A Guide to San Francisco in Under a Week

​Lauren Barrett

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San Francisco is an absolute pleasant city. A food lover's paradise. A cyclist's dream. A baseball enthusiast's heaven. It has delightful weather with little pockets of microclimates scattered about.

​I've been fortunate enough to go twice in a year. Once on a California road trip to see baseball stadiums and the other time for a wedding. I'll lump everything we did on both trips into one list. We flew into San Francisco, rented a car from the airport, and stayed at an Airbnb both times. The first time we stayed for 5 nights and about 4 1/2ish days. The second time we stayed for 2 nights and 2 days. I thought that was plenty of time to really see and do a lot. I hope you get a chance to go here one day!  

The Itinerary 

• For reference the neighborhoods of SF. 
• The first time we stayed in the Sunset District and the second time in Bernal Heights near the Mission District. 

1st Trip

• Took the BART from Daly City to Oakland Coliseum to see the A's baseball game. 
• Rented bikes from Fisherman's Wharf and rode them across the city and the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito.
  • Had lunch in Sausalito at Barrel House Tavern and then explored the area and shops.
  • Took a ferry back which allowed you to bring your bikes on.
  • This was my favorite thing we did in SF. 
• Ate at Toyose, a Korean restaurant near our AirBNB for dinner. James loved it. 
• Took a shuttle bus tour from Union Square to Sonoma/Napa Valley (I was pregnant, so James drank for two. Lucky him).
  • Drove through downtown SF and learned the history.
  • First Stop = Kline Winery in Sonoma. Had 5 wines here. 
  • Second Stop = Andretti Winery in Napa. Had 3 wines here.
  • Third Stop = Yountville for lunch. Ate at Ottimo. 
  • Fourth Stop = Winery Sutter Home. Had 5 wines here. 
  • Fifth Stop = near the Golden Gate Bridge for pictures.
• Presidio Park
  • Can take a shuttle around the park that drops you off at different stops.
  • At at Arguello. 
  • Walked on Lover's Lane.
• Full House house
  • Super crowded. 
  • Not that exciting but it's a touristy thing to say that you have done.
• Fisherman's Wharf
  • Ended up here a lot on the trip. 
  • Lots of restaurants and shops. 
  • Very touristy and crowded.
  • Pier 39 can see the sea lions.
  • Can catch a lot of ferries and tours here. 
  • Near Ghirardelli Square.
  • Went on a Cable Car here. Waited an hour and got stuck on the inside. James would say not worth it. I would say worth it if you can get on the outside. 
• AT&T Park now called Oracle Park
  • Home of the SF Giants. 
  • Located in the Embarcadero/Financial District
  • Favorite ballpark
• Kayaked McCovey's Cove next to Oracle Park.
• Ate at Mozzeria, an all deaf employed and owned restaurant located in the Mission District.
• 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (Sunset District) for good views of the city. 
• Ate at Brenda's French Soul Food in the Tenderloin section of SF. 
  • Over an hour wait but worth it if you are really into food. 
  • I enjoyed it. James LOVED it. 

2nd Trip 

• 12 mile walk (Our friends, Mindy and Aaron, love walking!)
  • Bernal Heights Park
  • Mission District
  • Balmy Alley in the Mission. The alley is covered with murals and art.
  • Lyon Street Steps overlooks the city and is surrounded by fancy houses.
  • Haight-Ashbury where we saw the Painted Ladies
  • Presidio 
  • Ate at an upscale Chinese restaurant, China Live, which was delicious, but that might be because we walked so much. It is located in Chinatown near the Financial District.  
• Drove to Muir Woods National monument, north of SF and stopped in Sausalito to eat at Trident on the way back. 
  • I thought it was pretty and James was underwhelmed. Do with that as you will.
• Ate dinner in the downtown area of Little Italy at an Italian restaurant called Cafe Sport. 

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My name is Lauren, and I was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now live and work in North Carolina. I'm a high school teacher of the deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by night, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. I love my faith, running, watching baseball, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending I would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms.

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