Beat the Summer Heat in San Francisco: A Weekend Getaway

• Explore Chinatown: One of the oldest and most established Chinatown neighborhoods in the United States. You can opt for delicious food (highly recommend R & G Lounge), pop into the different stores to find your favorite Lucky Buddha or Lucky Cat memorabilia. These lantern-lined streets are beautifully lit up in the evening, beginning with Dragon’s Gate at the entrance!

• Ride the famous Cable Cars: With pick-up locations throughout Union Square down to Fisherman’s Wharf, this is a true San Francisco specialty. For those up to the adventure, grab a spot on the outside platform of the car! Make sure to download the MuniMobile app to purchase tickets in advance and beat the lines!

• Wander through Fisherman’s Wharf: A staple of San Francisco. Fisherman’s Wharf is the perfect place to spend the afternoon along the waterfront. Take a self-guided tour through the USS Pampanito before exploring further along the Embarcadero to Pier 39!

• Pier 39: Known for its shops and seafood dining options, Pier 39 has something for everyone! For those who love Forrest Gump, make sure you check out Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.! Don’t be surprised if you catch some live street performers along the way!

• Alcatraz and Ferry Tour: If there was only one piece of advice I could give, it would be to reserve your Alcatraz tickets with as much advance notice as possible! Once you know you are going to San Francisco, book your tickets! These sell out quickly and third-party vendors can oftentimes be 2x or 3x the prices and not at ideal times. If you’re up for a spooky adventure, book the night tour!

• Catch a game at Oracle Park: Oracle Park is home to the SF Giants. For any baseball lover, this stadium is a must-visit! An iconic ballpark with endless food options. If you don’t want to miss any of the game waiting in the food lines, they offer UberEats QR codes on the back of the stadium chairs to make it easy for ordering food and drinks!

• Stroll through Haight-Ashbury: Home to Janice Joplin and Grateful Dead houses, Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is located close to the University of San Francisco and the famous Painted Ladies Houses. Grab a beer from Magnolia Brewing Co. and stroll the main street to find pizza, Thai, Mexican and Puerto Rican delights! If you’re staying near Union Square or downtown San Francisco, Haight-Ashbury is most easily accessible by Uber/Lyft.

• Ghirardelli Factory: Chocolate lovers, listen up! When you’re visiting San Francisco, anytime is chocolate time. You don’t need to wait for dessert to explore the Ghirardelli Factory and Ghirardelli Square. Not to mention, on clear days, you have the perfect view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge!

Breakfast:

• Lori’s Diner: Retro diner, open 24-hours! This diner can get busy on the weekends, so get there early!

• Breakfast Buffet at the Grand Hyatt: When booking with Fora (hint hint!) the breakfast buffet is included in your stay. And let me just say, this is a no-joke buffet. With fresh fruit and the option to make your own omelet, you will leave feeling full and hyped up on coffee!

Lunch:

• Cioppinos: While exploring Fisherman’s Wharf, check out this lovely Italian-Seafood restaurant. With some of the freshest mussels and delicious seafood pasta dishes, this place has it all. And if you’re traveling with picky eaters, fear not, they have pizza and chicken options too!

• Golden Gate Tap Room: This sports bar and arcade restaurant could have fallen under lunch, dinner or drinks! We opted for the chicken sandwich and poke, which did not disappoint! They offer a great happy hour from 3pm – 5pm Monday through Friday! Plenty of games to keep your little ones entertained, too!

Dinner:

• R & G Lounge: Beat the crowd and catch an early dinner at R & G Lounge. We were traveling with a group of 7, and got there around 5:15 pm and waited about 15 minutes for our table. When we left, there were lines and a crowd waiting to be seated! And we can understand why! Our entire group was raving about their meals, and we each ordered a different entree. Lamb, duck, chicken, beef, vegetarian, scallops, seabass…they have it all!

• Bubba Gump Fish Co: I am not typically one for “chain restaurants” but this location is top-notch. Enjoy some peel-and-eat shrimp while looking out at the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz.

Drinks:

• Magnolia Brewing Co: In the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of SF, this brewery is perfect for a beer and some small bites. With a variety of beers to choose from, Magnolia Brewing Co. is a great spot to hang out and take in the culture of this neighborhood!

• Starlite: Located in the newly remodeled luxury hotel, Beacon Grand, this is the perfect place for a romantic evening.

24-Hour:

• Pinecrest Diner: Open 24-hours with a large selection of breakfast and dinner options, this diner will take you back to 1969 when it first opened.