Amazing Must Do Activities in San Francisco
San Francisco has so many things to do and see but we wanted to go off-the -beaten path and mix in some tourist attractions as well. Tai from The Cartwright Hotel told us about two amazing hikes where you can really get your exercise plus take in beautiful scenery while getting a bit of history. Here is our compilation of some amazing must do activities in San Francisco.
Transportation
You don’t need to rent a car in San Francisco and you probably won’t want to either because the traffic is crazy. Take the BART into the city from the airport which is about $10 per person. Once in the city, purchase a pass for city transportation. A 3-day pass covers all Municipal (MUNI) Railway passenger vehicles. Basically, it covers Muni buses, light rail Metro trains, historic streetcars and cable cars. You won’t need anything else to get you where you want to go! Furthermore, it only costs you $32 per person. The one-day pass is $21. It is economical and easy to use with the help of a map.
The Cartwright Hotel
Located just a few blocks from Union Square, this quaint boutique hotel offers you the perfect combination: location, comfort and history. The staff make you feel like family and rooms are comfy and cozy. This 105-year-old hotel is full of character which gives you a glimpse into the past. You will love the original hardwood floors in the lobby, the warm, inviting fireplace in the sitting room as well as taking a walk up the hotel’s original staircases. You definitely want to take time to visit with Tony, the Concierge, as he has worked at The Cartwright for 40 years. Want to find out what the locals do for fun? Be sure to ask Tai, Mari and Tony because they have some really cool places for you to check out. Basically, I wouldn’t stay anywhere else! If you want to learn more about the Cartwright, click here.
Cliff House
“Bird Bath”
Take bus 38R from Union Square and get off on the last stop. This will drop you at the top of the hill to the Cliff House. Casual dining at the Bistro or fine dining at Sutro’s, the Cliff House has everything you could possibly want. Beautiful views of Ocean Beach and Seal Rocks this is definitely where you want to start your day. Once your tummy is full, be sure to stop at the information center to get a map or two before you venture over to the Sutro bath ruins.
Sutro Baths
In 1890, Adolph Sutro brought to life the largest indoor swimming environment. Using the tide water coming in from the San Francisco Bay, he supplied salt water to seven covered pools. The cost? A mere 30 cents which included your train ride to the facility, entrance to the pool, a towel and swimsuit. A perfect place for the working class of yesteryear to enjoy a day at the beach, visit Sutro’s museum and take a swim. Now in ruins, a variety of birds still take bath in what appear to be the old pools as the waves crash against the rocks and walls where the baths use to be. It is a bit eerie and some say it is haunted. However, you must experience what is like to walk atop the walls, look inside the windows or stroll through the caves. Truly, it is an experience you will remember.
Coastal Trail Scenic Hike
As you come off of the ruins, you will see a staircase that will lead you to the start of one of the best 8-mile hikes we have ever undertaken. Suggested by Tai as a favorite of the locals, we walked along the coastal trail. High atop the cliffs overlooking the bay provided amazing views, including the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Look down and you will see the waves crashing against the rock – it can be a bit nerve racking but I couldn’t look away! Be prepared for steep climbs, rolling hills and rough paths as you make your way along this amazing coastal trail. Some of the
stops you need make on this adventure include:
- Lands End Lookout
- USS San Francisco Memorial
- Mile Rock Overlook
- Mile Rock Beach
- Lands End Point Labyrinth
- Palace of Legion of Honor
- Eagle’s Point Overlook
- China Beach
Our journey took us through Lincoln Park Golf Course and by the VA Hospital. We ended up in Seacliff just a mere mile from the Golden Gate Bridge Walk. Once at this point, we had hiked walk over 8 miles, completed 97 floors of steps all in 188 minutes of activity. A word of warning, you need excellent hiking shoes, plenty of stamina and a true sense of adventure since some of the areas can be a bit challenging to experience. You will definitely want to get an early start to this trip especially if you go all way across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Land’s End to Presidio
If you choose to continue on, you can hike along the coastal trail all the way to the Presidio, which leads you across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is a favorite of the locals and tourists alike. If you are going to take this on in the same day as the one above, you will want to take a lunch break. Just outside of Seacliff you can go up a few blocks and find some culinary delights. It is a mix of local cuisine including Asian and Italian fare. Beautiful views, homes and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge are just some of the things you will see along this part of the journey. It will make for a long day but worth every minute!
Chinatown
Shopping, food and fun await you in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Every shop you pass has something of interest and you will find yourself stopping in each one. As you move along the streets you will encounter some fantastic mural art depicting various pieces of the Asian culture. Look up to see some amazing architecture on nearly every building.
Have you ever wondered how fortune cookies are made? Turn down Ross Avenue to find Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co. Here you can create your own message to put inside your personalized cookie. It is amazing to watch the skill needed to make each cookie ready for purchase. A perfect souvenir for all your friends and family.
Lori’s Diner
A blast from the past is the best way to describe this fun culinary delight. The moment you walk in you will be transported back to the 50’s. This restaurant is complete with an Edsel car,
checkerboard floor, photos of stars on the walls and the jukebox playing all your favorite 50’s tunes. The servers are dressed in period fashion and the service is fantastic. The menu is full of all your favorites – you better come hungry because you get more than enough to eat. Furthermore, it is just at the end of the block from The Cartwright Hotel and open 24 hours a day. I felt like a kid again!
Cable Car Ride
Riding a cable car is an amazing must do activities in San Francisco. Be prepared to get a little cozy with your neighbor because this is a popular mode of transportation. Rough starts and stops are to be expected depending on what traffic is in your way. While not predictable and sometimes uncomfortable, it is all part of the character and charm of riding a cable car!
If you ride on the weekend, you may get to meet Bill who is a past cable car conductor. You will love to hear his stories, recommendations and learn the history as only he can tell it. Bill comes up every weekend just to ride the cable cars and maybe even check out a new restaurant. Hence, this amazing piece of history is something you do not want to miss.
Ghirardelli Square
The original home to the Ghirardelli chocolate “manufactory”, the Square offers something for everyone. Even though the Ghirardelli’s main manufacturing is done in San Leandro, you can still watch hot chocolate being made before you grab a cup for yourself. Sample one of their world-famous chocolate squares as you figure out which ones to take home with you. My favorite is Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel! However, there isn’t one flavor I would be excited to eat!
The Square overlooks the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, and you will find food, fun and chocolate. If you are ready for an adult beverage break, be sure to check out “The Pub at Ghirardelli Square”. The Pub made Thrillist’s “8 Best Bar and Restaurant Openings in February”. You can grab a bit to eat at another Lori’s Diner location as you sit outside to enjoy the fabulous weather. While you gaze out at the Bay, watch as you may even see a swimmer or two!
San Francisco Maritime Museum
Ready for a bit of San Francisco’s sea faring history? Look no further than the Maritime Museum. Take a walk through the park, gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge, be amazed by the swimmers, kayakers and rowers as you head to the museum. Outside the museum, you will feel the pull of Hyde Street Pier which is home to sailing and steam vessels and additional exhibits. In order to board the vessels, you will need to pay a $10 fee per person, but it is a small price to pay for an opportunity to experience a piece of history like this!
The adventure begins as you board the first sailing vessel. It is amazing to get a sense of what it was like to be part of this bygone era. There are several types of vessels you can board. Some you can go inside the quarters which you will find small. I can only imagine what life might have been like living on some of these vessels. It is truly a unique feeling as you walk through each area, sit on the seats, and explore the various areas open to the public. On the Eureka, they have an old car/truck exhibit where you can see what it was like to ferry your vehicle wherever you were headed.
Finally, walk to the end of the pier where you can get a view of Alcatraz as you watch other sailing vessels, ships, and rowboats move about the San Francisco Bay.
Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
A visit to San Francisco is not complete without a stop at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. A short walk between them, you will find incredible shopping, fabulous restaurants and so many events happening all at once. Take a walk out onto the pier to get a glimpse of the boats who call this home. If you want to get out on the water, there are always a wide variety of activities available for a fee. I would recommend going early as it is a busy place. Plan to spend some time so you can experience some of the amazing food only available at these locations.
Original Joe’s
North Beach is home to some of the best Italian food you will ever experience. If you ask the locals, they will tell you to “Eat at Joe’s” where it is “better to live rich than die rich”. The menu has a variety of items to satisfy any pallet. Prices are a bit high, however the portion are large. I was craving pasta, so we chose the ravioli in meat sauce to share. Enjoy a glass of wine and some fabulous bread as you wait for your meal. Save some room because you do not what to skip dessert!
Once you are full, you need to walk around the area to absorb the culture that abounds in this area. The hustle and bustle of sidewalk markets, fabulous shopping and restaurants will keep you busy for hours. The architecture of the buildings will leave you breathless. I think you will find that you never want to leave!
In Conclusion, My Personal Recommendation
No matter where you go or what you do in San Francisco you will never be disappointed. You can hike, shop, dine and explore and never see everything you want to see. These are just a few of the amazing must do activities in San Francisco. While these are only a sampling, I recommend that before you go, check out “San Francisco Travel” to create your plan of what you want to do and see while in the city.
If you get a chance, ask the locals for their recommendations. They hold all the secrets to the very best places for food, fun and un-tourist like activities. Pay the money for the 3-day pass so you are not limited to where you can go explore. Sometimes it is fun to just get on a cable car, streetcar, bus or metro and go wherever it will take you. It is all about the adventure and discovering something new. So . . . Let your adventure begin!