San Francisco: Off the Beaten Path

Description:

Author: Jessica Mordo

Day 1 - San Francisco

A rich cultural heritage, vibrant art scene, and great eats and nightlife make the Mission District a great place to kick off your visit. Start with a delicious breakfast at Tartine Bakery. Explore the city’s history at Mission Dolores, the oldest intact building in the city. Catch some rays lounging in Dolores Park (bordered by Dolores, Church, 18th, and 20th streets) for unparalleled city views and people-watching. For lunch, you can’t pass up authentic Mission Mexican fare at Pancho Villa Taqueria. Then window-shop your way up Valencia Street, which is chockablock with boutiques and art galleries. Head to Balmy Alley, entirely lined with amazing murals produced by local artists. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with a refined take on new American at Range or on funky Italian at Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack. Enjoy Mission-style nightlife at the many hip bars on Valencia Street between 16th and 24th and on Mission Street between 18th and 30th streets.


1

Tartine Bakery

Location:

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600 Guerrero Street
At 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Phone:

(415) 487 2600


2

Mission Dolores

Location:

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332, 16th Street
(at the corner of Dolores Street)
San Francisco, CA 94114

Phone:

(415) 621-8203


2

Gary Danko

Location:

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800 North Point Street
(at the corner of Hyde Street)
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

(415) 749-2060


2

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Location:

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151 3rd St
(between Howard & Mission St)
San Francisco, CA 94105

Phone:

(415) 357-4000


2

Asian Art Museum

Location:

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200 Larkin St
Civic Center Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone:

(415) 668-8921


2

Alcatraz Island

Location:

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Embarcadero and Powell St
(Pier 39)
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

(415) 705-5555


2

Golden Gate Bridge

Location:

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Lincoln Blvd & Hwy 1
Hwy. 101 N
San Francisco, CA 94129

Phone:

(415) 921-5858


2

Lombard Street

Location:

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Between Hyde & Leavenworth streets
Above Ghirardelli Square
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

(415) 391-2000


2

Fisherman's Wharf

Location:

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The Embarcadero
Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

(415) 956-3493


2

de Young Museum

Location:

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50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
(Golden Gate Park)
San Francisco, CA 94118

Phone:

(415) 863-3330


2

Yank Sing

Location:

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101 Spear St (at Rincon Center)
(at the corner of Spear Street)
San Francisco, CA 94107

Phone:

(415) 957-9300


2

Slanted Door

Location:

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1 Ferry Building #3
(across from The Embarcadero)
San Francisco, CA 94111

Phone:

(415) 861-8032


2

Scoma's

Location:

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Al Scoma Way
Pier 47 and Al Scoma Way (between Jefferson and Jones sts.)
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

800/644-5852


3

Pancho Villa Taqueria

Location:

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3071 16th Street
(At the corner of Valencia Street)
San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone:

+1 415 864 8840


4

Range

Location:

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842 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Phone:

(415) 282 8283


5

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack

Location:

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18 Virginia Street
(cross street: Mission)
San Francisco, CA 94110

Phone:

(415) 206-2086

Day 2 - San Francisco

OK, every visitor to SF goes to Golden Gate Park, but not everyone knows about the spectacular horticultural beauty of the Strybing Arboretum & Botanical Garden. This local favorite is free and also has tons of picnic space. Then the rest of the park is fair game for exploring; don’t miss the Bison Paddock for a truly unique SF sight. Head all the way out to the ocean and grab lunch with a view of the waves at Beach Chalet, followed by a stroll on Ocean Beach. In the afternoon, explore Hayes Valley, a neighborhood adored by locals for its funky clothing boutiques, art galleries, and fine restaurants—not to mention the city’s best java at Blue Bottle Coffee Co. and the dessert legend, Citizen Cake. Having a divine meal and legendary cocktails at Absinthe is a fantastic way to cap off your day.


1

Golden Gate Park

Location:

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Stanyan & Fulton Sts
(Great Highway at Fulton St)
San Francisco, CA 94118

Phone:

(415) 831-2700


2

Strybing Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

Location:

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9th Avenue at Lincoln Way
San Francisco, CA 94122

Phone:

(415) 661-1316


3

Beach Chalet

Location:

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1000 Great Highway
(between Lincoln and Fulton avenues)
San Francisco, CA 94121

Phone:

(415) 386 8439


4

Ocean Beach

Location:

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Great Highway
San Francisco, CA 94121


5

Absinthe

Location:

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398 Hayes St
At Gough St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone:

415/551-1590


6

Citizen Cake

Location:

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2125 Fillmore St
Between California and Sacramento Streets
San Francisco, CA 94115

Phone:

(415) 861-2228

Day 3 - Mill Valley

A visit to SF wouldn’t be complete without exploring the great outdoors. Marin County is renowned for its outstanding hiking turf, but beware: the tourist crowds generally converge at Muir Woods. For more off-the-beaten-path alternatives, explore the hiking trails and old WWII-era bunkers at Tennessee Valley, located in the Marin Headlands, or drive further north to Lake Lagunitas, which is an excellent venue for hiking, swimming, and picnicking. Then catch a sunset on the Pacific coast. While most people tend to do so at Stinson Beach, the smaller, more down-to-earth Muir Beach is every bit as beautiful.


1

Tennessee Valley Trail

Location:

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Tennessee Valley, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Mill Valley, CA 94965

Phone:

(415) 561-4700


2

Muir Beach

Location:

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Highway 1
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Day 4 - San Francisco

Start off the day at the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace, where you can assemble a picnic from the fantastic food shops, or if it’s a Tuesday or Saturday, from the Farmer’s Market located behind the Ferry Building. Then take a ferry to Angel Island State Park, the former West Coast version of Ellis Island. The island is a wonderful place for a (not-too-strenuous) hike, soaking up some history, and having a sun-splashed picnic with beautiful views of the city, the East Bay, Alcatraz, and Marin. You can take a ferry to the laid-back Marin town of Tiburon (a more locally-favored alternative to cute yet touristy Sausalito) for a sunset cocktail and delicious dinner. And not to worry—you can take a ferry from Tiburon back to SF.


1

Ferry Building Marketplace & Farmer's Market

Location:

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Ferry Building Marketplace
One Ferry Building
San Francisco, CA 94111

Phone:

(415) 693-0996


2

Angel Island State Park

Location:

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Located one mile south of the Tiburon Peninsula
San Francisco, CA 94133

Phone:

(415) 435-3522

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