Things to Do

Insta-credibity

San Francisco a great place for selfies to jump start your socials. The famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square Park (que the Full House intro) deliver skyline views, while Twin Peaks provides breathtaking 360° views. The lush oasis of San Francisco Botanical Garden offers a multitude of natural backgrounds, and the iconic dome at the Palace of Fine Arts brings tone and colorful flowers. For something sweet, check out Pier 39, where seals pose on wooden planks, downtown’s Cupid’s Span, or Ghirardelli Square for selfies both charming and sweet. The super steep and curvy turns of Lombard Street will amp up your artsy posts, and if you return home without a photo from the Golden Gate Overlook, were you even in San Francisco??

A Shopping Mecca

With myriad shopping options, San Francico is the ideal place for a splurge! Union Square boasts recognizable names—think Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, while designer brands like Bulgari, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada, and Tiffany are also well represented. PIER 39 is home to two levels of specialty shops including one just for left-handers! Prized landmark Japan Center is a not-to-be-missed cultural & shopping experience, City Lights Booksellers is the place to browse, read, and soak in the ambiance of a truly great independent bookstore, and The Candy Store features walls lined with old-fashioned candy jars and shelves stocked with the finest confections. Exploring the local vintage scene is always fun, and neighborhood streets are packed with charming and pleasant surprises. And don’t forget to pick up a souvenir for the peeps back home at San Francisco Mercantile!

Libations Galore

San Francisco’s hop culture is thriving. If a busy day of learning and mingling with your NASPAG fam has you craving a ‘Hella Hetchy Lager’ check out Barebottle Brewing Company, or head to Speakeasy Ales & Lagers for a ‘Prohibition Ale’, or Laughing Monk Brewing for a ‘Willie Maize.’ The best places to belly up for artisanal cocktails include Pacific Cocktail Haven (aka PCH) which boasts some of the most talented bartenders and creative cocktails in the city, beautiful rooftop bar Cavaña where the mixology celebrates Central and South America, or iconic Trick Dog which creates a new cocktail menu every six months. The hottest Tiki ticket in town is Zombie Village, and BlindPig Speakeasy Lounge recalls the tragically thirsty days of Prohibition. It’s a great time to be a wine lover in San Francisco, too. Casual wine bar Roaming Goat features Mediterranean flavors, while Robberbaron skews toward European options, and sophisticated Press Club serves California wines in a sleek underground space. If coffee is your fuel of choice, The Coffee Movement is heaven for bean afficionados, while Flywheel Coffee Roasters aims beyond corporate cookie-cutter coffee standards, and Four Barrel Coffee serves delicious java alongside an outstanding collection of hard rock LPs. For cold-pressed juices and shakes to support wellness check out Muse Juice Bar, or the healthy mix-ups, bowls, and more at SF OrganiCA.

Foodie Central

If you’re craving red meat in classic steakhouse vibe, Harris’ Restaurant serves corn-fed, dry-aged, mesquite-fired Midwest cuts, while STK Steakhouse offers a familiar steakhouse menu with incredible vibes, and San Francisco legend Tadich Grill outputs satisfyingly charred steaks and plenty of sides. If no trip is complete without a taste of local BBQ, 4505 Burgers & BBQ dishes out some of the best smoked meat in the Bay. For seafood deliciousness, slide into a booth at Scoma’s Restaurant, a seafood institution literally sitting on the dock of the bay since 1965. Or check out Leo’s Oyster Bar for a seafood tower or buttery lobster roll, or Angler for seafood with luxurious add-ons. If sushi is how you roll (har har) check out Zushi Puzzle, a neighborhood destination for the freshest fish of that day, or Saru Handroll Bar for handrolls and temaki. For Mother Earth approved comfort foods, visit the landmark Greens Restaurant, which has been all vegetarian since day one, or plant-based restaurant Wildseed, for hearty, healthy meals that pull in global flavors. For vegan options, Om Sabor uses Mexican and California hippie food prep methods to make mac n’ cheeses, inventive tamales, and decadent cheesecakes, while South Asian Tiya serves high-end vegan coursed menus, and Roam Artisan Burgers serves burgers of quinoa, black beans, brown rice, and dates stuffed with dairy-free cheddar, and crispy “bacon.”  The politics of pizza always spark fierce debate, but Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is heralded for their Sicilian, Detroit-style, grandma-inspired, and coal-fired pies with familiar to wild topping options.

Get Outside!

With an impressive array of over 200 parks, San Francisco delivers fresh air and inspiration, picturesque beaches with stunning scenery, and vast hiking trails with unique terrains and habitats. A memorable way to explore Golden Gate Park is on a Segway, while the Bay Wheels bikeshare program (run by Lyft) lets you explore the city at your own speed. A kayak tour delivers an up-close and personal look at San Francisco Bay, while a relaxed guided boat tour is equally noteworthy. Get your steps in while immersing yourself in history on a San Francisco Walking Tour, explore famous landmarks at your own pace on a Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour, or step into the dark side on a San Francisco Ghost Tour. San Francisco museums are home to collections you won’t see anywhere else, and the magnificent SkyStar Observation Wheel at Fisherman’s Wharf provides soaring views of the skyline!

Open Spaces in SF

SF style is LAYERS the day and the neighborhood can have a 20degree change.  Most Restaurants, except the really fancy ones, are fine with casual wear.  It is the city of work from home techies whose uniform is jeans, fancy sneakers, a fleece and a beanie hat!

SF is broken down into very distinct neighborhoods all with their own flare – focusing on one at a time is a great way to see the sites then trying to cross all over the city to see various “sites”.

San Francisco offers numerous open spaces for walks, from iconic parks like Golden Gate Park and The Presidio to coastal walks along the Embarcadero, Lands End, and Crissy Field, providing varied landscapes and city views. For a unique urban hike, try the 17-mile San Francisco Crosstown Trail, which crosses the city through various parks and neighborhoods, or explore the numerous smaller local parks such as Glen Canyon Park or Sutro Heights Park for scenic, less-crowded experiences. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Coastal Walks & Promenades

• Lands End Trail: A popular, moderate-difficulty trail along the northwest tip of the city with spectacular Golden Gate Bridge views. 
• The Embarcadero: A must-see area with piers and waterfront walks. 
• Crissy Field: Offers beach views and a path that leads to the Fort Point National Historic Site. 
• Ocean Beach: A long stretch of beach perfect for walks, with access to the Lands End trail. 

Lesser-Known Gems

• Glen Canyon Park: A great spot for trails and a more local, serene experience. 
• Sutro Heights Park: Offers unique park experiences and views, including the Sutro Baths ruins. 
• Ina Coolbrith Park and Corona Heights Park: Intimate hilltop parks known for their city and bay views.