• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Catherine Gacad

  • About
  • Categories
    • Archives
    • Blogging
    • Burning Man
    • City Guides
    • Education & Politics
    • Favorite Books
    • Finances & Retirement
    • Parenthood
    • Relationships
    • Religion
    • San Francisco Bay Area
    • Travel
  • Hire Me
  • Subscribe
    • Feedburner
    • Bloglovin
    • Feedly
  • Search

All Posts

Weekend in the City

The other night someone told me that they enjoy reading my Yelp reviews which I do inconsistently. Never enough hours in the day.

My favorite travel guide is Frommer’s. The books are visually-appealing with an easy-to-read layout and structure, starting with an introduction and favorites things to do, fast facts, and visitor information. I also like that they include a map and useful phrases if you’re traveling outside the U.S. But I find most helpful the section on suggested itineraries for a week, two weeks, etc.

I’m not going to give a sample itinerary for a whole week in San Francisco (which is way too much time for this sleepy city), but here’s what I recommend for a weekend. This is for all my friends in the burbs.

Hotel Recommendation: Hotel Vitale on the Embarcadero. This place is new, has rooftop jacuzzis, is a hot spot for happy hour, conveniently located across from the Ferry Building, and there are no homeless people aggressively shoving their hands in your way asking for spare change.

Friday Evening: Arrive and check-in, stroll along the Embarcadero and checkout the Ferry Building, dinner at Slanted Door, walk to Union Square and have late night drinks at the Gold Dust Lounge. I love the nightly live band!

Saturday: head to the ocean for brunch at the Cliff House, checkout Golden Gate Park. Do not miss the De Young and the observation tower. Toward the evening, walk around North Beach, dine at House for the best fusion food, and catch the 9:30pm showing of Beach Blanket Babylon. Late night drinks at Vesuvio. We know people who work there. They’re the best.

Sunday: hop on a cable car near Market and California, do not be a tourist and stand in line at the Powell station. Stop at Grace Cathedral and meditate while walking along the labyrinth. Go to Golden Gate Bridge to take pictures, then have brunch at the Presidio Social Club. Finish off your weekend trip with some time in the Mission. Get salted caramel and honey lavender ice-cream from Bi-Rite. If you have time for dinner, go to Commonwealth.

Related

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

11.06.10

Tweet
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to my site, derived from an advice column I wrote while getting my MBA. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I give helpful, opinionated advice based on my own experience and from the expertise of my extensive network. For more, click here.

Categories

  • Archives
  • Blogging
  • Burning Man
  • City Guides
  • Education & Politics
  • Favorite Books
  • Finances & Retirement
  • Parenthood
  • Relationships
  • Religion
  • San Francisco Bay Area
  • Travel

Popular Posts

  • An Exploration of World Religions: Zoroastrianism
  • A Flowchart for Choosing Your Religion
  • Why Do Guys Date Girls Who Barely Speak English?
  • Touring Sunnylands, "Camp David of the West," near Palm Springs
  • UC Berkeley English Department
  • How to Avoid Fecal Coliform Bacteria on Your Next Flight
  • What to Know About the Lair of the Golden Bear
  • Daily Interviews
  • Pre-Thanksgiving Not So Good News
  • Oysters at Cafe des Amis

Back to top

© 2025 Catherine Gacad.