Al’s Place
San Francisco • Food
A seafood-focused restaurant on the quiet end of the Mission with delightfully plant-heavy decor.
Activities
San Francisco and its neighbors are full of engaging adventures, delicious food, and beautiful sights. If you’re short on ideas for how to wisely spend your non-wedding days in the Bay Area, we’ve gathered a bunch of our favorite things to do below.
Alamo Square Park
San Francisco • Park
The newly renovated park located next to the iconic Painted Ladies.
Alcatraz
San Francisco • Museum
The best super touristy thing to do in San Francisco, by far. Even the short ferry ride is a treat.
Arizmendi Bakery
San Francisco • Food
Each location is an independently operated, worker-owned cooperative. Swing by for the pizza of the day.
b. patisserie
San Francisco • Food
Our favorite bakery in San Francisco. Buy all of the kouign amann that you can possibly eat—we won’t judge.
Bernal Heights Park
San Francisco • Park
The top of Bernal Hill offers some of the best possible views of San Francisco’s skyline.
Bi-Rite Creamery
San Francisco • Food
Ice cream! We like the honey lavender, balsamic strawberry, and basil flavors, but why stop there?
Boba Guys
San Francisco • Peninsula • Food
A bubble tea shop with long lines. Don’t be distracted by the snacks on display; you’re there for the drinks.
Cala
San Francisco • Food
Mexican food from one of Mexico City’s most famous chefs spiced down for the American palate.
California Academy of Sciences
San Francisco • Museum
A combination aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum underneath a gorgeous living roof.
Cotogna
San Francisco • Food
Italian food with a Californian twist. Reservations strongly suggested for dinner.
de Young Museum
San Francisco • Museum
A popular museum for art lovers with a (free!) observation tower for everybody else.
Del Popolo
San Francisco • Food
A pizza place that started off as a food truck with its own 5,000-pound wood-burning oven.
Dolores Park
San Francisco • Park
The park that seemingly everyone frequents when it’s nice outside.
Exploratorium
San Francisco • Museum
An interactive science museum for visitors of all ages along the Embarcadero.
Hot Sauce and Panko
San Francisco • Food
Feeling brave? Try the ghost pepper chicken wings. Don’t worry, milder flavors exist for the weak.
In Situ
San Francisco • Food
Sample dishes from famous restaurants around the world!
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa • Vineyard
A down-to-earth wine tasting experience on a terrace with magnificent views of their vineyard.
Kin Khao
San Francisco • Food
The better of the two Thai restaurants at the intersection of Mason and Ellis.
La Taqueria
San Francisco • Food
Amazing tacos dorados, burritos, and mango aguas frescas. Cash only.
Liholiho Yacht Club
San Francisco • Food
Fancy Hawaiian-ish food with a bar downstairs. Reservations are very difficult to come by; book in advance.
Marlowe
San Francisco • Food
Go for brunch, if you can! Once you’re inside, order the warm deviled eggs and brûléed citrus.
Mensho Tokyo
San Francisco • Food
Ramen worth standing in line for. Try our favorite: the vegan tantanmen with duck chashu.
Muir Woods
Marin County • Park
Explore a redwood forest without the drive to the northern edge of California.
Pinnacles National Park
Central California • Park
This is the closest national park to the Bay Area. It’s still pretty far away. Bring a flashlight.
Rooster & Rice
San Francisco • Food
Comfort food from Thailand. A potential (but untested) post-wedding hangover cure.
Saigon Sandwich
San Francisco • Food
A cheap, reliable option for bánh mì. No seating available, but City Hall is nearby. Cash only.
SFMOMA
San Francisco • Museum
The rooftop sculpture garden is a highlight in a museum full of interesting (and confusing) modern art.
State Bird Provisions
San Francisco • Food
Californian farm-to-table dim sum. If an ice cream sandwich is available for dessert, order it.
Sutro Baths/Lands End
San Francisco • Park
Absolutely stunning in September on sunny days. Free parking is available in a gigantic, easy-to-find parking lot.
Teaspoon
San Francisco • Peninsula • Food
Another bubble tea shop! Randa appreciates their delicious caffeine-free options.
The Stanford Dish
Stanford • Park
A hilly 3.5-mile loop for a serious walk, jog, or run with stunning views of the Bay Area. Should take 75–90 minutes.
Volcano Curry
San Francisco • Food
Our favorite Japanese curry place. Randa likes the extra pickles and Chrisna, the extra spicy curry.