This post was made in partnership with Enterprise. All opinions expressed are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that keep The Crafted Life making!
San Francisco will forever be one of my favorite cities. I was living there at the time when I decided to take this blog full time (which OMG was over four years ago now). It also helped me understand the true possibility of decorating with pink, which pro tip here, you can never have enough. For those reasons alone it will always have a special place in my heart. Revisiting it on the book tour definitely rekindled my love for my former home. Ryan and I got to explore the city in a car this time (thanks Enterprise for making that happen), and see some of my favorite spots which lead me thinking… it’s about time that I share my favorite places with you! I’m sure a lot has changed since I lived there, so if you have any other reccomendations let me know so I can add them to my list for my next visit. But for now, here are my favorite places to eat, drink, shop, and see in San Francisco!
Eat
Ferry Building— if you’re looking for variety, this is the place! Get the perfect grilled cheese at Cowgirl Creamery then head out back for a view of the water + Bay bridge!
Planet Cafe Organic— another stop if you want to eat out on the water (they have a patio, but you can also eat inside). 1000% get juice here!
Souvia— an amazing Greek spot for meat eaters + vegetarians!
Miette— the cutest candy shop! They have a few locations in the city, but the one in Hayes Valley is my favorite because of the pink on pink exterior. Walk right around the corner on Linden alley for a pink wall!
Tony’s Pizza— try the slice house or the restaurant. Both are amazing, but there will be a wait at the restaurant that’s totally worth it. I mean, their menu is divided by type of oven your pizza will cook in so they kindaaa know what they’re doing.
Pizzeria Delfina— because a second pizza option is always wanted, this place is delicious. If it’s a warmer night, try to grab a table outside.
Molinari— best deli in the city. Get a sandwich and head to Washington Square park to eat. If you live in SF, grab some homemade pasta to go (and a sandwich too of course).
Bi-Rite Creamery— ice cream that’s just a SF must.
Galette 88— One of my favorite spots downtown but it’s only open for lunch. If you’re in a sweet mood, try the Forbidden Fruit.
La Taqueria— there are so many good tacos in SF but this is a great place to start. Cash only.
State Bird Provisions— if you’re looking for a nice dinner out, this is the place. Make a reservation in advance.
Craftsman and Wolves— coffee and pastries, you can’t go wrong.
[The exterior of Miette]
Drink
Trick Dog— for the best cocktail in the city head here. Their menu is always presented in a fun way for an extra bonus.
Bourbon & Branch— for a serious cocktail with major speakeasy vibes.
Comstock Saloon— live music nightly; try the bartender’s choice!
Smuggler’s Cove— If you want a kitschy tiki bar, this is the place. It’ll be crowded, but there will be rum and tropical decor.
Naked Lunch— adding this one for nostalgia, this was my neighborhood bar of choice. My order every time: french fries and a manhattan. The food is great and the happy hour is on point. Plus they have super shot machine so bring your dollars.
Black Sands Brewery— for the beer lover! The tiled skull outside is also pretty damn cool; don’t forget to wear cute shoes to take a selfie with it.
Blue Bottle Coffee— And for a non-booze option! While I don’t typically drink coffee, this is for sure the place if you need a pick me up.
[Alley in North Beach by Coit Tower]
Shop
Rare Device— for all things adorable! Loads of great cards and home items. You can also pick up a copy of my book there (while supplies last).
Gravel & Gold— an independent and woman owned design collective.
Nooworks— another woman owned shop! They make their clothes in the US and have a rotation of artists.
Lavish— an adorable stationery and gift shop in Hayes Valley.
Heath Ceramics— they have a shop in the Ferry Building but try to get to the showroom and take a tour (RSVP)!
[Conservatory of Flowers]
See
Chrissy Fields— for when you want to dip your feet in the water! Exploring the Presidio on foot is fun as it is beautiful but wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket because it’s a mile or two long and can be a bit windy. Don’t worry, the view is worth it.
Conservatory of Flowers— one of the prettiest buildings I’ve ever seen and located in Golden Gate park which is a must visit.
Delores Park— a fun place to hang out and people watch if the weather is great and you have the afternoon free. There’s also a pretty great view of the city from the top of the hill and Bi-Rite creamery is right on the corner.
Hawk Hill— the best place to get the ultimate bridge shot is up/on the road up to Hawk Hill. There are a few stop off points you can pull off to take photos. It does get very crowded on the weekends, so plan accordingly.
Baker Beach— perfect for a hike, picnic, or just to get a beautiful view of the Golden Gate bridge.