter (those poor chaps started in mid August), but the campus felt mostly empty on a Sunday morning. The weather was significantly warmer and less windy than San Francisco, so it was a nice change for the day to see another area of the bay. It seemed like there were a ton of restaurants, student stores, and housing in the area. I wouldn’t mind living here or attending Berkeley.
Overall: If you're familiar with UW and the Ave, this is a lot like it. A large campus with old beautiful buildings, and many stores and restaurants to choose from. Have fun walking down the ave and stopping in at student stores, bars, and piercing/tattoo parlors.
Ippudo Ramen
2015 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Spending: $$
Neighborhood: Berkeley
Leia: So I didn’t get to fully enjoy the ramen that was served here but my mentaiko on rice was a perfectly portioned light meal that was satisfying. I think this place is perfect situated right next to a university due to it’s quick service and how reasonable the food was priced. I don’t think this is a place that you have to visit, nothing was overwhelming amazing, but I think it’s something the keep in mind if you are trying to find some good food in the area.
Sonya: Similar to the layout and feels of Kukai & Izakaya on the hill, this spot had a few staple ramens, some sides, and a cocktail menu all reasonably priced. I ordered the shiromaru classic ramen, unagi bun and paired it with a shochu soda, all of which were tasty! The ramen isn’t the type I would usually get but I thought I would branch out in a new spot. As Leia said this isn’t a must go spot, but if you’re in the area and want ramen, it’s worth the stop.
Overall: Tasty! We ordered the yuzu shochu soda, shiromaru classic ramen, unagi bun, mentaiko rice and garlic edamame. This spot served our food quickly, and everything was really good. The quality, and serving sizes were reasonable to their prices. The interior was similar to kukai & izakaya ramen in Seattle. Perfect for a quick meal.
Raleigh's
2438 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Spending: $-$$
Neighborhood: Berkeley
Leia: Bloody marys aren’t something I usually go for but for some reason Raleigh’s twist on the classic (using soju instead).
Sonya: I went with the spicy margarita which was tasty, although not that spicy, but certainly strong and worth it!
Overall: A fun spot with a lot of outdoor seating, full of families and college students. They also offered a full menu. They had a good beer selection with some specialty cocktails for happy hours.
Russian Hill / Lombard Street
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: Russian Hill
Leia: I am so thankful for our Uber driver for being the absolute best and driving down Lombard street, it was completely unnecessary for him to do so but it totally helped with the experience. Beautiful views, beautiful houses, and definitely a tourist spot I would recommend. ALthough I would suggest going during daylight but a night time visit is also fun!
Sonya: This was a spot that I wish I got to see both during the day, and as the sun was setting. We were lucky to be driven down it and then walked right back up just to experience it fully. All the houses along the way were beautiful & almost regal. At night you could see all the lights of the houses, neighborhoods, outside patios, and even the bridges. It was a sight to see & soak up.
Overall: Another touristy spot, this is not one to miss. Would recommend going during he day as night time is not well lit and you will not want to miss this beautiful site. You'll recognize this street from some of your favorite movies and tv shows. It's iconic to San Francisco.
Mezcalito
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Russian Hill
Leia: Loved the atmosphere of this bar and loved the insane amount of tequilas and mezcals that they had presented. I loved my paloma, it was the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and refreshing. LIke SOnya said, there were some good deals with drinks, such as the beer + mezcal shot. Would absolutely recommend coming here for drinks and possibly stay for food (I wish I could’ve tried but it looked and sounded good).
Sonya: Serious deals is what you’ll get. All the drinks were vastly different, mostly affordable and pretty dang strong. I ordered a drink that was a little too sweet for me but had some nice flavors in it. The shot of mezcal was honestly a lot easier to down than I had expected, which almost makes me think that I would prefer mezcal over tequila moving forward.
Overall: A trendy, and nicely decorated bar, offering a wide variety of mezcal and tequila. They also offer a full menu. We ordered the final flight (7/10), el permanente (6/10), paloma (7/10) and lastly the crane city (8/10). These drinks will sneak up on you very fast. They also offer beer & shot deals that you can't miss.
Escape from New York
2109 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Spending: $$
Neighborhood: Russian Hill
Leia: This place reminded me of Hot Mama’s pizza, quick and does the trick after a few drinks.
Sonya: New York style pizza is always a great idea, especially after a few too many drinks. Nothing too special, but I will tell you I certainly needed a quick slice of cheese.
Overall: A good pizza stop during your drunken shenanigans.
Monday
Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: Mission
Leia: Absolutely worth the wait. If you love a good quality pastry, one that is truly exceptional and surpasses any other pastry you’ve had before than I would come here. I got the pain au chocolat and the ham & cheese croissant and I would absolutely recommend these. Honestly, next time I want to come here on my last day, buy a box of various pastries and fly back so I can have other people try these.
Sonya: Where do I ever start with this bakery. Everything was amazing (except the bread which they don’t make until late). The croissant was so buttery, so flakey, so crispy, so warm, and every bite was rich in flavor, and immediately brought a sense of warmth & euphoria. I would have eaten multiple throughout the day but all you really need is one, and you’ll be set for a day. Super filling, and super delicious, I would return and order a variety of baked good & sweets. I would also suggest taking it to go and eating it at Dolores Park.
Overall: We ordered the ham & cheese croissant, the Frangipane Croissant, pan au chocolat, shortbread cookie and hazelnut biscotti. Everything was amazing, and filling. Try to get here earlier to avoid the long lines (30 min), and be warned, they only make bread after 4:30 pm. This spot is spendy but the quality is entirely worth it. Would come back to this bakery in a heartbeat.
Mission Dolores Park
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: Mission
Leia: This is the type of park you go to when you want to just chill with friends, bring some food and a drink and it’s perfect. There are so many characters in this park that people watching is extremely entertaining. Iconic SF park that is an absolute must see.
Sonya: Hippy central is what I took away from this park. There was a relevant political musical going on, drunk folk everywhere, people slanging their own “special” goodies and laughter in the air. This is the spot that people come to just to pass time and kick it. It was even more beautiful on a sunny day, and a croissant in hand. I will also add that this is a perfect spot to people & dog watch (if that’s what you are into).
Overall: A very big, beautiful and hippy park with almost anything is allowed. Bring a blanket to sit on, some food and possibly some drinks to pass the time. You could spend all day people watching, just be cautioned by the folks selling their homemade special snacks & concoctions.
Alamo Square Park
Steiner St & Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Spending: Free
Neighborhood: Alamo Square
Leia: Another awesome park to visit especially if you are a fan of Full House. Definitely a lot smaller than Dolores Park but still a cool place to just chill with friends and let time pass.
Sonya: We came here with a few beers in hand and just sat on the hill to admire the painted ladies. A fun area to pass time, though certainly no one else appeared to be drinking (maybe don’t do it), this spot had gorgeous views of all the hills, and with great company a nice place for a nap, or a walking break. Walking around San Francisco gave me a new appreciation for my feet & legs as after the trip my ankles and knees hurt quite a bit.
Overall: Not as big or hood rat friendly as Dolores Park, but still a sight to see. You can't miss the Full House houses aka the painted ladies, or the views of the many hills of San Francisco. Be warned you may encounter old naked men doing yoga, and or cops.
House of Xi'an Dumplings
925 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Spending: $-$$
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Leia: One of my favorite places that we got to eat it and it was totally by chance that we came here. I loved how much of a family, hole in the wall place this was. Almost like we found a hidden gem in such a diverse city. Each dish we got was filled with so much flavor, you didn’t want to stop eating even though you were stuffed. After getting home from this trip, I have told everyone I know about this place because it needs to be on your go-to places the next time you come to SF.
Sonya: A small chinese restaurant in the middle of the street on the edge of Chinatown with not too much seating, but delicious food you can’t miss. Super affordable, and authentic as you can see all the Chinese people enjoying their dumplings & noodles. That is always a great sign for a good Asian restaurant. If you don’t know, now you know. Gage a good Asian restaurant by how many Asians there are eating inside! It was lucky we found this spot because it seemed that when we searched Xi’an specific Chinese food, this was the only place that popped up, but it still blew us away. The xiao long bao came with 8 pieces, and the two noodle dishes were very different but each had their own strengths. The hand pulled noodles were nice and thick, and had so much flavor in it already that not much needs to be added to it. The tan tan men were very good, had a strong flavor of peanuts, but wasn’t as spicy as I would have hoped. It was slightly on the sweeter side, but nonetheless, they were slurp worthy!
Overall: This restaurant is a hole in the wall, and not a place that you would consider going into if just walking by. From our want of Xi’an style food, the Yelp reviews, and our Uber drivers comment that reinforced our decision to go there, it was fate that we ended up there. We got the xiao long bao (8.5/10) (juicy pork dumplings), hand pulled noodles in sizzling oil (7.5/10), and the dandan noodles (8.5/10) (tan tan men). Each dish was delicious, and completely different in flavor palates. These dishes were well balanced and satisfied our cravings.
Fang
660 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: South of Market
Leia: When you and your friends are stupid high and are walking around SF trying to find any place that is open on labor day then this is what happens. Totally came here by surprise and weren’t expecting much. But to our surprise, this place was actually really good and somewhere that would be fun to go to with a group of friends. It was definitely a chinese restaurant that was geared towards folks that may not know a lot about Chinese food but still want good quality food. If I had to choose between the two Chinese places we visited on this day I would say got to Xi’an but this is a close runner-up.
Sonya: I was honestly too high to really function at this spot and just about stared at the wall the whole time. But the food from my recollection was pretty good. Very American-ized style but also had a nice variety that if you are new to Chinese food, or familiar, you’ll find items on the menu that you will like. They self advertise themselves as a high end, Asian-influenced setting. Run by the Fangs whom are long time established chefs & restaurateurs in the San Francisco area (Peter & Kathy), this spot would be a fun stop if you’re in the area and appreciate the style of food they serve & supposedly will customize for you and help serve & greet you personally.
Overall: This swanky Chinese restaurant was a surprising edition to our food adventures as everything was closed on Labor Day. We ordered the dry braised green beans, the eggplant in garlic sauce, and a side of rice. These vegetable dishes were really good and caught us off guard as we were worried that it would lack flavor and be overly salty. This is a place to go if you’re not familiar with Chinese food as it is more geared towards the everyday non-Chinese person. It is also nearby recommended pubs & eateries.
Tuesday
SF Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Spending: $$-$$$
Neighborhood: South of Market
Leia: Beautiful museum with awesome exhibits. This could easily become a full day of looking at art because there are seven levels of it. I think this museum is worth taking a look at, it’s a nice break from typical tourist attractions plus it gives you an opportunity to witness some incredible art. I also think that $25 for a ticket was really reasonable.
Sonya: I am not sure if I have ever been to this museum before but I really loved it. When I go to art exhibits I tend to rush through and soak up more stimuli than I am able to process and reflect on, but I kept finding myself wanting to slow down even though I had a flight to catch shortly. My favorite part of my experience was the 7th floor which had multimedia, and visual exhibits that reflected on the life, or cultures within America & each artist’s take away point of how that culture has affected the way we see things or how we live. There was also a great interactive lights installation that was fun to walk through and calming to absorb. I’ve never been much of a abstract appreciator so I rushed through some of those sections, but I was happy to see the photography exhibits, as well as the few pop art pieces. I would recommend anyone that likes/loves/or is interested in art to go here. It was $25 a ticket for general admission, but if you have time, I always suggest seeing the special exhibit for a few more dollars.
Overall: MOMA is a seven floor museum, offering different galleries with a wide range of time periods, mediums, and creative styles as any other museum would. We took about 1.5 hours to walk through all the general admission exhibits. It is definitely worth it if you are into art & culture, otherwise one might find it overwhelming.
San Francisco Conclusion:
Leia: To put it simply, San Francisco was amazing. I am so glad that I decided to splurge on myself and go on a trip with my friends. While this city is expensive, it also offers so much fun and exciting activities. From crazy drunken nights to chilling with the sea lions, this trip had it all and then some. If you are a foodie and love to eat your way through a city, San Francisco is a great place for a food adventure. This trip has definitely inspired me to take the time to do more exploring and traveling, it’s too easy for us to feel comfortable in our own city but it’s so amazing to get out there and discover new things.
Sonya: I had an amazing time in San Francisco. I am really glad that ahead of time I planned out and mapped out potential activities so that day of we could just decide to stay in a certain area and have plenty of things to do. I am grateful for the beautiful weather and for my travel companions. SF was the vacation I needed, and the change of scenery I so desired. I am even happier that I was able to share it, not only with my Seattle friends, but with my college friends that I rarely get to see and have them either explore with me or show me around and teach me more about SF and how it was built, and politically what was going on. This city is a place that I could see myself living in, if it was remotely affordable, as it is full of culture, great food, beautiful scenery, and is pretty much just a bigger Seattle, or at least where Seattle is starting to head to. There is no other city I’d rather eat & walk my way through. This is a reminder that if you work hard, you deserve a vacation, no matter how expensive.
Thanks for reading, and we hope you are able to check some of these spots out and give us feedback!