Visiting San Francisco

San Francisco is one of those cities I don’t visit enough. Every time I go, I’m so surprised by how much there is to do in such a small area. Most recently I went with my sister on a work trip, and revisited some old favorites, and a few of the areas I haven’t been to. I love how many pockets the city has! I put together a guide so that you can make sure you won’t miss some of these gems.

Things to Do

The Conservatory of Flowers

Pinch me, I’m dreaming. The Conservatory of Flowers is one of the coolest places in SF. On the outside there’s a gorgeous grassy area surrounded by flowers where you can chill and hang out or picnic. Inside there is a huge greenhouse with a huge collection of exotic plants. Calling all of my plant lovers: you’ve got to visit this spot! Pro tip: it’s free to visit on the first Tuesday each month, and $9 otherwise.

Visit Lower Sunset

This neighborhood feels like a secret. It’s laid-back, full of pastel houses, and right next to the beach. We stopped at Camera Obscura and all I could think was wait, am I in a Wes Anderson movie right now? This spot seriously feels like it! Head to the beach or explore the neighborhood.

Check Out Chinatown

Chinatowns are some of my favorite places to visit in cities, and Chinatown in San Francisco is one of the best. I walked to it, and the second you arrive you feel like you’re in a new place. It’s a cool place to check out, and shop around or grab a bite to eat. There are some amazing hilltop views of the city there too. I wandered around and popped in and out of shops for a few hours. It’s a fun place to get lost and wander.

Where to Eat + Drink

When I think of San Francisco the first thing that comes to mind is the food. There are so many great cocktail bars, and restaurants that I never feel like I have time to visit them all. These are some of my favorite finds over the years!

Leo’s Oyster Bar: Always my first stop when I visit SF! Their cocktails are perfect, and their decor is even more perfect. Something to note: they tend to get really busy, so make a reservation. P.S. they have happy hour from 3-5pm on weekdays.
Bon Voyage: Dumplings and tiki drinks? Yes, please! This is the perfect place to grab drinks, and small bites.
Verjus: A cute wine bar with a phenomenal wine selection, and French food. I’m still dreaming of their yummy cheese plate! Head over to the counter to pick up some delicious snacks too. This is one not to be missed, we went two days in a row.
Loló: First off, the decor here is so fun and funky. And to top it off it’s some of the best Mexican food I’ve had, and the drinks are even better.
The Zombie Village: There is a serious tiki bar craze in San Francisco. I stopped in before dinner one night, and was so in love that we came again after dinner, and then the next night! They go all out in the experience, and it feels like you’ve traveled to a secret island. There are some cute little huts you can sit in too.
Pagan Idol: Another one of the best tiki bars you can find! Stop in after dinner for some yummy drinks.
Lihoiho Yacht Club: I wasn’t even sure how to categorize the food here because it’s so unique. It’s a fusion of Hawaiian, Indian and Chinese food with a funky twist. My favorite was the yellowtail sashimi.
Louie’s Gen Gen Room: Right underneath Lihoiho, this little spot is a cute place to get dinner and drinks in an intimate setting. Everything I had there was so delicious, and it felt like a secret underground hideaway.
Hawker Fare: A colorful spot in the Mission inspired by street food in Thailand. A low-key spot to grab drinks and yummy Thai food.
Birba: A wine bar I had on my list that I didn’t make it to, but wanted to.
Media Noche: I’m always down for empanadas, and this is a gorgeous spot to get Cuban food. Be sure to stop by the fun banana bathroom!
Beretta: Great cocktails, and delicious Italian food. Must try their thin crust pizzas!
In Situ: This is the ultimate splurge dinner that you won’t want to miss. It’s an elegant spot right under SFMOMA, and everything there is delish. If you’re looking to get a taste of the experience on a budget, grab a drink and appetizer in the waiting area rather than dining in the restaurant.
Trick Dog: A dimly-lit cocktail bar with interesting drinks and small bites.
Smugglers Cove: Yet another great tiki bar in San Francisco. They are one of the best spots to go, and we love them so much that we have their mugs and book in our house. P.S. they have happy hour from 5-6pm every day.

Where to Get Coffee + Breakfast

Coffee, to me, is a priority in all trip planning so I make it a point to have a long list of good coffee shops to stop by when I’m in need. SF is a coffee mecca, so luckily there are plenty of options to chose from.

Cafes + Coffee Shops

Le Marais Bakery: A cute spot to grab breakfast, and coffee. There are a few locations across the city. They have a huge selection of homemade pastries too.
Sightglass Coffee: So many Sightglass locations throughout the city.
Four Barrel Coffee: A solid coffee shop with all the coffee classics.
Saint Frank Coffee: I stopped by this shop while I was shopping around the neighborhood, and it did not disappoint. I got the honey lavender latte with their house made almond macadamia milk.
Andytown Coffee Roasters: If you find yourself in the Sunset neighborhood do yourself a favor and stop by Andytown. You’ve got to get the Snowy Plover!

Where to Shop

I love all of the little boutiques and shops in SF! I walked around a few neighborhoods and stumbled upon some super cute stores. These are a few favorites, there are so many great vintage shops in SF.

ReLove: Great vintage shop! They had a ton of vintage designer pieces, and the best curated selection I’ve seen.
St. Lightning: Love this spot! So many cute pieces for your home, and some great clothes too. Their vintage Levi’s collection is out of this world.
Gravel & Gold: Stop by this adorable boutique for some great ceramics.
no.: Great vintage! I could spend hours in this shop.
Stuff: Lots of mid-century furniture eye candy in this shop.
Past Perfect: A great mid-century furniture shop. I love browsing through their pieces, and if I lived there I’d definitely fill my house with their vintage scores.
Nooworks: A fun collection of patterns and jumpsuits! I could spend hours shopping at this cute shop.
Often Wander: A funky shop with the most gorgeous mural outside. So many cute plant pots and knick knacks.

What are your fave places in SF? Let me know in the comments! xoxo Erika