San Francisco is truly an awe-inspiring city. From it's stunning landscapes to it's funky street art and coffee shops, San Francisco has so much to offer. Though, it may be pricey, there are tons of budget friendly options in this grand city.
DO:
Twin Peaks
Known to be one of the highest points in San Francisco, Twin Peaks has a stunning panoramic view of the entire city. Located a little ways from the main sights, this viewpoint is also highly underrated but totally worth the trek.
Castro District
One of the first gay neighborhoods the US, The Castro is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. I also stumbled upon Clarion Allen, an alley decked out in interesting street art and murals. I highly recommend spending time in this area to get a feel of how the locals live.
Dolores Park
LOVED this park. The laid back vibes here gave me a chance to slow down from the sightseeing and take it all in. I sat on the lawn along with hundreds of other people just relaxing and enjoying the day. The park is also home to one of the most beautiful views of the city. Perfect photo-op.
Alcatraz Cruises Boat Tour
Tickets to tour the infamous Alcatraz Prison sell out quickly. Keep in mind that tickets should be purchased at least a month in advance. A good alternative is to purchase Alcatraz Cruise tickets, a boat tour that circles around the prison and the Golden Gate bridge.
Painted Ladies
As a huge fan of the show Full House growing up, this sight was a must see for me! This famous row of houses sits on the edge of Alamo Square Park, another park with great city views and it even makes for a great picnic-worthy spot if you're trying to stay on a budget!
EAT:
Tartine
This popular bakery is known to have lines wrapped around the block. Blogger friend and San Francisco local, Jessica of Bon Traveler scooped me up from the airport and took me straight here and boy, was I a happy camper. We each opted for the croque monsieur and a warm bread pudding with seasonal berries to balance the savory with sweet. Hands down, the best bread pudding I've ever tasted.
Klyde Wine Bar
We had dinner at Klyde Wine Bar located in the Hotel G, where we stayed for a night. The menu includes a selection of small plates, salads, burgers, pasta and American classic mains, not to mention tons of local and international wines.
Loved the cozy atmosphere of this wine bar. The window seat is a great spot if you're alone and want to people watch.
A feast indeed! Everything from steamed clams, shishito peppers, truffle fries, to shrimp wrapped in bacon paired with Rosé and prosecco to satisfy our taste buds. Warning: the truffle fries are addicting!
DRINK:
Two words: Wrecking Ball.
An intimate little coffee shop with the most Instagram-worthy wallpaper I ever did see. I would consider this place a hidden gem in San Fran, worth the visit if you're a fan of coffee shops!
SLEEP:
Hotel G San Francisco
Hotel G is right in the heart of San Francisco, just steps away from Union Square. I'm completely in love with their minimalistic, retro modern design. Although fairly new, the boutique hotel has done an excellent job of maintaining the original design of the vintage building by keeping the original cement and wooden flooring throughout the hallways.
Epic staircase view from the 12th floor.
The rooms are roomy and the design is a combination of industrial and modern. The giant bed was dreamy and so comfy, I had a hard time waking up the next morning! If you're into the minimalistic, hipster vibe, this awesome boutique hotel is perfect for you.
Nastasia is the founder of Dame Traveler and a lover of travel, photography, and life. 15 countries later, her passion for travel led her to create a sizable community of female travelers. Whether sipping on chai in Istanbul or volunteering abroad in South Africa, Nastasia continues to find and share the beauty of this world, thus inspiring people to change the way they see and experience travel.