California Travel Recap
Hello friends and Happy Monday! It has been a few weeks since I wrapped up my time in California so I wanted to share some of my favorite experiences from the trip. I spent the majority of my time in San Francisco but did find time to have a day trip in Napa Valley so I will share highlights of both!
How to Get to San Francisco
If you are familiar with San Francisco then you know that it is incredibly hilly! Luckily, the city is only 7-miles long by 7 miles wide so it is very easy to explore in a short period of time. There are a few airport options; however, I traveled in via SFO (San Francisco International Airport) and caught an Uber to my hotel. If you are brave and enjoy parallel parking on hills, feel free to rent a car (could not be me lol).
Where to Stay in San Francisco
I am a fan of boutique hotels so I chose to stay at The Clancy, Autograph Collection. It provides an elevated luxury experience in a quiet part of downtown San Francisco. My room had a beautiful view and their on-site restaurant offered great meal options.
What to Do in San Francisco
I love that the city is so walkable! You can cover a great deal on foot, cable car, or ride share. Below are a few of my favorite places to visit.
- Walk Over the Golden Gate Bridge
- Ride a Cable Car
- Have a Picnic in a Park
- See a Show
- Explore Chinatown
- Visit Fisherman’s Wharf
- Ghirardelli Square
- Alcatraz Island
Where to Eat in San Francisco
I am not going to lie to y’all. I normally have good luck with exploring new places to eat but on this trip most fell short of my expectations. These three were the only I absolutely loved and felt comfortable recommending to others.
- Mona Lisa Restaurant (excellent Italian)
- The Grove – Yerba Buena (fabulous breakfast/brunch options)
- Norman’s Ice Cream & Freezes (BEST ice cream ever)
How to Get to Napa Valley
Less than 1.5 hours from San Francisco, Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are the two best-known and largest grape-growing areas in California. It is not uncommon for people to day trip to this area to enjoy the scenery and stop in at some of the sites along the way. I traveled via train for the day and enjoyed my time!
What to Do in Napa Valley
- Take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train
- Explore Oxbow Public Market
- Browse the boutiques of downtown Napa
- Bike along the Napa River
Overall, I had a wonderful time in California and highly recommend visiting in the winter months. The weather was mild and there were far less people out compared to the summer months!
Let me know if there is anything you all want to see more of in the comments below. Keep up with me on Instagram or subscribe to be notified of new posts!
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