Postcards from San Francisco

For some reason unknown to myself, I had yet to visit San Francisco prior to December. Maybe it was the cross country flight I would have had to take from New York. Maybe it was the fact that I would have lost 3 hours returning the NYC. I’m still not sure why it took me 27 years to finally visit one of the biggest cities in the U.S. But better late than never right? When I discovered that my pto days at my new job didn’t roll over into the new year, I quickly did some research on where to go for a 4 day weekend where I wouldn’t have to pay exorbitant flight prices or waste too much time in transit. I’ve come to realize that Houston is not the greatest city when it comes to traveling efficiently with your time as the direct flights are limited. But when my sorority little sister suddenly messaged me, I took it as a sign to gather a group of sorority sisters, go see her, and cross off San Francisco off my travel bucket list. I know that 4 days is barely enough to scratch the surface of SF, but I feel like I’ve made a pretty good dent in the city. It goes without saying that I’ll have to revisit the city to see more though!

Day 1

Alcatraz

Highly recommend if you love history and taking informative tours! The (very expensive) ticket includes your ferry ride to the prison as well as an audio tour of the facilities. I recommend spending at least 2 hours here because there is a lot to see and a lot to learn.

Ferry Building Marketplace

I love eating at places that have tons of food stalls and this ferry departure building had exactly that. There are stands for pho, grilled cheese sandwiches, empanadas, cheesecake, and so much more. Its a 20 min walk from Pier 33 where the Alcatraz ferry departs from and returns to. There aren’t too many sitting areas so be prepared to eat while standing at a high top table.

Golden Gate Bridge

No trip to SF is complete without visiting this beautiful engineering feat! There’s something so magical about the big red bridge peeking through the clouds (and there will always be clouds in SF). Take a Lyft or bus to the Golden Gate Visitor Center for the best viewing points.

305 Fitness

305 was my favorite workout studio in New York so when I remembered about the San Francisco popup location I knew I had stop by on my vacation. The SF location is in the basement of a really cool coworking space called The Assembly and its located in an adorable blue house. Classes are $20 (a much lower fee than NYC’s $34 per class) and have the same energetic vibe that I love!

Marufuku Ramen

Be prepared to wait. That’s the biggest advice I can give for this ramen spot located inside a mall in Japantown. We waited a total of 2 hours for a bowl of their creamy pork broth ramen… Was it worth it? I’m not really sure- I was too hungry to properly enjoy slurping the noodles. My friends and I downed our bowls in less than 30 minutes.

Day 2- Napa Valley

Domaine Carneros

Known for its sparkling wine, this gorgeous chateau is located on a hill surrounded by wide open green spaces and vineyards. Even if you don’t plan to join in on the seated tasting (which costs about $35), its still a fun place to wander around and take pictures. Guests are even allowed to stay overnight here in one of their hotel suites!

RH Restaurant

I’d always wanted to try the famous RH crystal dome restaurant in New York, but never had the chance. But my dreams were fulfilled in Napa! The food is great, but the aesthetics are even better. Make sure to make a reservation because tables fill up quickly.

Castello di Amorosa

If you’re looking for delicious sweet light wines, I highly suggest Castello di Amorosa. They have a variety of white, red, and dessert wines available for a $30 tasting and includes the crowd favorite, La Fantasia wine. I ended buying a bottle of wine here and taking it with me back to Texas because it was just too irresistible. Wandering around the castle grounds is equally amazing- there’s even a moat leading to the entrance.

Day 3

El Techo

Mexican food on a breezy rooftop with beautiful views? El Techo has all those things, plus the food is good.

Stonemill Matcha

A 7 minute walk from El Techo, Stonemill Matcha is the perfect after brunch cafe filled with sunshine and delicious matcha lattes. You’ll be able to recognize this place in an instant with its line snaking out of the entrance. This place is always crowded, but its easy to understand why- the matcha themed pastries and drinks are addicting.

Mission Dolores Park

Personally, I felt like this park perfectly embodied what I thought about San Francisco. Its surrounded by tons of townhomes and has tons of green grass filled with dogs roaming around and people picnicking and skateboarding. Everyone appeared so laid back and relaxed- very different from the fast paced busy vibe of New York City. Its the perfect place to watch the sunset and people watch.

Day 4

Tartine Manufactory

Another great food find. Tartine Manufactory is a glass warehouse that smells of freshly baked bread and has the best breakfast pastries. There’s even an adorable market and tile manufacturer in the back!

Painted Ladies

A must see if you grew up watching and loving Full House!

Fisherman’s Wharf

The best place to be on a sunny San Francisco day. There’s a lot to see and eat and its enjoyable to simply walk along the waters.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

I paid 50 cents to snap this photo and shelled over $15 for flavored fortune cookies, but it was worth it to support a Chinese family’s business and take home delicious treats to my family. The Factory is located in an alley in Chinatown so it can be a bit hard to locate, but just follow the smell of freshly made cookies!

Boba Guys

I’ve drank bubble tea from Boba Guys several times in New York so I wasn’t particularly wanting to stop at an outlet in SF, but when I coincidentally passed by on my way to the Wharf I decided to just step in and check it out. Best decision ever! I guess there’s some truth when people say that the original is always better because the SF Boba Guys is amazing. The menu is bigger and there are food options. Its another one of those places where a line can form though so be sure to stop by early.

One of the biggest domestic travel debates is New York or San Francisco? Prior to visiting, I’d heard people say that the cities are similar, but at the same time not similar. After visiting, I have to agree! Each city has their own reasons for falling in love with. I still say NYC will forever be my city, but SF definitely gives it a good run for its money. What are your thoughts? Do you prefer New York City or San Francisco?