San Francisco is a city of hidden foodie finds, tech transplants, and gorgeous landscapes within reach. Nick had never been to Northern California before, so we decided to take a mini-moon to San Francisco a few weeks ago since it’s a city I hold especially close to my heart having lived here a few years during my childhood. Since he was a first-timer, I wanted to show him the best that SF has to offer in 3 days, which is a lot!
Why San Francisco?
San Francisco is one of those destination cities you have to see in your lifetime. There are so many fun activities in and around the city (amazing wineries only an hour north in Napa), it’s super walkable (if you like hills), has mild weather year round, and has so many romantic spots. Here is our itinerary for a few amazing days in San Francisco if you ever find yourself on the west coast.
San Francisco Itinerary
Day 1: Wednesday Afternoon
✈️ Arrive
🏨 Check into the Fairmont Hotel
🌊 Explore Fisherman’s Wharf
🐬 Say hello to the sea lions
🦀 Dinner at Crab House at Pier 39
Day 2: Thursday
🌉 Drive along the Golden Gate Bridge & visit Battery Spencer Lookout Point
- Pro tip: Get an early start (we left the hotel at 7:00 am) to watch the sunrise, avoid crowds, and have the best lighting for photos
🍳 Breakfast at Rose’s Cafe on Union Street
☀️ Walk around Union Street for shopping and adorable floral shops
🚘 Drive to see the Painted Ladies & Lombard Street
🛀 Break & shower at the Fairmont Hotel
🍱 Dinner Ozumo SF or Angler with views of San Francisco
Day 3: Friday
☕️ Grab some coffee & walk the Palace of Fine Arts
🥟 Walk to Richmond District for Dim Sum restaurant-hopping on Clement Street
- Make sure to stop at Good Luck Dim Sum!
🏯 Walk through Golden Gate Park & see the Japanese Tea Garden
🚠 Ride a cable car to Chinatown
- If reservations were available we would have eaten at Mister Jiu’s which is the best of SF — will have to do next time!
⛴ Visit the Ferry Building Market and walk the piers to Ghirardelli Square
🏨 Back to Fairmont Hotel for shower & break
🍸 Charmaine’s Rooftop Lounge for cocktails and dinner
Day 4 – 5: The Weekend in Napa
🚙 Drive the rental car to Napa for a romantic weekend
🍇 Morning Wine Tasting and walking tour at Cakebread Cellars Winery
🛍 Lunch and shopping down the adorable St. Helena Main Street
🍷 Picturesque Wine Tasting at Castillo Di Amorosa
🦆 Dinner at Goose & Gander
⭐️ Other wineries we loved: Coppola Winery, Duckhorn Vineyard, and Amizetta Estate ⭐️
Top 6 Things to Do and See in San Francisco
- Golden Gate Bridge
- I highly recommend visiting Battery Spencer Lookout Point for the best Golden Gate photo spot, just a short 25 min drive across the bridge. At this location, you’ll get the iconic shot and practically be touching the bridge!
- Don’t be afraid! There’s A LOT of fog while you’re driving, the fog usually clears when you cross the bridge
- The best time to take photos is either early morning around 7:00 am or around sunset
- Walk the Piers – from the market at the Ferry Building, past touristy Pier 39, all the way to Ghirardelli Square
- Coffee & picnic at The Palace of Fine Arts
- Walk around Nob Hill and daydream about living in one of the beautiful row houses
- Eat delicious Dim Sum in Chinatown
- Rent a car and visit a winery or two in Napa, about an hour north of SF
Where To Stay?
When deciding where to stay in San Francisco, you can’t get any better than the Fairmont Hotel. The hotel is luxurious, beautiful, and in a great location. Being the highest hotel on the tallest hill, you get amazing views of the city — the hotel even provides each room with a telescope so you can see out for miles and get glimpses of Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more. Our room had a beautiful french terrace that we liked to relax on after an afternoon filled of exploring.
Aside from being a romantic place to stay, the Fairmont has a rich history which includes the International Conference that led to the birth of the United Nations; the Supper Club which was graced by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole; a Venetian-inspired room where Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”; and has been host to many presidents and celebrities. You can feel the glamour of the Fairmont immediately upon walking through the grand entrance. As a matter of fact, the Fairmont in San Francisco is Fairmont’s flagship hotel and the genesis for the Fairmont name! Crazy!
Photography Credit: Samantha Look Photography
You were wearing the cutest grey turtleneck in SF & I was just curious where it’s from? I’m going there next week 🙂
Hi! Where did you get that beautiful blue pleated dress?
Amazing destinations! Thanks for sharing .
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