Eat
Mustards, Tra Vigne, Bouchon and The French Laundry: (Napa Valley) All are necessary stops if you are going to the Napa Valley.
Bix: Suave, classy, jazz trio on weekends, must go for a drink, the scene is uber cool, mos def a unique SF experience. Driving up to the restaurant through an alley alone has a super awesome vibe.
Momo’s: Located by the ballpark. Great spot to hit up before or after the ballgame.
Slanted Door: A SF stalwart. Exceptional atmosphere and great Asian fusion at the ferry building.
Cafe Claude: A little bit of Paris in California. The perfect SF lunch in Union Square. Some nice outdoor seating as well.
Flour + Water: Located in the hipster Mission. Expect to wait a long time. The pizza and pasta is exceptional.
A16: Wine bar of the moment in the Marina.
Park Tavern: An evening in North Beach would be complete with dinner at this trendy and busy restaurant.
Quince: Looking for a really nice evening to experience the San Francisco food scene? This is your spot. They have two sections to the restaurant: Dining Room and Salon. I prefer the casual yet suave Salon side.
Wayfare Tavern: This place really feels like a tavern. Critically acclaimed located in the heart of SF.
State Bird Provisions: It’s a must go. You know how people talk about "that" SF dining experience. Well this is it. Best Restaurant USA 2014 - Bon Appetite magazine.
NOPA: On every list of top places to visit – still very popular. Like very popular. Busy bar - I like sitting at the communal bar.
Frances: I absolutely love this place – must go if you’re a foodie. Located in the Castro but well worth the visit and the effort on getting a reso.
The Progress: Sister restaurant of State Bird Provision. Located on Fillmore. Love this place. I’d eat at the bar – they have a separate menu which is excellent.
Foreign Cinema: A dining experience like no other. Go!!
Commonwealth: Super spot. This is your San Francisco farm to table experience.
AL’s Place: Best restaurant SF 2015 by Bon Appettie magazine. Quaint spot in the Mission. Best fries EVAH!
Delarosa: Outstanding pizza at this very hip neighbourhood spot. Highly recommended.
Coqueta: There are not too many restaurants on the waterfront that are worthy, but that does not apply to this place with the best spanish tapas.
Che Fico: Every city has that sparkling new hot spot that patrons flocks to. No disappointment here - expect to be impressed at the Ital-Cali inspired resto. Currently my "if I had one night in SF' spot.
Nari: San Francisco's best Thai restaurant. Only people in the know - know about this hot spot.
Cotogna: Some of San Francisco's best italian. The pizza alone is worthth the visit to this buzzy and vibrant place.
Brunch:
MyMy Cafe: Inconspicuous but excellent. Located on Nob Hill.
Curbside Café: Pacific Heights brunch? This is your place.
Ferry Building: For me, its a coffee and a waffle from Blue Bottle.
Tartine Manufactory: In the Mission, This place is foodie central. So San Francisco, So good.
Foreign Cinema: Recommended as an experience for dinner. The same can be said for brunch. They take reservations...that alone is huge!
Bar Agricole: Looking for a cool, hip place in the SOMA neighborhood?
Sweet Maple: Pacific Heights brunch with the usual huge line. That means its good.
The Mill: I love this spot. Coffee, pastries and lots more. This is not your average place. It's so SF.
Stay
Four Seasons: First class.
St. Regis: You can never go wrong.
JW Marriott: Union Square luxury.
Campton Place: A Taj hotel. Top notch location.
Fairmont: On Nob Hill - spectacular views. I love staying here for the location.
Hotel Vintage Court: Nestled in between Nob Hill and Union Square. An intimate hotel synthesis of San Francisco style and Wine Country charm.
The Proper: My choice to stay in San Francisco.
1 Hotel: You can NEVER go wrong staying at a 1 Hotel property. No different when it comes to the San Francisco location.
Napa
L’Auberge D’Soleil: Napa Valley….the best!.
Hotel Healdsburg: Need a place in Sonoma? This is your boutique hotel.
Bardessono Hotel: Yountville - star of a property.
Palo Alto/Stanford
Rosewood Sandhill: Pristine property of the ever classy Rosewood family.
Four Seasons: Yup...there is one here as well.
drink
District: Great wine bar in SOMA – cool place, nice crowd, good vibe.
Tipsy Pig: Gastropub in the Marina – packed and busy bar.
Balboa Cafe: A part of the Bermuda Triangle, on Greenwich and Fillmore. The perfect neighborhood watering hole.
1015 Folsom: A rare and popular dancing place in SOMA.
Black Cat: Sultry live jazz and cocktails.
Bourbon & Branch: Best Speakeasy in San Francisco.Enjoy!
Charmaine's: At the Proper Hotel. Must go rooftop lounge
HANG
San Francisco Center – also called Westfield Mall: Excellent mall: Bloomy's and Nordstrom are the main tenants.
Union Square: Next to the Magnificent Mile in Chicago this is one of the best concentrated areas of shopping in the country. Major boutiques, department stores and shops all in one spot
Union Street: in the “Cow Hollow” between Gough and Fillmore...you must go. Great neighborhood shopping
Stanford Center: Located at Stanford University. One of my favourite malls. Its outdoor and cool! All around great vibe to just hang out here on a nice afternoon.
Ferry Ride: The best vistas of the San Francisco skyline are from being on the bay and best way to do that is take the ferry. You can take it to Larkspur, Sausalito or even to Alcatraz.
Ferry Building: Located at the Embarcadero. If you only have one day to visit – this is the place to go. Blue Bottle Coffee can be found here along with many cafes and stores. Great views of the Bay Bridge.
Alcatraz: Take the tour! It's pretty awesome. I recommend the sunset sailing to Alcatraz.
Marin Country Mart: Absolutely love this place. I recommend taking the ferry to Larkspur and browse the super cool market. Great place to browse, hang and eat. Perfect for lunch. A great way to spend your afternoon.
Walk:
Pacific Heights: Take a cab to Post and Fillmore. Walk up Fillmore Street and down to Union Street. Walk past cafes, boutiques and excellent views.
Union Street: Known as the heart of the Marina. You can link it to the Fillmore walk or you can take the trolley from Union Square to Lombard Street (crooked street) and walk to Union down the hill.
Berkeley: Take the Bart to the University of California and walk the campus and Telegraph Ave.
Run:
Crissy Field: In the Marina/Presidio with awesome views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge: Why not run over it? Its super cool...literally! It can be very windy and chilly up there!
Embarcadero: I usually start at my hotel in Nob Hill or Union Square. Head along Market Street to the Ferry Building and turn left and go along the water past Fisherman's Wharf and back.
Lululemon Union Square: They have a weekly run club that is great to join. Great people, great routes. I think it's on Thursday. The Cow Hollow location runs on Monday nights.
Run Clubs in SF: Wanting to go run with a group of locals? Best way to not only meet some cool people, but a great way to see the city through the eyes of a local.