Our San Francisco Travel Guide: Best Food, Wine + Things to Do
What we did, what we loved, and what’s worth your time if you go to San Francisco.
San Francisco is one of our favorite cities. We’ve been a few times and keep finding new things worth adding to this list — restaurants, experiences, and a day trip that might be the best day we’ve had anywhere.
San Francisco Field Notes
YOUR SF TO DO LIST
we spent a week exploring San Francisco. here’s what we recommend.

EAT DIM SUM.
SF is known for it.
- China Live – shareable menu, live kitchen
- Yank Sing – carts roll by with dim sum (so fun!)

TRY AN IRISH COFFEE.
The Buena Vista is famous for introducing the Irish Coffee to SF and perfecting the recipe. No San Fran trip is complete without sipping this hot whiskey concoction.

SPEED AROUND in GO CAR TOURS
The most fun thing we’ve done in SF – or any city. Speed around in the open air and go on the GPS-guided tour seeing all of the highlights along the way – especially the views from Twin Peaks! We booked the 3-hour early bird tour – but were having so much fun, we extended our trip!

EXPLORE NORTH BEACH
The North Beach area of SF has a lot of fantastic restaurants + shops to explore. Head the famous City Lights bookstore, which has a beautiful collection of books in a historic building. Next, you can grab a drink at the funky Vesuvio. We loved wine = charcuterie at the Golden Sardine and dinner at Flour + Water Pizzeria.

WALK UNDER THE REDWOODS.
Muir Woods in the morning, Sausalito for lunch and wine, ferry back to the city — clear your schedule for this one.

DO A HOHO TOUR.
The Big Bus hop-on hop-off is part tour, part transportation — plus you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the top deck!

TOUR ALCATRAZ.
Book ahead — it sells out weeks out and get the first ferry out. The audio tour is genuinely excellent and the views of the city from the island are some of the best you’ll get.

STAY WHERE YOU CAN WALK EVERYWHERE.
- San Francisco Marriott Marquis – Humongous lobby and fancy lounge if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy platinum or above – plus the coolest rooftop bar!
- San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf – walkable to everything, comfortable for a family, most affordable.

MAKE A RESERVATION.
- Boulevard for fine dining in a beautiful art deco atmosphere
- House of Prime Rib for vintage glamour + an iconic SF experience
- Scoma’s is another old-school San Francisco by Fisherman’s Wharf for seafood
















San Francisco Notes: Everything we loved + would do again
House of Prime Rib (San Francisco, CA)
FOR PRIME RIB
This is a famous San Francisco restaurant, for good reason. Old school glamour, good energy, happy diners, interactive service. And really, order the prime rib.
GoCar Tour of the City
FOR THE BEST TIME EVER
this is the most fun thing we've done in SF - or any city. Speed around in the little yellow cars and hop out to see the sights.
The Buena Vista
FOR AN IRISH COFFEE YOU WON'T FORGET
The Buena Vista. We go every time we are in San Francisco. It's tradition. That should tell you everything.
Hop On Hop Off Tour
FOR GETTING ORIENTED (AND SEEING THE CITY AT NIGHT)
The Big Bus hop-on hop-off is part tour, part transportation — plus you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the top deck!
Golden Sardine
FOR ANYONE WHO LOVES WINE, ART, AND GOOD PEOPLE
A cozy, colorful wine bar in San Francisco's Mission District packed with art, energy, Riesling, and charcuterie.
Muir Woods + Sausalito Day Trip
FOR A REDWOODS ADVENTURE
Muir Woods in the morning, Sausalito for lunch and wine, ferry back to the city — clear your schedule for this one.
Boudin Bakery
FOR CARBS
Boudin is famous for sourdough bread and alllll the pastries. Get soup in a sourdough bowl, check out the bakers in action (and the GIANT mixers!) and enjoy water views.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
FOR A ROOFTOP BAR
Humongous lobby and fancy lounge if you're a Marriott Bonvoy platinum or above - plus the coolest rooftop bar!
Sum Dim Sum
FOR AFFORDABLE DIM SUM IN CHINATOWN
This is a super casual spot in the middle of Chinatown - with excellent dim sum!
Scoma's Restaurant
FOR OLD-SCHOOL SF SEAFOOD
Scoma's is a San Fran tradition, and the atomosphere, views, and menu make this a beautiful spot for a nicer dinner.
China Live Restaurant
FOR A GROUP DINNER
China Live is the place to book — regional Chinese, open kitchen, dishes that keep arriving. Go with people. Order everything.
Marriott Fisherman's Wharf
FOR A GEAT HOME BASE WITH YOUR FAMILY
Walkable to Fisherman's Wharf and other family-friendly spots, this Marriott is comfortable, has a washer/dryer on the second floor, and coffee/wine bar in the lobby.
Flour + Water Pizzeria
FOR PIZZA + GOOD WINE
Flour + Water Pizzeria. Wood-fired, perfect crust, wine list that takes itself seriously. Bar seating, no reservation needed.
Hog Island Oyster Co.
FOR OYSTERS ON THE WATER
Afternoon oysters at Hog Island Oyster Co at the Ferry Building is the move — great wine list, water views, genuinely happy energy. This is why people move here.
Lucca Delicatessen
FOR A DINNER YOU WON'T FORGET
Art deco interior, impeccable service, and plates that are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Japanese Tea Garden (San Francisco, CA)
FOR A STROLL + AFTERNOON TEA
SF has beautiful green spaces and parks. We loved our visit to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.
Plan your visit
We book most of our tours and experiences through GetYourGuide — easy cancellation and good options.

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