[Share] (San Francisco)One Week Itinerary

Day 1 :

Morning There's no better way to start than a trip down Market Street to the Ferry Building where you'll enjoy fine food and gourmet shopping.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays the markets will be in full throng, so start with a cup of Blue Bottle Coffee from the vendor at the front, explore the local produce and meet the friendly farmers and vendors. For lunch, check out one of the cafes or restaurants inside like the Slanted Door.  If you can't get a booking, then head up Market Street to Westfield Shopping Centre where they have an outpost, Out the Door, that offers similar food on a more affordable scale. Afternoon and evening Head to MOMA where you can catch a major exhibition and enjoy some civic art, before heading to the St Regis for a cocktail at its classy bar. Next stop is an alley way near Union Square where you’ll find Café Gitane’s French-Basque food and inspired cocktails.
Day 2: Morning Head to North Beach where you can visit Coit Tower, erected in 1933 as a memorial to the city's firemen by heiress Lillie Coit For US$4 you can climb the tower and look out over the Bay.

Afternoon

Try lunch at one of the North Beach Italian cafes such as Vesuvio's or Caffe Trieste. Then head down Broadway to the legendary City Lights Bookshop, home to beats, bards and poets. Catch a cab to 1100 California Street where you can enjoy the Grace Cathedral's French Gothic style (for group tours, call: +1 415 749 6348). Tour guides are available in the Cathedral Monday through Friday 1-3pm, Saturday 11.30am-1.30 pm, and Sunday 12.30-2pm. Explore adjacent Huntington Park and the views from Nob Hill. Check out the nearby Asian Art Museum, which was renovated in 2003.


Evening Have a drink at the Bourbon and Branch (note that you'll need at least a few hours to spare to be granted entry into this exclusive speakeasy). Then for dinner try some local Indian at Shalimar in the Tenderloin. Or if you want to try American fare head to the Pincrest Diner where you'll get the authentic diner experience — big plus, they use local organic meat.  

Days 3 - 5

Jump in a rental and head over the Golden Gate Bridge to Fort Baker, ex Army settlement and now home to the charming Cavallo Point Lodge. Take a walk around the winding cliffs and explore the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Settle into one of the comfy gas-warmed sofas at the Farley Bar and enjoy a glass of local wine. The lodges at Cavallo Point have sensational views of the city — and you might even be lulled to sleep with the nearby foghorn. The next day drive another hour to Point Reyes where you can indulge in more long walks, inspiring views, good food and old school West coast hospitality. Drop into the Lighthouse Visitor Centre for the history of the area — and its geological oddities.   A ten-mile drive will deliver you to Nick's Cove Restaurant for some of the area's best seafood — a plate of Nick’s Oysters is a must. Here you can check out hiking and canoeing — or you can retire to one of Nick’s famed cottages for a hot toddy in front of the gas stove.

Days 6 - 7

morning

On your return to San Francisco set aside a day to explore the Mission, and head straight to Mission Dolores (3321 16th Street), the city's oldest building erected by the Ohlone people in 1776 under the direction of King Claros of Spain. Head up Guerrero Street to 18th Street where you can enjoy breakfast or morning tea at hipster bakery Tartine — their sopressata and fontina sandwich is legendary.  

Afternoon

Wander around Valencia Street between 18th and 24th streets to get an insight into the hipster art scene where bookshops and art galleries rub shoulders with dive bars and Mexican joints. Visit the Pirate Shop at 826 Valencia Street, Dave Egger's writing centre for children. Or head to Mission Street between 18th and 24th to sample Mexican food and vibrant immigrant culture.  

Evening

Dinner at La Tacqueria followed by drinks at the Make-Out-Room will satisfy the young, while others might want to try Delfina's Pizza and a cup of evening tea at Samovar, a tearoom by Dolores Park. A late-night flick at the Castro Theatre  would top off a most excellent day.