the chosen destination…
We debated between Vancouver, Ireland, even Vail. But in the end a road trip to San Francisco and Napa came out on top. Why? Why go somewhere on our honeymoon that both of us have been to before, together? Lots of reasons. We love San Francisco. And although we have been twice before, this time will be different. This time I want to be there as someone who knows the city (even though I don’t). I want to grab a sandwich at the local deli, buy fresh fruit at the farmers market, and stop in little shops that aren’t visible from the Trolley.
I don’t want to have to “see” anything (except maybe a quick stop into Hello Lucky 
) I just want to be there, relax and enjoy the city with my new husband.
And Napa? Well, who can say no to gourmet packed lunches, wine and seeing more of this gorgeous state?! Needless to say, we are super excited. (Did you hear that mom? SUPER excited 
)
But we do need your help. I want to know the best places to go in San Francisco. Whether you live there or just frequent it once in a while, I want to know what you do on your Sunday in the city. Where do you eat on your date nights, what stores do you like to pop into on your lunch break?
For those who have an opinion on Napa, any favorite (or not so favorite) wineries? Museums? Places to go for a quite picnic with a loved one?
Thanks in advance And I also want to thank everyone who gave suggestions for Vancouver from when I posted this. We will go one day, and I will come back to those comments and love them
Both pictures by me. The second one was taken with this camera. Ohhh while I was getting that link I spotted this beauty. Christmas list… this one is for you!
23 comments
I love both places and use to live in SF and Napa is a favorite weekend destination.
In SF I love Tartine near Dolores Park. If you are over there Delfino pizza is super good. Bi Rite Ice cream is also nearby. Mitchell’s ice cream in the mission is still one of my favorite treats. For date nights I love Slanted Door, Zarzuela, Zuni Cafe, and Aziza. I love lazy days in Chrissy Field and Fort Mason. Baker’s Beach has the best view of the golden gate as long as you don’t mind some nudity. If you are there on a Sunday, the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry building is worth checking out. It is pricey but so much fun. If you are OK with crowds the new Academy of Sciences is a lot of fun. Across the street is the De Young. My favorite museum in the city is the Legion of Honor partly because of the amazing view.
In Napa I love Ad Hoc for dinner. BarBerQ is delicious and they have the best fried chicken on Sunday. As far as wineries I always like Frog’s Leap.
Sorry this got so long!
Frogs leap was one of our favorite winery’s. These are my two fav cities. I haven’t been with my husband yet but this may inspire a trip. Hope you guys have a wonderful time!
I love San Francisco. I used to live there.
I totally agree with lazy days in Fort Mason. Its a great place to people watch and just chill out.
The Academy of Sciences building is supposed to be amazing. I haven’t been in it seen they finished building it, but I helped to design parts of it, so I spent loads of time out there when it was only a hole in the ground!
My favorite date night was always Sushi Groove at Hyde and Green for dinner and then ice cream cadicorner at hyde and union. I can’t remember the name of it right now, but its been there forever and is aaahhhmaaahzzzing.
There are lots of fun shops on Union in the marina. Lots of yummy restaurants too.
I can’t believe I can’t remember the names of any of these places.
In north beach, there’s a restaurant on columbus that has black and red awnings. I think its name might start with a c. They have amazing mojitos there.
OH MY GOODNESS! I can’t believe I almost forgot about the House of Nan King. It is hilarious. Its right on the border of China Town and North Beach. If you can get past having to wait in line (literally, a line forms on the street) for a table, and then the table being from the 1950s and the chairs being orange plastic, then you’ll have an amazing meal. The man that runs it is just like the soup nazi from Seinfield! You sit down … chicken pork beef seafood. Those are your choices. Then they bring you really yummy food! Its not a sit around type of place, but its a really fun experience!
http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/917590/
Have a great time!!!!
so exciting. we’ve booked mexico, however if things get worse down there we’re considering napa!! so exciting!
Oh, you must know I love SF when it’s still one of favourite places in the world, DESPITE having my handbag stolen there… Didn’t get to see / do much then, what with running around between embassies/flying to LA to get replacement passport etc. Must go back… You’ll have a great time, enjoy!
I’ve only been to SF for one very short trip but I do remember one meal very fondly! It was fish & chips and Guiness at the Irish Bank. Delicious. My fiance says their draft Guiness is second only to the brewery’s in Ireland.
http://www.theirishbank.com/
Heather !!!! I hear you loud and clear! I think it’s SUPER that you are SUPER excited !
ha ha ha – you made me laugh this morning, that’s a good thing!
go to anchor brewing for a free tour and tasting and to bell’occhio … yea this one! http://www.bellocchio.com/
oh gosh. i could go on and on..you know i’ve lived in sf for 2 years now and def. have my favs:
1st. napa is our LEAST fav. wine destination. it’s expensive. it’s like you’re a number instead of a person (it’s sort of like being part of a herd of cattle). if you want some top notch places to go (including places where there are free tastings), please email me. i can give you a long list of our favorite trips to russian river and sonoma. ..don’t get me wrong..napa is fun too, but if you’re up for something a little more intimate..there are more -less crowdes places to go
fav places to eat:
bar jules
zuni (get the roasted chicken, oysters, polenta..yummm)
tataki (best sushi i’ve ever had in my live)
chapeau (fun french place..you can read my review here:http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=XtSXh3ZJcfzOkh1mb7XMtA
rose’s cafe for brunch (french toast is phenom-en-al).
also, check out this list:
http://www.7×7.com/content/eat-drink/big-eat-sf-100-things-try-you-die
sigh. you’re gonna have so much fun. there is so much to do…and you know, it is the paris of the united states…
xo
Try to book the Argonaut Hotel. Right near Fisherman’s Wharf.
Mary and I stayed there a couple of years ago. They organize a free wine tasting/happy hour every day @ 5:00 PM. The sense of conviviality among the hotel patrons, complete strangers, at this “happy hour” was astounding. Also, there are a couple of very good restaurants on premises that were reasonable, and good. Try not to get hooked into tourist trap restaurants in North Beach. There is just something missing in an Italian restaurant that employs everyone but Italians. Bryan can tell you where the genuine Italian joints are. You learn that being from Staten Island.
Bud
I’ve never been to either destination, so I don’t have much to offer there. I am super excited for you though! It sounds like a perfect honeymoon. But, I did want to ask you how you wrote your ‘San Francisco and Napa’. Was that a font you can download? or did you illustrate that yourself?
Thanks!
Local here. My favorite restaurant is Canteen. Seats all of 17 people. Counter seating is the best. The chef (Dennis Leary but not the one who is a firefighter on TV) is amazing, and the food makes your eyes roll back in your head. American/California type food. Since you will be on your honeymoon I bet if you tell the hostess they will make some kind of little fuss over you. Reservations imperative.
I live on the east bay in Oakland, and have spent much time exploring the Bay over the last few years…
In San Francisco I would recommend…
Paxti’s for Deep Dish Pizza (the closest to the real deal in Chicago)
Brickhouse Cafe for sandwiches (ie Chicken,apple & brie on focaccia)
Chez Maman for French Bistro food
Cal Academy of Sciences is a must, and on Thursday nights its 21+ for only $10 admission (more than half off reg. price!)
If you like outdoor activities check out http://www.weekendsherpa.com They have all sorts of romantic hikes listed.
If you make it over to the East Bay, then Ici on College in Berkeley is a must for the most amazing/exotic homemade ice cream flavors ever.
Have Fun!
OK…I live in North Beach in SF and am OBSESSED with this city…. some of my fiance and I’s (or just my) favorites are:
1. Dinner/drinks at Betelnut. This is where I take ANYONE who comes to visit. Get tons of apps and share….and their cocktails are delish!
2. Intimate date night….FRESCATI! It’s a must. Sit upstairs or in the window in this quintessential SF restaurant. The food is uh-mazing and you feel like you’re in a romantic movie there. It’s on Hyde Street, and the ice cream place mentioned above, Swensen’s, is just up the street.
3. GO TO A GIANTS GAME!!!!!!!! Seriously. AT&T Park is GORGEOUS, AMAZING, FABULOUS! It’s so, so fun…get a Cha Cha Bowl or Lobster Roll to eat and enjoy the views and the game.
4. Fillmore Street shops…cute and fun….
5. Beach Chalet for brunch. The views are to die for, the brunch is delish…you could do a walk on the beach afterwards….get mimosas too!!!!
6. North Beach…my hood! The place mentioned above with the black awning is Calzone’s…sit on the street and people watch, this place is FUN! Get gelato on Union and Stockton. Brunch at Cafe Divine or Mama’s on Washington Square Park. Get drinks at Savoy, wine at Delluva, and some salt water taffy at Z Ciocolato.
I could go on for DAYS AND DAYS….if you want info on different neighborhoods or where to stay, email me!!! YAY FOR SF! You’ll have a blaaaast!
Hooray for local-ish honeymoons.
We’re honeymooning in Wyoming, which is just a hop, skip and a jump from Colorado, and I’m pretty psyched!
I’m not a pro with either of those cities even though I’m less than an hour away from SF. Here’s some tips I thought were helpful, though:
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/san-francisco-help
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/visiting-san-fran-what-should-i-do
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/favorite-bay-area-restaurantsbars
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/planning-trip-to-sf-help-greatly-appreciated
Enjoy, you’ll have a blast in SF and Napa!
While you’re in the same neighborhood as Tartine and Pizzeria Delfina, have dinner at Ti Couz (16th just up from Valencia). They have amazing crepes and cider, and the atmosphere is great. There can be a long wait around dinnertime. Ride the N-Judah Muni line and get off at one of the adorable little parks near the top of the hill where people are always playing with their dogs.
Hike around the Presidio. Stop at the little pet cemetery right under the Golden Gate bridge.
I’ve got to second Pizzeria Delfina and Tartine, too (18th St near Guerrero). The most amazing pizza ever–you’ll be too full to go to Tartine afterwards, so make two visits to the neighborhood. Try going on a weekday in the middle of the afternoon, otherwise both can be very crowded.
Heather, This is so exciting! Here are a few suggestions:
Lovely Afternoon Activities:
City Lights Bookstore in North Beach (it’s where the beat poets originated:)) They have some great books then…go next store to Vesuvio’s. It’s a bar and super cute. You can both take your books and get some wine or beer and enjoy some nice reading time.
Dolores Park, I’ve still been meaning to get out there!
So you’ll find lots of hipsters there with their blankets and wine. I definitely suggest some wine and perhaps a picnic basket?
De Young Museum, not sure of you’ll be here for this but there’s an amazing Warhol exhibit there right now.
Golden Gate Park…endless source of possibilities, the De Young along with other museums are located inside the park.
Food and Drinks?
Little Star Pizza, delicious and the super star cocktail is yummy!
Bissap Baobob, Senegalese food, also amazing food.
Mona Lisa (in North Beach, affordable and the BEST gnocchi ever)
Toronado (if either of you are into Belgian Beer, this is THE place to go, Lower Haight)
La Frappe also has an amazing selection of Belgian beers and is ultra swanky.
Skylark pretty good music most of the time. Nice place to chill and get your dance on.
and the list goes on and on and on…..
Check out Yelp for more suggestions. Reviews tend to be pretty accurate up here, since there is soooo much to do! Have fun:)
I just got back from SF and Napa! Go to Brenda’s. It is soul & creole food and it is RIDICULOUSLY good.
We hit Napa late in the day and didn’t get to go to many wineries but my favorite was St. Clement’s. i’ve heard Cakebread is delish, too. If you want really good burgers/fish tacos/hot dogs, there is a place called Taylor’s Automatic Refresher that is excellent.
Have a wonderful time. It is so amazing up there. I could go back and back and back and back. You get the picture.
I too recommend Sonoma over Napa any day! Check out Silver Oak, Stryker and my favorite, Raffanelli. YOu’ll need to call ahead for Rafanelli, but it’s so worth it!
In San Francisco eat at Dosa. Go to the pirate store. Wander up and down Valencia between 16th and 24th. Eat Mexican there.
I agree with the above poster, Napa is a mess. If you do Napa go to Keenan and Guilliams winaries, both up in the mountains. We far, far, far prefer Russian River, which is quiet and woodsy and low key and wonderful. There, do Meeker.
Hi Heather
So…I am in no way related to you nor do I know you, but I came across your very cute blog through Hugh’s blog (I am a big fan of his photography). I just had a quick question about the font you used for the title of this post (San Fran and Napa), if it even is a font. I had seen it used at Sprouted Kitchen and then saw you use it here and it is such a cute type that I just had to ask you about it. Does it have a name? Also, since I’ve gone this far through your blog I’d just thought I’d say congrats on your wedding. You have very good taste. The invites were too cool. And even more cool because you did them yourself. Thanks!
Hi Lindsay! The font is called FFF Tusj Font and you can download it for free here: http://www.dafont.com/fff-tusj.font Thanks for the kind words!!
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