KAY'S GUIDE TO SF ADVENTURES
Hello readers!
In just a few days, I will be leaving the Bay Area once again for a new jam packed school year at UC San Diego. I didn't want to leave y'all hanging without an end of summer post! To celebrate the end of this fun, adventurous summer, I have a compiled a list of different things and places to go to in San Francisco. I'm no professional tour guide, but I just wanted to share this piece because these places are the ones I always look forward to coming back home to! From tourists and natives alike, I hope you find something you would like to venture off to. This list includes some SF classics and of course, some of my personal favorites.
Typical Tourist:
1) Enjoy a stroll down the Piers. Start off at the Ferry Building on Embarcadero, where you can enjoy some local, organic eats. Make sure to try the Secret Breakfast at Humphry Slocombe. A short walk from the Ferry Building is the Exploratorium, a museum dedicated to science adventure! Take the F train to head over to Pier 39. Shop and play games. You can also grab a bucket of Trisha's Donuts to snack on while visiting our seal friends. Another San Francisco favorite is Clam Chowder. Go on down to Boudin or any of the oceanside seafood restaurants. Everything is fresh~ When the sun goes down, walk down to Pier 4 for the perfect lookout spot to see the lights of the infamous Bay Bridge.
2) Want a grand view of the City? Drive up Twin Peaks!
3) The Palace of Fine Arts features beautiful architecture you can stare at all day.
4) After a long day walking around the lively Mission district, grab your friends and chill on Dolores Park.
5) Enjoy a hike over at Land's End. See beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
6) Union Square is known as the heart of San Francisco. Literally. This small plaza features four hearts. This is the hub for tourists due to the many shopping centers, gateways to transportation, and high-rated restaurants.
8) A short walk from Union Square is Chinatown. Grab some yummy dim sum and stroll the streets. You can def find art and sneak views of the Transamerica Pyramid.
7) Golden Gate Bridge: ahhh yes, the iconic GG. I HAD to include this. I mean did you really go to San Francisco if you don't take a picture of the bridge? You can view the bridge from the official lookout, Crissy Fields, or the Vista Point.
Artsy Fartsy:
1) Clarion Alley is one of my favorite places in SF. This alley features murals from local artists. Most art featured are political and have big meaning to the Mission District. 10/10 recommend. Come by here after grabbing a Mission Burrito from El Farolito!
2) Although fairly new, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is a must-see when coming up here!
3) Modern art ain't your thing? Check out the Legion of Honor up in the Presidio! The exterior of the museum itself is a beauty!
4) The DeYoung Museum offers great selections from all over the world!
5) Adding on, the Golden Gate Park is the perfect place for nature and art. There are beautiful structures around the area. You can also go pedal boating! The Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, and Conservatory of Flowers are located there!
One w/ Nature:
1) Interior Greenbelt is talked away behind the UCSF campus and features a big, lush forrest!
2) Andy's Goldworthy Woodline is found nestled near the Presidio. Take the Lover's Lane trail and you won't miss it! A little hike up and you can find the tall, big spire!
3) Mount Davidson is home to a big cross that overlooks the city. Fun Fact: it is the tallest altitude in San Francisco.
4) Near the Castro District is Buena Vista Park, an urban forrest where you can get spectacular views of the City.
Hills Hills Hills: SAN FRANCISCO IS HILLY ASF, BUT DEF WORTH IT TO SEE THE GREAT VIEWS OF THE CITY SKYLINE.
1) Bernal Hill in the Bernal Heights District
2) Corona Heights Hill in the Castro
3) Tank Hill in the Twin Peaks District
4) Kite Hill in the Castro District
5) Turtle Hill/Grandview Park in the Sunset District (climb up Moraga Steps to see this beaut! That's those colorful, detail stairs all over Instagram)
6) Billy Goat Hill in the Glen Park District allows you to swing over the city. Literally. You can enjoy a nice view while swinging on a tire swing (Hopefully it's still there!)
Yum:
1) After getting T-Pumps, like a local, head on over to Kevin's Noodle House on Irving St. I can already taste the Pho!!!
2) Manna is Korean restaurant and it is also the BOMB.COM
3) WANNA TRY THE BEST CHICKEN WINGS EVER? SAN TUNG GOT CHA!!!
4) A Donut Bacon Cheeseburger? WHAAAAAAT! Straw serves them all the time. And surprisingly, it's so worth the calories. (maybe)
5) Anything on a Dutch Crunch is a masterpiece. Check out Ike's or Roxie's!
6) The best grilled cheese? American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, duh.
7) Craving some soul food? Brenda's French Soulfood is your go-to! Make sure to get the Crawfish Beignets!
8) Pizza run? Golden Boy Pizza got ya covered! (THE SLICES ARE RECTANGULAR WHAAT?)
9) SF Brunch? Try out Zazie (AHHH THE EGGS BENEDICT), Sweet Maple (AHHHH THE MILLIONAIRE'S BACON), or Mama's On Washington Square (AHHH EVERYTHING LOL)
10) Wanna have cool vibes, music, and food? Check out SOMA StreatPark or Off the Grid! Food truck galore!
Tea Leaf & Coffee Beans: THE BOBA AND COFFEE HERE ARE A1. HERE ARE MY TOP FAVES/LOCAL FAVORITES
1) You can't go wrong T-PUMPS. It started here in the Bay. Come thru and choose your flavors. The Honey Boba is heavenly. Treat yourself with a Pumpbo. Just do it.
2) Not really a fan of Purple Kow's milk tea, but ONE MUST TRY TO ICED MILK DRINKS. SPECIFICALLY D3 & D4. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.
3) Are you a tea afficionado? You'll love Boba Guys! They serve high quality stuff. Their drinks are unique, from Earl Grey to Dirty Horchata to Strawberry Matcha. Def try them out!
4) In the Downtown Area? GO TO COOL TEA BAR. HONESTLY, THEY'RE MY FAVE MILK TEA PLACE. THEIR PEARL MILK TEA, JASMINE MILK TEA, AND ROASTED MILK TEA ARE GR9.
5) Super Cue has bomb Taro Milk Tea. Nuff said.
6) Okay, technically Bambu isn't known for it's Boba, but they're bomb too. Check them out LOL
7) Everyone talks about Phil'z Coffee. Get the Mint Mojito!
8) Home Cafe is such a cute little place to chill. With it's yummy lattes and toasts, come over here for a snack!
For the Sweet Tooths:
1) Craving Ice Cream? Try Mitchell's or Bi-Rite Creamery! Possibilities are endless with those folks! San Francisco's Hometown Creamery also offers Ice Cream Flights! IG pic, anyone?
2) Golden Island Cafe is open late night for those random dessert cravings! Mango Sago pls!!!
3) Grab a box of yummy cookies from Anthony's Cookies! I recommend Cookies & Cream.
4) Crepes are your favorite dessert? Try out Belly Good or Sophie's if you're in Japantown! If you're elsewhere, try Crepe Temptations in the Sunset!
5) SmileHouse Cafe has decadent (and aesthetic) parfaits & sundaes!
6) Get baked at Mr. Holmes BakeHouse! Try out the cruffin and other delicious pastries!
MISC:
1) Watch a Giants Game!
2) Go to the Piers to boat to Alcatraz and Sausalito!
3) Walk around Downtown to admire the architecture and find public rooftop gardens!
4) Spend hours finding new worlds in Green Apple Books!
5) Head over to Yerba Buena Gardens and get down the big tall slide! Act like a lil kid again!!!
6) Grab some friends and just explore any neighborhood! You'll find something new about this city everyday!!!!!!
There's so many great places to see and things to do here! I hope this post helps you plan your next San Francisco adventure!
I hope you enjoyed reading all about my summer. Hey, don't worry! I'm making it a new goal of mine to keep this blog active throughout the school year. Keep an eye out on some new content. You can also join my subscriber list to make sure you do not miss out on anything!
Thank you for following me~ I'll write to y'all soon!
Sincerely, Kaithleen