The iconic Golden Gate Bridge is as extremely gorgeous as the pictures; the Alcatraz Island an uncanny and captivating part of history. However the most appealing part about San Francisco is that it’s as much a ghetto of regular beauty as it is an important progressive city. Here’s a crash course on a quintessential San Francisco experience in a day.
MORNING
Start your day by fuelling up on hot chocolate at the Bloom Chocolate Salon inside the 16th street factory of Dandelion, a small batch bean to bar chocolate maker followed by a factory tour.
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Next, head to explore the century-plus old Ferry Building re-opened as an impressive marketplace and European flair food hall, after epochs of blight and dwindling in the sleuth of the previous Embarcadero Freeway, about 15 years ago. Today it represents all the current food trends in the Bay Area, alongside keeping up with tradition with an outdoor farmers market thrice a week and indoor food stalls in previous ferry berths; the baker, cheesemonger and baker complete the old world charm. From the breads to the ceramics, strolling through is fun. Sipping your cuppa and watching ferries come and go is a forever favourite past time. It’s a great way to spend a relaxing morning and nibble before an afternoon of walking on steep roads.
AFTERNOON
San Francisco is extremely walkable. I would recommend walking up through Union Square, China Town, North Beach, and Lombard Street (famed for its crooked hair pin turns) down to the Fisherman’s Wharf from the Ferry building. It doesn’t take that long and you can see so much of the city. Take a lunch break at the family-owned Scoma which has sustained itself for over fifty years. Try the decadent crab thermidor and clam Chowder.
The wharf officially begins at Ghirardelli Square, but the main signpost is on Pier 41. Take a stroll, check out the sea lions, aquarium, grab a coffee at lotus that comes with a delicious biscoff and catch a ferry from Pier 39 to see the city from the water. Go for a route that takes you underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and round Alcatraz, the realm’s most famed prison island.
EVENING
Take a cab and head to the Golden Gate Bridge: it’s iconic after all. Cross the bridge and admire the view from the other side. Then, head to the SoMa StrEat Food Park, a new gastronomic fete and metropolitan. Enjoy a typical corn dog and California garlic shrimp noodles with sangria for an early dinner.
NIGHT
If you're in the mood for Broadway, don't worry. You don't have to fly all the way to New York to catch a show. Head to San Francisco's vibrant theatre district to catch a show. After, bar hopping is a great way to round up your day. Check out the watering holes in the North Beach area. Once a week, most museums stay open really late. So check the museum of your choice beforehand and end the trip on the historic high.