From the techie start-up crowd and creatives in the Mission District to the veterans who’ll tell you tales of hippie happenings in the Haight, San Francisco makes room for everyone in its 49 square miles. LGBTQI+ folk claimed the Castro neighbourhood, Latino culture thrives in Calle 24, and a well-heeled conglomerate swish around Nob Hill. And San Francisco became home to the world’s largest Chinese community outside of Asia for good reason.
The diverse neighbourhoods feel like fellowships, but they’re never cliquish—that’s simply not the San Francisco way. Sure, you can find your tribe here, but don’t commit to just one neighbourhood on your travels. The best way to get under the skin of the city is by venturing from place to place to discover the things to see and do in San Francisco.
Eat
San Francisco restaurants run the gamut. First timer? Embrace all that’s tourist-tastic about San Francisco by heading to Fisherman’s Wharf, the world-famous market that features stalls and shops selling goods. Pick up a city classic—clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin. You can watch how the bread is handcrafted as your slurp, thanks to the open-plan bakery. Wave a quick hello to the noisy sea lions at Pier 39 before wandering west to the historic Ghirardelli Square for an enormous ice cream sundae with all the trimmings from San Francisco’s favourite chocolatier.
If that all sounds too mainstream, venture eastwards from Fisherman’s Wharf until you reach the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building Marketplace. Beneath the landmark clocktower, a busy public food market thrives in the elegant building that was once the city’s transport epicentre. Come for sustainably sourced fare and freshly baked organic bread to devour with speciality espresso or Chinese tea. If you’re craving a sugar boost between city explorations, deliberating over sweet treats from the organic doughnut shop or delicately crafted Parisian confectionery may steal more of your time than intended.
Long sightseeing days call for on-the-hoof eats, but plan for something more leisurely come suppertime. The chance to experience how different cultures have made their mark on the city is tempting. But however worthy the sushi in Japantown, dim sum in Chinatown, or the burritos in the Mission District are, don’t miss out on quintessential Californian fare.
An abundance of organic restaurants with locally sourced ingredients dominates the scene here. San Francisco’s best restaurants come armed with menus featuring fresh Pacific seafood, free-range meats, and seasonal local produce. Those helmed by award-winning chefs are a sure bet, such as the widely celebrated Spruce. San Francisco restaurants with a view are in similarly hot demand, with the 19th-floor Top of the Mark in the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel a long-standing favourite, having welcomed guests for 80 years. But wherever you pull up a chair, thanks to nearby Napa and Sonoma Valleys, the wine lists in San Francisco are to die for.
Play
You’re utterly spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do in San Francisco. If the San Francisco weather plays in your favour, take to two wheels and cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s the ideal way to get your bearings, see the glorious city skyline, and catch a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz Island as you cross the Golden Gate strait. After freewheeling into the pretty town of Sausalito, stop for lunch, a glass of local wine, and a spot of window shopping before letting the ferry do the hard work on your trip back to the city.
It’s often an overstatement to say that a park has something for everyone, but Golden Gate Park sure comes close. The California Academy of Sciences is the jewel in the Park’s crown. A living rainforest, aquarium, and planetarium transport visitors deep into the physics and biology of our world. When you reemerge (equal parts dazzled and better informed), the rest of Golden Gate Park is prime leg-stretching territory. Make your way to the National AIDS Memorial Grove for a moment of reflection. Or, in the summertime, look out for one of the 12 hidden pianos around the Botanical Garden for an impromptu singalong.
Elsewhere, San Francisco’s history and culture are epitomised in the Mission district. More than 400 murals portray the city’s many sides as it is now and in days gone by. Balmy Alley has some of the oldest and most famous street art. Take a solo stroll or opt for a tour for the lowdown on the stories behind the creations.
When the sun sets, a different side of the city comes alive. Admittedly, Haight-Ashbury’s wildest times may be behind it. Yet beneath its gentrified façade, it still carries the “Summer of Love” in its DNA and a night out in this neighbourhood rarely disappoints. For something a little spookier, venture to Alcatraz under cover of night. On a night tour of this island jail, you’ll hear tales of what unfolded here as you creep around the cells.
Stay
Palihotel San Francisco
When it comes to San Francisco hotels, location is everything. Palihotel not only has a can’t-beat-it position (one block north is Chinatown, and one block south is the prime shopping territory of Union Square), but it has a self-proclaimed “California-Centric” style. Happily, this means corporate bland is a big no-no. Diminutively sized rooms are easily forgiven for superb styling and ooh-lovely extras such as walk-in rainforest showers, Smeg minifridges, and coffee machines.
Hotel Kabuki
Japantown is a wonderfully central part of San Francisco to reach various city attractions, and Hotel Kabuki is a plush place to crash in after the end of busy days. The bedrooms are flooded with natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The whole hotel pays homage to its neighbourhood with plenty of Japanese influences, including a meditation garden.
