San Francisco Travel Guide

San Francisco Cable Car Museum Just a block or two up the road you’ll find the FREE Cable Car Museum where the actual cables are running for the cars! You can see different cable car models and they even have a nice gift shop.

What we learned: Golden Gate Park is HUGE! It’s not close to the Golden Gate Bridge (by foot or bike). You must drive on the freeway to get from the bridge to the park. The park itself is 3 miles long and crosses very busy streets. We put in “Golden Gate Park” for our Uber destination and were dropped on the side of a random road next to a big meadow. Plan what you want to see and put the actual item in your Uber or Lyft ride. Or consider renting a bike if you’re looking to stay outdoors (and not inside the museums).

Japanese Tea Gardens https://www.japaneseteagardensf.com/ I appreciated the serenity that the gardens brought, although they were a bit busy so you still felt like you were in a touristy area with lots of young girls taking selfies. The cultural experience was definitely my favorite part! I really appreciated the Buddha in the gardens. It was a nice place to say a serene prayer of peace.







My amazing travel partner found the best tour for us to see the Golden Gate Bridge. We did the combo through Dylan’s Tours that included a bike ride through the city to the Golden Gate Bridge, down to Sausalito for lunch, and then a bus to Muir Woods for a self-paced tour. We both LOVED the adventure and counted it #1 for the entire trip! Our Tour: Click Here $85 Pedal Bike $105 Electric Bike

Plus Size Biking Options Dylan’s Tours had regular bikes and electric bikes. The electric bikes had a weight capacity of 300 lbs and was a great option for me. I’m not sure I could have biked through the city and then up the steep hills leading to the bridge. I was watching super fit people try their best on regular bikes & even they were struggling. The electric bike was amazing & allowed me this awesome experience. Try it!

After a warm-up and safety review at Dylan’s Tour we were off to make our way across the bridge and over to Sausalito. They gave us about 2-3 hours to bike and grab some lunch so we took lots of time for pictures. It was so exciting to get the different views of the bridge as we got closer. We rode through Fisherman’s Wharf early in the AM before the tourists, through the beachfront and then through this amazing meadow. Anyone else thinking Julie Andrews?! “The hills are alive w/ the sound of music!”

Palace of Fine Arts We biked past the Palace of Fine Arts and ended up swinging back around because of how fantastic it looked. It doesn’t hold many tourist events (concerts, etc.) but it’s nice to walk around for 10-15 minutes. We just locked our bikes up for a bit and enjoyed a nice stroll around the structures and the water. The tour guide we had later on our trip explained that it’s a hot spot for wedding, engagement, and graduation pictures. So, if you’re with your loved ones, it’s definitely worth grabbing a few Instagram-worthy pics!



The trail up to the bridge is so beautiful. Make sure to take your camera with you for great shots like this one. This was actually in a really neat pullover area accessible by car, bike, or walking. Plus Size Travel Note: Beware, there are some really steep climbs up to this point. If I wasn’t on a motorized bike, I’m not sure I could have pedaled my way up as quickly! Even the ultra fit were really struggling at some points. Getting a motorized bike saved us so much time!

This area is a popular stop for family photos so pack your patience as some people don’t have manners when waiting in a socially-constructed line to get photos. We had a family take a good 10-15 minutes in the way of everyone before moving along. As you can see, though, it’s worth the wait! Make sure you look out for your solo travelers who might need a hand getting a shot of themselves too! We always ask to take their pic for them.

On the Golden Gate Bridge WHAT A THRILL! The bridge was so busy with cars, tourists walking, and WIND! It was COLD! My hair was whipping around everywhere, even with my bike helmet on. It seriously was one of the most exhilarating experiences, though. It was probably my favorite part of the ENTIRE TRIP! I encourage everyone to try it, especially on a bike. Next time I’ll bring my GoPro to get a video to relive it.



Biking Down to Sausalito Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge was SUCH a thrill that my adrenaline was racing. I was on a total natural high. So, when the realities set in of biking to Sausalito, I got a bit nervous. We had no real directions, just to follow signs, and we were biking on real roads with real cars It was SO STEEP! I feel bad for everyone subjected to my squeaky bike brakes that I kept pressing hard because I was not wanting to go 50mph to my death!

Napa Valley Burger Co. Napa Valley was recommended to us by Dylan Tours when we picked up our bikes. The food was really good. The burger was fresh and they had fun, unique toppings but my favorite was the truffle fries! One order is big enough to split, so you Heads Up: Napa Valley isn’t for the bargain tourists, tho. Our meal was about definitely wouldn’t need $50/person w/ an alcoholic beverage & tip. multiple orders for two people.

Muir Woods National Monument The drive to Muir Woods itself is breathtaking. It’s such a nice change of pace from the busy Bay City when you’re a tourist. I was SO excited to get my first glimpse and experience with the ginormous redwood trees. I thought you had to take the more expensive tours to the Redwood National Park, but luckily that’s not the case! Muir Woods is a great intro.

Most of Muir Woods is one large circle trail that is self-guided. I mean, really, you’re there to just be in the presence of these beautiful, massive trees that are dizzying when you look up. Luckily, though, there are park ranger talks near the front of the park where you can get a good introduction of the land, the scientific benefits and make-up of these giants, and how the Native Americans used them centuries ago.

There are some fun photo opportunities here, so be sure to take your camera with you. Just be careful of the mud, because not a lot of sun can dry the wet ground. So bring a boot or shoe you don’t mind getting dirty so you can get some of the better shots, like INSIDE one of the tree trunks, towards the end of the trails.

The park is extremely accessible with very minimal hiking experience needed to enjoy the main trails. You got this one! I definitely recommend having some sort of jacket, though, as the shade provided by the big trees may leave you a bit chilled. There’s a nice gift shop here too! I got a nice personalized redwood pen!



Taqueria La Cumbre Thanks for the Travel Channel (Man vs. Food and Food Paradise) for pointing us in the right direction for some burritos! Taqueria la Cumbre takes credit for the first “mission-style burrito,” which is known for its large size and how unique each one is because of your choice in toppings. The atmosphere was very laid back and easy. The food was amazing. Definitely a great place to eat when in the area!

The chicken burrito was SO good and I loved being able to order the toppings I wanted (only). The chips were fresh and the Coke just sealed the deal!

Clarion Alley Mural Project We came upon the alley art out of sheer luck. What a lovely surprise! We were walking off our full stomachs by doing some boutique shopping along the streets. The bright colors caught our eyes and we spent the next half hour exploring the alley. As you can see on the following pages, they are so colorful and have such powerful statements. It was truly an amazing walk through the Mission District.





The Women’s Building The Women’s Building took my breath away as we walked by. It’s so vibrant and powerful. The murals are absolutely amazing. This is a place for community meetings, events, and more. Not much to do as tourists but a beautiful find!

Tartine Bakery and Cafe Tartine was $5.75 recommended on the show, The Best Thing I Ever Ate so I made sure to add it to my Google Trips map. Luckily, as we were exploring the Mission District, we were able to stop in. The recommended item from the show was the chocolate croissant. I split one with my friend and we both agreed it was DELICIOUS! It was light and the chocolate was so tasty It would have been a lovely spot to enjoy some coffee and a book too.

Mission Dolores The Mission District is SO CUTE, we had to keep exploring. Mission Dolores was another surprise that came from using Google Trips to search the areas we were in. As you can see, once we came around the corner, it was quite a site! Then, we learned that it’s the OLDEST BUILDING IN SAN FRANCISCO! This fun fact had us paying the $9 to visit both of these lovely buildings of faith.

Mission Dolores was founded in October of 1776. Just imagine, it predates the California Gold Rush! We have similar missions in Texas, in the city of San Antonio, so I was excited to see California’s version. When we arrived there was a field trip and the church was full of children. Luckily, when they left we had the entire place to ourselves to explore this beautiful altar. I’m so glad we came back to see it up close and personal.

This would be the view of the mission/church from the altar, well, in front of the altar, that is. You can sit and pray in the pews, or just meditate, etc. It’s actually a nice experience to just reflect on the history of where you are. The moment of rest from your feet isn’t bad either! So much detail has gone into this building, it really is quite amazing if you look closely.

Mission Dolores Basilica Next to the older mission is the basilica, a more modern church with beautiful stained glass features, an amazing altar, and an organ system that makes the most beautiful music. One of my favorite experiences in any church is sitting in the pews listening to the organ play, and luckily, as we were leaving, I heard it begin and got to return and enjoy.



Mission Dolores Cemetery The cemetery and gardens has beautiful native plants and is the only cemetery inside city limits. There is some amazing history inside the cemetery. Pictured here are gravesites for the first president of the Mission, dated 1784 and another grave from 1866. In the background you’ll see a replica from the native Americans living in this area.





Lombard Street Lombard Street was a bit of a tourist trap for me personally. I think it may have been more fun to drive it, but we only hired Ubers on this particular trip. Our Uber driver didn’t understand that we wanted to ride down so we missed it. We walked down the sidewalk but really it’s not close to other attractions so I wouldn’t take time to see it again.



Painted Ladies Like Lombard Street, the Painted Ladies are more of a tourist trap. As the lower picture shows, it looks really weird compared to some of the pictures I had seen online or on Instagram. Seeing the home Full House featured was a bit underwhelming for some reason. If traveling with your pet, there is an amazing dog park across the street! TIP: If you visit, head over after noon because in the AM, the sun puts a big shadow over the homes and limits the exposure.







Aliota’s - Upstairs Bar With all the commotion on the street of Fisherman’s Wharf, we decided it was time to have a drink. We had done a ton of walking and dodging crowds. We wanted somewhere a little less busy, and found the perfect solution with Aliota’s. The bartenders were super friendly, and their upstairs bar overlooked the entire wharf! When visiting Fisherman’s Wharf, they say clam chowder is a MUST. I say otherwise! Clams aren’t my thing, but if they are yours, you’ll love Aliota’s!

Ghirardelli Ice Cream Sundaes Inside the Ghirardelli Square entrance is the ice cream shop where you can sit and enjoy one of the many sundaes available. I am a sucker for “world famous” attached to anything, so I tried the classic. IT WAS AMAZING! The hot fudge chocolate was so good, but it wasn’t overly rich. The ice cream wasn’t overpowering and blends so well. The peanuts and cherry add a nice taste, and the whipped cream was a great addition. There’s no need for additions, like cookies or brownies. Check out their MENU! The ice cream shop gets very busy, so be prepared for a wait before ordering, and the struggle of finding a table, especially for bigger parties.

Golden Boy Pizza Pizza has to be one of 542 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133 my favorite foods. So WBEISNTNMEERA!L you can trust me when I say, Golden Boy Pizza is AMAZING! The long line outdoors is inconvenient, but worth it. Make sure to bring CASH! The slices are between $3.50 - $4.50 depending on toppings. They also had the best playlist in San Francisco so plan to dine in!

Pier 23 As we were riding back to the city from Alcatraz Island, we asked a local boat captain where he enjoys going for lunch. He recommended Pier 23, a spot featured on the Travel Channel for their fish tacos. We sat out on the porch and enjoyed great drinks, amazing truffle fries and great, fresh fish tacos! I would definitely recommend this fun restaurant on a warm day with friends!

Dandelion Chocolate at the Ferry Building OH MY GOSH! What an amazing first food experience of San Francisco! The Mission Hot Chocolate was the perfect blend of smooth and spicy and that s’more, y’all, it’s even better than it looks in the picture! Don’t miss this place if you see one of their few places in San Francisco!

Acme Bread & Cowgirl Creamery The Farmers Market is NOT to be missed! The outside tents are great, but the established shops inside are also very impressive. I stopped at the infamous Acme Bread and Cowgirl Creamery where I picked up an amazing sourdough bread and some tasty swiss cheese. I went next door to the Sidekick grill where my friend had a grilled cheese and I just opened my wrapped swiss and pulled off some bread from the loaf. It was such a tasty meal stop! TIP: Consider your choices when shopping here, though. I bought portions that were too large to finish but we were traveling all day and had no refrigeration at the hotel.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory Another Google Trips find! This fortune cookie shop had such a long line. but it was totally worth it. The chocolate covered, sprinkled cookies were so good. And watching the women work was really neat to see how the cookies are formed. Grab your souvenirs here!