Travel another way

8 of my favourite things to do in and around San Francisco

February 13, 2009 By: jgrandchamps Category: "How to" Tips, San Francisco, Tours in California

2 views of the city in February: one from Corona Heights and the other from Nobhill .

San Francisco is an endless source of entertainments: top-notch shows, fine dining experiences, national events and amazing places to discover. Open any tourist information guides or surf the net, and you will find tons of things to do in San Francisco. But do they tell you everything ? Not really!

Many delighful places are well-kept secrets by locals. If you want to discover the city and its surroundings in depth, it means that you really have a “French Escapade” spirit: travelling to meet locals and get authentic experiences .

Of course, when I have guests in San Francisco, they always get a thorough tour of the city, with all the historical background they can handle: they cannot leave without seeing the Golden Gate bridge, walking on the Piers, strolling in Chinatown, biking in the Golden Gate park or going to a show.

But that wouldn’t be enough to feel like you have had a unique experience. So follow me!

Jackie, your San Francisco guide on French Escapade Tours in California.

Here are some of our favourite special outings:

Spend an afternoon at the Kabuki bathhouse in Japan Town: the ambiance is utterly relaxing, the massages exquisite and the whole atmosphere will regenerate your energy for weeks ! Great staff too!
Cross the Bay Bridge for a Soul food experience in Oakland; a few blocks away from the London’s Square, you will find Nellie’s soul food restaurant. Good food, very nice welcoming staff .
Attend a sing-along show at the Castro theater. Not only the place is a unique architectural building (read post from February 2, 2009) but the audience at the Castro theater (both adults and children) are wonderful! Their interaction with the movies in sing-alongs is a source of a real pleasure. I never want to miss a show!
Visit my favourite giftshop, far away from main tourist traps. It is located at the foot of the Golden Gate bridge, at the end of Crissy Fields, out of reach of big chartered buses. They serve snacks and coffee, have many picnic tables around the shop with a breathtaling view of the bridge and the city.
For a good little urban hike, I suggest walking from the Castro district all the way up to Corona Heights. Great view of the city and the financial district! Then, if you have the right itinerary, you will be able to walk down flights of stairs, along beautiful gardens and hide-away mansions.
Our second favorite hike is along the cliffs between Lincoln Park and the Presidio, with spectacular views of the Golden Gate bridge and the Pacific ocean. Very gentle hike all the way to China Beach.
If you want to discover Chinatown with a genuine flavour, avoid Grant Avenue and walk up Stockton instead, along the well-stocked grocery stalls displaying the weirdest roots. Do not hesitate to visit a Chinese herb stores offering the wildest drugs meticulously sorted out in im pressive rows of drawers and jars. A visit at the Chinese cookie factory can also be a fun experience.

Some goods displayed at a Chinese grocery store in Broadway

I could go on and on, but I will finish this top-8 chart, with Pacific Grove, a wonderful place to escape the busy city life. My friends Carmen and Candice introduced me to this peaceful town next to Monterey, and if you are looking for a perfect hide-away, that’s a great place to go to !