This. City. Is. Awesome. Just sayin’. Every time I leave, I’m sitting on the plane already planning my return trip. This 48 hour trip with my bestie was jam-packed with laughter and smiles. There are so many unique places to visit in San Francisco that I’m going to present everything in a quick-read format. I also noted how long to allow for each place, but as all travelers know, that can vary by interest, so take it for what it is – an estimate.
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A great way to see the city is to get a pass through Go City. They provide discounts on multiple attractions. The more you use the pass, the more savings you reap.
Muir Woods. The Redwoods. A must see while you are in the area. Awestruck describes my first encounter with these majestic beasts. A small parking lot is available but you’ll probably want to park at the bottom of the mountain and take the shuttle. There are multiple trails so 2-6 hours.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love reading about our adventures out west and in Kentucky.
Before heading to Muir Woods, I highly recommend eating a hardy meal at Fred’s Coffee Shop. The drinks, the EXTRA thick maple bacon, the huge servings and the staff are all excellent. If you have time, take a stroll through Sausalito that humbly sits at the base of the hill. You might get lucky and spot someone famous. 1 hour
Getting Around
Although this city is small mileage wise, it’s still a big place to get around. The trolleys are an authentic mode of travel, but they won’t take you everywhere. Same for public transportation. We opted to get a rental car which was nice but parking can be a pain. Uber or Lyft are practical options for the out of the way neighborhoods. (Use promo code JODI25666 to get $5 off of your first Lyft ride)
Photography
Great shots of the Golden Gate Bridge can be captured leaving or returning to San Francisco from Muir Woods. There are pull off areas but note that parking is very limited. 15-20 minutes depending on parking. Even though the weather in SF is usually great, it can be a bit windy so I’d recommend taking a light jacket during most of the year.
Near the Presido, down by the jetty, you will find a unique art form: The Wave Organ. Different pipes of various diameters and lengths are submerged in the water. Place your ear up next to each one to experience a variation of sound from the lapping waves. 20-30 minutes, more if you want to sit and relax (There is a parking lot nearby)
Lombard Street is widely known as the crookedest street in America. One of my quirky Bucket List items was to drive down this crazy street dressed like Mario and Luigi. We didn’t have the full outfit but hats and stick-on mustaches fit the bill good enough. The looks on the faces we passed and waved at was epic. It was so entertaining we circled around and went down three different times. 15 minutes, traffic goes down slow
Unique Food in San Francisco
Another unique San Francisco destination that is hard to find anywhere else is the Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown. The location is a bit obscure, found down an alley, but just look up and to your left and you’ll be sure to see it. The fortune cookie process is simple but fascinating. Personalized fortune cookies can be made, so if you have a birthday or anniversary coming up, a bag of fortunes can make a great gift. 30 minutes, there’s a parking garage 1/2 block away.
While on the topic of large items, are you a donut fan? If so, you will love Bob’s Donuts. They have a humungous donut that doles out a free t-shirt if you can eat it in less than 3 minutes. We didn’t even come close but this has to be the best donut I’ve ever eaten. The line can be long so allow 20 minutes, metered parking
Touristy Must Do’s
The Wharf is the main touristy hub of SF. That being said, I’d still recommend heading down there. Boudin’s bread bowls are a must if you like clam chowder. Each month features a different type of loaf that can be purchased: crab, shamrock, flower…
My favorite unique business in San Francisco to pay a visit to is the Musee Mecanique. This place is both a history lesson and cheap entertainment. The building hosts over a hundred arcade games from decades past and you get to play on all of them. Some are pretty simple, but they give you an idea of the simple pleasures of years gone by. Besides having nickels, dimes and quarters, you might also want to bring a few shiny pennies to have pressed as a souvenir. These penny books make a great way to display your collection. 2-3 hours for the Wharf area, more if you do a lot of the touristy things as well as shopping
Pier 39 is the place to check out if you enjoy watching sea lions. On your way, you will go past restaurants, coffee shops and more souvenir shops.
Relax and Play
If you are familiar with Full House, then a trip to SF isn’t complete unless you stop by the Painted Ladies. Alamo Square is right across the street from them if you want to have a picnic or run off some steam. If architecture is your thing, then by all means, take a leisurely stroll around the area and check out the other beautiful Victorian homes that grace the city blocks. 5-30 minutes, metered parking
Looking for a unique places in San Francisco to bring out your inner child? Check out the cement slides at Seward Street (my favorite) and Esmerelda Street. Cardboard boxes can usually be found lying around. They keep your clothes cleaner and your speed faster. 15-30 minutes depending on the amount of fun you are having, off street parking
Exercise, art, gardening and beauty all in one? You betcha! 16th Ave Tiled Steps are quite the sight. They are exceptional as a whole but true appreciation can’t be given until you walk the full staircase looking at the individual steps’ face. Humor is found in unexpected places. The succulent gardens that frame the steps on both sides are an art form themselves. Watching the sunset over the water is breathtaking. 5-45 minutes, off street parking
If you like traveling to destinations with unique outdoor art, check out our travels to Philadelphia. The Magic Garden does not disappoint.
Ocean Enjoyment
Walking along the Ocean Beach is very peaceful and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch kite surfers flipping, spinning and riding the waves. The Pacific Ocean is very cold so you might want to consider having a wet suit for you or your child. Look for the hammocks hanging on the cliffs across the street. History buff alert; check out the former site of the Sutro Baths and the Camera Obscura. 30-60 minutes, parking lot
I still haven’t made it to Alcatraz but I’m happy to go back to this amazing city. What other unique gems should I plan to visiting San Francisco?
