Come with me to San Francisco, CA!
Can you really go wrong with a visit to Fog City? I’m a sucker for cold weather and so traveling to San Francisco is a must every now and then. It’s a short flight or a very nice drive from LA, making it the perfect weekend getaway. With so many places to eat and drink and lots to do, here’s my current list of my favorites throughout this beautiful city.
I left my heart in San Francisco.
Where to Stay:
Lodge at the Presidio
A beautiful hotel right near the Golden Gate Bridge, at the Presidio—which I think is just one of the coolest locations around. It’s a park and former U.S. Army post. Their sister hotel Inn at the Presidio is also great. And both feature an evening wine and cheese reception.
Fairmont San Francisco
A historic 5-star luxury hotel atop of Nob Hill. It boasts some pretty famous guests and it’s just filled with so much history. A splurge but worth it if you can afford it. The Tonga Room (more on that later) is one of my favorite tiki bars/restaurants in the city. Or just visit the lobby bar and have a drink there!
Canopy by Hilton SoMa
My favorite economical stay in SF with a great location pretty central to a lot. With only a half hour walk to the Embarcadero, and right across from Yerba Buena park it’s the perfect place to stay location wise. The rooms are small but clean and the staff are all super nice. The rooftop bar and restaurant it great too.
San Francisco Proper Hotel
I’ve stayed at the Proper in New York before and this one is just as amazing. It’s located in the Mid-Market District and boasts panoramic roof top views of the city. The rooms are modern, clean and impressive. It’s also pet-friendly if that’s important to you.
LUMA Hotel San Francisco
Located in the heart of Mission Bay. It’s bright, airy, clean and super chic and modern. They offer three different restaurants and bars to eat and drink and a little Bodega to get snacks and drinks which are carefully curated and locally made. This is definitely worth a visit.
Palace Hotel
A historic 5-star hotel featuring Gilded Age architecture, the iconic Garden Court restaurant and an indoor swimming pool. It’s the type of place just steeped in history, established in 1875. It’s luxury at it’s finest and a definite splurge but also worth just walking around and visiting if you want to see the historic grounds.
Where to Eat:
Limón
I stumbled here for the first time years ago after a book signing. I immediately fell in love with it. If you’re a lover of Peruvian food, like me, then you’ll love this place for sure. Their ceviche, pollo a la brasa, saltados and yucca are to die for. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu and their Pisco Sours are a must.
Zuni Cafe
You can’t go to San Francisco without visiting Zuni Cafe. It’s an institution—at least in my book. In the same vein, you can’t go to Zuni Cafe without getting their famous whole roasted chicken. It’s what I dream about at night. One of the best chickens you’ll ever eat. The salad it sits on with the chicken juice-soaked bread is to die for.
Scoma’s
At first glance you might think Scoma’s is a tourist trap, thanks to it’s location near Fisherman’s Wharf, but alas it’s a San Francisco institution. Founded in 1965, with a mid-century interior right on the water. It’s seafood focused of course, with the star of the show for me being the whole roasted crab. The drinks are strong and the food is delicious.
Colibri
Another restaurant gem I casually and randomly stumbled upon at the Presidio. It’s Mexican food elevated but done right. I’m not saying it’s the most authentic but it’s delicious. Great brunch spot as well and a wonderful place to sit, relax and enjoy a margarita and some chips and guacamole.
Hog’s Island
I’ll never go to San Francisco without stopping by Hog’s Island for lunch. It’s right in the Ferry Building with amazing views of the water and Bay Bridge. The oysters are a must but all the food is incredible including their wine list and cocktails. There’s no reservations and people line up from opening to close but it’s worth it!
Oye! Managua
The food of my people. A no frills, hole-in-the-wall Nicaraguan restaurant that is just plain good ol’ home cooking. Large portions of dishes I grew up eating and often crave. The Fritanga is a must when visiting. Enjoy a plethora of delicious dishes native to my people and the drink selection of homemade juices are all incredible.
Where to Drink:
Tonga Room
If you love a tiki bar with a cover band on a boat in the middle of an indoor pool with rain coming down, then this is the place for you. The drinks are classic tiki drinks the entire place is dark and in theme and I can’t get enough of it. It’s what I think of when I think about getting a drink somewhere on a night on the town.
The Buena Vista
While technically a cafe known for it’s breakfast, the real star of the show is their Irish Coffee. People drink them by the mug fulls. It was brought to The Buena Vista by travel writer Stanton Delaplane in 1952 where it gained massive popularity. Go for a drink, go for food, either way just go!
Smuggler’s Cove
A tiki palace with a nautical tiki theme and decor with exotic cocktails and over 700 types of rum. Located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. There’s three stories and lots of rum to choose from, and is widely considered to be one of the best tiki bars in the world. You can’t go wrong with any drink!
Alchemist Bar & Lounge
A craft cocktail bar and lounge near Oracle Park. It’s a trendy spot with a steampunk decor that features signature drinks with housemade ingredients. While the food is great the real star is the drink menu for sure. Go for happy hour or after dinner drinks. It’s a vibe you don’t want to miss.
Li Po Cocktail Lounge
Long-standing (85 years and counting)-no-pretenses Chinatown bar that attracts a diverse crowd. Their signature Chinese Mai-Tai is something to behold and taste for yourself. It’s a dive bar that makes you feel like you don’t want to be anywhere else. It was also awarded legacy status in 2019 so it’s there to stay.
Blackbird
A rustic-modern bar with lounge seating which is known for it’s creative cocktails, craft beer, happy hours and pool table. The drinks are great, the ambiance is just what you’re looking for after a long week. Meet up with friends and just enjoy the good times. The same group also has an arcade bar called The Detour that is worth a visit as well.
What to Do:
Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is a museum of science, technology, and arts in San Francisco, California. Founded by physicist and educator Frank Oppenheimer in 1969, the museum was originally in the Palace of Fine Arts, then relocated in 2013 to Piers 15 and 17 on San Francisco’s waterfront. It’ll bring out the kid in you, trust me.
Alcatraz Island
This is probably the most touristy thing to do in San Francisco but the history of this Island fascinates me so much. I’ve visited a few times and each time leaves me more in awe. Rich in history, a beautiful setting to a sordid past. You learn so much when visiting. Their exhibit on the Indian occupation of the Island is worth checking out.
Dolores Park
Mission Dolores Park, often abbreviated to Dolores Park, is a city park in San Francisco, California. It is located two blocks south of Mission Dolores at the western edge of the Mission District. The perfect spot for a weekend late afternoon picnic with friends or loved ones. It’s a great place to grab a bite or drink and take it to the park and just people watch and enjoy a lazy afternoon.
Palace of Fine Arts
I’m the biggest fan of World Fairs and I visiting the Palace of Fine Arts just brings me the biggest joy. Built for the 1915 world’s fair the remaining buildings are a true testament of what this country could do. Just walk around and take in the beauty of this place.
The Ferry Building
Since 1898, the Ferry Building has stood as an iconic landmark and gateway to San Francisco, visited annually by millions of visitors. Located right on the water with various vendors, restaurants and shops and weekly farmer’s markets. It’s a definite visit when in SF.
Coit Tower
Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, California, overlooking the city and San Francisco Bay. The tower, in the city’s Pioneer Park, was built between 1932 and 1933 using Lillie Hitchcock Coit’s bequest to beautify the city of San Francisco. It’s a sight to behold!
