San Francisco might honestly be my favorite city in the US. It’s been getting a bad rap recently, but I suspect the negative attention is coming from people who haven’t actually been there. Yes, there are tech bros, but most of them are pretty nice, and you might even be able to steal their billion-dollar start up idea if you overhear at a cafe in Hayes Valley. Set at the edge of the country, nestled along the coast, this city has its own unique culture and style, and for two summers, I was lucky enough to be enmeshed in its throes. These are my top ten can’t miss San Francisco destinations.
- Land’s End: The accessibility to nature is one of the city’s key selling points, and there might not be anywhere better to experience this than at Land’s End. You truly feel on the edge of the world, and if you take the Coastal Trail just a little way down, on a sunny day, you’ll be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge. When I lived in Outer Richmond, I drove over almost every night to watch the sunset- the hues of orange melting into the Pacific Ocean are a spectacle unlike any I’ve seen before.
- Golden Gate Park (enter at Haight-Ashbury or Nopa): This one feels like a no-brainer, but it’s too important not to highlight. Inside the park, you can view world-renowned art, take a rowboat out on the lake, and even see actual, living, buffalo. I love to run through the park, but if you’re looking for a different option, try one of the electrified Lyft bikes available for rent. Don’t miss the rose garden either!
- Mission Dolores Park (Mission District): Even when most of the city is shrouded in fog, chances are good you’ll be able to soak up the sun in the Mission. Sunday afternoons are primetime for a park hang in Dolores Park, where you can nap in the shade of a palm tree, or take in the sprawling view of the city below. Stop by Bi-Rite Creamery for a sweet treat on your way home- there’s nothing like an ice cream cone to cap off a park day.
- Legion of Honor (Sea Cliff): This museum might be a bit on the smaller side, but I thought it was the best San Francisco had to offer (my apologies to the SFMoMA). The building itself is a work of art, and once inside, you’ll find a gallery of Rodin sculptures, some Impressionist work (Monet and Seurat included), and a few other fun surprises. The museum is on the quieter side, which makes it a lot easier to stroll around and take in the art without feeling rushed.
- Ocean Beach (Outer Richmond): I might have lumped this in with Land’s End, but Ocean Beach holds a special place in my heart, and deserves its own recognition. This is my favorite place in the city to relax, unwind, and contemplate life. Even if it’s a little chilly, this often almost-deserted beach is the perfect place to dig your toes in the sand, watch the surfers, and breathe in the salty sea air. Bring a book and a blanket/chair down to the beach in the evening hours and you’ll experience an inner calm and sense of peace that feels extra special after a long day.
- Presidio (enter at Marina/Cow Hollow): There’s a million hidden gems inside the Presidio, but I don’t think there’s anything as spectacular as the view from the Crissy Field Promenade on a sunny day. Gaze out over the bay and enjoy a spectacular scene of Golden Gate Bridge and Marin County beyond. If you’re looking for more of an adventure, grab a map from the Visitor’s Center and find a trail that looks interesting- when I hike within the Presidio, I often completely forget I’m in the middle of a bustling city.
- Chinatown/North Beach: Even though they’re two completely different neighborhoods situated next to each other, the Chinese and Italian districts in SF are some of the best parts of the city, and can be explored as a duo. You can sit in Washington Square and live out a Jack Kerouac fantasy, or walk under the Dragon Gate along Grant Ave to experience the delights of Chinatown. Some of my favorite evenings have been spent in low-lit bars down the side streets of these neighborhoods.
- Alamo Square (Hayes Valley/Nopa): A classic too good to miss. Not only will you get to see the infamous Painted Ladies, but you can also look out over the downtown cityscape to the Bay Bridge. Hayes Valley is one of the sunnier neighborhoods in SF, and as such, Alamo Square gets a little more light than, say, Golden Gate Park. One of my favorite things to do when I lived here was to lay down a picnic blanket, read a book and watch the sunset with the city in the foreground.
- Japantown: This intimate neighborhood consists of a sprawling mall and a few side streets, and its distinctive attributes make it a must-see. The shops in the mall sell a variety of little trinkets and keepsakes, and some of the best ramen in the city (shout out to Marufuku Ramen!). Outside, you can sit by the peace pagoda or one of the many fountains to people watch and contemplate life. I often trekked to Japantown to pick up gel pens, stationary, and other little goods that were difficult to find elsewhere.
- Valencia St (Mission District): This area has such a warm, inviting ambiance, and some of the most delicious food I’ve had in the city (pupusas, arepas, dumplings, you can have it all!). The street is bustling on weekend evenings, and my friends and I would often grab dinner and stroll into some of the shops (most of which are open later). Highlights include Dog Eared books, a local bookstore with new and used selections, and the many, many thrift shops that line the street.
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