The weekend before last, our daughter, Alexandra, and her friend brought Chief back to us (Chief stayed with her for four weeks in Los Angeles). We had a fun time and all agreed that it was a great weekend! Here are Eight Tips For A Perfect Weekend in San Francisco (yeah, a lot of food involved):
Tip One: Make A Dinner Reservation
(It’s rare that you can just walk into a restaurant in SF for dinner–lots of food enthusiasts here). We use Open Table a lot. After Alexandra and Luca arrived on Friday night, we walked to a little French restaurant in our neighborhood called Cocotte. We split the whole roasted chicken (I get that every time). It comes with three sauces in separate little pots.
Tip Two: Treat Yourself To The Original Swenson’s
After dinner, we stopped for ice cream at the original 1948 Swenson’s on Russian Hill. This place’s scents (fresh waffle cones and ice cream) tempt me every day so it’s nice to actually taste the ice cream!
Or Ghirardelli Square is also fun, too!
Tip Three: Wear Comfortable Shoes as You Will Do A Lot of Walking and Much of it is Hilly
Did you catch the last post of my favorite stylish AND comfortable shoes?
Tip Four: Buy Your Ticket in Advance for Alcatraz Island
Taking the ferry over there is half the fun. Such a gorgeous day!
The island is a United States national park and the guided headset tours are really well done.
Tip Five: Take a Cable Car Ride
The lines are long at the end stops but you might have better luck at one of the middle stops. It’s expensive at $7 but I still get a thrill every time I ride it. (and the cable car museum is free).
While we were out, my husband spotted the conductor that gives him a ride to work…
Tip Six: Have Coffee And Biscotti in North Beach (Italian Neighborhood)
Like at Stella Pastry and Cafe. Alexandra brought back cookies for dessert from there for later that night. The chewy pine nut ones were amazing!
Tip Seven: Try The Dungeness Crab
If you have a kitchen, you can get it freshly cooked, cleaned and cracked. My husband picks it up early in the morning at Alioto-Lazio Fish Co. at Fisherman’s Wharf. Check their hours first. The crab season is from November through June.
You can see a bit of Alcatraz where we were earlier in the day.
We served this with a big green salad and French bread. Here’s the delicious mustard sauce that Howard served with the crab that we were all raving about…
- 1 tbsp dry mustard
- 1 tbsp water
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup dill weed
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
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Mix dry mustard with water thoroughly. In a separate bowl blend mayonnaise and oil. Add mayonnaise to the mustard. Stir in dill, salt, and pepper. Chill.
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Howard served the mustard sauce in small individual ramekins on each plate.
I’d love to know how many steps we got in on Saturday as we walked to the Wharf and all over Alcatraz (and the original World Market) and back. Hey…so tip two should be emphasized!
The next morning before brunch, Alexandra introduced me to the television show: “Queer Eye.” Have you seen it on Netflix? It’s great and may make you tear up. They help all different sorts of people get fresh starts on life. I have three seasons to watch. 🙂
Tip Eight: Have Chinese Dim Sum on Sunday for Brunch As the Locals Do
There are many places, but we like the Hong Kong Lounge. They don’t take reservations, so you will have to wait. It’s not fancy but the food comes out hot and delicious. We ordered several things to share but I really recommend the soup dumplings, the eggplant and the sesame balls for dessert.
Then we took Alie and her friend to the airport. I was sad to see them go even though it was the perfect weekend in San Francisco. But look who we got to keep…
If you are planning a trip to San Francisco, check out San Francisco Travel and my Pinterest board Travel SF Bay Area.
Have a great weekend.
Mary Ann
Thanks for SF travel news. My husband used to go to SF for business every year and I would plan the how much food can we get in out mouths on this trip experience. He retired three years ago and we have been traveling to other places, but I think it may be time to go back to SF. It seems some of my best food memories include chicken: Zuni, Wayfarer Tavern, Mourad (maybe the best!). Cocotte looks like it could be somewhere in France. What fun! We considered the Monet exhibit but the timing did’t work for us. I bought the book for the exhibit and loved it. You’ll have a great time. Glad Chief is back in SF. I have a vision of him carrying his little suitcase with all the travel stamps on it (SF and LA really being indifferent countries, I’m sure a passport is needed!). I’m sure he loved the crab!
Thanks for the comment. We loved the exhibition and I bought the book too! Going to look up Mourad. Have a great week!
San Francisco used to be high on my list of places to visit. My husband used to visit his brother there until his brother passed away about 24 years ago. Now, however, I’m not so sure I want to visit. There is so much negative news about San Francisco — the homelessness, the drug problems. It sounds really bad. They say the city is losing revenue because companies are choosing other cities to host conferences and such. Is the problem as widespread as the news makes it out to be? I’m interested to hear your thoughts.
Yes, the homelessness is bad. I think it’s getting a little better though. I drive through the Tenderloin most days for work and I can see that it’s cleaner and they are building pod homes for them and trying new things…I hope it works!
I lôve my city and you made me want Chinese food–will have to try the Hong Kong Lounge?
What a beautiful view. I recall the old Cost Plus also. My husband and I would go often when first married.
You might have seen that Hong Kong Lounge II burned down? It was right down the street and a little nicer decor–so naturally I liked it better 🙂 No one was hurt. Hope they rebuild.
Great tips! I love spending the weekend in your city. I live in Santa Cruz and San Francisco is such a departure from our laid back beach town! My daughter and I are planning a day trip to see the Monet exhibit on my birthday in a few weeks. I can’t wait!
She went to SFSU and I’d get up there every couple of weeks for an afternoon visit, it doesn’t happen as often anymore and I’m looking forward to a nice day in the city with her!
When I was a kid we used to go to the original Cost Plus, back when it was a big warehouse and all funky and I loved it so much. Now they all look the same. Back then you couldn’t find gummy bears or potato dumpling mix or most of the other food items they carry anywhere else, it was always such a treat! My mom would stock up on German food and treats for us for the year, since we lived 7 hours away.
You sure do have a fantastic view and such a lovely home! (I’ve followed for years and don’t think I’ve every commented before!).I always enjoy your posts and look forward to them.
Xo Heidi
I remember the original Cost Plus, too, Heidi from my college days at Santa Clara! And their great international food.
We love Santa Cruz! You are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. We are going to the Monet exhibit tomorrow. Hope you have a wonderful birthday, Heidi and thanks for following.
Love that your husband is so friendly! Thanks for the recommendations. Hope to visit soon.
It sounds like you had a great weekend. I hope to visit San Francisco one of these days! And isn’t it fun to have adult children to spend time with? I, too, discovered Queer Eye recently and am on Season 3. I rarely get through an episode without tears!
I know, Barb, the show is great for when you just want to relax.