Hello again,

Welcome to my first official travel blog post. I decided to kick things off at the city that stole my heart almost 8 years ago and that I currently call home. It’s also home to some glorious bridges, a mysterious Fog named Karl and a plethora of cultural influences that make this city one of a kind. This post is a little introduction to the things I love about the Golden City so you can add them to your bucket list and enjoy them on your next visit.

Golden Gate Bridge

I’ll start with most recognizable attraction the city has to offer, the Golden Gate Bridge. There is 100 ways to enjoy the goods the bridge has to offer and here are a few of my favorite in order of the photos below.

1. Explore Fort Point Historic Site and see the bridge from the best angles.

2. Stroll down Marina Boulevard at dusk to catch the most beautiful sunsets behind the bridge.

3. Have a picnic with views at Crissy Fields.

4. Drive up to Twin Peaks for 360 views of the city.

5. Bike or drive the Bridge and seek the views from the other side in the Marin Headlands & the Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint.

6. Hike from Land’s End to the Bridge via the Batteries to Bluffs trail, taking in Baker Beach along the way. You’ll forget your even in the city!

Golden Gate Park

Next stop is Golden Gate Park. This is a haven for nature in the midst of a busy city. I don’t even know where to begin, with over 1000 acres of lush nature, museums, athletic activities and gorgeous meadows. Here’s some of my favorite spots.

1. Any of the meadows but especially Hellman’s Hollow & Lindley Meadow. Add some sunshine and a picnic and you might never leave.

2. The Music Concourse including the California Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum (free viewing tower of the city here – Hamon Tower Observation Deck) and The Skystar Ferris Wheel. This area is always bustling with people, food trucks and art exhibitions.

3. The Athletics of it all. There is nowhere nicer in the City to go for a run. A nice loop of the Park or a few laps of the Kezar Stadium Running Track will build up your appetite for the next recommendation. The park also boasts tennis courts, bocce ball counts, a Polo Field and Soccer fields to name but a few of the activities available. The park also hosts many races through out the year and the San Francisco Marathon passes through too.

4. The food nearby. The park is surrounded by good food including my favorite Sandwich Shop in San Francisco Lou’s Sandwiches on Geary Blvd. You are also near the beloved Haight Ashbury, Clement Street the Inner Sunset for any and all delicacies you could ever want. I’ll do a more in-depth foodie recommendation list soon!

5. Festivals. Golden Gate Park is home to many festivals throughout the year, most notably Music Festivals Outside Lands (August) and Hardly, Strictly Blue Grass (October). Bonus points for Blue Grass because it’s free admission and BYOB (don’t quote me on that).

6. Not pictured but worth a mention – Stow lake (Rent a pedal boat and enjoy the views), The Bison Paddock (See real life Bison up close) and the recently refurbished Dog Park for some excellent dog watching.

Stay tuned for more in-depth San Francisco recommendations and feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Happy Exploring!

Olivia