Came to San Francisco during Super Bowl week and had the chance to explore Japantown and Lower…read morePacific Heights again, and it honestly reminded me why I love this city so much. After being in Washington, D.C., where it was much colder, the warm SF weather felt amazing and made walking around the neighborhood even better. The food was incredible! We tried several different restaurants, and every place had something special, from comforting ramen to fresh sushi. Japantown has such a great mix of authentic flavors, cozy spots, and unique little shops that make the whole experience feel lively and welcoming. Being back in San Francisco, enjoying great food, good weather, and the energy of Super Bowl week, was just an all-around great feeling. I truly believe this is one of the best Japantowns in the country, and I can't wait to come back and explore even more.

Japantown has always been a go to spot for us when we miss Japan, of course there is no comparison,…read morebut Nijiya Market has always been a good spot for Bento boxes, sushi, Sashimi, anything you want- quality has always been good, and if you get there later before closing, they discount some of the items. It's located on Post and Buchanan, street parking if you can find it but they have a parking garage underneath the shops and restaurants. They have so many good spots for Sushi, Ramen, Sophie's Crepes is another fav, Boba, you won't be disappointed! We will be back!

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco's Marina District is one of those places that consistently…read moresurprises people who visit for the first time. I found the scale larger than most images suggest, and the combination of the grand rotunda, the colonnades, and the lagoon in front created an environment that felt removed from the city around it in a way that was difficult to account for given how central the location is. The structure was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and was designed to evoke the feeling of wandering through ancient Roman ruins. That intention was legible in the architecture without being heavy handed about it. The columns and the dome had a weight and proportion to them that held up at close range, and the detailing on the upper sections of the rotunda rewarded looking up rather than just taking in the building from across the lagoon. The swans and ducks that inhabited the water in front of the structure added a layer of calm to the setting that made the whole place feel genuinely peaceful rather than just scenic. I visited early in the morning, which is the best time to experience it. The light on the rotunda in the morning hours was particularly good, the crowds were thin, and the atmosphere was as close to quiet as a popular San Francisco landmark gets. Sunset draws more people and offers its own version of the place, with the light hitting the pale stone in a way that shifts the color considerably. Entry is free and the grounds are open and walkable. I noticed fruit and beverage vendors sometimes set up nearby. The Palace sits close enough to the Golden Gate Bridge and Crissy Field that combining all three into a single walk along the waterfront is a natural and worthwhile way to spend a morning in the city. For a peaceful, architectural gem that delivers more than photos suggest, the Palace of Fine Arts is not to be missed.

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in San Francisco. Whether…read moreyou're a visitor or a local, it's the perfect spot to slow down and take in the scenery. The views are stunning from every angle, with the iconic rotunda reflected in the lagoon and surrounded by beautiful architecture and lush vegetation. The lake is full of life, and it's common to see swans, ducks, geese, and other birds enjoying the water, making it feel like a hidden oasis in the middle of the city. The lagoon is known for attracting a variety of bird species throughout the year. There are plenty of grassy areas to spread out a blanket, relax with a book, enjoy a picnic, or simply soak in the atmosphere. The walking paths are easy to explore, and every turn offers another great photo opportunity. On busy days, you'll often find vendors nearby adding to the lively and welcoming environment. Whether you're looking for a peaceful morning walk, a romantic setting, or just a place to sit and enjoy nature, the Palace of Fine Arts delivers. A true San Francisco treasure that never disappoints.

"You see that mansion up there on the hill? They say Charles Manson lived there, in the top room…read moreof the house." That was my first introduction to The Westerfeld House from the drugged out property manager who used to manage my apartment building - and he was wrong (surprise!) But there is a tie to the Manson Family: One of its members lived there until he moved to Spawn Ranch. And rumor is Charles Manson did visit a few times. Tom Wolfe even wrote about The Westerfeld House in The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test calling it, "A great old shambling Gothic house, a freaking decayed giant known as 'The Russian Embassy.'" (I'm curious if one of my mom's law school friends crashed there because she was one of Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters. It IS a small little world in which we live.) Built by a wealthy chocolatier then sold to the architect of the Palace Hotel, the Westerfeld House was built in 1889 for the then-grand sum of just under $10,000 ($27M in today's money) and is now a designated Landmark and privately owned. It housed a nightclub called "Dark Eyes" in the late 1920s just before the stock market crash then it was divided up into a boarding house in the '40s. In the '60s, Joplin and Big Brother & The Holding Company and the Grateful Dead used to hang out at The Westerfeld House. In the 1970s the founder of the church of Satan lived there (his pet lion left some deep claw marks in the ornate door frames and molding around the house). Longtime and current owner, Jim Siegel, apparently had Buddhist monks bless the house because of its provenance. I've gotten a chuckle over the years that its owner sometimes hangs hand-painted protest signs as window coverings: When Alamo Square became a huge tourist destination (it took a long time to be "discovered", surprisingly) it seemed like all the tour bus companies discovered it at once: There were eight or more busses every 5-8 minutes buzzing the park and blaring Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart.." And Siegel hung signs that read "Get off the damn bus, walk around and SEE the city!" In so many ways, The Westerfeld House is so very representative of San Francisco! Look for the house on Fulton at Scott that looks a bit like the Addams Family mansion and you're there.

This house is incredible with an amazing history. Truly gorgeous and fun to share with people who…read morehaven't seen it before.

Beautiful structure located in Japantown. It is a symbol of peace and friendship, made in the…read more1960s, by a Japanese artist. Very cool to see.

"The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple & love without…read moremeasure." The Peace Pagoda is located in Peace Plaza in Japantown. The outdoor plaza connects Kintetsu & Miyaku malls and is the main venue for many Japanese community celebrations, such as the Obon Festival, Children's Day activities, Aki Matsuri, and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Peace Pagoda was inspired by pagodas that existed in Nara, the ancient capital of Japan. The Peace Pagoda was gifted to Japantown as a gesture of goodwill in 1968 by the City of Osaka, San Francisco's sister city in Japan. The five-tiered, 100-feet tall pagoda was designed by Japanese architect Yoshiro Taniguchi. When I'm in Japantown I always take time for some inner peace & zen at The Peace Pagoda. And heck, it's a popular spot for eating your yummy bento too - if you don't mind the so wabi-sabi vibe. Today it is one of Japantown's most iconic landmark.

A classic tourist spot in SF to visit. It is the location in the intro of full house and has kept…read moreits same character. Enjoy alamo square nearby for a little walk.

Been to San Francisco numerous times, but finally made the visit to the Painted Ladies on my last…read moretrip. Located right next to Alamo Square, these seven houses are a common destination to visit with their vibrant colors. We were, luckily, able to find a place to park on the street less than a block away. Easy walk through the park. Nice view of the houses from the hill of the park. Colors weren't as vibrant as I expected, but they were majestic none the less. If you have time to visit the Painted Ladies, then they're worth a quick stop. If you're strapped for time, I'd either do a quick drive-by or skip it all together.

The 49 Mile Scenic Drive was created in 1938 in order to showcase the highlights of the City of San…read moreFrancisco. for the 1939 Golden Gate Exposition. It was already a convoluted route which originally began at city Hall and ended on Treasure Island. Since 1939 the route has been altered somewhat but still remains convoluted and today plagued with traffic problems and poor maintenance of signage. Specifically, the Seagull in profile with a blue background signs have been badly faded and not all are clearly visible. You will need to use the internet to get a clear description of the route. Some of the major sites along the route are City Hall, Asian Art Museum, Little Saigon, Japan Town, Union Square, China Town, Telegraph Hill, Lombard Street, Coit tower, Fishermen's Wharf, Palace of fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Lake Merced, California Academy of the Sciences, Haight-Ashbury, Twin Peaks The Castro and Oracle Park. Parking at these various sites runs the range of easy to very difficult. Metered street parking is available at some locations. Due to the numerous hassles involved in trying to run the route most tourists opt for city transportation or the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus. "If you are going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..."

This is a great idea but in the day and age we are in now I wish they already had a google map link…read morefor this drive. As most of the reviews mentioned the signs are missing so I had to follow a map on SF website and my friend would navigate me which is great if you're traveling with people. A lot of the places we already hit due to our own itinerary but some of the places on the drive I never saw when doing research about the city so this was great anyways!

Dragon Gate has been part of my San Francisco story for as long as I can remember. I first saw it…read morein the mid-1970s during a visit with my parents, and it made an immediate impression on me. I still remember taking photos of it with a brand-new camera my father had just given me, not realizing at the time that it had only been completed a few years earlier, in 1970. Over time, I've come to appreciate more of its details and background. The gate was a gift from Taiwan and built in a traditional Chinese architectural style, complete with guardian lions, decorative tiles, and inscriptions symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. It marks the formal entrance to Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, and it's a natural stopping point for visitors before heading further into the neighborhood. Nearly twenty years after that first visit, I moved to San Francisco and have been here ever since. These days, walking past the Dragon Gate feels more personal. It's less of a tourist attraction for me and more of a familiar landmark, one that quietly welcomes people into a neighborhood full of history, culture, and character.

I've walked under the Dragon's Gate more times than I can count but I still love that moment when…read moreyou're walking up and you finally see it and suddenly you know you're in Chinatown. It sits at the edge of Grant Ave and it is a literal gateway into Chinatown. As soon as you walk past it, you are under the beautiful green tiled roofs curling along the streets with stone lions in this ornate, colorful and instantly recognizable neighborhood. The gate was a gift from Taiwan in the 1970s and every time you see it it feels special and different. It's not the largest or most beautiful gate I've seen, but I think it holds a special place for me because it's so familiar. It can look different depending on whether you visit on a bright sunny morning, or a foggy afternoon, or whether you see it under the glowing lanterns of a San Francisco night but to me it always feels familiar. No matter how many times I've been to Chinatown, I always stop here for a second before heading in. I have to take a moment to pay homage to this little spot that marks the entrance of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city.

The Lyon Street steps connect Cow Hollow to Pacific Heights as well as the Presidio's Broadway…read moreGate. The steps have a series of steep steps, terrace trimmed hedges, bay views, and a Hearts in San Francisco sculpture. My nighttime stroll was pretty lowlight and I think this space is better suited for a daytime climb.

One of my absolute favorite SF spots to score a solid workout, spectacular views and breathe in a…read morefresh bay breeze. As part of a boot camp program in 2008, I really got acquainted with the steps, from an athletic perspective. For many years following, I'd incorporate them into my city workouts. After I moved to the SF peninsula in late 2010 and became an experienced trail runner, sometimes I'd carve out time to visit the city to run during the week, zipping up after rush hour traffic, of course. To access them for training or touristy purposes, there is plenty of street parking available nearby. Keep in mind, you may need to add a "half mile" hike/run to get to the steps, but it's worth it and why not? Exercise is so good for mind-body-soul connection. Afterwards, head over to Pac Heights for some grub or pack a picnic and saunter over to Chrissy field. So many options. There is also a few cute cafes tucked away towards the bottom of the steps on nearby streets. Initially it was such an intimidating climb up the stairs, but they became so much easier the fitter I got... and are nothing compared to the nearby Mill Valley Dipsea stairs! {On that note, If you're looking for an extra challenging stair workout, packed with nature and adventure, head up north and check those out.}

When I think SF, the Japantown plaza is always in my thoughts. The energy here makes it one of my…read morefavorite landmarks of the city and a must see when showing newbies/family/tourist friends around. The mall hasn't changed since I was a teenager and the streets around the plaza have so many different businesses who value your patronage. They host many vibrant and interesting events here so be sure to check their online calendar. Like I said, the energy here is so amazing. The name is well suited!

Been going there for my birthday for the past three years! Super enjoyable and a lot of options!…read moreOnly thing to recommend is to park on the street instead of parking garage. Definitely check out their HUGE bookstore!