San Fran : ideas from hotel G

Lombard Street/Cable Cars/Coit Tower

Three Bay Area classics you must experience. First off, we never get tired of driving downLombard Street. It’s a crazy crooked street and most definitely worth checking out. Next, ride the cable car. Cliché? Sure. But even though it’s a cliché, it’s still awesome. After that, head to Coit Tower, where you get an incredible 360-degree view of the city. See why we think it’s the most beautiful city in the world. Take someone you love with you.

Yerba Buena Arts Center

In search of culture? You’re in the right place. The Yerba Buena Arts Center is devoted to contemporary visual art, performance, and film/video representing diverse cultural and artistic perspectives, and supports contemporary artists from around the world. Super cutting edge. Super local. Super activist. Even its corporate-sponsored activities are mind-blowing, turning the YBAC into a hub of innovative thought. One of our favorites.

The Ferry Building

Okay, local food movements seem to be, um, sprouting up everywhere, but the Ferry Building hosts an incredible marketplace that is the place to go if you want to be in on the San Francisco culinary scene. Tons of local artisans with homemade cheeses, cured meats, herbs, pastry and spices. The farmers market is renowned as being one of the best in the US. Massively impressive.

(Personal note: this is at the embarcado area. Check this out when you are going to pier 39, fisherman's wharf and the Alcatraz. Do note that there is a lot of organic food. Doesn't come cheap though. Do enjoy the wonderful performances too.)

Hearts of San Francisco

This is a cool way to see what local artists are doing. The “Hearts of San Francisco” is a project inspired by the International Cowparade Exhibit in which heart sculptures are designed by different artists and installed at different locations throughout the city. The sculptures are auctioned at year end by the “Heroes and Hearts” organization to benefit San Francisco General Hospital.

Off the Grid

Yum. Yum. Off the Grid is a series of traveling food trucks that hook up at 23 weekly markets. Think of it as a roaming food extravaganza. The idea: a shared food experience as a way to connect communities. So share a bao. Sample a chocolate taco. Try the Huli Huli Chicken or Kalua Pork and get transported to Hawaii. (Well, not, literally. But the food’s that good.) And you’re not going to find anything like it in any restaurant, so chow down.

Precita Eyes Muralists

We love the fact that San Francisco is a virtual outdoor art gallery. Streets and alleys become more than just a way to get somewhere. City walls turn into canvases. Graffiti makes the ordinary extraordinary. Our recommendation? Take an organized or self-guided, curated outdoor mural tour. Don’t miss an eyeful.

Golden Gate Park

Here’s the lowdown. Golden Gate Park is one of the most beautiful, amazing parks you’ve ever seen. Hands down. Gardens in every flavor: the Japanese Tea Garden, the Botanical Garden, the Rose Garden, Tulip Gardens. The DeYoung Museum. You could spend days at the California Academy of Sciences. And if you’re traveling with kids, Golden Gate Park is perfect for families. Incredible. Amazing. Must go.