We hope you’ve packed your appetite. This month, we’re finishing our Hit the Road series with a foodie foray into San Francisco. Whether you’re interested in taking a tour of Boudin’s Museum and Bakery, putting your cooking skills to the test at a sushi making class, or trying the award-winning Irish Coffee at Buena Vista Cafe, this driving-distance destination is every foodie’s dream.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Drive time: ~1.5 hours from downtown pending traffic (plan for 2 hours + bring cash for bridge tolls)
Est. population: 874,784
Avg. high in August: 68°
🎟️ Things to do
Jelly Belly Factory, 1 Jelly Belly Ln., Fairfield
Make a stop halfway on your journey to the Paris of the West to tour the candy factory, museum, and get the chance to purchase rejected Jelly Bellies — lovingly called “Belly Flops.”
Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, 900 North Point St.
Visit the original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop for a taste of its World Famous Hot Fudge Sundae.
Anchor Brewing Company, 1705 Mariposa St.
Take a tour + learn the history and impact of the brewery that has been a Golden City staple in one form or another for 100+ years.
Boudin Museum & Bakery Tour, 160 Jefferson St.
Explore the story of one of San Francisco’s most important culinary items — sourdough bread — from some of the city’s most historic bakeries.
Bite Unite, 600 S Van Ness Ave.
Sign up for a variety of cooking classes, ranging from sushi to pasta, or book a private dinner for you and your friends.
Winery Collective, 485 Jefferson St.
Visit the iconic multi-winery tasting room that focuses on showcasing boutique wineries from across the Golden State.
🍲 Memorable eats
Memphis Minnie’s BBQ Joint, 576 Haight St.
City Editor Jordan’s must-visit restaurant when he’s in The City, even if it’s just to snack on their BBQ Pork Rolls.
The Buena Vista Cafe, 2765 Hyde St.
Just shy of 70 years ago, then-owner Jack Koeppler recreated the Irish Coffee with the help of San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Stanton Delaplane, bringing the storied beverage to America for the first time. The recipe still stands as the stateside gold standard.
Mister Jiu’s, 28 Waverly Place
The Michelin-rated Chinese American eatery sits in historic Chinatown and has quickly made a name for itself since opening in 2016. It even has a cookbook available.
Sotto Mare Oysteria & Seafood Restaurant, 552 Green St.
Founded in 2007, Sotto Mare boasts the “Best Damn Crab Cioppino,” an Italian-American stew with origins in SF’s North Beach neighborhood.
Californios 355 11th St.
Make a prepaid reservation for up to four people to polish off some Mexican fine dining at this two-Michelin-starred restaurant.
🏨 Accommodations with award-winning cuisine
Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St.
Head to the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar to enjoy tropical drinks alongside rain, thunder + lightning storms while live music entertains from a floating boat.
The InterContinental Mark Hopkins, 999 California St.
Drink in a signature cocktail and a view of the San Francisco skyline from the hotel’s 19th floor at Top of the Mark.
Taj Campton Place, 340 Stockton St.
The California-Indian restaurant of this pet-friendly hotel has been awarded a Michelin star every year since 2010.
The Clift Hotel, 545 Post St.
Having been named one of the 15 best hotel bars in the world by CNN in 2011, Redwood Room boasts new twists on bar food favorites, like chipotle caramel corn.
Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St.
Indulge in the seasonal dinner and brunch menus at CHAMBERS eat + drink, which you can enjoy both inside and on the poolside patio.
