Alert and disclaimer:
San Francisco y highly addictive and can be dangerous for your heart!
San Francisco stole my heart some years ago. After visiting, I never could stop thinking about it. There is something in it that gets to you and pulls you back like a magnet. Even that some years passed from my last visit and the city changed so much that magic is still there.
When the opportunity presented, I took on it, and here we were in San Francisco on Christmas eve.
I don’t want to go on about celebrations, mostly because our trip was not based on that. There are some must do’s, and I am not talking about the world-famous Golden Gate bridge or Alcatraz visits. But first thing first:
So let me give you some visiting tips.
First thing first, transportation:
Many of us are used to a car and reserve it right at the airport at the arrival. Here is an interesting fact: You don’t need a car in SF. From the airport, there is a train that takes you to the city. I didn’t make it because we had an extra suitcase and took uber (which is also a very convenient option). Once in the city, we walked everywhere, and distances are short, so Uber is of great use.
However, if you are still planning to rent a car, make sure your hotel includes complimentary parking. Most of them don’t, and parking can get pricey, and many hotels don’t even have a parking place, so you will have to park somewhere in a public parking lot and walk to your hotel.
So if you still want to drive around and visit famous spots but don’t want to take a tour, just rent a car for a day. Make sure they have after-hours dropoff. Remember, there are tolls to be paid if you are going over a bridge, make sure your car rental includes prepaid fees or get some cash.
Parking is expensive, but you can park in residential areas free up to 3 hours. And parking meters are set to free on weekends and afternoons so just pay attention to the signage and explore options before parking your car in some overpriced parking lot.
Driving and Lombard street:
Many (including my husband) would want to drive down Lombard street. That famous zigzag street. Well, if you’re going to do it, go for it!
We did it! ( on our first visit). We spent about 40 min doing it.
Here is why: many people, like you and we, want to drive it, so there is traffic all the time. You have to drive carefully, stopping all the time as some car in front of you could not make a right turn, or people are crossing the street on the bottom of the hill; it doesn’t bring that pleasure that you are probably craving. But if you must drive it, get the small car, it was quite painful watching the lady on the minivan making those turns. But then again, it is an experience that you should definitely have. We enjoyed much more on walking.
Where to stay:
We were staying at Stanford Court Hotel on California Street. Location is so hard to beat… close to most of the places you will want to visit.
California street runs East to West. Couple of blocks downhill, and you are on Union Square. From there, couple of blocks East, is the Dragon Gate and an official entrance to the Chinatown.
San Francisco’s Chinatown is known as one of the biggest Chinatowns in the US. The main street (Grant Ave.) is filled with small and big shops to cater to any category of shoppers.
Chinatown Food:
When I visited for the first time, there were plenty of fried duck and goose vendors, and you could see birds just hanging in the window. On my last visit, they were less, but I could see more restaurants. As a true adventurer, I wanted my duck NOT from a high end restaurant. Also, I haven’t got to try it on my first visit. And so we found Yee’s restaurant. It is located almost at the end of the Grant Ave (if you start your walk from the Union Square and the Dragon Gate). There were mixed reviews about the restaurant itself but it was filled with locals doing lines, so we decided to go for it. the place is divided in two; the restaurant with an eat-in area and a take out counter. We went straight to the take-out. They chop already cooked birds in front of you and plate it in paper containers, you choose a portion you want and they pack it into a takeout box for you. They seemed not to speak any English, I was lucky one of the customers was kind enough to translate and to explain and to recommend what to order. Also, the critical point to take into account, it is cash only. After the explanation, I still was not sure what exactly did we ordered. prices were in Chinese so after ordering I gave the guy $20 bill and got $10+ back so whatever it was it was very inexpensive.
A note: No taking pictures or filming videos is allowed.
The conclusion is that the food was terrific, and I am definitely going there again on my next visit.
Other places to eat:
After this protein filed lunch, you can keep walking through little Italy on Columbus Ave and get to the Fisherman’s Wharf or keep straight on Grant Ave to the Coit Tower and from there get down taking Lombard street.
Have dinner on Washington street in Piazza Pelegrini. Delicious pasta and fast service.
For deserts, head to Mara’s Pastry. We loved it during our first visit and were happy to see it again. Best cannolis and open on Christmas day!
For some reason, my visits always fall in December, and it is cold, and what can be better than a hot chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl?
Right there on Fisherman’s Wharf, freshly made.
If you are more on a fancy dining side, You can dine at Alioto’s restaurant ( we dined there during our first visit), but you need to know that if you are going to order crabs or a chowder, it will come from one of those outdoor stations and brought in by your waiter. So technically, you are getting the same food but at an upscale price.
Another option is the Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe. They also have tomato soup served in those bowls (in case if you have lactose or seafood allergies) but the waiting line is huge.
From the Fisherman’s Warf, walk to Ghirardelli and have hot cocoa (or a cold shake).
From there, you can walk or rent a bike (or a scooter) and head west towards the Presidio and Palace of Fine Arts. Be ready to shoot hundreds of photos because of how beautiful that place is.
Right across the street from the Palace of Fine Arts, there is a beach that opens a great view of the Golden Gate bridge. Bring your picnic basket and watch the sun setting over a mountain whole admiring this majestic structure.
I was planning to go back in May-June and then COVID happened. but I will be back and promise to post another guide for another weekend filled with fun in San Francisco.
