3 Days in San Francisco: Where we ate, shopped, & explored

So- I totally crashed my latest trip to San Fran. My sister was planning on going with my nephew to visit my cousin for her birthday. She was gonna do her first trip alone with the baby, leaving Dad at home, but I wanted to go to San Francisco… so yea, I crashed.

I wanted some Fall vibes (although it ended up being hot as hell), I wanted to shop & hang w/ my stylish AF cousin, I wanted to eat bomb food, I wanted a little breather, & I ALWAYS love being my sister’s extra set of hands when it comes to my nephew (so obsessed w/ him!).

& that’s just what I got. Lots of eating, lots of shopping, lots of baby loving, & LOTS of walking. Thank goodness for all that walking, or else I probably would have come home 10lbs heavier.

While we were exploring & I was insta-storying, I got some requests to share the spots we hit up for future SF trips. WELL… duh!! I really do pride myself on the research I put into finding the most Instagram-worthy hot spots before any vacay. Not to mention the fact my cousin, our host, is the hippest babe in town & knows all the best kept secrets (which she may or may not be bummed I am sharing with all of you guys today- #OOPS!).

Read on & if you live in SF and think I missed something good, comment below for my next trip!!

Where we Explored

honestly, parks are huge in San Fran. Way more popular than anywhere I’ve been. People just loveeee to chill at parks, especially when the suns out! 

+ Yerba Buena Gardens: The Yerba Buena Garden is two blocks of public park in downtown San Fran & is known as the cultural heart of San Francisco. We ended up here by accident, on the hunt to track down Lemonade (the drink & the restaurant), & decided to eat our poke bowls & sip our frozen strawberry lemonade in the park. There is so many cute food spots on the road to the garden, so it’s only natural to make a little picnic out of it. It’s also right near the Contemporary Jewish Museum which is such a rad building! Plus, to get to Yerba Buena Gardens you have to go through downtown, which is always fun w/ tons of things to check out.

+ Alamo Square park: this is home to the Painted Ladies, i.e. the Full House houses. It’ s a very pretty park, lots of dogs, lots of people, & lots of selfie sticks. Honestly, I have been to San Francisco a bajillion times but this was my first time actually posing in front of the painted ladies & I am glad I did it cause they are too cute. Also, I heard someone yelling at a Golden Retriever & calling it COMET, which just gave me alllll of the Michelle Tanner feels.

+ Haight-Ashbury: I loveeeee Haight-Ashubry. Think Janis Joplin in the 70’s vibes. It can be super touristy, but it’s FUN & if you’re a vintage shopper like me- this is the spot for you. Wasteland is my go-to.

+ Maiden Lane: cutest most instagram-worthy little street ever. It’s two (or three) block of pedestrian only cuteness & seriously looks like it just came from Paris & was plopped in the middle of the city. The name is cute, the string lights are so cute, & the little red bistro tables make for the perfect photo opp (& yes, there is great shopping too).

+ Imperial Spa: my cousin my actually not be stoked on me sharing this one- but sorry cuz, gotta give the people the low down. If you’ve never been to a Korean Spa, a trip to SF is the perfect time to try it cause Imperial Spa is the ultimate zen zone (& like nothing you’ve ever experienced before!).

** the below were on the to-do list, but we ran out of time **

+ MOMA San Francisco: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art I have only ever heard great things about the & I really wanted to go, but sadly we didn’t make it. My cousin says there is currently a sound exhibit (???) at the very top of the museum that is hypnotizing & TRANSCENDENT. Check it out, tell me what I missed :(.

+ Museum of Ice Cream: the line for the Museum of Ice Cream was naturally out the door & around two corners, but if you have time, I suggest waiting because it looked SO cute inside & very very Insta-worthy (I really wanted a photo in the all pink diner).

+ Golden Gate Park (& the buffalo!!): I am actually SO bummed we didn’t make it to Golden Gate park. My Grandfather lived in Sonoma & San Fran all my life, so I have spent a lot of time in this city, but NEVER been to Golden Gate Park. I think because he lived there, we just didn’t do a lot of tourist-y stuff. Ya know? I didn’t get to see it with my own eyes, but rumor has it buffalo roam the park. Sounds mythical to me, but my sister swears she has seen them a bunch of times.

Where we Shopped

pretty much anywhere you go in SF has bomb shopping, but here are a few of my favorite neighborhoods to spend some money in…

+ Fillmore District: this is a cutie little neighborhood is def. worth a visit. It’s quaint, charming, & eclectic with tons of cute little shops. Our favorite was NEST– a home decor boutique FILLED with treasures. Moroccan decor for the home is all the rage these days, & this little shop has all of it (pillows, blankets, you name it!). They also have rad antique jewelry pieces, the best cards, & amazing fur poufs. Also, a new Frame denim store just opened here too & it is SO chic (also, my favorite denim brand ever).

+ Hayes Valley: if I moved to San Francisco, this would be my ideal neighborhood probs. They say it’s for the hipsters, which is cool cause I am kind of a hipster when it comes to neighborhoods. It’s got all the cute cafes, restaurants, & shops- such as Clare V. which is the chicest & most photogenic store (the light is GREAT & the floors are pink.), plus the leather goods are on fleek.

+ Union Square: This the downtown area of San Francisco & if you like more high end shopping, this is where to go! They have EVERY designer store you could imagine & the window displays are reason enough to go. Also- during the holiday season they set up an amazing outdoor ice skating ring straight out of the movies. Also, you’ll find a huge ass & amazing Forever 21 that can’t be missed!

Where we Ate

The food in SF is next level & in three days I couldn’t even scratch the surface, but we did hit up a few pretty delicious spots (also- praise be for all that walking!!)

+ Farm:Table: okay- so Farm:Table in Nob Hill is actually called a “micro cafe”, which is perfectly fitting cause it really is TINY… but 100% worth the small size (& the line out the door). We got the toast of the day which was mascarpone covered in fruit, along with the freshest eggs on a croissant, & pitch BLACK charcoal lattes! Food flatlays are calling your name here.

+ Salt & Straw: It was hottttt in SF when I visited, but even if it was snowing, I wouldn’t be able to resist Salt & Straw. I am still dreaming about the lemon olive oil w/ sea salt cone I inhaled. Located in both Hayes Valley & on Fillmore Street.

+ Rose’s Cafe: this quaint little cafe (which is on the way to downtown/Union Square) is the perfect spot for a little weekday brunch/breakfast… complete with spicy bloody mary’s, rosé, & a smoked salmon breakfast pizza w/ farm fresh eggs + crème fraîche that is actually the most genius brunch item ever.

+ Souvla: if you like Greek food, make your way to Souvla (in Hayes Valley & Divisadero!). I suggest ordering one of their huge salads, cause it is the BEST greek salad I have ever had. Also, the Greek iced tea is delicious too. Oh yea, & the frozen greek yogurts. & of course- the decor is on point & super minimalistic.

+ Jane SF: we went here for lunch in the Fillmore District & I lovedddd this fun little eatery. The decor was on point & the food was clean/delicious. I ordered the smoked salmon platter (as I always do when that’s an option!), but it wasn’t an easy decision w/ the amazing menu options. I also got a turmeric tonic (turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, & lemon!) to help boost immunity after the plane ride.

+ Namu Stonepot: when the temperatures drop & you’re craving something warm, go to Namu Stonepot in the Divisadero & get the Stone Pot or the Ramen. Get there early, or else you’ll be waiting a hot minute (but it will be worth it). Huge servings & one of the best ramen’s I have ever had… which is saying a lot, cause I’ve had a lot of ramen.