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When a recent trip brought us out to the bay area, we rearranged our travel schedule so we would have at least one full Saturday to the explore the amazing city of San Francisco. The bad part was that we’d only have one full Saturday to explore the amazing city of San Francisco. With so much to do and see, the choices seemed overwhelming. This was my first visit the “City By The Bay” and as much as I hate to admit it, we were in full tourist mode. Here’s where we stayed, ate and visited!
Where To Check-In? An Ideal Hotel & Location In San Francisco
In a city with over 200+ hotels, choosing where to stay in San Francisco can prove tricky. Especially when you’re short on time. Solution? We decided to choose a hotel in a great location with easy access to the places we planned to visit. We also wanted to be close to great restaurants. And we figured a little luxury wouldn’t hurt either…
The Four Seasons San Francisco came out on top as our pick as the perfect hotel for a quick weekend in the city. Not only is it in an ultra convenient location with an easy walk to some of the city’s best museums, restaurants, shopping, attractions, and transportation, but the Four Seasons San Francisco is known for providing a level of luxurious amenities and service that isn’t easy to come by. We couldn’t wait to check-in!
Travel Tip: When you’re traveling and short on time, choose a hotel in a location that’s convenient to areas you plan to visit and includes the level of amenities and service you’re accustomed to (or better).
Experiencing The Hotel
We arrived at the striking Four Seasons San Francisco on a Friday evening. The main entrance to the hotel is on Market Street, but if you’re driving in or require valet service Stevenson Street is the place to go. There’s also an entrance to a parking garage if you decide to self-park.
The Four Seasons San Francisco is a modern high-rise style building. Once you get inside you take the elevator to the 5th floor to reach the main lobby of the hotel. This is also the heart of the hotel where you’ll find their concierge desk, MKT their restaurant, bar and lounge, and elevators that will take you to the guest rooms. The hotel is sleek and modern with the feel of a luxury apartment building but at night still felt cozy. We found the bar to be a great spot to unwind for a bite to eat and drink. And if weather allows (which it did not while we were there) you can relax out on their expansive veranda that overlooks Yerba Buena Gardens.
The guest rooms at the Four Seasons San Francisco are spacious, filled with natural light and tranquil. Truly zen chic and a lovely contrast to the bustling city. The rooms also feature floor-to-ceiling windows that look onto the San Francisco skyline. The window seat in our room was a fun touch and I found myself drawn to looking out the window taking in Market Street and the San Francisco city skyline. Breathtaking!
Guestrooms come complete with flat-screens, WiFi access, and iPod docks. They recently completed a $20 million dollar renovation, which includes all 277 guest rooms and suites.
The bedding and linens at the Four Seasons San Francisco are lush, luxurious and the silky soft to the touch. There’s nothing better than a comfortable bed and I was debating whether I should go explore one of the world’s most exciting and beautiful cities or stay in and indulge in breakfast in bed. I eventually tore myself away.
The bathrooms in the suites at the Four Seasons are just as gorgeous. Large, marble adorned and complete with a deep soaking tub and glass-enclosed shower. A spa-like retreat in your own room. There’s nothing more relaxing than a hot bath after a long day of sightseeing. And if it’s tech you’re looking for all guestrooms come with flat-screens, WiFi access, and iPod docks.
Four Seasons Hotels, in general, are known for their impeccable service and the Four Seasons San Francisco was no exception. It was not only super friendly and helpful but completely professional. And their concierge? Stellar. Whether you’re looking for info about visiting spots around the city or a hot restaurant tip nearby they have your back. If you need a reservation or tickets booked for a show or tour they can arrange that for you as well. And while San Francisco is a completely walkable city with plenty of options to get around, the Four Seasons San Francisco has a house car that will drive or pick up its guests anywhere within a mile of the hotel. A completely complementary service. Oh, and did I mention it’s a Tesla?
The amenities at the Four Seasons San Francisco are just as elevated as the service. Guests who want to stick to their fitness routine have access to the Equinox Sports Club located in the same building that along with the usual fitness equipment has a state-of-the-art boxing studio, a full-sized indoor basketball court and a 25-yard indoor pool that was being renovated when we visited. This is where their spa is located as well.
If you’re an art enthusiast just walk around the lobby and enjoy the Four Season’s large and impressive contemporary art collection.
For when you’re hungry, their MKT Restaurant + Bar offers a California inspired menu of fresh sustainable seafood and creative craft cocktails. Their 24-hour in-room dining option can be an attractive option if you’re exhausted from a day of sightseeing.
Just outside the hotel on Yerba Buena Lane, you’ll also find a number of delicious restaurants ranging from upscale to casual. For dinner one night, we ate at Delarosa a modern Roman-style pizzeria serving pizzas, antipasti and small plates along with creative cocktails, wine, and craft beer. Loved every bite and our favorite meal while in San Francisco.
Another night we visited Amber, creative modern Indian dishes served in an ultra chic and moody style interior. Another stellar meal just a short walk from the hotel.
A Quick Weekend Getaway In San Francisco: Travel Guide & Itinerary
Better Living uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no cost to you.
57k
SHARES
When a recent trip brought us out to the bay area, we rearranged our travel schedule so we would have at least one full Saturday to the explore the amazing city of San Francisco. The bad part was that we’d only have one full Saturday to explore the amazing city of San Francisco. With so much to do and see, the choices seemed overwhelming. This was my first visit the “City By The Bay” and as much as I hate to admit it, we were in full tourist mode. Here’s where we stayed, ate and visited!
Where To Check-In? An Ideal Hotel & Location In San Francisco
In a city with over 200+ hotels, choosing where to stay in San Francisco can prove tricky. Especially when you’re short on time. Solution? We decided to choose a hotel in a great location with easy access to the places we planned to visit. We also wanted to be close to great restaurants. And we figured a little luxury wouldn’t hurt either…
The Four Seasons San Francisco came out on top as our pick as the perfect hotel for a quick weekend in the city. Not only is it in an ultra convenient location with an easy walk to some of the city’s best museums, restaurants, shopping, attractions, and transportation, but the Four Seasons San Francisco is known for providing a level of luxurious amenities and service that isn’t easy to come by. We couldn’t wait to check-in!
Travel Tip: When you’re traveling and short on time, choose a hotel in a location that’s convenient to areas you plan to visit and includes the level of amenities and service you’re accustomed to (or better).
Experiencing The Hotel
We arrived at the striking Four Seasons San Francisco on a Friday evening. The main entrance to the hotel is on Market Street, but if you’re driving in or require valet service Stevenson Street is the place to go. There’s also an entrance to a parking garage if you decide to self-park.
The Four Seasons San Francisco is a modern high-rise style building. Once you get inside you take the elevator to the 5th floor to reach the main lobby of the hotel. This is also the heart of the hotel where you’ll find their concierge desk, MKT their restaurant, bar and lounge, and elevators that will take you to the guest rooms. The hotel is sleek and modern with the feel of a luxury apartment building but at night still felt cozy. We found the bar to be a great spot to unwind for a bite to eat and drink. And if weather allows (which it did not while we were there) you can relax out on their expansive veranda that overlooks Yerba Buena Gardens.
The guest rooms at the Four Seasons San Francisco are spacious, filled with natural light and tranquil. Truly zen chic and a lovely contrast to the bustling city. The rooms also feature floor-to-ceiling windows that look onto the San Francisco skyline. The window seat in our room was a fun touch and I found myself drawn to looking out the window taking in Market Street and the San Francisco city skyline. Breathtaking!
Guestrooms come complete with flat-screens, WiFi access, and iPod docks. They recently completed a $20 million dollar renovation, which includes all 277 guest rooms and suites.
The bedding and linens at the Four Seasons San Francisco are lush, luxurious and the silky soft to the touch. There’s nothing better than a comfortable bed and I was debating whether I should go explore one of the world’s most exciting and beautiful cities or stay in and indulge in breakfast in bed. I eventually tore myself away.
The bathrooms in the suites at the Four Seasons are just as gorgeous. Large, marble adorned and complete with a deep soaking tub and glass-enclosed shower. A spa-like retreat in your own room. There’s nothing more relaxing than a hot bath after a long day of sightseeing. And if it’s tech you’re looking for all guestrooms come with flat-screens, WiFi access, and iPod docks.
Four Seasons Hotels, in general, are known for their impeccable service and the Four Seasons San Francisco was no exception. It was not only super friendly and helpful but completely professional. And their concierge? Stellar. Whether you’re looking for info about visiting spots around the city or a hot restaurant tip nearby they have your back. If you need a reservation or tickets booked for a show or tour they can arrange that for you as well. And while San Francisco is a completely walkable city with plenty of options to get around, the Four Seasons San Francisco has a house car that will drive or pick up its guests anywhere within a mile of the hotel. A completely complementary service. Oh, and did I mention it’s a Tesla?
The amenities at the Four Seasons San Francisco are just as elevated as the service. Guests who want to stick to their fitness routine have access to the Equinox Sports Club located in the same building that along with the usual fitness equipment has a state-of-the-art boxing studio, a full-sized indoor basketball court and a 25-yard indoor pool that was being renovated when we visited. This is where their spa is located as well.
If you’re an art enthusiast just walk around the lobby and enjoy the Four Season’s large and impressive contemporary art collection.
For when you’re hungry, their MKT Restaurant + Bar offers a California inspired menu of fresh sustainable seafood and creative craft cocktails. Their 24-hour in-room dining option can be an attractive option if you’re exhausted from a day of sightseeing.
Just outside the hotel on Yerba Buena Lane, you’ll also find a number of delicious restaurants ranging from upscale to casual. For dinner one night, we ate at Delarosa a modern Roman-style pizzeria serving pizzas, antipasti and small plates along with creative cocktails, wine, and craft beer. Loved every bite and our favorite meal while in San Francisco.
Another night we visited Amber, creative modern Indian dishes served in an ultra chic and moody style interior. Another stellar meal just a short walk from the hotel.
Address: Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Travel Tip: If you’re flying directly into San Francisco to visit the city you really don’t need a car at all. Parking in San Francisco is expensive and hard to find. And with so many great options in San Francisco for public and private transportation, including services like Lyft and Uber you never have to wait long. It’s so much more convenient and can save you aggravation and money in the long run.
Explore The Hotel’s Local Neighborhood: SoMa (South of Market)/Union Square
The Four Seasons San Francisco is located at Market Street and 3rd in what is considered the SOMA (South Of Market) neighborhood. Walk two blocks from the hotel and you’re in the center of Union Square San Francisco’s shopping mecca and home to stores like Barneys NY, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Westfield SF Centre. This is San Francisco’s retail and commercial mecca galore where you’ll also find lots of upscale boutiques, restaurants, nightspots, and galleries. If you can think of a retail or fashion brand you love, chances are it’s right here. Union Square is a virtual shopper’s paradise with a little something for everyone.
Just next to the hotel and right off Market Street is San Francisco’s newest street Yerba Buena Lane. A pedestrian-only lane, Yerba Buena is lined with a variety of fantastic restaurants from casual to chic. A 4-minute walk down Yerba Buena Lane and you’ll arrive at Yerba Buena Gardens, an area regarded as “the largest concentration of art west of the Hudson River.” Here you’ll find fantastic art museums like the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Jewish Contemporary Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the California Historical Society, the Cartoon Art Museum, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
A peaceful oasis in the city Yerba Buena Gardens is a great place to leisurely stroll about, experience some unique public art and relax by the public gardens and waterfall. For history buffs, St. Patrick’s historic church dating back to 1851, and a striking memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr can also be found here. And all just a few minutes walk from the hotel.
If you’re looking to head to the Ferry Building Marketplace the hotel is only 1.1 miles straight down Market street.
Fun Fact: Yerba Buena or the Spanish ‘hierba buena’ meaning “good herb” was the original name of San Francisco.
Address: The Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Ride A Cable Car
Is there nothing more San Francisco than a cable car? Just a block and a half from the Four Seasons Hotel at the intersection of Powell and Market Streets is one of San Francisco’s historic manual cable car turnarounds. It is also the beginning of the Powell-Mason and Powell- Hyde cable car lines that will take you down to different areas of Fisherman’s Wharf in true San Francisco style.
Cable Car Ride Tip #1: The Powell-Mason line cars are quickest to the Wharf, but Powell-Hyde cars will give you a more thrilling hilly San Francisco ride. Be sure to get a spot on the pole where you can hang off the side of the car and take in those gorgeous San Francisco views.
A popular tourist attraction, crowds begin to form here early to not only catch a ride but to watch a cable car get turned around. Cable cars can’t go in reverse and with the help of car operators and a large rotating wooden platform that looks something like giant lazy Susan, must be turned around manually. Today it is still done the way was done 100 years ago when cable cars first arrived in San Francisco.
Checking the signs on the front of the cars will tell you which line you’re taking. Tickets cost $7 per ride, $3 for seniors or you can get a day pass for $22. Multi-day passes will save you even more if you know you’ll be in the city for several days. While we recommend taking the cable cars at least once to get that true San Francisco feeling, getting a Lyft or Uber can be quicker, more convenient and less expensive.
Cable Car Ride Tip #2: Since the cable car turnaround is a popular tourist attraction the lines to get onboard can get long. Plus they don’t fill the cars to capacity when they leave the station so there is room for passengers at other stops. To skip the lines opt to walk up a few blocks to the next stop or two and then board there.
Spend Time In The U.S.’s Oldest and Largest Chinatown Outside Of Asia
Did you know that San Francisco’s own Chinatown is not only the oldest in the United States but is also the largest outside of Asia? Pretty cool, right? After leaving The Four Seasons San Francisco for the day we walked a few blocks to the Chinatown lavish entrance known as “Dragon’s Gate.” It’s located at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue which is San Francisco’s oldest street and also runs the length of Chinatown.
Chinatown is best explored on foot to truly experience all there is to offer. Made up of 24 blocks of restaurants, food markets, bakeries, herbal and souvenir shops and Chinatown is bustling with locals and tourist alike. Everywhere you look is colorful shop window displays, Chinese lamp posts, red lanterns, and buildings with Chinese-style, decorative architecture. You truly feel like you’ve traveled to the far east.
On a visit to Chinatown, you can buy imported souvenirs, luggage, art, jewelry, crystals, traditional Chinese herbal remedies, watch fortune cookies being made The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, sample tea at a tea bar or visit one of 3 traditional historic Chinese temples. There’s also fresh food markets (some unusual) and dozens of restaurants. And if you have the time to sit down and experience Chinatown’s favorite culinary experience dim sum, by all means, do it. Dim Sum is a style of Chinese cuisine where you’re served small bite-sized portions of small steamed or fried savory dumplings, buns and rolls with various fillings, both sweet and savory. The idea is that you can get a little taste of everything. Served with tea it’s a true San Francisco tradition.
A Quick Weekend Getaway In San Francisco: Travel Guide & Itinerary
Better Living uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no cost to you.
57k
SHARES
When a recent trip brought us out to the bay area, we rearranged our travel schedule so we would have at least one full Saturday to the explore the amazing city of San Francisco. The bad part was that we’d only have one full Saturday to explore the amazing city of San Francisco. With so much to do and see, the choices seemed overwhelming. This was my first visit the “City By The Bay” and as much as I hate to admit it, we were in full tourist mode. Here’s where we stayed, ate and visited!
Where To Check-In? An Ideal Hotel & Location In San Francisco
In a city with over 200+ hotels, choosing where to stay in San Francisco can prove tricky. Especially when you’re short on time. Solution? We decided to choose a hotel in a great location with easy access to the places we planned to visit. We also wanted to be close to great restaurants. And we figured a little luxury wouldn’t hurt either…
The Four Seasons San Francisco came out on top as our pick as the perfect hotel for a quick weekend in the city. Not only is it in an ultra convenient location with an easy walk to some of the city’s best museums, restaurants, shopping, attractions, and transportation, but the Four Seasons San Francisco is known for providing a level of luxurious amenities and service that isn’t easy to come by. We couldn’t wait to check-in!
Travel Tip: When you’re traveling and short on time, choose a hotel in a location that’s convenient to areas you plan to visit and includes the level of amenities and service you’re accustomed to (or better).
Experiencing The Hotel
We arrived at the striking Four Seasons San Francisco on a Friday evening. The main entrance to the hotel is on Market Street, but if you’re driving in or require valet service Stevenson Street is the place to go. There’s also an entrance to a parking garage if you decide to self-park.
The Four Seasons San Francisco is a modern high-rise style building. Once you get inside you take the elevator to the 5th floor to reach the main lobby of the hotel. This is also the heart of the hotel where you’ll find their concierge desk, MKT their restaurant, bar and lounge, and elevators that will take you to the guest rooms. The hotel is sleek and modern with the feel of a luxury apartment building but at night still felt cozy. We found the bar to be a great spot to unwind for a bite to eat and drink. And if weather allows (which it did not while we were there) you can relax out on their expansive veranda that overlooks Yerba Buena Gardens.
The guest rooms at the Four Seasons San Francisco are spacious, filled with natural light and tranquil. Truly zen chic and a lovely contrast to the bustling city. The rooms also feature floor-to-ceiling windows that look onto the San Francisco skyline. The window seat in our room was a fun touch and I found myself drawn to looking out the window taking in Market Street and the San Francisco city skyline. Breathtaking!
Guestrooms come complete with flat-screens, WiFi access, and iPod docks. They recently completed a $20 million dollar renovation, which includes all 277 guest rooms and suites.
The bedding and linens at the Four Seasons San Francisco are lush, luxurious and the silky soft to the touch. There’s nothing better than a comfortable bed and I was debating whether I should go explore one of the world’s most exciting and beautiful cities or stay in and indulge in breakfast in bed. I eventually tore myself away.
The bathrooms in the suites at the Four Seasons are just as gorgeous. Large, marble adorned and complete with a deep soaking tub and glass-enclosed shower. A spa-like retreat in your own room. There’s nothing more relaxing than a hot bath after a long day of sightseeing. And if it’s tech you’re looking for all guestrooms come with flat-screens, WiFi access, and iPod docks.
Four Seasons Hotels, in general, are known for their impeccable service and the Four Seasons San Francisco was no exception. It was not only super friendly and helpful but completely professional. And their concierge? Stellar. Whether you’re looking for info about visiting spots around the city or a hot restaurant tip nearby they have your back. If you need a reservation or tickets booked for a show or tour they can arrange that for you as well. And while San Francisco is a completely walkable city with plenty of options to get around, the Four Seasons San Francisco has a house car that will drive or pick up its guests anywhere within a mile of the hotel. A completely complementary service. Oh, and did I mention it’s a Tesla?
The amenities at the Four Seasons San Francisco are just as elevated as the service. Guests who want to stick to their fitness routine have access to the Equinox Sports Club located in the same building that along with the usual fitness equipment has a state-of-the-art boxing studio, a full-sized indoor basketball court and a 25-yard indoor pool that was being renovated when we visited. This is where their spa is located as well.
If you’re an art enthusiast just walk around the lobby and enjoy the Four Season’s large and impressive contemporary art collection.
For when you’re hungry, their MKT Restaurant + Bar offers a California inspired menu of fresh sustainable seafood and creative craft cocktails. Their 24-hour in-room dining option can be an attractive option if you’re exhausted from a day of sightseeing.
Just outside the hotel on Yerba Buena Lane, you’ll also find a number of delicious restaurants ranging from upscale to casual. For dinner one night, we ate at Delarosa a modern Roman-style pizzeria serving pizzas, antipasti and small plates along with creative cocktails, wine, and craft beer. Loved every bite and our favorite meal while in San Francisco.
Another night we visited Amber, creative modern Indian dishes served in an ultra chic and moody style interior. Another stellar meal just a short walk from the hotel.
Address: Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Travel Tip: If you’re flying directly into San Francisco to visit the city you really don’t need a car at all. Parking in San Francisco is expensive and hard to find. And with so many great options in San Francisco for public and private transportation, including services like Lyft and Uber you never have to wait long. It’s so much more convenient and can save you aggravation and money in the long run.
Explore The Hotel’s Local Neighborhood: SoMa (South of Market)/Union Square
The Four Seasons San Francisco is located at Market Street and 3rd in what is considered the SOMA (South Of Market) neighborhood. Walk two blocks from the hotel and you’re in the center of Union Square San Francisco’s shopping mecca and home to stores like Barneys NY, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and the Westfield SF Centre. This is San Francisco’s retail and commercial mecca galore where you’ll also find lots of upscale boutiques, restaurants, nightspots, and galleries. If you can think of a retail or fashion brand you love, chances are it’s right here. Union Square is a virtual shopper’s paradise with a little something for everyone.
Just next to the hotel and right off Market Street is San Francisco’s newest street Yerba Buena Lane. A pedestrian-only lane, Yerba Buena is lined with a variety of fantastic restaurants from casual to chic. A 4-minute walk down Yerba Buena Lane and you’ll arrive at Yerba Buena Gardens, an area regarded as “the largest concentration of art west of the Hudson River.” Here you’ll find fantastic art museums like the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, the Jewish Contemporary Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the California Historical Society, the Cartoon Art Museum, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
A peaceful oasis in the city Yerba Buena Gardens is a great place to leisurely stroll about, experience some unique public art and relax by the public gardens and waterfall. For history buffs, St. Patrick’s historic church dating back to 1851, and a striking memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr can also be found here. And all just a few minutes walk from the hotel.
If you’re looking to head to the Ferry Building Marketplace the hotel is only 1.1 miles straight down Market street.
Fun Fact: Yerba Buena or the Spanish ‘hierba buena’ meaning “good herb” was the original name of San Francisco.
Address: The Four Seasons San Francisco
757 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Ride A Cable Car
Is there nothing more San Francisco than a cable car? Just a block and a half from the Four Seasons Hotel at the intersection of Powell and Market Streets is one of San Francisco’s historic manual cable car turnarounds. It is also the beginning of the Powell-Mason and Powell- Hyde cable car lines that will take you down to different areas of Fisherman’s Wharf in true San Francisco style.
Cable Car Ride Tip #1: The Powell-Mason line cars are quickest to the Wharf, but Powell-Hyde cars will give you a more thrilling hilly San Francisco ride. Be sure to get a spot on the pole where you can hang off the side of the car and take in those gorgeous San Francisco views.
A popular tourist attraction, crowds begin to form here early to not only catch a ride but to watch a cable car get turned around. Cable cars can’t go in reverse and with the help of car operators and a large rotating wooden platform that looks something like giant lazy Susan, must be turned around manually. Today it is still done the way was done 100 years ago when cable cars first arrived in San Francisco.
Checking the signs on the front of the cars will tell you which line you’re taking. Tickets cost $7 per ride, $3 for seniors or you can get a day pass for $22. Multi-day passes will save you even more if you know you’ll be in the city for several days. While we recommend taking the cable cars at least once to get that true San Francisco feeling, getting a Lyft or Uber can be quicker, more convenient and less expensive.
Cable Car Ride Tip #2: Since the cable car turnaround is a popular tourist attraction the lines to get onboard can get long. Plus they don’t fill the cars to capacity when they leave the station so there is room for passengers at other stops. To skip the lines opt to walk up a few blocks to the next stop or two and then board there.
Spend Time In The U.S.’s Oldest and Largest Chinatown Outside Of Asia
Did you know that San Francisco’s own Chinatown is not only the oldest in the United States but is also the largest outside of Asia? Pretty cool, right? After leaving The Four Seasons San Francisco for the day we walked a few blocks to the Chinatown lavish entrance known as “Dragon’s Gate.” It’s located at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue which is San Francisco’s oldest street and also runs the length of Chinatown.
Chinatown is best explored on foot to truly experience all there is to offer. Made up of 24 blocks of restaurants, food markets, bakeries, herbal and souvenir shops and Chinatown is bustling with locals and tourist alike. Everywhere you look is colorful shop window displays, Chinese lamp posts, red lanterns, and buildings with Chinese-style, decorative architecture. You truly feel like you’ve traveled to the far east.
On a visit to Chinatown, you can buy imported souvenirs, luggage, art, jewelry, crystals, traditional Chinese herbal remedies, watch fortune cookies being made The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, sample tea at a tea bar or visit one of 3 traditional historic Chinese temples. There’s also fresh food markets (some unusual) and dozens of restaurants. And if you have the time to sit down and experience Chinatown’s favorite culinary experience dim sum, by all means, do it. Dim Sum is a style of Chinese cuisine where you’re served small bite-sized portions of small steamed or fried savory dumplings, buns and rolls with various fillings, both sweet and savory. The idea is that you can get a little taste of everything. Served with tea it’s a true San Francisco tradition.
With 24 blocks it would be easy to spend an entire day in Chinatown exploring each street and sampling all the delicious things there are here. But we were determined to see as much as possible in a day. So we waved Chinatown goodbye, hopped on the cable car at California Street and headed down to the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry Plaza Building.
Address: Bush St & Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108 (Dragon’s Gate Entrance)
Make Your Way Through One Of America’s Best Farmer’s Markets At The Ferry Plaza Building
One of the concierge’s first recommendations from the Four Seasons was to go to the Farmer’s Market. It’s located at the Ferry Plaza building along San Francisco’s Embarcadero at the eastern end of Market Street. You know you’re there when you’ve spotted the clock tower.
Dating back to 1898, the recently restored Ferry Plaza building itself is worth a visit. Inside you’ll find lots of unique shops, food and wine vendors and notable restaurants run by famous local chefs like The Slanted Door that are open daily. One really cool shop we encountered called Far West Fungi offers all things mushrooms. Not only do they sell more types of mushrooms than I knew existed, but they also sell rare truffles and mushroom growing kits if you’d like to cultivate some edible fungi on your own.
But on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays the front and back of the Ferry Building comes alive with the Farmer’s Market. On these days farmers and artisans from all over the Bay Area come to sell their fresh local goods like produce, fish, meats, artisan cheeses, organic meats, baked goods, wines, flowers, and chocolates. Lucky to be there on a Saturday I walked through the Farmers Market in awe of all the gorgeous beautiful and fresh food available. If you love good food and appreciate fresh farm ingredients this place is a must stop on your itinerary.
There are also food stands outside cooking up some delicious things if you get hungry while browsing. And how could you not? We saw notable vendors like Namu dishing up Korean tacos, Reem’s serving traditional Arab street food and Cap’n Mikes handling a long line of San Franciscans waiting for some of his famous smoked lox on sourdough. I settled on a plate of Baja Style fresh fish tacos from a Mexican food vendor called Primavera. Fresh, crispy and drizzled with a delicious salsa that had me questioning if I was still north of the border, they couldn’t have been more perfect.
Paired with perfect weather and unbeatable views of the bay bridge I found myself wishing I lived closer to San Francisco. Hard to pull myself away I finished my taco, took a last look around and we hopped on the MUNI F-Line Streetcar ($2.50, exact change) in front of the Ferry Building. This would take us to our next stop: Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39.
