4 Days in San Francisco: A Travel Guide

It's been a long time coming, but this girl finally made her way to the Golden State of California. My cousins and I spent July 4th weekend in San Francisco, a city of rolling hills, a melting pot of cultures, and countless landmarks. I've been anxiously waiting to visit California for years now and always assumed San Francisco would be first on the list. Its diversity in all aspects gives the city a vibrancy similar to that of New York, but with a clearly more relaxed West Coast vibe. Any walk through its streets is no easy feat, but the experiences along the way are incomparable.

For my fellow first-time visitors, or anyone looking for that classic San Francisco experience, this post highlights the full itinerary from our long weekend. Be sure to stay to the end as I've recapped all our food choices together -- the most important part, of course. California, I hope to see you again soon!

DAY ONE:

Fillmore Street - For shopping, dining, and on this weekend, live concerts/food trucks.
Pacific Heights - The best neighborhood to admire SF's most beautiful (and expensive) homes.
Lyon Street Steps - An artistic site providing gorgeous views over the city (+ some exercise).
Palace Of Fine Arts - A beautiful historical structure providing a quintessential SF photo op.
16th Avenue Tiled Steps - Worth the drive for an impressive neighborhood project of mosaics.

DAY TWO:

Napa Valley Wine Tour

(recap coming soon)

DAY THREE:

Alamo Square + The Painted Ladies - Full House, anyone? The opening sequence, that is.
The (Actual) Full House Residence - 1709 Broderick St., a 20-min walk from Alamo Square
Presidio + Chrissy Field - Admire the Golden Gate Bridge and explore its surrounding beaches.
The Mission - Clarion Alley Street Art, Dolores Park, and the best Mexican food in town.

DAY FOUR:

Pier 39 + Fisherman's Wharf - Likely the most tourist-driven area, but worth the seaside stroll.
Chinatown - One of the first and largest in the country. Visit for authentic food and shops.
Land's End + The Labyrinth - A unique coastal park with trails and views to last an afternoon.

FOOD:

Ice Cream - Bi-Rite Creamery (a must), Salt & Straw, Smitten
Sweets + Coffee - Mr. Holmes Bakehouse (the classic), Café Réveille, Philz Coffee
Mission Beach Cafe - A classic Californian brunch menu, but be prepared to stand in line.
Jane - The popular Fillmore St. location was closed, but its nearby bakery was a nice alternative.
Elephant Sushi - Three words: Himalayan Salt Trout. Although all the fish is extremely fresh.
El Farolito - The famous La Taqueria was closed, but I'd highly recommend this alternative.
El Techo - Brave the wait! This rooftop setting offers delicious Latin American food + cocktails.
Dragon Beaux - Dim Sum with a twist. Do not miss the Five Guys Xiao Long Bao!

EXTRA TIPS:

Bring layers. San Francisco barely has year-round seasons, though sometimes it feels like every season is compacted into one day. Especially at this time of year, chilly mornings can lead to sweaty afternoons if you aren't prepared. Always carry a light jacket or sweater if you plan on being out all day. You will not regret it.

Save your money. It is no mystery that San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in America. I felt my bank account burning, and I'm from New York. Before you go, take the time to consciously save some money to avoid feeling drained of your funds. Thankfully getting around the city is relatively cheap -- Uber/Lyft rides are very reasonable, and walking is obviously free of charge and amazing exercise.

Prepare for lines. As in any major city, the most popular spots can have quite hefty lines. Almost every restaurant and ice cream shop I mentioned above had at least a 20-min wait when we arrived, so plan accordingly. Fortunately I can say that every single wait was worth it.

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Where are you headed this summer? Let me know!