5 Day Itinerary in San Francisco - A Foodie's Tour
A 5-day tour of San Francisco and the best restaurants the city has to offer. San Francisco is truly a global city, with some of the best cuisine from around the world. Enjoy the original authentic Mission style burrito, Brittany inspired cuisine from a 3-Michelin starred chef, and a restaurant specializing in reinterpreting famous dishes from places around the globe. There is always something new and exciting to try in the city by the Bay.
Day 1
1. Transported to Italy at Cotogna | 12 p.m.
490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Start the trip off with an Italian meal at Cotogna in Jackson Square. The more laid-back sister restaurant of next door 3-Michelin starred Quince, Cotogna still offers refined food in a cozy relaxed atmosphere. The pasta here is not to be missed, as well as anything from the large spit-fire grill at the back of the dining room. It's a perfect way to start off a trip in San Francisco.
2. Exploring Jackson Square, North Beach, & Chinatown | 1:30 p.m.
After lunch, walk down to Jackson Street where there are a few San Francisco-esque combination of retail stores including A.P.C., Fjallraven, and Allbirds. Then head a few blocks over to North Beach, which is the Italian neighborhood of San Francisco and is lined with restaurants and coffee shops.
Also nearby is Chinatown, which is one of the largest in the U.S. There are a lot of shops selling trinkets and small souvenirs. However, much more exciting is the abundance Asian food options here. Golden Gate Bakery (Yelp) is famous for having the best Hong Kong style egg tarts in the city. With its flaky crust and luscious filling, they are especially tasty when freshly baked out of the oven. For something more sweet, head to Matcha Cafe Maiko (Yelp) and enjoy their soft-serve matcha or hojicha sundaes.
3. Museums and Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park | 2:30 p.m.
Public transportation is very limited and slow in San Francisco, especially in the northern part of the city. Take an Uber or Lyft, or rent a car as parking is generally more accessible than places like New York City. Head over to the west side of the city to Golden Gate Park, which is the largest green space in the city. Visit the Academy of Sciences, which focuses on natural history and includes an aquarium and planetarium. If you prefer more traditional art, the deYoung Museum is right across the plaza. There is an outlook at the top of the brown structure that is free to enter to get a clear unobstructed look of the city.
After the museums, head over to the Japanese Tea Garden which is right next door. You are instantly transported to a place of peace and serenity to quietly observe nature. There is also a small tea house in the garden that serves green tea and some small snacks, and can be a great break in the day from all the commotions of the city.
4. Mission Style Mexican Food at La Tacqueria | 7 p.m.
2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Drive over to the Mission district, which is now one of the most popular areas of the town with bars and restaurants lining the streets. While the neighborhood has changed quite a bit in the past decade, it still retains some of its tradition and is still the home to many great Mexican restaurants and the origins of the Mission style burrito that has made Chipotle famous.
There are tons of taco and burrito shops, but ask most San Franciscans and they will tell you that the best one is La Tacqueria. While definitely on the pricier side, with one fully loaded taco costing over $7, it hasn't stopped the lines from going out the door with locals and tourists. The meat is cooked in front of you and the ingredients are super fresh. Get the carne asada or the lengua if you're more adventurous. It's a no-frills place where you may have to share a table and won't want to stay long, but it's well worth going there for the amazing food.