Inside Spero

Some think it had something to do with the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake; others believe it’s because they just feel safer in the Bay, protected from predators but closer to more food sources. Whatever the reason, they’re here to stay and San Francisco is excited to celebrate their 30^th year at the pier.

To commemorate the anniversary of their arrival, the Aquarium of the Bay has partnered with Bay Area artist to create 30 hand-painted, six feet tall sea lion statues. Each one-of-a-kind statue depicts a story of the lives of sea lions and their environments. The colorful statues can be found along the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf to Mission Bay, with one located in Union Square and one in the Moscone Center. How many can you find?

With this in mind, Hotel Spero and our sister property, The Marker San Francisco, suggest some of the best places in Chinatown to see, eat, explore, and have fun. See the list below for details:  

Sightseeing and Exploring:

Grant Avenue – One of Chinatown’s two main streets, and one of the oldest streets in the district. Picturesque and touristy, with an abundance of gift shops.

Stockton Street – Shop for fresh produce, teas, herbs, seafood, and more at mom-and-pop establishments, where shops are ground floor with multi-story residences stacked above.

Chinatown Alleys – Take time to explore some of the more than 41 alleys here for complete cultural immersion. Waverly and Ross are two of the most well-known, but there are many others. You’ll find everything from Mah-Jong parlors to the oldest Chinese temple in the country.

Food, Glorious Food

Over 30 restaurants in the district offer some of the finest authentic Chinese food. From dim sum to cocktails and fortune cookies, you’ll find an ample array of choices, such as the following:

China Live - Considered a Chinatown “must-do” and named one of the "World's greatest places" by Time Magazine in 2018, China Live offers a variety of fabulous food at the Oolong Café, the Market Restaurant & Bar, and Retail Marketplace.

Golden Gate Bakery - Famous for mooncakes and other baked goods, this popular establishment is a favorite destination year-round, but particularly during the annual Autumn Moon Festival. Along with your mooncakes, you can select from tarts, macaroons, and cream-filled buns.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory - Gaze in wonder as thousands of fortune cookies are turned out by hand here every day. With such luscious flavors as chocolate, green tea, strawberry, and the traditional vanilla, you’ll want to leave with plenty for souvenirs or snacks.

Good Mong Kok Bakery - Delicious pork buns, an array of dumplings, and assorted dim sum make this tiny shop one of the busiest in Chinatown.   

Li Po Lounge - Famous for their Chinese Mai Tai (touted by the late Anthony Bourdain as one of his favorite libations), this dive bar/cocktail lounge has been around since 1937 and is strongly recommended as a Chinatown “must-do.”

Z & Y Restaurant - A Michelin-ranked restaurant with a clientele that includes President Barack Obama, President Hu Jintao, assorted foreign ministers, and many other notable dignitaries. Chef Han serves up authentic gourmet Chinese cuisine with his signature touch added to each dish.

We here at Hotel Spero, along with our sister property The Marker San Francisco, invite you to visit the stunning mosaic artworks listed below.

16th Avenue Tiled Steps

From the sea to the stars—that was the inspiration for this joint neighborhood venture that culminated in a 163-step tiled stairway in Golden Gate Heights. Begun as a grassroots effort by Jessie Audette and Alice Yee Xavier, the project used handmade named tiles that were created by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher.

Hidden Garden Steps

A true labor of love for artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, who not only came up with the design, but also made 148 risers. 600 tiles were created with rolled clay and inserted texts, kiln-fired, and glued onto the risers while community volunteers filled in the riser backgrounds with broken tile pieces. The Hidden Garden Steps was one of 14 San Francisco projects to win a Neighborhood Empowerment Award.

Lincoln Park Steps

Conceived by Friends of Lincoln Park founders Meg Autry and Anna  Yatroussis, the idea was to renovate an iconic staircase suffering from decades of decay and neglect. A team was assembled for this seven-year project that included artist Aileen Barr, who designed and created the 52 wide steps for this spectacular Beaux-Arts-inspired display.  

Flights of Fancy: The Tiled Steps on Arelious Walker Drive

Located in the city’s Bayview-Hunters Point District, this connects Northridge Road and Innes Avenue. At four feet wide, the staircase contains 87 mosaic tiles were designed with inspiration from Native American pottery and Middle Eastern tile, along with additional influences, by artists Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr.

Here are a few of our favorite holiday happenings to make your visit extra merry and bright.

SantaCon

Head over to Union Square on December 7 to join thousands of Santa-clad attendees for this ultimate embodiment of rambling Christmas cheer.

Cirque de Soleil Amaluna

Meet up under the Big Top near Oracle Park for Amaluna. A bewitching performance about the tests of true love and the strength of women, Amaluna runs from November 14 to January 12, 2020.

Smuin: The Christmas Ballet

A favorite SF holiday event, Smuin features classical selections set to beloved carols, newly-choreographed routines, and contemporary dance set to holiday pop classics. Performed at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts from December 12-23.

Love Actually

Everyone’s favorite contemporary holiday film will be screened at Davies Symphony Hall on December 17-18. Accompanied by the SF Symphony, the film features a charming collection of characters interwoven throughout a tapestry of romantic tales.

San Francisco Ballet: The Nutcracker

A cherished holiday tradition, Tchaikovsky’s classic tale will be performed at the War Memorial Opera House from December 11-29 and will be accompanied by the SF Ballet Orchestra.

Holiday Soul with the San Francisco Symphony

Four-time Grammy-winner India.Arie will raise her voice in combination with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and the SF Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. This December 10-11 powerhouse performance will feature jazz, soul, and Christmas classics.

A.C.T. – A Christmas Carol

For most folks, it just isn’t Christmas without Tiny Tim, Scrooge, and ghostly Christmas Eve visitors. You can catch a heart-warming performance of Dickens’ holiday tale at the A.C.T. Geary Theatre through December 24.

Illuminate SF Festival of Light

Ongoing from Thanksgiving Day 2019 through New Year’s Day 2020, this amazing festival will spotlight 17 neighborhoods with 43 stunning installations by 32 renowned artists.

The Dickens Fair

Come out to the Cow Palace's exhibition halls from November 23 through December 22 to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Old London. You’ll find a myriad of dance halls, characters straight out of Charles Dickens novels, dancing, pubs, food, drink, and more.

Home for the Holidays at Carolwood

Every year from mid-November through early January, the Walt Disney Family Museum features this immersive holiday installation, including a miniature version of the Lilly Belle, Walt’s favorite steam locomotive.

Macy’s Holiday Windows with SPCA

Adorable adoptable animals will fill Macy’s Union Square holiday windows beginning November 22 through early January 2020. Over 8,000 animals have been adopted since this holiday tradition began in the 1980s.

Conservatory of Flowers – Night Bloom

Immerse yourself in the dazzling lights and sounds from November 22, 2019, through January 5, 2020, at this year’s “Night Bloom.”

The Velveteen Rabbit

Festive costumes, music, dance, and a brilliant narrative are the stars of this version of the classic children’s tale. Performances are scheduled at YBCA’s Blue Shield of California Theater from November 29 through December 8.

San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker

Next month returns the San Francisco Ballet’s annual tradition of performing Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet, now celebrating its 75th Anniversary. Designed by a Tony Award-winning team, be amazed by elaborate scenery and more than 150 costumed characters. Performances will be held at the War Memorial Opera House from December 11th through December 29th.

Alcatraz

From hearing Al Capone play his banjo to ghostly gunshots, Alcatraz remains as one of the Bay Area’s most haunted. Night tours are available—if you dare.

Curran Theater

Catch a dazzling theatrical performance and don’t miss the ghost of a murdered ticket-taker, usually seen in the theater’s mirror. He still haunts the Curran, along with a little girl that was tragically killed by a streetcar.

Queen Anne Hotel

This Victorian jewel boasts one of the friendliest ghosts around. This resident spirit likes to tuck guests in, unpack their suitcases, and even sing them to sleep.

San Francisco Art Institute

Apparitions, ghostly footsteps, screams, and other such phenomena are frequently experienced here. It’s said that the ground under the SFAI was a graveyard, and visitors, workmen, and students have all reported eerie encounters, particularly in the tower.

San Francisco Columbarium (Neptune Society Columbarium)

The last remaining burial place in San Francisco, the Columbarium is one of the city’s more unique landmarks. Built in 1897, the Columbarium is an impressive example of the Neo-Classical style that was popular at the time. Quiet, reverent, and home to many of San Francisco’s beloved dead, it’s not surprising to stumble upon some spectral sightings and other ghostly phenomena.

Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park

Don’t be surprised if you see the ghost of a young woman with long hair donning in a white dress during your visit, especially if you visit during the late evening. She is most often sighted atop Strawberry Hill or on the trail around the lake.

Sutro Baths

Completed in 1896, this large swimming complex was a getaway spot for the well-to-do of the time. Though fallen into ruin, local and visiting explorers alike have reported instances of seeing ladies in Victorian dress strolling along the beach with their parasols and bathers of bygone years lounging around where the pools used to be.

Less than 10 minutes away from Hotel Spero at Ghirardelli Square is Subpar Miniature Golf, which features a first-rate arcade, night golfing with light-up balls and glow-in-the-dark necklaces, an array of pub-food-style eats, soft drinks, and a variety of adult beverages.

Next, swing a club at the city’s only outdoor mini-golf course. Play through the “Barbary Coast Saloon,” the “Gold Rush Graveyard,” and other obstacles representing the fascinating history of SF at Stagecoach Greens. Located in Mission Bay, Stagecoach Greens is full of surprises and features a full-service bar and a super-sized food truck park. Add to the fun by downloading their app to track stats, book tee times, and much more.

Then, head over the Mission District for a one-of-a-kind mini-golf experience. Urban Putt features an elegant, full-service restaurant, two bars serving local beer, tap wines, and craft cocktails, and mini-golf in a uniquely redesigned Victorian building described as “part Jules Verne and part Rube Goldberg.”

The city is rife with green, scenic, and tranquil parks that offer a haven for the urban-weary, and a chance to rediscover the natural world. An ideal path for those in the market for mind and body healing, hiking offers a myriad of benefits, and the location couldn’t be more ideal, as some of the best trails are nearby. First, check out Mount Davidson Park in Sherwood Forest. Known as San Francisco's Natural Rain forest, it’s also the city’s highest natural peak. This is a perfect trail for birders, families, and dog-lovers, with 40 acres of broad paths rambling through pine and eucalyptus trees, blackberry bushes, and ferns. Or, wander over to Mount Sutro, a eucalyptus and wildflower forest often shrouded in fog, with an 80-acre hill and well-marked and maintained trails.

Don’t miss out on the special experience of Stern Grove. Famous for its annual music festival, the Grove offers 33 acres of wooded trails in a lush setting that includes a natural lake, a redwood grove, and a giant meadow. Next, discover the magnificence of the Pacific Coast at Lands End Trail. About 3.5 miles there and back, the trail is well maintained and the views of the Golden Gate, the headlands, and the shore are stunning. With over 24 miles of trails and eight scenic overlooks, The Presidio is a perennial favorite with hikers. These trails offer a variety of habitats and reward you with breathtaking views, no matter which route you choose. And don’t forget about the Golden Gate Park hiking trails, each of which offers a unique and complex habitat and hiking experience.

First, celebrate our nation’s birthday and the Great American Pastime this month when you take everyone out to the ball game. Catch a SF Giants or Oakland A’s game, and don’t forget the peanuts and Cracker Jack! Next, be sure to check out a few of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks with a visit to Golden Gate Park, Pier 39, and Fisherman’s Wharf. If it's a rainy day, or you just need a break from the sun, the Walt Disney Family Museum is always a family favorite, along with the Exploratorium, and Musée Mécanique.

The historic and entertaining San Francisco Cable Car Museum is a must-do, and art lovers will be thrilled by the stellar collections at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. For more indoor fun, get your mini-golf on at Urban Putt, or treat the family to a few frames at the Mission Bowling Club. Our summer special offers are ideal for families and pet owners. Ask about our “Kids are VIPs” special that features a complimentary breakfast, a special badge, and a free toy. Also, you’ll receive a $100 food and beverage credit for your extended stay with our Stay & Savor Longer package. Lastly, don’t forget your four-legged friends. Our “Fur Babies Package” includes treats, beds, pet bowls, and a toy!

First, jazz lovers won’t want to miss the 37^th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival on June 11-23, with performances by such musical luminaries as Royal Jelly Jive, the Kurt Ribak Quartet, The Cookers, and more. Next, head over to historic North Beach on June 15-16 for the 65^th Annual North Beach Festival. You’ll find an abundance of food, music, art, poetry, and fun, and be sure to stick around for the traditional blessing of the animals. From June 16 - August 18, the Stern Grove Festival will celebrate 82 years of outdoor concerts performed by an amazing array of musical artists. You’ll find funk, rock, blues, jazz, classical, and more.

Lastly, don’t miss the largest Pride celebration in the nation on June 29-30, when San Francisco Pride hits the streets of SF. This event honoring 50 years of LGBTQIA pride will be one epic celebration, featuring music, food and fun, along with the fabulous finale of the gala Pride Parade. While you’re in the city, be sure to take advantage of our summer special offers, such as our “Kids are VIPs,” featuring a complimentary breakfast, a Kids only special badge, and selection of one free toy from our toy wagon. And, don’t leave your four-legged friends behind – our “Fur Babies Package” includes pet bowls, beds, treats, and a toy! Lastly, you’ll receive a $100 food and beverage credit for your extended stay with our Stay & Savor Longer package.

That’s why we welcome the furry, four-legged friends of our guests, and, in recognition of National Pet Month, are offering some helpful tips and suggestions. We’ll provide you with pet beds, pet waste disposal bags, and a list of our favorite pet-friendly places in the Bay Area. First, check out the trails that offer both off-leash and leashed adventures, such as Fort Funston, Inspiration Point, and Crissy Field.

Also, the city offers dozens of dog parks overseen by the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission with both on- and off-leash areas, such as the Upper Douglass Dog Play Area, the Mission Dolores Park South, and Corona Heights Park. While you’re out, stop in for a snack or libation at Bloodhound, Hops & Hominy, or Bender’s Bar & Grill. Lastly, for pet supplies, daycare, and emergency services, visit Village Pets & Supplies, K9 Playtime, and the San Francisco SPCA Veterinary Hospital at either the Mission Campus or the Pacific Heights location.

We are particularly proud of our own green practices and efforts to care for Mother Earth, many of which are listed below, along with some tips for eco-conscious travelers. We utilize energy efficient lighting throughout the property and use a variety of recycling and composting programs. Our housekeeping team uses only non-chemical cleaning products, and Tersano (aka magic water) to prevent millions of liters of toxic chemicals from being emptied into streams, rivers, groundwater, or landfills. We offer eco-friendly BeeKind products in our guestrooms, which also supports sustainable honey bee pollination research. And, our low flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads save over one million gallons of water annually.

Our guests are encouraged to bring their own drink bottles and minimize plastic bottle waste by taking advantage of our water-filling stations located in the hotel’s public areas, and to receive their $5 voucher to our restaurant, Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen, for each day they decline housekeeping service. Other “traveler’s tips” include biking, walking, or taking public transportation instead of driving, renting a hybrid car, carrying reusable shopping bags, reusing your sheets and towels, and shopping farmer’s markets and other such venues to support local farmers and artisans. Working together, we can make a world of difference.

Lillie Hitchcock Coit

Known as “Firebelle Lil,” Coit had a soft spot for firefighters. An honorary member of Knickerbocker Engine Company No. 5, Coit left funds for the building of a monument to volunteer firefighters in Washington Square in addition to Coit Tower.  

Elizabeth Snyder Glide

A philanthropic activist, Lizzie Glide established the Glide Foundation, the Glide Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Mary Elizabeth Inn which provides services and support for disadvantaged women. Glide was also the owner of The Hotel Californian, San Francisco’s sole temperance hotel from 1935 to 1978 until it was purchased again to become the Serrano Hotel. The hotel was renovated and rebranded in 2018 and thrives as our own Hotel Spero.

Maya Angelou

One of the City’s first black female streetcar conductors, Angelou, while not a native San Franciscan, rose to become a poet and writer extraordinaire, and remains a national treasure. Selections of her work can be seen at City Lights Bookstore.

Alice Waters

The founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California, Waters has long been a supporter of the local organic and sustainable food/clean eating movement and was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama in 2015.

Natural scenic beauty is always a terrific setting for romance, as you and your special someone will discover while ambling along picturesque Lover’s Lane Trail at the Presidio.

Take advantage of the romantic appeal of sharing a blanket and a picnic while watching the sunset at Baker Beach, or on a bright sunny day at Golden Gate Park. Before you go, pack a basket with your favorite gourmet treats at the Ferry Building Marketplace. Don’t forget the wine!

Whether pre-or-post-picnic, a pedal boat or rowboat ride around Stow Lake presents an idyllic setting for romance. Either is available for rent at the boathouse.

Explore the historic Embarcadero Waterfront near sunset, and then dine on the finest Spanish cuisine at Coqueta on Pier 5. For the icing on your Valentine’s Day cupcake, head over to the Bay Bridge to see one of the city’s most impressive light sculpture installations, the Bay Light. Share a quiet moment with your sweetie as you gaze at this glorious work of art that illuminates the night.

We suggest some new and different approaches, such as various types of yoga, connecting with nature by walking, and adding a regular relaxation/self-care practice. The activities below, along with practicing mindfulness, can make the journey to a healthy body into a rarefied experience.

Yoga on the Labyrinth at Grace Cathedral All ages and faiths are welcome here to practice yoga in a darkened cathedral.

Yoga to the People Come for an hour of Power Vinyasa. 

KitTea Cat Cafe Presents Cats on Mats - Yoga with Cats! An hour of Hatha yoga, green tea, and 15 cuddly cats.

Beach Yoga A 75-minute, calming combination of yoga and nature. Headphones supplied so you can hear the music and the instructor.

Land’s End Trail Four miles of magnificent beauty - one of the best hikes in San Francisco.

California Coastal Trail Two and a half miles of scenic walking through the Presidio. 

Mount Davidson: Stunning views along the 1.3-miles leading up to the highest point in San Francisco.

Onsen Bath & Restaurant: Indulge yourself with bathing, massages, and more for body and soul.

Kabuki Springs & Spa: Healing bathhouse waters and a variety of holistic therapies.

Check out Illuminate San Francisco Festival of Light, Winter Walk SF, Home for the Holidays at Carolwood, and step into scenes right out of Jolly Olde London at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Support our animal friends at Macy’s Holiday Windows, then don your finest Santa apparel and join the mob for the annual SantaCon run and pub crawl. Wonderful performances this month include Cirque Du Soleil Volta, the Beach Blanket Babylon: Holiday Extravaganza, Smuin: The Christmas Ballet, and the San Francisco Symphony’s delightful presentations of holiday film favorites “Love Actually” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Also, don’t miss “Night Bloom” at the Conservatory of Flowers through January 6. Lastly, in a city chock-full of exceptional eateries, here are a few suggestions for everything from classic French and upscale gastropub fare to innovative food and wine pairings to fresh coastal cuisine, hand-raised seafood, and fine steaks. Treat your taste buds to Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen, the Bluestem Brasserie, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Farallon, Hog Island Oyster Co.,  McCormick & Kuleto’s Seafood & Steaks, or Gary Danko for an unforgettable culinary experience. 

To help you get into the holiday spirit, we have listed more of our favorite seasonal events and activities here.

Get your holiday skate on at Embarcadero Center, and Union Square, and don’t miss a visit to Home for the Holidays at Carolwood at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Additional must-see holiday event includes Embarcadero Center’s Building Lighting Ceremony and Carnival which is the official start of the holiday season in the city. Light up your evenings with the Tree Lighting Celebration at Pier 39, and Macy’s Union Square Tree Lighting Celebration after Thanksgiving. Our favorite holiday movies, shows, and performances around town include The Velveteen Rabbit, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol, Love Actually, Holiday Soul with San Francisco Symphony, The Nutcracker with San Francisco Ballet, and The Christmas Ballet.  

Often the most indelible imprints left on our memories are those that come from “out of the box” observations and experiences outside of traditional learning venues. Today, progressive museums are using creative adventures and fun programs to “teach,” and five of the best of these are located right here in San Francisco. First, billing itself as “an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum,” the California Academy of Sciences acts as an advocate for environmental and sustainability education, and for science that may just save the planet. Next, the Exploratorium aims to transform the learning process by encouraging questions, use of hands-on experiences, and urging individual discovery.

The city's Cable Car Museum offers a combination of history and an up-close observation of the “last working system of its kind in the world.” The Conservatory of Flowers provides opportunities to observe rare flora and fauna with five galleries; each one spotlighting a different ecosystem. One such example is a Dracula orchid, which is native to Andean Cloud Forests. Lastly, in addition to mochi pounding, the Asian Art Museum offers storytelling using myths and folk stories enhanced by works of fine art to expose kids of all ages to Asian culture and the museum’s collection. 

Off the Grid in Fort Mason | Every Friday

Select from over 30 food vendors while enjoying drinks and live music from bands and DJ’s. It’s a weekly outdoor food truck gathering that will scintillate even the most discerning foodies.

Every Friday through October 26^th
5pm – 10pm 

Ferry Building Farmers Market | Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday

One of the top farmers market to visit in the country, featuring the freshest produce from the A-list farmers. Celebrity chefs can be spotted cruising the vendors and loading up their baskets.

Tuesday & Thursday: 10am – 2pm
Saturday: 8am - 2pm

Presidio Picnic | Every Sunday

Imagine a seven-acre lawn filled to the brim with people picnicking. Sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay keep participants mesmerized, while music, lawn games, yoga, and bike safety classes are available for added entertainment.

Every Sunday through October 21^st
11am – 4pm

Car Free at Golden Gate Park | Saturday & Sunday

John F Kennedy Drive is closed to cars and open to pedestrians on Sundays and all holidays from Stanyan to Park Presidio. Portions of JFK Drive (from 8^th Ave to Transverse Drive) are also closed to vehicle traffic on Saturdays from April through the end of September. Relish in the car-free environment to go running, skating, cycling, or whatever your heart desires.

Yoga on the Beach | Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Sign up for 75 minutes of yoga with the waves crashing in the background. Find your happy place while mastering your mountain pose. There are four classes per week and the scenery is unbeatable.

Wednesday & Friday: 6:15pm - 7:30pm
Saturday: 11am - 12:15pm
Sunday: 11:30am - 12:45pm

Giants and A's Day Games

Calling all baseball fans to spend a glorious day cheering for one of your favorite Bay Area teams in outdoor stadiums! We have two incredible teams, meaning we have twice the amount of games in the Bay Area. Have a chilled beer or some hot dogs as you watch America's favorite pastime in action.

Salt & Straw, 220 Fillmore St

Classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate are available for the little ones, while options such as green apple mayo sherbert and peach vinegar cobble with toasted nutmeg will intrigue the adults. Head to this Portland-founded shop, for ice cream masterly crafted from locally sourced food ingredients that are guaranteed to dazzle your taste buds.

Joe’s Ice Cream, 5420 Geary Blvd

Makes the kids happy while igniting your inner child with throwback flavors like root beer swirl and rum raisin. Step back in time to 1959 when this old-school spot first opened. Innovative scoops like chai tea and wasabi also make an appearance on the menu. We like to pair one classic scoop with one innovative scoop to make one power flavor explosion.

Bi-Rite Creamery, 3292 18th Street

Locals and visitors will tell you the line is worth the wait, and we can’t help but agree. For gourmet culinary combinations like Olive Oil and Balsamic Strawberry, we’d wait all day. All of the ice cream is made from organic eggs, milk, and cream from Straus Family Creamery, making it a genuinely local ice cream shop.

Go Bowling at Mission Bowling Club

Flex your skills while sipping on craft cocktails, noshing on mission-style food, and hanging with San Francisco's most hip locals at this trendy bar. Visit during the week for shorter waitlists.

Rent a Pedal Boat on Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake

Step onto the deck of your own romance novel--sweeping city views, a cascading waterfall in the middle of the island, and groups of charming ducks create a picturesque atmosphere for snuggling and reconnecting. 

Spend a Night at the California Academy of Sciences

Sure you can visit the museum during the day like everyone else, or you can get wild and go at night. Every Thursday from 6 pm to 10 pm the museum goes nocturnal, opening its late-night doors and featuring weekly themes, like Golden State or Pride NightLife. Fully stocked bars are set up throughout the venue and local DJ's, like DJ Tanoa spin tunes all evening.

Bernal Heights Hill Swing, on top of Bernal Heights Hill - Hands down one of the most picturesque views--give your bestie a friendly push while capturing one of the highlights of the trip. You’ll both be swinging above the world after a relaxing hike up the Hill.

Pinhole Coffee, 231 Cortland Ave - Pop in for retro vibes, Verve coffee, and a snapshot of the rainbow-colored wall. 

Flora Grubb Gardens, 1634 Jerrold Ave - A place of inspiration, the succulent living wall is the most stunning background for best friend shots.

San Francisco is the ultimate girls trip. Glam up your Instagram feed with these colorful and envy-inducing photo ops.

Some people run, but most people walk. If you want to join, register early and let the good times roll. There are dance parties, bands, and even pub stops along the way. The event starts under the bridge at the bay and goes until the Breakers at the end of the Golden Gate Park. The only problem is that the event only happens once a year, although we wish it lasted longer. It's seriously one of the greatest group outings that occur in our gorgeous and vibrant town--and that’s saying a lot--because San Francisco has a dynamite line-up of exciting things to do! The event takes place on May 20th, 2018. For more information, click here.