I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to visit San Francisco because, sadly, I had never been to California. It’s funny how that works…you dream of traveling the world and forget how wonderful your own country is.
As I always do, I researched the city to see what I must do and was fascinated by the number of things I could get up to. As cities go, San Francisco is relatively small at just 49 square miles. However, it is packed to the brim with big city things to do.
You can literally spend weeks in the city and still not see everything it has to offer. Here are some of my favorite things to do:
Things You Must Do When Visiting San Francisco
Walk Over The Bridge
I love hiking and one of the activities on my bucket list is walking over bridges. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most photographed in the world because it spans 1.7 miles over stunning landscape views.
The pedestrian walkway allows for walking and biking. It’s the perfect photo op with views of the city and Alcatraz.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a beautiful walk and not at all hard...although loud as more than 120,000 drive across the bridge every day! Click To Tweet
Watch The Sea Lions
Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, although touristy, is another must see when you’re in San Francisco. It’s one of the city’s most popular attractions and hosts a plethora of things to do.
One of my favorite attractions is watching the resident sea lions who have decided that the floating piers are THE place to hang out and sunbathe. They get pretty silly and, I swear, they know they’re being watched!
When you’ve gotten your fill of the sea lions walk a short distance to the San Francisco Dungeon and Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, historic Boudin Bakery, and an unending amount places to eat, including famous hot dog vendors selling delicious snap dogs.
Take A Walking Food Tour
One of my favorite things to do is try new food. I’m definitely a foodie and I’m always looking for the best places to eat in every city I visit.
In San Francisco food is definitely a central focus. To find the best places, join one of the many walking food tours that are offered throughout the city.
I chose Local Tastes of the City Tours. I love their staff and my tour guide was awesome! She was knowledgeable and brought us to some fantastic eateries. Needless to say, I was thoroughly stuffed when the tour came to an end!
Check out some highlight photos from my San Francisco trip here.
Take In A Dinner Show
If you’re adventurous like me you definitely have to go to AsiaSF. This restaurant/dinner show is one of the most enjoyable I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. From the gorgeous transgender performers to the servers everyone is full of joy, fun, and work hard to make your experience one to remember.
The music is fantastic and the vibe makes visitors want to hop up and join in the fun. During my visit, there was a group of women who were there for a bachelorette party and some that were celebrating anniversaries. I can’t think of a better way or a better bunch of people to spend a special occasion with.
It’s the people who make the difference during an experience and the management and staff of AsiaSF are among the best you’ll find.
I loved every second of my time there and the Cal-Asia cuisine was excellent; which often isn’t the case at dinner shows. Clearly, AsiaSF is the exception to the rule. It’s clear that the owners make sure that every detail is perfect to ensure patrons have a wonderful dining and show experience.
AsiaSF is a dinner show NOT to be missed when you visit San Francisco. Let the lovely ladies show you the time of your life! @officialasiasf #sanfrancisco Click To Tweet
Indulge In Fine Dining
I love trying all types cuisine and San Francisco boasts thousands of restaurants of all kinds. One of my favorites was Jeanne d’Arc Restaurant.
Located inside the iconic Cornell Hotel, which was originally built in 1910, the hidden gem is lavishly decorated with luxury in mind. I was told that the decor is designed to commemorate the life of France’s legendary heroine, Joan of Arc.
Adorned with tapestries, stained glass and antiques the atmosphere lends itself to old-world opulence. You definitely are treated like royalty as the staff and table servers dote on you hand and foot during your meal.
I indulged in escargot, a beautiful lobster bisque, and fresh mussels. The chef prepared everything to perfection and the presentation was beautiful.
Jeanne d’Arc Restaurant has a fantastic wine list as well and I enjoyed a delicious local Cabernet Sauvignon.
I highly recommend this restaurant for a special romantic occasion with a partner, a girl’s dinner or lunch or just a treat for yourself!
Take A Wine Tour
No trip to San Francisco is complete without taking a drive or tour bus to wine country. Napa Valley is home to numerous vineyards and wineries.
I chose Extranomical Tours and did a Redwoods and Wine Country Tour.
We started our tour by visiting the amazing redwood forest of Muir Woods. The federally protected forest is home to some of America’s oldest redwood trees some of which stand as tall as 379 feet.
The deeper you go into the woods the more the cooler, cleaner, and naturally fragrant the air is. Nowhere else can you feel so connected and in sync with nature. It was definitely an experience that I cherish.
After our hour walk through the woods, we climbed back on the bus and ventured to our first winery, Mayo Family Winery where we enjoyed a tour of the facility and then samples of their most popular reds, whites, and sparkling wines.
After getting a little tipsy enjoying the local productions it was time for lunch and I enjoyed a meal and wine pairing at a wonderful restaurant at Sonoma Plaza.
The meal was presented and expertly match with the best wines according to the dish selected. From pasta to meats there was plenty of food, desert, and wines for everyone and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
All in all, it was a wonderful excursion and one I’d recommend. Be sure to book your trip early as Extranomical Tours books fast.
Pamper Yourself With A Massage
If you know me you know I love a good spa treatment. There’s nothing better to relax you after a day of sightseeing than a good massage.
I’d heard that Equinox Spa Market Street was the place to go so I made an appointment and headed over to check them out.
Situated inside Equinox gym the spa offers everything you might need to rejuvenate. With optimal health at the center of their services, the massage menu has something for everyone.
The moment I entered the spa I was treated like royalty. I was brought to a serene room to fill out the mandatory documentation where I enjoyed a nice hot tea. After the appropriate papers were filled out I was lead to the changing area where everything I needed was waiting for me.
After undressing and putting on a wonderfully plush robe, I was lead to the treatment room. It was warm and inviting and the aroma relaxing.
My therapist was exceptional and I quickly drifted into a relaxed state while she expertly loosened and worked out the kinks from my body.
I enjoyed a CAUDALIE DIVINE BODY TREATMENT and it was a wonderfully relaxing experience. With highly trained masseurs, exceptional facilities, beautiful and inviting therapy rooms Equinox is a fantastic spa to stop in whether you're a local or, like me, traveling through. @Equinox Click To Tweet
As with any experience, it’s the people you encounter that make all the difference in the world.
Every member of the staff at Equinox has the best interest of each visitor at heart. I felt genuinely cared for and that my needs were happily attended to. With larger spas the individual can get lost in the crowd but Equinox goes above and beyond for everyone who walks through their doors.
If an exceptional spa experience is what you’re looking for when you visit San Francisco this is the place to go. If you book an appointment ask for Bradley Jackson, he’ll take wonderful care of you!
You could spend a month in San Francisco and still not see everything it has to offer. It’s a beautiful city with an eclectic and liberal people who are pretty accepting of almost anything which makes visiting San Francisco a unique city to enjoy.
I enjoyed my two weeks there and left wondering why I hadn’t visited sooner!
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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