The Clift Royal Sonesta
495 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 775-4700

$259
(reserve by 12/20/19)

Hotel Zeppelin
545 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 563-0303

$169
(reserve by 12/27/19)

Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(888) 627-7196

$255
(reserve by 12/26/19)

What to Do in Town

There are so many amazing things to do in San Francisco. Plus, January is low season for tourism. So you will be far from the madding crowds!

Tips on Eating out

• For the trendiest eateries in town, reference The Hottest Restaurants in San Francisco Right Now from SF Eater

• For more tried and true, try The 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants, SF Eater

• And, if you love croissants as much as Wayne does, reference The Best Bakeries in San Francisco, SF Eater

• You pretty much always want a reservation if a restaurant takes them. Use OpenTable, Resy, or check with the restaurant to reserve.

SF MUST SEE SPOTS

• Alcatraz Island: This is one of the top landmark destinations in the US. Book your tickets in advance. It’s low season, but tickets can sell out for popular times. The award-winning audio tour (included) is excellent, and sometimes a former inmate can be found signing books in the Cellhouse Store*. Bonus: the Gardens of Alcatraz, lovingly restored by volunteers, has a free docent-led tour at 9:45 am, Fridays and Sundays only. If you’re into flowers or compost, don’t miss this!

• Muir Woods: John Muir inspired his friend to save this awe-inspiring redwood grove, just a 20-minute drive north of the city. To visit by car, you will need to reserve via the online parking reservation system. (There is no cell service there, so don’t try to book as you roll in.) The Visitors Center* has a nice selection of books.

• Golden Gate Bridge: Walk across San Francisco’s most iconic landmark. There is a Welcome Center* on the San Francisco side with artifacts from the bridge and cool selection of gifts.

• Crissy Field: Once an army base and now a national park site with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, and the San Francisco city skyline. Stop in the Warming Hut* for a hot cup of coffee and lovely selection of souvenirs.

*Purchases at official visitor centers in these locations will go toward supporting the parks. The stores are run by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit where Vivien works! :)

• Ferry Building: A fun place to eat and check out views of the Bay Bridge and East Bay. A wonderful farmer’s market runs every Saturday between 8 am to 2 pm.

• Walking Tours: If you like to walk, then don’t miss signing up for a San Francisco City Guides’ tour. They are FREE! Lots of choices across the city everyday, and the guides are very knowledgeable. Donations go back to supporting this nonprofit.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO

• Hiking: The Bay Area is full of amazing trails, some of the best of them, like at Lands End (starting from the Visitor’s Center*, a great place to pick up souvenirs) and the Batteries to Bluffs trail, are right in San Francisco. The stunning Marin Headlands, just across the Golden Gate Bridge, have some of best views in the world! The site Bay Area Hiker is a great resource.

• The Mission: Stroll Valencia Street, roughly from 15th to 24th streets. Lots of fun shops and delicious foods. Time Out: The locals guide to the Mission, San Francisco

• The Views: The payoff for dealing with SF’s many hills? The spectacular views!

  • Fodors – San Francisco’s 15 Best Views

  • Time Out – The best views in San Francisco (We live near Corona Heights Park.)

  • SF Travel – Take The Stairs: The Many Hidden, Historic, and Beautiful Staircases of San Francisco

Traveling with children?

• The Exploratorium on the Embarcadero and the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park are fun and educational for kids (and adults).

• Time Out: The 14 best things to do in San Francisco with kids

• Curbed San Francisco: The 30 best things to do in San Francisco with kids

• See FAQ page for childcare recommendations.

Further Afield

• Wine Country: Visit Sonoma or Napa to taste some of California’s best wines. The drive is about an hour and half or more, depending on traffic. Reservations for tastings are becoming more common. You will certainly want reservations for tours.

  • Food & Wine: Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit

  • Time Out: The 10 best Sonoma wineries for fine wine and food

• The Coast: The Pacific Coast Highway is a stunner. For a day trip from SF, head south. There are hikes, breweries, berry farms, seal colonies, and, of course, majestic views galore!

  • Best Stops Along Highway 1 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz , from the Peninsula Open Space Trust

  • Visit the tide pools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve — kid friendly! Can do on own or with a tour.

  • Ano Nuevo State Park – Take a guided walking tour through a colony of mating Northern Elephant Seals. Vivien is a marine mammal enthusiast, and makes a pilgrimage here every year. It’s like walking into a nature documentary. Must book tour ahead of time.