We asked San Francisco’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city
Charisse Fazzari
Charisse Fazzari, Chief Concierge, Mandarin Oriental
“Begin your day at Sears Fine Food restaurant / diner (439 Powell St), a San Francisco institution since the 1930s. After breakfast enjoy a morning of shopping in Union Square where you will find Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gump’s, Wilkes Bashford and Tiffany’s, to name just a few.
Climb aboard one of our world class cable cars and experience the ride of a lifetime, winding around the curves and the steep hills of San Francisco. Don’t forget to get off on Lombard to see the crookedest street in the world. Next, spend time in Ghirardelli Square and try some of the world famous chocolate before continuing on to explore the Fisherman’s Wharf area where you can enjoy some of the freshest seafood available. After lunch, head towards North Beach, our Italian quarter; by this point, you will be ready for dessert and an espresso pick-me-up! One block from North Beach is Chinatown, the perfect place to purchase fortune cookies or other San Francisco souvenirs to bring home. End the perfect day by enjoying dinner at one of the city’s many wonderful restaurants.”
BEST RESTAURANTS
Silk’s
Cuisine: Californian/Asian
+1 415 276 9619
Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, 222 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
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Gary Danko
Cuisine: Italian
Acquerello
Cuisine: Italian
BEST shopping:
Gump’s
BEST TO DO / ACTIVITIES / LEISURE
Explore San Francisco by foot and cable car
Antonio Barrios
Antonio Barrios, Chief Concierge, The St. Regis San Francisco
“Stroll down to the Ferry Building on Saturday morning to experience San Francisco’s famous farmers’ market.”
“Enjoy an array of fabulous baked goods, cheeses and coffee for breakfast. Follow the best meal of the day by boarding a ferry and taking a beautiful bay cruise to Sausalito.”
BEST RESTAURANTS
Spruce
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Gary Danko
Cuisine: Italian
Benu
Cuisine: Modern Asian
BEST SHOP
Gump’s
Kyle Yergenson
Kyle Yergenson, Chief Concierge, Taj Campton
Recommended Itinerary:
- Breakfast: Boulette’s Larder in the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero
- Sailboat charter to Sausalito on the Nohilani with Captain Danny
- Lunch at Cavallo Point in Sausalito
- Afternoon at the California Academy of Sciences
- Dinner at Taj Campton Place
BEST RESTAURANTS
Taj Campton Place
Cuisine: Mediterranean / Californian
+1 415 955 5555
340 Stockton Street, San Francisco, 94108
www.camptonplacesf.com
Wayfare Tavern
Cuisine: American
BEST SHOP
Gump’s
BEST TO DO
Golden Gate Park or Waterfront Tours
Stacy Sugarman
Stacy Sugarman, W Insider, W San Francisco
“Start your day by indulging your soul at Brenda’s French Soul Food (652 Polk Street).”
“Don’t miss the Crawfish beignets! After you’ve had your fill, explore San Francisco in style on a private tour with Blue Heron Custom Tours, where you will see all the city has to offer including Chinatown, Union Square, North Beach, The Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and much, much more! Conclude your tour at the Ferry Building where you can lose yourself in a maze of local roach coaches, bakers, creameries, meat curers and produce stands. Be sure to visit ACME Bread, Cowgirl Creamery, Boccalone Salumeria, Miette bakery, and pre-heat the senses at Hog Island Oyster Company. Then, relax and recharge with a massage and mani-pedi at Bliss Spa. Once you are ready to hit the streets, take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the Mission District and refuel at The Monk’s Kettle (3141 16th Street) with more beers on tap than you can dream, and feast at Hog & Rocks (3431 19th Street), where you find the perfect combination of dishes from the land and sea. What’s next? Head back into the heartbeat of San Francisco, where you can sip cocktails and let loose at Otis Lounge (25 Maiden Lane) where Megan Pattison spins R&B and Soul. End your night at the Living Room Bar of the W Hotel, where locals and visitors come to taste some of the most innovative and seasonal cocktails in SOMA.”
BEST RESTURANTS
Gitane
Cuisine: Western European
Wayfare Tavern
Cuisine: American
Benu
Cuisine: Modern Asian
BEST SHOP / PLACE TO SHOP
Anywhere on Union Street.
BEST TO DO
Indulge in Street Vender Food and Roach Coaches, some of the best food in SF
Tom Wolfe
Tom Wolfe, Chief Concierge, The Fairmont
Breakfast at The Buena Vista Cafe (home of Irish Coffee in San Francisco) on Hyde Street. Hire a car and driver to visit the high points of the City, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Sausalito and Muir Woods. Lunch in Sausalito at The Spinnaker restaurant on Spinnaker Drive.
Visit Alcatraz in the afternoon (must book ahead as this is very popular.Try alcatrazcruises.com) Check out popular Beach Blanket Babylon – the world’s longest running musical revue.
BEST RESTAURANTS
Fleur de Lys
Cuisine: French
Perbacco
Cuisine: Modern Italian
Wayfare Tavern
Cuisine: American
BEST SHOPPING
Gump’s
Wilkes Bashford
BEST TO DO
Visit Alcatraz
