My first trip to San Francisco quickly brought me to the realization that just visiting this amazing city once, would NOT give it the final 'check' on the traveling bucketlist, opening up opportunities for other cities on the list to enjoy my future presence. Oh no. The city will be lucky to host me many times over again. There is simply too much to see and do in one, even two trips...and this isn't a city where you drive around and cram in as much sight-seeing as possible. Every point of interest is an experience in and of itself! From hiking and biking to wine tasting and culinary exploration, there's so much more to The City by the Bay than the infamous Piers and Fisherman's Wharf. Hop on a trolley and wander with me...
While the heart of the city has a hopping Union Square and bustling downtown, wandering along the water and bopping from Pier to Pier is what separates San Francisco from your typical urban jungle. Emerging from the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)at the Embarcadero center just steps from the water, we were delighted to find a whole slew of stands; locals selling handmade jewelry and screen-printed shirts, to framed photos and touristy trinkets. Across the street sits the Ferry Building, buzzing with local foodies and tourists alike. This place reminds me of Quincy Market in Boston. One long corridor lined with gourmet food shops that could keep a foodie satisfied for days. But if you don't have days to spend in there, make sure to walk out with one thing: a 'meat cone' from Boccalone.
I cannot personally vouch for it, but the giddyness that immediately followed Shawn's experience with it, definitely spoke for itself.
Wandering along the Piers with skyskrapers to your left and water to your right, there are plenty of distractions as you make your way to the bustling Fisherman's Wharf.
With roughly 1 million visitors each month, you can imagine this place is hoppin from sunrise to sunset. With a plethora of eating establishments, there are plenty of food choices in this area, but if you want a true San Franciscan experience, walk up to one of the many crab stands and buy a big ol' Dungeness crab! Watch them steam it, crack it, break it apart, and throw it in a basket with some lemons and cocktail sauce. Jackpot!
Moving along, with a full belly of crab, Ghiradelli Square is a perfect spot to stop, grab a coffee (or some free Ghiradelli chocolate!) and a spot on a bench at the top of the hill and do some quality people watching. Another hot touristy spot filled with vendors and lines to hop on the trollies, Ghiradelli Square is buzzing all day and lit up at night. Not to mention a beautiful view of the bay from the top. One of my favorite places!
Finally, the main reason for visiting this gem of a city, the 'glue' that holds it all together (literally)...the Golden Gate Bridge. Even the walk TO the Golden Gate Bridge from the Bay is glorious. Do NOT leave this city until you have either walked or driven the 1.7 miles over the bridge, and preferably catch some breathtaking views from the Vista Point. Even on a typical foggy day, when the city appears non-existent, you will have to catch your breath.
The breathtaking views from the Golden Gate Bridge may seem like all you need to take away from this little piece of heaven, but just you wait. There's more. Take an afternoon(or full day) break from the city's haze er...fog, and head about 20 minutes outside of the city to Muir Woods and put on your hiking shoes! You'd think you're almost 200 miles inland, hiking in Yosemite, but really you're only miles from the city nestled within hundreds of massive Redwoods. Take the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air, and 'become one' with nature before re-entering the hustle and bustle of city life.
After your hike head Southeast about 10 miles for some relaxation and reflection in the adorably quaint beach town of Tiburon. Grab a casual bite to eat on the doc of Sams Anchor Cafe, as you watch people dock their sailboats and meander in for a drink at sunset. After re-fueling, take a stroll on the boardwalk along the water, and soak in the last bit of peace and quiet before heading back to the Bay. Do not leave before the sun sets. You'll understand why.
As I promised, an amazing city with ample opportunities is like the gift that keeps on giving. Just. Can't. Get. Enough. Head an hour outside of the city and you'll find yourself in the town that lives by and looks like its name: Pleasanton! Complete with a charming main street, lined with sidewalk restaurants and frozen yogurt shops, you couldn't picture a more fitting town to live up to that name. Could it also be a coincidence that my friend Stacie, her husband JJ,(literally the nicest people in the world, and amazing hosts) and their unbelievably adorable son Ozzie live there? I think not. One of the best parts of this town? The Saturday morning farmers market. All of the fruits, vegetables, and homemade baked goods you can possibly imagine. Tip: don't even bother eating breakfast before heading to this neighborhood feast. Apparently it's common practice to hand out generous samples, so make your rounds and fill up!
As if all of the above wasn't enough to keep you busy and entertained for days on end, what trip to Northern California is complete without some wine tasting and rolling vineyards?! Whether you have a few days, or even a few hours to spare, the short (and beautiful) drive into Wine Country is so very worth it. The myraid of wineries can almost be overwhelming, and tastings can range from $5 with no reservations, to $50 with required reservations so do your research and map out a plan if you're on a budget or a schedule.
With such a variety of wineries to chose from, you are sure to find some that fit your 'level' of seriousness. From a 6-course dinner paired with different wines that will leave you feeling like a certified Sommelier, to a casual yet enchanting winery such as V.Sattui, that offers up a picturesque picnic area and a full deli to complete your modest yet memorable meal, pure contentment will inevitably set in. One of my favorite areas of Napa is Yountville. What feels like a small town in the middle of heaven, Yountville's main street is lined with both high-end and casual restaurants, gourmet food shops, charming boutiques, and of course a smattering of wineries. This is also the home of famed chef Thomas Keller's restaurant, French Laundry. With their tasting menu starting at a few hundred big ones, we decided to hold onto the dream, and fill up with more affordable nourishment: cookies from Bouchon Bakery. The line out the door says it all.
Clearly San Francisco has more to offer than I had ever imagined, and I cannot stop raving about it. I even came up with an 'excuse' to make almost annual trips there (aside from wonderful friends in Pleasanton), and started using this excuse for my most recent trip. Shawn and I signed up for the hilly San Francisco half marathon, and got Stacie in on the action too. What an incredible way to explore the city (not to mention distractions galor to take our minds off of the constant hills)! Lining up at 5am with the lights of the city and Bay Bridge as our backdrop was the greatest wake-up call we could've asked for. Running along the Pier, making our way to the Golden Gate Bridge as the sky slowly lightened, and the city started to stir, was the coolest feeling. I definitely see this 'excuse' being used again in the future.
As previous posts have revealed, my kind of trip is not worthy of a post unless food is included somewhere in the mix. While the meat cone was definitely a highlight for one of us, our dinner at Anchor & Hope on our last night in the city cannot go unmentioned. Let me rephrase that. Anchor & Hope deserves a damn Michelin Star as far as I am concerned. A tip from Shawn's friend brought us to this somewhat hidden spot practically in an alley just outside of the Financial District. An exposed warehouse feeling, made warm and intimate with low lights, candles, and unpretentious decor, this was definitely not a tourist hotspot, and we couldn't have been more pleased. Somehow making it back to our hotel in a hazy seafood coma, we escaped the 'last night in an amazing city and away from reality funk' and soaked in as much of the local scene as possible. Well damn done!
Maybe the half marathon is the perfect excuse to make San Francisco an annual trip. Afterall, I could probably dream up a different itinerary every year and never come up short in new spots to explore. Throw in a challenging yet rewarding race to satisfy my need for some activity, and I think I've got another 'lifer'. Now all I need is a travel fund that will magically refill itself...
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