B and I’s first trip together was to San Francisco. It was my first summer as a teacher (aka first summer break in years!!) and I got an email that said tickets to San Francisco were cheap. So I decided to go, but couldn’t find anyone to come with me. I asked B if he would like to go and accidentally guilted him into the trip by saying “If you don’t go, I’ll probably just go by myself.” Oops. However, we had a blast and it’s a great memory we look back on together. While there, we did all the tourist stuff, so I want to share what I feel are the must-dos in San Francisco!
1. Golden Gate Bridge
I feel like this sight is a given – you have to go and see the Golden Gate in all of its glory. We got to ride on it and then see if from the bay as well. Super awesome!
2. Chinatown
Chinatown is somewhere that if you go once, you’re usually covered if you return to that city. It was so fun to see the souvenir shops and all the little knick-knacks that were throughout.
3. Aquarium of the Bay
This aquarium is one-of-a-kind and it’s amazing! If there’s any aquarium you go to when traveling, I highly recommend this one!
4. Little Italy
We got super lucky with our hotel being on the edge of Chinatown and Little Italy, so it was easy for us to go to both of those spots. I will tell you that you have to go through Little Italy at least once and go into any little cafe because the food is amazing. When you go, bring me a cannoli please!
5. Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is such a fun area – there is so much! We dedicated a full day to the piers and Fisherman’s Wharf and, to be honest, we could have spent more time here. There’s so many shops, attractions, and good food!
6. Madame Tussaud’s in San Francisco
This was one of the attractions on Fisherman’s Wharf that is just so much fun! B and I had so much fun at this wax museum, but if you’ve already gone to one, you may get bored.
7. Ripley’s Believe It or Not in San Francisco
This is another attraction down on Fisherman’s Wharf that is super interesting. If you like to learn about weird or unknown things, this is the place for you!
8. Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour through San Francisco
We always do a Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour no matter where we go. They are the best! It’s always a great day 1 activity so you can learn about the city, see lots of sights, figure out what you want to do, and, in our case, rest up from flying out so early.
9. Coit Tower
For someone that doesn’t like heights, I went just to see and not look out the windows. However, the view even from the base of the tower was gorgeous – seeing the city, the bay, and the hills.
10. Cable Car Museum
This museum is one of the coolest because you can see the cable car machinery working and running in real time! You also learn about the history, but overlooking the cables literally pulling the cars – so cool.
11. Escape from the Rock
This is a boat tour that goes under the Golden Gate (hello pictures!), around Alcatraz Island a couple times, and near the Bay Bridge – basically the Golden Gate’s big brother. We got so lucky with a gorgeous day on our tour, but even if you don’t, you learn so much about the Bay Area.
12. Hang Ah Tea Room
Okay. This restaurant. I still dream about the food. I don’t even remember what I ate cause I ate tons and it was all delicious! It was a funny story cause B wanted to go to this place because he had remembered how good food in Chinatown was when he was a kid. His family had gone down and someone basically dragged them into their restaurant. THIS IS THE PLACE. B didn’t even know until he walked in! But seriously, eat here, at least once!