What are the best and most interesting things to do for a week in SF?

Hi Nick,

Honestly, SF is the place to be for a foodie, so you could spend your whole week eating :) 

Things to see/do/eat:

- Ferry Building Marketplace - this is a foodie paradise. You will find prepared foods and produce, sweets and a great view. You can simply walk or indulge in the deliciousness that is SF. In the ferry building you should try:

     - Cowgirl Creamery - they have some of the best cheese - if you like brie I love Mt. Tam. Buy a wheel and then go next door to Acme Bread Company (cash only), buy some amazing bread and enjoy!

    - Blue Bottle Coffee is a SF fav, I personally don't drink coffee, but I love their affogato. 

    - Hog Island Oyster Co., Inc stop in for a grilled cheese and clam chowder. 

    - For a healthy breakfast try Frog Hollow Farm Cafe's avocado toast

    Sit outside and enjoy watching the ferries dock and enjoy the view of the bay bridge.

- Lands End and Sutro Baths are some beautiful destinations that most tourists miss. Both free, with great views! 

- Walking around Mission District is fun, different and has lots of good food. I love La Taqueria - I think they serve the best burritos in San Francisco. Also try Craftsman and Wolves if you're looking for a great bakery. Another super famous/delicious bakery in the Mission is Tartine bakery. 

- A few must try bakeries: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse - arrive around 8:30 to get the cruffin - there will be a line and if you arrive any later they will be sold out. Their croissant is also amazing - you can't really go wrong with any of their baked goods. One of my favorite desserts of all time is the kouign amann at B. Patisserie. It's literally heaven in your mouth! It's like a croissant but crispy filled with sugar and butter. If you like macaroons, I love Chantal Guillon Patisserie - they also have this amazing breakfast egg dish. 

- For the best focaccia head to Lucca Delicatessen

-For great deep dish pizza find a Little Star Pizza location. 

- Walk the golden gate bridge. Visit Fort Point National Historic Site for a different view of the golden gate bridge. 

- I love Baker Beach because you get a great beach with a bridge view.

- Make the trek to Marin County, just north of the bridge to go to Muir Woods Visitor Center to see the redwoods. There are some great hikes. While on that side of the bridge, don't miss Marin Headlands for some good hikes and incredible views of the golden gate. My favorite spot!

- San Francisco Chinatown is worth a visit - while there you can stay on a budget with dim sum from Good Mong Kok Bakery - you can stuff yourself for $4 and dessert at Golden Gate Bakery (egg tarts are what everyone raves about).

- If you want a cute place to walk around I love Hayes Valley. Cute stores, beer gardens and one of my favorite places for cake - 20th Century Cafe - their honey cake is a must!!!! (you have to like honey).

I could go on and on - comment if there is something in particular you would like to see and I can give you more specific details. Also for full reviews, pictures and more food check out my blog, Eat and Escape. 

Enjoy and welcome to SF!

-Kristal

Take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge (dress warmly); if you do the motorcycle thing, go to Point Reyes;  hike on Angel Island;  Alcatraz is almost a must... very interesting (the night tour must be arranged in advance, but I hear its very eerie); yes, San Francisco Chinatown; yes San Francisco Ferry Bldg, esp. on weekends with the farmers market.

I agree with most of the locations in the previous answers - Ferry Building Marketplace is a must.  

On my last trip to SF in June, I stumbled upon Cellarmaker Brewing Co. and was not disappointed! Also, The Mikkeller Bar has a great craft beer selection. I'd recommend a stop at both places if you're in to craft beer.

Soooo many great suggestions here.  I'll just add that my favorite places in San Francisco mostly hug the SF parts of the 49-mile old Scenic highway and the "Great Highway" beginning with Fort Funston famous for hangliding, but they have a beautiful beach below. From there, drive along the Great Highway along the coast to the Cliff House and the old Sutro Baths. You can hike all through this area around Lands End or continue through the Presidio towards Baker Beach for one of the best views on the San Fran side of the Golden Gate Bridge.

There's an old Fort just below the bridge at the Fort Point National Historic Site where you can park and explore and even walk up to the bridge. You also get great views from Battery Spencer across the bridge in the Marin Headlands.

On Saturday through Monday only from 12:30-3:30, you can walk through the tunnel to see the Point Bonita Lighthouse which is really cool.  There are hiking trails in the area and a lot of old bunkers with great views as well.

Muir Woods is amazing for it's old redwood forests and hiking trails, but it's also an absolute zoo during the busy tourist season, so go early. Sometimes parking is nearly impossible.

Aside from nature, I love exploring the street art in the Mission District in and around Clarion Alley. Just a few blocks away is a delicious Venezuelan restaurant called Pica Pica Arepa Kitchen.

If you want to head down the coast south, follow highway one to Pacifica (We love eating at High Tide Cafe & Crepery in Linda Mar or at Bunny Vietnamese Restaurant on Palmetto. Both are excellent. Here, you can hike across and around the hill from Rockaway Beach (eat at Breakers for breakfast) to the Linda Mar beach. Drive just a bit farther south on 1 and turn off just before or after the new tunnel to hike along the old Devil's Slide Trail. It's beautiful.

Further south, you'll find a pretty beach in Montara, delicious Thai at Spice Me Thai in Half Moon Bay, then a nice scenic drive as far as you'd like to go. I like the  Bean Hollow State Beach, Pebble Beach where there's a pebbly beach on one side and tidepools on the other. Walk far enough and you'll see sea lions resting on the rocks. We've had them come pretty close. Pescadero is known for Duarte's Tavern, but it can be pricey. Still, the artichoke soup is delicious. Might be a nice treat.

Hi Nick,

This is exciting! San Francisco is a great place to visit, and you're lucky to have a full week to explore.

Here are some of my favorite things:

1. Lands End , Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach : a great spot to enjoy the city's Western side. The coastal trail at Lands End is a great (easy) walk and the Eagle Point Labyrinth is cool to see - especially at sunset.
   
   
2. Golden Gate Park : not overrated! Bike, run, walk inside or visit some of the main attractions like California Academy of Sciences , De Young Museum , Japanese Tea Garden or Conservatory of Flowers
   
   
3. Mission District : foodies rejoice here! You've got to try Flour + Water , Papalote (best burrito in SF), Humphry Slocombe (just voted one of America's top 5 ice creams on Food Network) and Craftsman and Wolves (get the 'rebel within'), Bi-Rite Market . I could go on and on! While in the Mission, pop by Dolores Park to get a taste of the life locals love.
   
   
4. Ferry Building Marketplace : always a fave! More good sampling to have here, so try Dandelion Chocolate , Boccalone Salumeria , Miette Cakes , Pepples Donuts  and Gott's Roadside .
   
   
5. Bike or take a ferry ride to Sausalito : the quaint little Northern town has a completely different vibe than that of the city.
   
   
6. North Beach (California) : 'Little Italy' chock-full of SF history. Visit City Lights Bookstore to pay homage to Jack Kerouac, grab a cocktail at Vesuvio Cafe and see Washington Square Park .

There's obviously a ton more to see/do and I'm sure some other travelers will share their faves with you, but if you'd like more of my suggestions you can see themhere (along with things I suggest skipping here ).

Enjoy! :)