From the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz, it was solely after reserving my flight to San Francisco that I realised simply how a lot there may be to see and do on this Californian metropolis – the birthplace of every part from liberalism and hippies, to sourdough bread.

On prime of that, I couldn’t wait to wander alongside the streets the place a few of my favorite millennial films have been filmed, together with The Princess Diaries (hiya, trolley individuals) and Mrs Doubtfire.

Plus, you’re solely a fast flight or drive away from iconic locations akin to LA, Napa Valley, Yosemite Nationwide Park and Vegas.

With that in thoughts, a visit to San Francisco for every week felt fairly overwhelming, however concern not: there’s loads of time to tick the long-lasting sights off your bucket listing – with a fairly memorable wine stuffed tour thrown in too.

However first, a phrase of warning…

If there may be one factor all guests to the Golden Metropolis should learn about, it’s the climate.

Sure, you’re going to California, however don’t count on to be basking within the sunshine. That is the Bay Space my good friend, and it’s stated locals can spot a vacationer by how ill-prepared they’re for the infamous fog (aka Karl: he has his personal Instagram web page).

In order for you that Insta-worthy pic of the Golden Gate Bridge, understand that Karl will make it tough so that you can get a transparent view. And, the primary time we headed right down to the Marina we questioned what all of the fuss was about – solely to grasp that Karl was hiding the bayside surroundings.

For those who take one factor away from this text, it must be this: pack layers. The world is understood for its microclimates – temperatures that may fluctuate dramatically inside just some miles from one another. One minute, I used to be topping up my tan, and the subsequent I used to be rapidly pulling on a jumper.

The climate might by no means spoil all that SF has to supply, however in case you’re hoping for some solar, go in September.

What to do…

As a Londoner, San Francisco wasn’t the simplest place to get round through public transport, however you possibly can’t miss a visit on the long-lasting cable vehicles. Relationship again to 1873, they have been supposedly launched after inventor Andrew Hallidie witnessed a horse-drawn cart struggling to tug a load up one of many metropolis’s famed hills.

Seems, this can be a fable, and Andrew was extra impressed by the concept of incomes some onerous chilly money – however both approach, the cable vehicles are a vacationer must-do. The courageous will cling off the facet with reckless abandon and benefit from the very hilly experience.

Talking of hills, head to Lombard Road, aka, ‘the world’s crookedest avenue’, which Princess Diaries followers will recognise. The perfect locations to snap your Insta pics are on the intersections on Hyde Road, Coit Tower, Grant Road, and Leavenworth Road.

You gained’t wish to give the Painted Girls a miss – a row of pastel colored city homes, most famously featured in Full Home. Reverse Alamo Park, whereas away a number of hours of their shadow with a picnic. Film Buffs can stroll from right here to the Mrs Doubtfire home on Steiner Road. For extra scenic strolls, Golden Gate Park is a should go to – assume open inexperienced areas, cycle paths and gardens.

If it’s tradition you’re after, San Francisco has that too. A San Francisco CityPASS® ($84 grownup/$64 little one) will prevent virtually 50% on 4 prime points of interest – you get entry to the California Academy of Sciences and a visit on the Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise. You additionally get right of entry to two extra points of interest of your alternative – together with the San Francisco Museum of Fashionable Artwork, Aquarium of the Bay, the Walt Disney Household Museum, Exploratorium, and the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.

Every neighbourhood within the Golden Metropolis has one thing totally different to supply: the Castro District is San Francisco’s LGBTQIA+ space, and infrequently dubbed the homosexual capital of the USA. It was dwelling to Harvey Milk – the primary overtly homosexual man voted into public workplace – and in 1983, the San Francisco Aids Basis handed out condoms right here to revelers on the Satisfaction parade. This straightforward act was seen as a giant step in altering the course of the AIDS epidemic. Haight Ashbury is one other neighbourhood value a mooch round, identified for being the centre of the hippie motion.

In fact, you possibly can’t go to SF with out seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. We received up near it on an Limitless Biking Science Bike Tour with our information, Jodi, who took us on a pleasant experience from the marina district, proper over the bridge to Sausalito – a luxe neighbourhood on the water, stated to be the dock from the place Otis Redding wrote his well-known music. It’s touristy, however stunning and the climate is a lot better than throughout the bay. You’ll be hungry in any case that biking, so seize a sandwich from Sausalito Connoisseur Delicatessen, earlier than you get the ferry again – hold a watch out for the dolphins!

A phrase of warning although, the experience is for skilled cyclists solely (the bridge is as busy as it’s foggy) so in case you’d slightly keep on two toes, a stroll on the waters edge to Chrissy Subject is a good place from which to view the bridge, snap some pics and purchase a scorching drink on the Warming Hut.

For those who’re prepared to enterprise a little bit out of city, the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View is an outside live performance venue about an hour’s taxi drive away from town. That is the place I really threw warning to the wind and have become a totally fledged Jonas Brother’s fan in my 30s – however the venue has additionally performed host to David Bowie, Eric Clapton and Elton John. I’d suggest trying out who’s gracing the stage if you’re on the town – it was a spotlight of the journey.

And final, however certainly not least, you possibly can’t go away SF and not using a journey to Alcatraz. Ebook upfront to be sure to don’t miss out, and hop on board the 5 minute ferry to the island, to find the secrets and techniques of the previous most safety jail. Study all in regards to the escape makes an attempt, and well-known inmates together with Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. Tickets for the ferry, entrance into the jail and a self-guided audio tour price $45.25.

The place to eat…

From a bustling farmer’s market to Michelin starred eating places (there’s 28 within the metropolis) you’re spoilt for alternative right here.

You’ll discover the widest number of meals on the Ferry Constructing. The constructing dates again to 1898, when it was a transport hub for anybody arriving into SF. It grew to become an workplace constructing earlier than it was remodeled into what it’s at present: a market filled with impartial eateries and retailers.

My favourites have been the Mexican meals at Cholita Linda’s – their Baja fish tacos and mango passionfruit agua are a should – and the Pali Cali at Reem’s, a flatbread filled with sumac-braised rooster, and caramlised onion sauce. You can even seize some sourdough from Acme Bread, and eat it with a hunk of the award-winning Mt. Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery.

We have been proven across the distributors on an Edible Tour tour ($90 per individual). You should definitely ebook on a Saturday when the farmer’s market is city, for much more deliciousness to pattern. Frog Hole Farm supplied up the perfect peaches I’ve actually ever had (seize a peachy pastry to go) and Mark n Mike’s fuss-free deli type meals is value attempting too.

You possibly can’t come to San Francisco and never have clam chowder, served in a sourdough bowl in fact. We had ours at Fog Harbour Fish Home, for simply $10. Situated in Fisherman’s Wharf, the touristy port is a little bit on the shabby stylish vibe, however you’ve received to make a visit – even when it’s simply to see the well-known seals having a sunbathe.

And talking of sourdough, Boudin Bakery Café claims to have the unique – and the perfect. They are saying they make their bread with the identical ‘mom dough’ cultivated from a sourdough starter that dates again to the Gold Rush. 

If it’s cocktails you’re after, Wildhawk within the Mission District was an excellent cool, dimly-lit bar that specialises in traditional favourites with a contemporary twist. We struggled to search out locations to eat round right here although that have been open and had area previous about 8.30pm, so plan the place to go upfront. The Marina District can also be packed filled with bars – our favorite was Delarosa, the place pleasant barman Travis served up nice chat and a Salty Canine cocktail.

For a extra all-American really feel, Harry’s Bar on Fillmore Road in Pacific Heights was a no-frills bar that performed sports activities on each display screen, and served deep fried deliciousness till the early hours. Earlier than you head in for a drink, mooch alongside Fillmore, dwelling to up-market boutiques like Rag & Bone and Alice & Olivia.

Nonetheless hungry? California staple In & Out Burger is the West Coast fast-food joint. I personally will at all times and ceaselessly be a McDonald’s girlie, however the animal fries have been scrumptious – the pleasant workers get further factors for letting me take dwelling a memento paper hat.

And, in case you’re within the temper to rejoice, Michelin restaurant Miller & Lux, by famend superstar chef, Tyler Florence, is the steakhouse that’s definitely worth the splurge. Ranging from $50 a steak, they don’t come low-cost, however you gained’t remorse it. Their well-known Caeser salad can also be scrumptious ($38 for 2), and made tableside. However do verify that wine listing fastidiously: I very almost ordered bottle of pink for round $60 – earlier than realising that was truly the associated fee per glass.

The place to remain…

Newsflash: California is way away, and the flight feels prefer it too. So if you lastly arrive within the metropolis, you wish to really feel at dwelling instantly – and that’s the place The Fairmont is available in.

Strolling into the grand marble lobby, you immediately really feel at dwelling. The workers are pleasant, the beds are enormous, and that palatial lavatory was the proper place to scrub away 11+ hours in economic system.

It’s additionally the place jazz crooner Tony Bennett first sang I Left My Coronary heart in San Francisco in 1961 – therefore the statue of him out entrance. Doubles begin at £265.

The Fairmont sits proper on the highest of Nob Hill (pause for giggles) – an unique space of town. Subsequent door to it, you’ll discover the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, the place doubles begin at £156.

An analogous Outdated Hollywood vibe to The Fairmont, Mark Hopkins’ USP is High of the Mark, the nineteenth ground bar with breathtaking views of the SF skyline. Preserve a watch out for a ‘Squadron Bottle’ – a navy custom that sees service members go away a bottle of one thing robust with the bartender, so the subsequent member of their squadron can quench their thirst.

Downtown in Union Sq. is the marginally extra reasonably priced Japanese impressed Lodge Nikko, with doubles beginning at £160. A steer away from retro glamour of the opposite accommodations, I most well-liked the extra trendy decor right here.

The service right here was the perfect we skilled, with no ask too nice – even scorching water, honey and lemon at 2am when the room service was closed, however I had a sore throat after singing alongside to the Jonas Brothers too a little bit too enthusiastically. And be sure to take time to completely admire the high-tech bathroom. The heated bathroom seat was fairly one thing.

For a weekend to recollect…

Only a 90 minute drive away from San Francisco is Napa Valley. It’s onerous to explain how a lot I fell in love with the place, however I’ll do my greatest. After some hectic days in SF, Napa had every part we needed: wine, sunshine, nightlife, and pleasant locals.

Our first cease was Corridor Wines, the place I channeled my greatest Meredith Blake from the Mum or dad Lure (a part of the movie, staring Lindsay Lohan, is filmed in Napa Valley). The vineyard right here actually is like one thing out a film, with stone buildings and vineyards happening so far as the attention can see.

We opted for a non-public Platinum Tasting Expertise ($200 per individual), with our host, Nick, who patiently taught us easy methods to sniff, sip and admire the seven wines, whereas we received progressively extra tipsy (sorry, Nick). The highest-ups saved on coming, and the meals pairings, together with a beef tartare and duck relate have been a welcome accompaniment. As soon as our tasting was very sadly over, we might then wander the 33-acre property, glasses nonetheless firmly in hand.

Very a lot in want of some lunch, we then headed to Moms Tacos. Once more, nothing I write right here will do that Mexican feast justice. I’m nonetheless drooling over the suadero tacos (gradual cooked beef taco), and soiled fries. Don’t skip the grilled elote – a avenue meals facet and an eye-opening reveal into how good corn on the cob can truly style.

Subsequent on the itinerary was one other wine tasting (guests usually do a number of tastings in sooner or later), this time at Playing & McDuck – a bar within the centre of Napa, this had a extra East London ‘stylish’ really feel. The workers are available to reply any questions as they pour you 5 of their present releases, and its a extra reasonably priced possibility at simply $35 per individual.

For dinner, I implore you to go to Scala Osteria – a cute neighbourhood Italian the place the meals is an effective because the service. We had the spaghetti vongole and raviolo al limone, adopted by the sugary zeppolle. Our pretty waiter Ben made the expertise all of the extra satisfying and was filled with suggestions for after dinner drinks (the native pool bar, Billcos Billards, is kind of the gear change, however saved our night time going), and ask for Deon in order for you recommendation on what to order from the wine menu. For 3 programs with wine (and some cocktails) our invoice got here to $188 for 2.

We crashed into mattress that night time on the Napa Valley Marriot Lodge & Spa – if heaven isn’t this lodge, I’ll be disenchanted. The rooms are spacious, and set round a courtyard pool, the place you possibly can order some lunch when you catch some rays. The lodge additionally provides wine tastings, a bbq, and there’s yoga every morning too. Double room begin from begin from £292 (plus the Vacation spot Amenity price).

And, for a really unforgettable expertise, ebook a scorching air balloon experience over the valley. Put together for the early begin (we have been picked up from the lodge at 5am, after a lot of wine the day earlier than), however when you’re greater than 2,000ft within the air, it’s greater than definitely worth the early name time. I’m not the greatest with heights, however felt in secure palms with our trusty captain Chad, and seeing the valley from a fowl’s eye view was breathtaking. The three-hour journey with Balloons Above The Valley, which features a a lot wanted pre-flight espresso and breakfast, prices $269 per individual.

For extra data head to San Francisco Journey and Go to Napa Valley.

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