During our time camping in San Rafael this past July, we decided to make a day trip to San Francisco. It was only about a 40-minute drive and it was well worth it. I feel that I got to see quite a few things during one days time.
After we found a reasonably priced parking spot via Spot Hero, we decided to head to Chinatown to find some lunch.
While we were looking at menus in the various restaurant windows, a lady from one establishment came out and basically invited us in. We felt rude to say no, plus we were starving, so we just went with it.
It turned out that going inside was a great decision! We got some great Chinese food and had a great experience.
After we ate, we walked down to the Port of San Francisco. Our original plan was to get some vegan ice cream at a shop there that we found online. Unfortunately, they no longer served vegan ice cream. That was okay though, it was still nice to walk around and explore more of the city.
Public toilet in the middle of town
After walking around, and up and down, the many hilly streets, we decided to get our car and explore a couple of places that were not so easy to reach by foot.
You know the sidewalks are steep when they have stairs
Our next stop was the Painted Ladies. I have always wanted to see them in person, and parking in front of them was surprisingly easy!
Afterwards, we wanted to see Lombard Street a.k.a. “the crookedest street in the world.” I thought our GPS may just take us to the bottom so we could watch the cars slowly descend. Our GPS had other plans, because we ended up going down the street ourselves.
As we approached the 5-mile per hour street sign, I figured that it was about to get interesting.
Every turn was basically a stop in the road, so there was no going even the designated 5mph. The houses and shrubbery around the street are all very beautiful, and someone even parked their Porsche in a spot on the street that I am assuming lives in one of these houses.
Our last stop of the day was the Golden Gate Bridge. We had visited it once before, but not quite like this. We even visited one of the beaches that is almost underneath the start of the bridge.
It is quite a lovely area, and there are many parks and beaches to explore around the bridge.
Have you visited San Francisco? What was your favorite thing to see or do?
-Haley
Thanks for such a fun and colorful guide to your day out! Atfter reading it I’d love to go back to San Fran one day 🙂
Thanks so much for reading! I’ve only been twice so far, and I’m sure there’s so much more to see! 🙂
Can’t wait for the next installment then! 😀
Yes, great stops for a one day visit to the city. Where are you visiting from?
I was visiting from Knoxville, TN! I had been to San Francisco once before, also only for a day. I definitely need to extend my visit next time! 🙂
Visited San Francisco 2 times and loves it. Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Park is highly recommended.
I most definitely need to go to Alcatraz next time! I’ve only seen it from across the water, I’m sure it’s so interesting to see up close!
Great overview of my hometown! I love San Francisco and it’s many fun spots. If you return I recommend going on a saga for the fortune cookie factory in China Town! And taking a stroll through Hayes Valley Aka “Lower Haight”. Also if you didn’t get a chance to do so next time you’re in San Rafael hit up Sol Food your stomach will thank you!!!
Thanks so much for your comment! I do plan on returning someday, so I will most definitely keep all of this in mind! 🙂
I want to go there so badly!! <3
https://danielasoriano.com/
I haven’t set foot in San Francisco in over 5 years. I’m due to return, thanks to your pictures. 😅
Thanks for reading! 🙂
how was parking?!?!… never been to san fran and will b there this weekend! do u know where exactly you were when visiting the bridge looks like an awesome view!
For parking in the city, I highly recommend getting the SpotHero app. You’ll see plenty of expensive parking, but with this app we were able to get it for $15! If you visit the Painted Ladies or Lombard Street, we had no issues getting free parking spots right by these areas. The view we had of the bridge was from Moore Road Pier. You could also visit Marshall Beach for a similar view! I hope you have an awesome visit!! 🙂
Omg thanks for the app idea! Thanks for the tips!
I’m really glad I could help! 🙂
I spent a lovely 2 weeks at the Presidio back in the ’70’s as a college student attending an Army sponsored summer practicum. Unforgettable.
Been to San Francisco, so it was nice to read this 🙂
Thanks for checking it out!! 🙂
The Haight Street, Ghirardelli Square (being a chocoholic) and a ride on a Street Car…my fave moments in SF! That spot almost below the Bridge in your blog looks very interesting 🙂
If you ever go back you should check out Alcatraz!
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’d totally forgotten about Lombard Street! Thanks for including it so now I can’t forget to check it out when I’m there on a day trip in March 😀
The first time I went I didn’t even think of it! I hope you have an awesome time 😊❤️
Lovely pictures, you seem to have had a great day! I got the chance to visit San Francisco for five days just a month ago. Im from Sweden so its quite the long trip. Loved every minute of it, but dipping my feet in the ocean on a beach overlooked by the golden gate bridge was my favourite moment. 🙂
Oh I’m glad that you enjoyed it! San Francisco is definitely a beautiful and wonderful place. I’ve always wanted to visit Sweden, so hopefully I can within the next year or so! 🙂
I hope you get to visit Sweden, its very different from the states and actually also from the rest of Europe. Scandinavia really is its own thing. 🙂 Let me know if you need any destination tips.
Thanks so much! I’ll let you know for sure! 🙂