San Francisco, USA

The little guide to San Francisco

DH and I love San Francisco. Its one of our favorite cities in the US and we try to go a few times a year. A few weeks ago we were there because DH was heroically participating in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (which is as difficult as it sounds).

Below are our top picks for the city. We must thank to our dear friends Eric and Nichol for always showing us a great time and for taking us to delicious restaurants!

Hotels:

• Four Seasons San Francisco: For the discerning business traveler; the service is always excellent, the rooms are large, the views of Union Square are great and its close to the financial center and a few blocks from Union Square.
• Fairmont San Francisco: Perched on top of Nob Hill this is the original outpost for the Fairmont hotels. It has an incredibly beautiful lobby, reminiscent of the 1920 glory days and the newer renovated rooms on the higher floors have wonderful views of the bay & Alcatraz. If you are looking for top-notch service though, the Four Seasons & Intercontinental hotels are the way to go because the Fairmont remains a very touristy destination.
• Intercontinental Mark Hopkins: Located across the street from the Fairmont it is also a landmark address and legendary hotel. It is old world charm in a tranquil décor meets twentieth century comforts. A big draw is the roof top bar: the Top of the Mark, which is has great cocktails and incredible views.
• Hotel Vitale: The newest and most glam outpost of the Joie de Vivre California Hotel chain, the Vitale is located right across from the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero and the bar is one of the hotspots on weekends. The décor is serene and calming: there are free yoga classes and rooftop tubs and the service is decidedly boutique hotel cool…
• Joie de Vivre Hotels: If the hotels above seem a little bit daunting, I suggest looking through the Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel group. They have a wide selection of smallish boutique hotels (the largest and most upscale being the Vitale), ranging in price and starts, all over San Francisco. They also very often offer great deals if you are staying 3 nights or more (the Phoenix, Rex and Vitale are our favorites).

Restaurants:

One thing San Francisco knows how to do is eat, and eat well! I’m always amazed at the range of restaurants and quality of the food when we come here…I’ve yet to be disappointed by anything that we’ve tried!

• Tartine Bakery, http://www.tartinebakery.com/ 600 Guerrero Street

It’s a little off the beaten path…but its well worth a visit and the wait in line. Every time I go to San Francisco we have to come here, the croissants & frangipane croissants are ridiculously good, so is the Birche muesli (which is as good as my mothers); and lets not even get started on the hot pressed sandwiches (Jambon royale & gruyere) and the red berry bread pudding.

• Café de la Presse: http://www.aqua-sf.com/ 352 Grant Avenue

If you are staying at the Four Seasons this is an excellent option for breakfast and brunch. Set in a French brasserie atmosphere, the food is casual and tasty and the coffee is delicious.

• Frascati: http://www.frascatisf.com/ 1901 Hyde Street

On a beautiful tree lined street in Russian Hill, one of our favorite neighborhoods, this is a wonderful low-key option for dinner. The food in this Mediterranean bistro is seasonal and the ingredients are as fresh as can be!

• La Mar: http://www.lamarcebicheria.com/web/index.php Pier 1.5 Embarcadero

Located in a large converted warehouse on the water, the restaurant offers diners beautiful views and a striking room where you can try many traditional Peruvian dishes and drinks as well as their excellent cebiches. Great for big groups and a fun night out.

• Zuni Café: http://www.zunicafe.com/ 1658 Martket Street

One of DH’s absolute favorite meals! Simple and fresh food with an incredible atmosphere, its no wonder this has been a SF institution for many years.

• Spruce: http://www.sprucesf.com/ 3640 Sacramento Street

Tucked away in the residential neighborhood of Pacific Heights is this swanky, upscale & sexy spot. If you can’t get a reservation, have dinner at the bar, which also serves the excellent organically grown menu.

• Chouquets: http://www.chouquets.com/ 2500 Washington Street

Located in a very quaint street of Cow Hollow/Nob Hill this is a perfect little restaurant to stop and have a wonderful afternoon lunch on the outdoor patio. The food is dainty, fresh & inventive and the menu changes often.

• Chez Panisse: http://chezpanisse.com 1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkley CA

Chez Panisse, located in Berkeley California, must be one of my favorite restaurants ever. Its authentic and the first of its kind of the “Farm to Table” denomination, made world famous by the incredible chef Alice Waters. We had high hopes for this meal and it more than exceeded our expectations. The menu changes daily and it is always a prix fixe four course meal. If you can make it on a Monday night, the 4 course is a steal at $60!

• Sushi Ran: http://www.sushiran.com 107 Caledonia Street, Sausalito, CA

One of our most memorable Japanese meals was at this unassuming restaurant near the water in Sausalito (right across the Golden Gate Bridge, so you are guaranteed breathtaking views of San Francisco). Reserve ahead of time as it’s a hotspot!

From our Foodie Friend Scott:

• Nopa: http://www.nopasf.com/ 560 Divisadero at Hayes

A San Francisco hot spot that serves urban rustic organic food…The grass fed beef burger is addictive!

• Kokkari: http://www.kokkari.com/home/ 200 Jackson Street

The place to go for fresh Greek food with a twist!

• Bar Jules: http://www.barjules.com/ 609 Hayes Street

This tiny spot serves a daily changing menu, which is concise but always delicious! The soups are out of this world.

• Canteen: http://www.sfcanteen.com/ 817 Sutter Street

Incredible  little restaurant in Nob Hill, small, quaint, incredible quality and a hard to beat $38 prix fixe!

• Rose’s Café: http://www.rosescafesf.com/ 2298 Union at Steiner

This lovely Italian little restaurant in Cow’s Hollow is a great local brunch spot where you get great food and hang out with the locals.

• Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntunapa.com/ 1140 Main Street Napa, CA

Eating from Ubuntu’s biodynamic garden will turn any meet and potato lover into a vegetarian! This is for the vegetarian/vegan in you!

• Fish: http://331fish.com/ 350 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA

You can’t beat the fresh seafood at this dockside fish house, where you order at the counter and take out to eat by the pier!

Things to do:

• Walk up to Coit Tower…you will feel like you’ve earned your dinner and the view is spectacular!
• Tour the Ferry Building for food, drinks and small gifts
• Eat Fresh Crabs at the Fisherman’s Wharf’s Pier 39 Crab House It may be cliché, but its also delicious!
• Have an enormous Ice Cream Sunday at the Ghirardelli Square
• Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge…or at the very least drive across it!
• Take a look at wavy Lombard Street
• Stop at the Top of the Mark for a drink, even if you aren’t staying at the hotel
• If you can’t make it to Napa Valley let the wineries come to you at The Press Club!
• Have a leisurely afternoon in the Golden Gate Park & the Presidio, which is so beautiful
• Visit the De Young Museum, which is architecturally incredible from the inside and out
• If you have small children they will love the California Academy of Sciences, with its wild life ecosystem, and aquarium
• Walk around Russian Hill for a fun afternoon of shopping in quaint little stores (near Fillmore & Union streets)
• Ride the Cable Cars through the hilly streets, it really is thrilling!
• Saint Mary’s Cathedral, you don’t have to be religious to appreciate this most distinct church, reminiscent of the 70’s architectural heritage
• Spa Radiance, if you are in the need for some pampering, we highly recommend this wonderful little spa with very competent masseuses

If you rent a car I would:

• Go to Sausalito at night for a delicious meal and wonderful views of San Francisco
• If you have something to celebrate or are in the mood for a relaxing weekend or if you are an avid golfer go here: Cordevalle (an 1h 1/2 south of San Francisco)
• Go to the vineyards in Napa Valley, it takes about 1.5hours and its beautiful. Our favorite vineyard is the Rubicon Estate The Coppola owned estate is beautiful and the wine is fantastic, well worth the $25 passport for the day.
• Have a leisurely lunch at Auberge du Soleil The incredibly beautiful relais & chateau overlooks the entire valley and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon…no need to spend a fortune on a private bungalow, you can sit on their outdoor terrace to soak it all in.
• Drive to Berkeley for the ever changing scenery from downtown San Francisco and indulge in a wonderful garden grown meal at Chez Panisse

Also read Eater.com’s San Francisco 38 essential restaurants: here