Poetry readings at the City Lights Bookstore, organic vegetables at the Ferry Building Marketplace, and daily technological advances by new startup companies are just a few of the things that come to mind when I think of San Francisco – the heart of America’s West Coast.
The city is all this and so much more. Here’s a list of thrilling recommendations for places to visit, food to taste, and experiences unique to the culturally rich San Francisco. Read on!
The Warming Hut: Coffee with a Golden Gate View
The Warming Hut is a cute little café in Crissy Field, which is a public park in the northern part of the city that offers freshly made warm soups, sandwiches, and great coffee. Also, enjoy a picture-perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge while you sip your cuppa.
Blue Bottle Coffee: The Ultimate Artisan Brew
Located in the Ferry Building, just down the road from Fisherman’s Wharf, this famous café serves up drip coffee made from organic beans, ground, portioned, and brewed to order. Try the spicy snickerdoodle cookie that comes wrapped in a brown coffee filter, too.
Chowder Hut Fresh Grill: The Best Budget Lunch by the Bay
Just outside Boudin’s Sourdough Bakery, experience two of the Bay Area’s delicacies for lunch – the crab chowder in a sourdough bread bowl costs less than $10. The simple but filling meal will give you a chance to sample the Bay’s fine crab along with Boudin’s famous sourdough. Try to get a table outside on the patio, even if it is cold— space heaters make the air not so chilly. Here you can enjoy a great view of the bay, as well as Alcatraz. Also, do some people watching as tourists and locals mill around Fisherman’s Wharf.
Muir Woods: A Cathedral of Ancient Redwoods
Located over theGolden Gate Bridge in Marin County, it takes a while to get here by car. But if you love nature, the trip is well worth the time. The park is beautifully maintained and full of historical plaques along the paths that wind through the woods.
The deep quiet, even with the number of people visiting the park, is breathtaking. The redwoods of the park tower over you as you walk through the cathedral-like forest. If the weather is chilly, be sure to bundle up—Muir Woods can get quite cold even on a sunny day. Though the Park might be a beautiful place for a picnic, food is not allowed to be brought in. On the day you visit, plan on having a hearty breakfast and an early dinner.
Hook & Ladder Winery: A Taste of Sonoma Spirit
In the Northern Bay Area, Sonoma County is known for fantastic wineries and beautiful scenery. We chose Hook & Ladder for a complimentary wine tasting. We went through at least six different wines with an easy-going staff who explained the different flavours of the wine. If you are not experienced wine connoisseurs, the staff will help you with the wine-tasting vocabulary. The Hook & Ladder Port is a sweet red dessert wine, great sipped after dinner with steak or tomatoes. It also complements a cup of hot cocoa if a bit is poured into the mug.
Where We Recommend Staying in San Francisco
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square – This is a fantastic “local favorite” choice. It’s a family-owned, historic hotel (dating back to 1914) located right on the Powell Street cable car line.
Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square – If you want something with a bit more “boutique” personality, Staypineapple is excellent. It’s a restored Victorian-era building that mixes historic architecture with quirky, modern interiors.
The Local Playbook:
Transit
Walk & Roll: The city is a literal workout. For everything else, download the Clipper Card app for seamless MUNI and Light Rail access.
Microclimates
The Layer Rule: It can be 75℉ in the Mission and 55℉ at the Bridge. If you don’t bring a jacket, you’ll end up buying a $40 “I Heart SF” hoodie just to survive.
Parking
Curb & Clear: Always “curb your wheels” (turn them toward the sidewalk) on hills to avoid a massive fine. Leave nothing in your car—not even a gum wrapper.
Authentic Vibes
Culture Stops: Skip the mall. Hit the Ferry Building for local sourdough and City Lights Bookstore to channel your inner Kerouac.
Want more local secrets from San Francisco? Check this out.
About the Author
Ted G. is a Bay Area secondary ELA teacher and a regular contributor to Travel Secrets. A former eight-year resident of Osaka, Japan, Ted integrates a global perspective into his mission of helping others find their unique voices. His writing is fueled by a deep-seated love for literature, world cultures, and the arts. When not in the classroom, he finds balance through hiking, pottery, and connecting with others over shared creative ideas.
