Fisherman's Wharf. Trolleys. Rice-a-Roni. A prison. Some big bridge. So many iconic things about this port city.
Nav:
Architecture Walk: Stroll through the city to admire the beautiful architecture (especially the Victorian era structures) and see iconic sites. The Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District is a great place to take a walk, even when exhibitions / shows are not taking place.
Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39: The wharf is a spot full of fresh seafood restaurants that bring in the daily catch.
Pier 39 is all about them seals that sunbathe on the pier. You're going to be in Fisherman's Wharf anyway so walk down Pier 39 to see them laze about or fight for prime spots.
Pro Tip: San Francisco, especially along the water, is windy. If you're downwind of the seals, you'll know by the smell. Wait for a prime spot to open up or be willing to take in the sights, sounds...and smells.
Full House House: It's a privately owned residence so you can only see the outside, which is all you need to see since the majority of the show was filmed in the studio in Burbank. I wouldn't go out of the way to see it. If you do, don't ask the homeowners to see inside.
Golden Gate Bridge: You can walk or bike across for free...as well as drive north out of the city for free. There is a toll for driving south into the city. The up-close view of the structural elements is worth a walk, at least partway. Explore Fort Point on the south end or Fort Baker on the north end of the bridge.
Pro Tip: Parking at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centers fill up quick. If you're on the south side, where the views are better than the north side, try the Battery East or overlook parking lots.
Lombard Street: An iconic switchback street in the city.
Pro Tip: The city is built on hills. The best view is from the bottom due to the shrubs, along Leavenworth Street, not Hyde Street.
Nosh:
Boudin: There are lots of great places to eat in this city. However, this is not one of them. It's a staple on the tourist trail near Fisherman's Wharf. I'm a huge fan of a nice sourdough with a bit of chew on the crust. This was very tough to tear through. It stands up well as a soup bread bowl...but not in a sandwich. There is a lot of self serve patio seating and a full service restaurant / bar upstairs.
Ghirardelli Chocolate: The Italian chocolate maker opened his first confectionary shop in San Francisco in 1849. Stop by for a sundae, or other delicious treat.
Stanford University's Cantor Arts Center: The museum is free, though it's a fair drive south of the city. I went to see the Golden Spike, which isn't actually kept at Golden Spike National Historical Park in Promontory, Utah. A replica is kept at the park and the actual gold plated spike (valued at ~$2.2 million) was commissioned by Leland Stanford.
Nip:
San Francisco Brewing Co: The Broadway IPA was a refreshing afternoon nip. Lighter on the hops but still flavorful. There was a vanilla IPA on the list but the bartender said it was on the sweeter / dessert beer spectrum.
