How to spend a day in San Francisco

Brandy Melville striped tee (similar), Atmos & Here denim jacket, Acne Studios canada scarf, Dr Denim skinny jeans

San Francisco is the type of city that you really need to discover, to truly fall in love. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of home; and I mean home home. The windy little city of Wellington, whose residents are its most loyal and staunch supporters, cheerleaders, and fans.

For me, it wasn’t until my second trip that I discovered the magic of the Bay, and while our time in the city was short, it was definitely sweet. So, with that in mind, I wanted to share how I’d spend a day in San Francisco…

Breakfast at Plow
I typically like to start my day with a simple bowl of steel cut oats – the breakfast of champions! – but breakfast or an early brunch at Plow (1299 18th St, San Francisco CA 94107) is definitely excuse enough to mix things up a little. Their menu is simple, organic and locally sourced, and despite the queues (the wait for a table can often be up to an hour), it’s definitely well worth the wait.

Spend the morning browsing the racks of the Everlane Fit Studio
San Francisco is home to one of my favourite labels, Everlane and I was lucky enough to drop by their light-filled offices while I was in the Bay area, ahead of the launch of their new Fit Studio. If you’re the type that likes to try before you buy, it’s worth dropping in and having a browse through the racks before pulling the trigger on those pieces you’ve been eying up; shopping online can be a tricky affair as it is, without having to question which size to get! If you can only nip away with one piece, I’d highly recommend investing in one of their cashmere sweaters, without a doubt a firm favourite of mine, and unlike cheaper (and sometimes pricier) alternatives, it’s really gone the distance.

Grab lunch at a Tacqueria in the Mission District
The heart of the Mission District is conveniently located about two blocks away – give or take – from Everlane HQ, making it the perfect spot to rest your feet after spending a couple hours browsing through Everlane’s complete catalogue.

La Tacqueria (2889 Mission St, San Francisco CA 94110) comes highly recommended for some authentic Mexican fare. It’s definitely a no frills restaurant (but let’s be real, all the truly authentic spots typically are!) and if you drop in, be sure to order one of their famed traditional style, rice-free burritos.

If you’re feeling like something a little lighter, or completely meat – and dairy – free, Gracias Madre (2211 Mission St, San Francisco CA 94110) is an excellent option (they also have an LA outpost which is excellent). Grab one of their eggplant tacos and a bowl of their homemade tortilla chips with guac, and be sure to add some of their home made salsas. If memory serves me correctly, their red pepper salsa has a nice amount of kick to it!

Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
This is an absolute must if you’re in San Fran, and it’s such a rewarding experience, especially on a particularly foggy morning. Personally, I’d recommend walking (it’s much easier if the bikes only path has been closed off) as it allows you to really take in the scope of the bridge, and the sweeping views of San Francisco, submerged in thick fog. For a truly spectacular view, take the tunnel which tucks under the base of the bridge, and trek up the mountain ahead – the hike is a lot shorter than it looks, and the payoff is incredible. Keep in mind that if you do decide to walk, it’ll take you a good three hours to get across the bridge and back, and be sure to have a thick scarf and a warm jacket as the winds can kick up around the Bay.

Stop by the Painted Ladies…
And have yourself a Full House moment… It’s quite possibly one of the most touristy things that you can do in San Fran, but one of the only ones that will fill you with a huge sense of nostalgia. Because everywhere you go…

Having a refreshing drink (and an oyster or two) in the Ferry Building
An afternoon of sightseeing is enough to get my apetite going, and Hog Island (located in the Ferry Building) is the perfect spot to kick off your evening with a glass of bubbly and half a dozen oysters or so. Aside from acting as a terminal for ferries that travel across the bay, it’s also home to an indoor marketplace, which is well worth browsing. If you’re pressed for time, I’d highly recommend taking five minutes to have a gander round Heath Ceramics which is overflowing with incredibly beautiful servingware and vases.

End your day with a meal at Twenty Five Lusk
With brick walls and exposed beams, Twenty Five Lusk (25 Lusk St, San Francisco CA 94107), located in an old brick warehouse is like a little slice of New York in San Francisco. The space has a great ambience, and with an extensive cocktail list you’re bound to find a drink (or few) to unwind after a day spent exploring the city.

A few parting thoughts
San Francisco can get extremely chilly, even during the summertime, so be sure to bring something warm to wear with you. As the fog does burn off over the course of the day, you’ll find it’ll heat up in the mid-afternoon, so having layers that you can take off definitely helps.

Cab drivers might not necessarily know where it is that you want to go, so do yourself a favour and book an Uber instead (they have GPS!). If you do find yourself in a cab, be prepped in advance with which cross streets you need to be dropped off at.

Even if it isn’t your thing, the Hop On Hop Off buses are a great way to get to all the key areas of the city. Most buses depart around Fisherman’s Wharf, and you can pick up a ticket on the day if needed.

If visiting Alcatraz is an absolute must for you, then do be sure to book in advance. While you can try your luck on the day, there are limited places on the tours and these often do sell out so if this is do or die for you, it’s best to get in early.

Lastly, one of the things I found is that eating out in San Fran tends to be a lot more expensive than say… New York or L.A. I’d suggest adding $50USD or so to your daily budget just to cover any additional expenses so that you don’t find yourself blowing your budget!