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San Francisco recs?
in Travel
Possible going for a long weekend in March... just me and DH, we are 30-ish, like nice dinners, wine bars, walking around, shopping, good breakfasts, maybe a show?
What area of town would we want to stay in? Something very walkable, maybe a hotel with a view? Also would we want to fly to SFO or OAK?
Thanks!
Re: San Francisco recs?
DH and I are going for the first time in early April and have pretty similar interests, so I'm very curious to see everyone's suggestions!
FWIW: the airfare was way cheaper to OAK than to SFO, so that's what we bought (flying out of NYC).
Another somewhat useful thing I can add: based on Yelp reviews, we got restaurant.com certificates to Restaurant Ducroix and Walzwerk.
We love San Francisco! We always use priceline "name your own price" for a room and try to select either Union Square West or East (prefer West though). We always bid 4 star or higher and have stayed at some great hotels for a good deal. Union Square is a great location and walking distance to shopping and restaurants. Last time we stayed in the Financial District and also liked the location (close enough to shops and next to the Ferry Building--a great place for a quick bite and unique shopping). Check out betterbidding.com to get an idea re: what to bid.
For food we love Gary Danko and Masa. Make sure to make reservations early!! We tried to go to Gary Danko in March by making reservations in January and it was booked! Check out misoangry's blog, she has lots of great San Francisco food recs. For breakfast try Dotti's True Blue Cafe, but expect a line. Whatever you do--don't eat breakfast at Davids. It's a little deli right in the heart of downtown San Francisco that has some of the worst food I've ever eaten! Wish I had used the yelp ap on my phone before going there!
For drinks we really enjoyed Top of the Mark. Drinks were pricey, but the view made it 100% worth it!
One thing I highly recommend is to purchase a muni pass. The muni pass gives you unlimited use of the light rail, bus system and cable cars (which cost $6 per ride when purchased separately). We usually buy the three day pass. We love the fact that we can just jump off and jump on the public transportation and not worry about worrying about the cost.
I'd recommend Union Square area for the hotel. Just look at a map and avoid tenderloin bordering areas. Sir Francis Drake is an awesome hotel if you'd like a recommendation. A lot of tourists I know end up staying in Fisherman's wharf. I'd really discourage you from staying there. It's on the North East end of the city- not a very central location. Also, for the most part, the hotels aren't nearly as nice as Union Square and Nob Hill area.
If you want to use public transportation to get from the airport to union square, flying into SFO would be a little easier than OAK. It's still feasible to take BART from OAK to downtown SF, there are just a few more stops involved. From SFO BART will take you directly to SF without any transferring or busing. If you're planning on taking a taxi a ride from SFO to downtown SF would cost around $50. I've never done it but I'm guessing a cab ride from OAK to downtown SF is around $65-70. There are also more reasonably priced shuttles/van shares that will get you downtown for about $20. Make sure to make reservations in advance so that you don't have to wait around at the airport for one, however.
Dining out. I agree Gary Danko's and Masas are incredible restaurants, however the prices are steep. If you're into tasting menus and wine pairings then they for sure are restaurants that you should check out. Others restaurants that fall in the same fine dining category as these two are Acquerello, Michael Mina, Boulevard, Fleur de lys, and Quince. If you're looking for a view Boulevard has an amazing bay view if you can get reservations for the tables in the back of the restaurant.
If you're looking for restaurants that are less pricey. I'd suggest Perbacco, Chez Papa, Del Fina, Farina, Hayes street grill, and Bar Bambino. If you go to the Ferry building- Out the Door (slanted door to go) is really good as well as Hog Island Oyster and Gotts. If you're looking for coffee try Blue bottle, it's amazing. Seriously, there are SO many great restaurants that it's very hard to recommend places without knowing specifically what type of experience you're looking for.
Wine bars: Here's a few of the ones I've been to:
Ferry Building- There is one there but it's a little pricey due to the location. They do have a great selection of wines however.
Hotel Biron- It's a very unique space. Probably has the best vibe out of the wine bars I've been to in the city. Not in the best location. Parking is tricky and Hayes Valley isn't the best location for taking the metro- you have to walk a few blocks in not the nicest area of town to get there. I'd recommend taking a cab if you do go here. Also it gets packed and seating can become an issue. But seriously IMO best wine bar vibe wise.
Nook- Take the cable car up. It's best for Happy Hour since the prices can't be beat. Also if the weather's nice you can sit right outside on the sidewalk in one of their patio tables. Not a very great selection of wine, however.
Bacchus- another nob hill wine bar. Again take the cable car up the hill. Decent wine selection. It's again, a very small space. Can get quite crowded. But hearing the cable car rumble by while you're seated at a bar stool sipping a delish CA cab is priceless.
InnerFog- More of a locals only place. It's in inner sunset so you'd have to take the N Judah line out here or a cab. Since the N line is still having some work done on it's rails I'd vote cabbing it instead. It's around a $17 cab ride from Union Square area. This bar has a very great selection of wine and great prices. The owner knows his wine and can make some great suggestions. If you have a glass of something you enjoy you can buy a bottle for the retail price from their shop. The seating is a mix of lounge chairs, bar stools and couches.
Bar Bambino- if you'd like a pretty great meal with your wine, I'd suggest here. They have communal tables so unless you have a large group be prepared to make some new friends. Also they have a really cute outdoor space that is heated and covered- ideal for cool evenings in SF. Great selection of wine a little bit on the pricier end of things since it's also a restaurant.
California Wine merchant- it's in the Marina so it can get a little sceney. They do have a lovely selection of wine whether you're looking to buy a bottle or to drink a glass right there.
Eos- this was our neighborhood joint. They have great little tapas as well as pretty decent wine My favorite was sitting in the window with a flight of pinot watching the N Judah roll on by. It's in the heart of Cole Valley- A cute little 2 block neighborhood. If you do go- order the dumplings.
The bubble lounge- The name tells all. Your place for sparkling wine. It's in North beach near Columbus so it's a pretty happening place at times. There is a DJ and dancefloor downstairs. Otherwise upstairs it's a lounge and you can order a glass or a whole bottle table side.
We stayed at the Hotel Vitale across from the Ferry Building back in September, we absolutely loved it!
Some places to try food wise:
Gary Danko
Boulevard (across the street from Hotel Vitale)
The Slanted Door in ferry building
The House
Tartine in the Mission
Farallon