San Francisco Hit List

Ah San Francisco, you never fail to disappoint. This was my sixth trip to SF and boy was it different to the others. Other trips have largely had no budget to work to - this time round, I arrived as a budget-conscious traveller. Quite an adjustment.

The aim of the game on this trip to SF was to hang out with one of my besties, try new things and stay within budget. The first two were a cinche but the budget thing bit me in the ass. 

With this in mind here's our hit list. 

DO

• Cycle from Marina to the Golden Gate Bridge - and over it if you have time to Sausalito. Take a ferry back with your bike. US$16 for 2 hours bike hire

• Alcatraz is a must see. Leave from Pier 33. You have to pre-book as it sells out months in advance. Steeped in history, this place gives you a real feel of the cold hard realities of prison life for the criminal elite. Definitely grab the free audio tour to give you the full picture. US$33.

• MOMA gallery. Get a friend to give you members tickets (free) or its US$25 each

• Drive up to Twin Peaks. Take some beers and watch the sun drop. Incredible views over the entire city

• Go to a Giants baseball game. Sink some pre-game beers at Momo's, across the road from the stadium. At the game, tuck into a hotdog with the works. You'll regret it but it tastes so good at the time. US$48 for a ticket.

• Explore Hayes Valley

  • Best coffee at Ritual Coffee (served to you out of a shipping container)

  • Good selection of on-trend shops

• Take UberPool everywhere. So, so cheap and efficient.

• Obviously Shop!! Sadly I'm on a thing called a budget so I couldn't put temptation in the way. But from previous trips, wander around the streets surrounding Union Square in the city or hit up neighbourhood districts of Pac Heights or the Hayes Valley.

EAT

• Sunday brunch at Presidio Social Club. Try the beignets

• The Mission

  • Dinner at Tawla for spot-on Greek fare

  • Drink at Zeitgeist a punk rock beer garden. Heavy-handed free pouring is the norm so enjoy

  • ABV, delicious cocktails and sliders

  • Monks Kettle for a hectic beer list

  • Epic (!!!) burger at Benders Bar & Grill a true dive-bar

STAY

• We stayed with a friend (thanks Liv) in Noe Valley but AirBnb is the way to go if you want to live like a local.

IF YOU DARE

• Drive on the right hand side of the road

OUTTA TOWN

• Check out the impressive Stanford campus. You'll feel smarter just for being there. We drove out there but you can easily take the CalTrain from 4th Street station.

Instagram: @thelisaphillips #somedaysherpa