There are many fantastic cities to visit in California, but we think San Francisco is one of the coolest. Sure, some may argue that the city’s glory days are behind it, but we believe it has matured significantly since then. There’s no shortage of things to do, places to stay, or new eateries to try with such a diverse variety of neighbourhoods to explore. So, if you’re planning a trip to San Francisco anytime soon, don’t miss our recommendations in the AGLAIA girl’s guide to San Francisco below.
Girl’s Guide to San Francisco
When it comes to favourite places to visit and explore in California, Los Angeles is frequently in the spotlight. San Francisco, on the other hand, is equally as remarkable, if not more so, in our opinion. This city has a distinct past and present, with a plethora of fascinating things to do, see, and discover in its various neighbourhoods.
If you and your girlfriends are the type of women who enjoy a little bit of everything, this is the city for you. You’ll have limitless opportunity to look for unusual finds and treasures as the unofficial centre of vintage thrifting in the United States. Aside from boutiques, red bridges, and a revolving assortment of restaurants and bars, there’s a lot more to this city. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Where to Stay – The Battery
To explore the city you’ll need a place to rest your head. And you can bet there are plenty of trendy, design-focused hotels in this metropolis. However the most luxurious hotel in San Francisco has to be The Battery. Set within a private members club, The Battery is simply San Francisco’s best hotel. Guests get an all-access pass to The Battery’s exclusive facilities and events for the duration of their stay, and the club/hotel combines super-stylish interiors by designer-to-the-stars Ken Fulk, with impecable world-class food and service.
The Battery Hotel, San Francisco
San Francisco Sightseeing
Sightseeing is sometimes dismissed by curated travel guides as a cliche. We, on the other hand, do not see it as that! One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting a new city is seeing for yourself the monuments and sites you’ve only seen in movies or on your friends’ travel photos. As a result, don’t be scared to be both a tourist and a traveler. There are a number of must-see attractions in San Francisco when it comes to sightseeing. Because of the city’s sheer immensity, you’ll need at least a few days to see everything.
The Painted Ladies
It would feel wrong not to start with these iconic steeped Victorian houses that have become not just a reference for visitors to the city, but a phenomenon in pop culture. The Painted Ladies are a row of Victorian houses at 710–720 Steiner Street, across from Alamo Square park, with the skyline of San Francisco behind them. The houses were built between 1892 and 1896 by developer Matthew Kavanaugh, who lived next door at 722 Steiner Street. This block appears very frequently in media and has appeared in an estimated 70 movies, TV programs, and ads, including in the opening credits of the television series Full House and its sequel Fuller House.
The Painted Ladies, San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
Gracing San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco’s most famous point of reference and certainly one of its most beautiful. Take a bike road over the bridge for the full experience, or go to Marshall’s Beach to snap one of San Francisco’s most iconic photo moment. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County, and at the time of its opening in 1937, the bridge was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Despite being one of the most touristy areas of the city, there’s no denying that Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the most iconic and beautiful areas to be at sunset. With plenty of restaurants and cafes, this is a great place to enjoy your first dinner in the city. There are dozens of souvenir shops on Fisherman’s Wharf, and lots of kiosks selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, as well as postcard vistas of the bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, everywhere you turn. There’s also a sea lion colony to observe, as well as old ships to tour. The iconic former chocolate factory now houses retailers and cafés at Ghirardelli Square.
Alcatraz
Alcatraz Island is a small island in San Francisco Bay, about 1.25 miles off the coast of San Francisco, California. The notorious penitentiary was once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, and is often one of the first stops for most visitors to San Francisco, and certainly a great way to spend half a day learning about the history of the city. You must book in advance, and your ticket includes the boat journey across to the island and the tour of the island and prison. You also get a really wonderful view over the San Francisco skyline from the island!
Ride a cable car
If you prefer doing than simply seeing, then find yourself on an iconic San Francisco cable car for one of the city’s most unique offerings. The San Francisco cable car system is the world’s last manually operated cable car system. An icon of San Francisco, the cable car system forms part of the intermodal urban transport network operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway and is a great way to see the city, as no experience is more uniquely San Francisco than a ride on a cable car. They also help with the steep hills the city is known for! For the best views, you want to be on the side that faces the bay. That’s the eastern side of the Powell cars, meaning the right hand side for cars leaving from downtown and the left side for cars leaving from the Fisherman’s Wharf area.
Where to Eat and Drink in San Francisco
If the city’s cultural charm and epic sunsets aren’t enough to entice you, the food and drink scene undoubtedly will. Brunch lovers and cocktail fans rejoice, because San Francisco has the very best of both. So, where should you go to dine and drink? We’ve got a recommendation for every woman.
For brunch lovers
The Dorian is a popular brunch spot perfect for a girls brunch and is one of the more exciting places to eat in the Marina. A two-story bar and restaurant on the prime real estate of Fillmore and Chestnut street in the Marina, The Dorian has quickly established itself as a San Francisco favorite for boozy brunches and provides the ultimate San Francisco brunch experience while serving fancy comfort food and strong cocktails.
The Dorian, San Francisco
For wine lovers
If you love wine, head to West Coast Wine + Cheese. The clientele is almost exclusively female at any and all hours of the day. Maybe it’s the Union Street location, maybe it’s the small plate menu, or maybe it’s because we have a good eye for pinot and bruschetta. Whatever the reason, WCW+C is a great place for a girls’ night out with plenty of wine, sophisticated snacks, and a killer grilled cheese.
For cocktail lovers
The Snug in Pacific Heights is the perfect choice for a balanced cocktail and canape to match, or try Beretta for fantastic cocktails, Italian small plates, and a constantly busy vibe. We would sell at least one-third of a kidney in exchange for a lifetime supply of the burrata with truffle honey alone. It’s another place where you can share everything and even though they don’t take reservations, putting your name in and drinking some Kentucky Mules while you wait isn’t a bad idea.
Girls dinner vibes
Make a reservation at least a month in advance at Che Fico, one of San Francisco’s trendiest restaurants. The room itself is gorgeous, located on the second floor of a converted auto repair shop in Nopa, and the Italian cuisine, particularly the pastas, is well worth the wait. Start with some supli and it’ll all flow from there.
You should also book a reservation at Robin, a super-fun, reasonably priced omakase restaurant that will tempt you to live solely on sushi from now on. There’s no food envy here because everyone gets the same thing, and it’s a fantastic starting point for a night out at Hayes Valley pubs or a trip to Divisadero.
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Louise Walker is AGLAIA’s Editor in charge of all content creation and management. She splits her time between London and Miami, and can always be found at a swanky hotel bar sipping on a Negroni. Contact her for any questions or if you would like to become an AGLAIA Contributor: hello@aglaiamagazine.com
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