We recommend flying into San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Uber/Lyft, taxi, or BART (SF's equivalent of a subway) are great options to get into the city. If you are renting a car, simply take AirTrain's Blue Line to the Rental Car Center stop. (See the "Q+A" page for parking recommendations in SF.)

While airfare into Oakland might be tempting, please note that it's quite time-consuming to travel into SF due to Bay Bridge traffic. In addition, BART from Oakland Airport to downtown SF is a trek. In short, fly into SFO!

We love this city and couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate with all of you. From iconic views and amazing food to wine country and coastal escapes just outside the city, there’s so much to explore. Here are some of our favorite spots to help you get started.

If you have time to explore the city, San Francisco has so much to offer. From scenic views and classic landmarks to some of our favorite spots, these are the places we love and recommend checking out while you’re here.

Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge

Visit Fisherman's Wharf and grab a classic waterfront lunch

Stroll Union Square for shopping and city energy

See the Painted Ladies for one of the most recognizable views in SF

Stop by the Ferry Building for food, coffee, and local vendors

Ride the San Francisco Cable Cars for the full SF experience

Check out San Francisco Museum of Modern Art if you want something indoors

If you want a relaxed day...explore Golden Gate Park, walk through the Mission District for murals and burritos, wander Chinatown, or catch sunset at Lands End

If you want to see everything fast...try Big Bus Tours San Francisco to hit the major landmarks in one loop.

If you only do one thing: grab a drink or dinner at Balboa Cafe, then walk around the Marina District, one of our favorite areas in the city and where Isabelle used to live.

Napa Valley

~1 hour from SF

World-class wine tasting along the Hwy 29 corridor. Stroll downtown Napa, explore the Oxbow Public Market, or splurge on a tasting at an estate winery. Castello di Amorosa is a literal 13th-century castle. Book tastings ahead — they fill up fast on weekends.

Wine tasting · Farm-to-table dining · Hot air balloons · Yountville

Sonoma Valley

~1 hour from SF

More laid-back than Napa, with a charming town square and equally stunning wines. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards has beautiful Italian-style grounds; Viansa has sweeping hilltop views. Pair it with lunch on Sonoma Plaza — great restaurants and boutiques all around.

Sonoma Plaza · Italian-style estates · Less crowded than Napa

Healdsburg

~1.5 hours from SF

The insider's wine country pick. A gorgeous town square, Michelin-starred restaurants, and some of California's best Pinot Noir in the Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys. More boutique and sophisticated than Napa — a real gem for serious wine lovers.

Pinot Noir & Zinfandel · Michelin dining · Russian River Valley

Plan ahead: tastings require reservations and driving between wineries takes time, so we recommend booking a driver or tour. Some of our favorite wineries include Del Dotto, Schramsberg, Paradigm, Davies Vineyards, St. Francis Winery, Tamber Bey, Silver Oak, Rombauer, Inglenook, and Peju, to name a few.

Muir Woods + Sausalito

30–45 minutes from SF

Walk among 1,000-year-old coast redwoods at Muir Woods — one of the most awe-inspiring short hikes anywhere. Then cruise down to Sausalito for waterfront lunch with views of the SF skyline. Take the ferry back to the city for a perfect half-day loop. Parking reservations required at recreation.gov.

Ancient redwood groves · Waterfront dining · Ferry back to SF

Go early in the morning to avoid crowds.

Point Reyes National Seashore

~1.5 hours from SF

Dramatically undervisited and absolutely stunning. Elk roaming coastal bluffs, dramatic tide pools, a historic lighthouse at the edge of a windswept headland, and one of the best oyster towns in the country — Marshall on Tomales Bay. Hog Island Oyster Co. is world-famous. A truly special full day.

Elk & wildlife · Point Reyes Lighthouse · Hog Island oysters · Tomales Bay

Half Moon Bay

~45 minutes from SF

A moody, gorgeous stretch of Pacific coastline just south of the city. Walk the coastal trail near the Ritz-Carlton, watch big-wave surfing at Mavericks (or just marvel at it), browse farm stands, and grab fresh seafood in town. The cliffs and dramatic ocean light are something else.

Coastal trail hike · Mavericks surf break · Farm stands · Pescadero nearby

Monterey & Carmel

~2 hours from SF

The world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium is a full half-day on its own. Cannery Row and Old Fisherman's Wharf offer great seafood and whale watching tours with sea otters bobbing alongside. Right next door, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a storybook village worth an afternoon stroll and a fine dinner.

Monterey Bay Aquarium · Whale watching · Carmel village · 17-Mile Drive

Big Sur

~3 hours from SF

The most dramatic coastline in California. Highway 1 winds along cliffs above the Pacific — Bixby Bridge is iconic. Stop at McWay Falls, hike Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and grab a meal at Nepenthe with views that will stop you completely cold. Best for guests staying extra days.

Bixby Bridge · McWay Falls · Pfeiffer Beach · Nepenthe restaurant

Best for guests staying extra days.

Santa Cruz

~1.5 hours from SF

Classic California beach town energy. A vintage boardwalk amusement park right on the ocean, great surf culture, beautiful redwood forests just minutes behind the city, and a fun downtown packed with independent shops and restaurants. A completely different vibe from Monterey — and totally worth it.

Beach boardwalk · Surfing · Downtown Santa Cruz · Redwood forests

Tiburon

~45 minutes from SF

Often overlooked next to Sausalito, but equally charming and a little quieter. Sam's Anchor Café on the waterfront is a classic — cold drink, fresh seafood, and some of the best views of the San Francisco skyline you'll find anywhere. Easy to pair with a ferry ride.

Waterfront dining · Bay views · Sam's Anchor Café · Ferry access

Practical Tips

Muir Woods parking: Requires advance reservations at recreation.gov — do not show up without one on weekends.

Alcatraz: Sells out weeks in advance. Buy tickets the moment you land at alcatrazcruises.com.

Sausalito ferry: The ferry from Sausalito back to SF is one of the most scenic arrivals into the city — worth it.

Big Sur & Paso Robles

These are long drives (3+ hrs). Best for guests who are making a real trip of it and staying extra days.

Ferry Building market: Saturday mornings are great, fresh produce, oysters, artisan everything. Go early.