San Francisco is the ideal place for a day trip or a weekend getaway from San Rafael. A short 20 minutes’ drive over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, or a short bus ride on the Golden Gate Transit and you will be at the City by the Bay before you know it.
On a fine day, views of the majestic Pacific and the Marin Headlands are nothing short of spectacular, and it would be ideal for a walk down Lombard Street’s crooked switchback turns, or to admire the colorful Painted Ladies, the famous row of Victorian houses on Alamo Square. Strolling through San Francisco’s Chinatown is an experience you should not miss. With its unique ambience, wonderful shopping opportunities and delicious cuisine, it is a delight to visit anytime. Shop at Chinatown Kite Shop, or visit trendy and unusual boutiques like Old Shanghai.
If you appreciate fine wines and the best in dining, San Francisco has much to offer. Its proximity to Napa Valley, home of world-renowned fine California wines, ensures that the best of the vineyards is on your table. San Francisco’s award-winning restaurants serve some of the finest meals you could get anywhere. A popular choice is seafood, as San Francisco restaurants have access to the freshest catch every day. Scoma’s on Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the top sea food restaurants of the city. All its food is freshly caught from the bay, with no preservatives or MSG. Ask for Scoma’s crab cakes.
For a superb vegetarian meal, made with ingredients sourced from sustainable and wholly organic gardens, go to Green’s at Fort Mason, San Francisco. Green’s has been chosen the top vegetarian restaurant in the country. Dining at Green’s, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands.
Visiting San Francisco will be all better for a little upscale shopping! Union Square is the high point of shopping in San Francisco, with shops such as Saks, Emporio Armani, Nieman Marcus, Diesel and the Virgin Megastore. The Italian-inspired Mission District is full of charming European boutiques. You will enjoy browsing through the many art galleries in Hayes Valley. Another great shopping venue is Westfield Center at Market Street.
San Francisco’s historic Castro Theater has been entertaining the city for 90 years. You will enjoy its unusual sing-along’s to movies like “The Wizard of Oz”. The Castro Theater hosts the San Francisco International Film Festival every year in spring. The unique diversity of the neighborhood can be enjoyed by taking a walk through the Castro.
Other great places to wander through are the Mission and Noe Valley. For a full tourist experience go to Fisherman’s Wharf. Shop for gifts, see the street vendors and drink a cup of Irish coffee. There are several must go-to restaurants for Irish coffee and depending on who you speak to, you can have the best cup in the Buena Vista Café or O’Neill’s Irish Pub.
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and happening cities in the world, and you can take advantage of your proximity in San Rafael, to soak in as much as possible of San Francisco’s unique character.