Gypsy*Guide - San Francisco

When I was 16, we went on a West coast round trip with my family. We started in Phoenix and made our way through San Diego, LA, Vegas, Salt Lake City up to Yellowstone and back to Arizona through the Bryce and Grand Canyons. It was one of the most unbelievable trips, however I'll never forgive ourselves that we did not visit San Francisco. I've been planning to go back ever since, but until I can, I'm living vicariously through Niky's blog La Mia Vita, which has been one of the first blogs I've started to read. She is simply one of the sweetest and cutest girls out there and her daily dose of SF and family love always make my heart swell.

Thank you Gabby for asking me to share about my wonderful city of San Francisco! 

This city has truly captured my heart and true as the saying goes, I think everyone really does leave a little bit of their heart here. 

When to Come/Where to Stay

San Francisco has, what we like to call, Indian Summers. That means actual summer months {June-August) are freezing, cold, rainy and foggy and Fall months (September and October) are warm, sunny and beautiful. No matter when you visit make sure to bring layers and jackets. The fog likes to roll in without warning. 

Try to find hotels in Union Square or Emarcadero. Make sure you read reviews of the hotels though. 

Food/Bars

The Mission District- walk into any taqueria and you will most likely have one of the best burritos of your life.

Pizzeria Delfina- has the most famous and delicious pizza in San Francisco.

Maverick- Best fried chicken in the city.

Tipsy Pig- Gourmet bar food at it's best. Order the macaroni, chicken pot pie or burger with a strawberry fields drink.

Ottimista Enoteca: my favorite wine bar

Bourbon and Branch: Used to be a speakeasy and you still need the password(which is usually 'library') to be let into the bar through a moveable hidden bookshelf

Leopold's: Delicious hearty German food. And you can order beers in boots! huge boots!

Belden Place: an adorable alley near Union Square filled with delicious French restaurants. Sit outside under the umbrellas and twinkling lights and you will believe you're in Europe. 

Site Seeing

Golden Gate Bridge: The bridge is my absolutely favorite thing in the entire city. No matter how many years I've lived here, the sight of it still amazes me. 

Golden Gate Park is beautiful with so many different things to see and do. The de Young Museum, Academy of Science, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Gardens, or just strolling around the park looking for the buffalo. 

Lombard Street: Even though it's not that exciting and most people and especially locals don't understand the tourist appeal, I feel it's one of those things you have to see and drive down just once for the experience and being able to say that you did it. 

Chinatown: Don't spend too much time here. But make sure to stop in a small chinese restaurant on 

Alcatraz: If you visit on a beautiful day the view from Alcatraz is absolutely worth the trip.

Cable Car: No San Francisco trip is complete with =out riding the famous cable car and getting a picture hanging off the side of one!

Ferry Building: Farmer's Market, Blue Bottle Coffee, Cow Girl Creamery, Acme Bread (technically this should be in the food category) 

Shopping:

Union Square: Of course the world famous Union Square with every single high end store you could possibly imagine. It gets crowded on weekends so It's much more enjoyable to shop there on weekdays

Union/Fillmore/ Chestnut Streets: Filled with cute little boutique shops along with cafes and restaurants, these are the areas that I prefer to do my shopping. 

I hope you get to visit this exciting, beautiful, unique city and fall in love with in as much as I have!

Oh how I wish!!! Thanks Nicole Marie for sharing your favorite places with us... I wanna jump on the first plane heading to SF like right now! :)