Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events, News & Culture: San Francsico Bay Area Travel Guides

Sacramento Street Art, Graffiti Alley, Murals & Self-Guided Tours

Eddie Hernandez — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 20:55:05 GMT

Sacramento Street Art, Public Murals

Sacramento has some amazing street art and murals sprinkled across the city. Thanks to city structure with many alleys, open-minded landlords and business owners, creative artists and organizations like Wide Open Walls and Graffiti for good, the street art scene is a pretty unique scene. I grew up photographing street art in the San Francisco Bay Area over 20 years ago but I am drawn to culture that is there 1 hour east of us in Sacramento.

Below are some of my favorite Sacramento street art murals and pieces of street art. I will add more once I have more time to sort through photos, verify if pieces are still up and add more recommendations for clusters to view art yourself.

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Sacramento Street Art & Artists

Orangutans by Bordalo II Street Art Mural, Midtown, Sacramento

Sacramento Street Art Mural

Maren Conrad: Chuck Taylors Street Mural, Urban Roots Brewing

Sacramento Street Art Mural

Maren Conrad: Mr. T Street Art Mural, Sacramento

Sacramento Street Art Mural

Brett Crawford, Raccoons Street Art, Midtown Sacramento

Sacramento Street Art Mural

Lipstick Garage Door: Call Me Maybe by Carrie Cottini, Sacramento Mural Alley

Sacramento Mural Alley

Lady Bird Mural, Midtown Sacramento Street Art by Maren Conrad

Sacramento Graffiti Alley

Jeremiah Kille: Street Art Mural, Midtown Sacramento

Sacramento Street Art Mural

Street Art Mural Sacramento, Del Paso Blvd

Next To (Part Of?) Graffiti For Good

Sacramento Street Art Mural

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Soviet Princess Leia by Pixel Pancho, Midtown Sacramento

Sacramento Street Art Mural

Sacramento R Street Corridor Street Murals

Sacramento Street Art Murals

Leaves Well Street Art, Midtown Sacramento (taken in 2019)

Sacramento Street Art

Sacramento Mural Alley

Sacramento Mural Alley is located in East Sacramento at 32nd/33rd Street Ave alley.

https://sacramentomuralalley.com/

It’s where the above lipstick art piece can be found.

Sacramento Graffiti Alley

There are multiple alleys in Sacramento with graffiti like this one on Improv Alley around 17th. I am sure there are more around mid-town and East Sacramento but I will post updates here once I have had a chance to investigate more.

Sacramento Graffiti Alley

Sacramento Street Mural Map

Sacramento Street Art Map coming soon…

Have a favorite mural? Know an area with lots of street art in Sac or Bay Area?

Submit Tips!

Midtown Sacramento Street Mural Self-Guided Tour

https://exploremidtown.org/midtownmurals/
Sacramento Wide Open Walls 2018 Map
Sacramento Midtown Mural Trail
Midtown Second Saturdays (art walks, art markets, live music & more); May-Oct

Wide Open Walls Street Art Mural Map shows clusters of where street art can be found (best bang for your buck in term of density.

Sacramento Street Art, Sacramento Graffiti Map & Sacramento Mural Self-Guided Tour, Sacramento Street Artists, Sacramento Wide Open Walls, Sacramento Graffiti Alley, Street Art Alley East Sacramento, Best Street Art Sacramento, Graffiti For Good Sacramento, Sacramento Street Art Tour

Events, Festivals & Things To Do Humboldt, Arcata & Lost Coast California

Eddie Hernandez — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:34:25 GMT

Avenue of the Giants | Eddie Hernandez Photography

Things To Do, See In Humboldt, Arcata?

Humboldt is one part of the Lost Coast in California (alongside the Northern section of Mendocino County). The further North you go, the more quiet, rugged and isolated you are which is great if you want to escape the city grind, disconnect from electronics and want to explore.

Sign up for my free weekly email newsletter featuring events & things to do in/around the Bay Area (day trips, overnights, weekend getaways) as well as talks, classes, live music, street fairs, block parties, live music & more.

It features mostly events, food festivals and more in the Bay Area but I also include some special events from outside the Bay Area including Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mendocino, Tahoe and more.

Check it out, over 28,000 people have discovered Eddie’s List - are you next?

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Related Reads:

Submit Tips For Humboldt County: Restaurants, Bars, Shops, Activities

Submit Tips!

Humboldt County Festivals, Events, Concerts

Winter Events, Festivals Humboldt County; Arcata, Eureka

Restaurants, Stops & Things To Do: San Francisco To Lake Tahoe Roadtrip

Eddie Hernandez — Wed, 27 May 2026 17:17:54 GMT

Places To Stop, Eat, Do, See San Francisco To Lake Tahoe Roadtrip

San Francisco To Lake Tahoe Roadtrip

A lot of people overlook their drives to Lake Tahoe and miss out on opportunities to check out some great places on the way up to the mountains. Sure, some folks want to zip up asap but others who need to stretch their legs, wait out a storm or have hangry people riding with them, here are some great options for quick bites, places to strech legs, or casual spots for dining or a brew.

These recommendations are for places outside the Bay Area.

Things To Do On The Way To Tahoe From San Francisco

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Have A Tip On Where To Stop, Eat On The Way To Lake Tahoe?

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Related Reads On Eddie’s List

How Far Is The Drive From San Francisco To Lake Tahoe

This depends on where in San Francisco you start (can take 30 minutes just to get across town, traffic (can add anywhere from 1-2+ hours of driving time), stops and more). It also depends on where in Tahoe you are going i.e. South Lake, King’s Beach, Truckee etc (that can add an extra 30-60 minutes). Drive times can range from 3 hours to 6 hours (sometimes more depending on snow conditions, holiday travel and more). Some people get a little anxious driving along the narrow mountains to South Lake Tahoe while others get nervous around speeders on the North route.

Public Transit San Francisco Bay Area To Lake Tahoe

The best bet to get to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area is to take Amtrak train. It’s a great option if you hate driving in snow or are going solo and dont’ want to drive the entire length on your own.

The places below are organized by route to Tahoe. Based on reader interest, I may add more options to less busy, more remote routes

Stops Along Drive From The Bay Area To Lake Tahoe I-80

Restaurants On The Drive From San Francisco Bay Area To Lake Tahoe

Muir Woods Visitor Guide 2026: Shuttle Stops, Timetables, Reservations & Tours

Eddie Hernandez — Fri, 08 May 2026 16:59:16 GMT

Muir Woods Entrance | Eddie Hernandez Photography

Muir Woods 2026: Tips, Shuttles, Tours, Visitor Guide

There is a lot of planning need to make the most of your trip to Muir Woods. There are limitations on transportation, operating hours and food so it’s best to plan ahead otherwise you may get stranded, pay expensive cab fares, have to walk far to get back to your car, miss ferries or worse. Even some local government pages have outdated information about shuttles.

As someone who grew up in Marin County, I have spent lots of time in/around Mt Tam hiking, eating and meandering around the area.

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Related Reads On Eddie’s List

How To Visit Muir Woods: Tips & More

Muir Woods is about a 45-minute drive from the center of the city but it can take much longer if there is an accident, you go on weekends, or if you stop along the way (circle for parking etc). If you are not driving in, it can take longer to park, wait for the shuttle etc.

Muir Woods Hours

8AM to Sunset (see website for exact time)

Muir Woods Tickets, Entrance Fees 2026

Adults: $15
Kids 15 and under are free.
Annual Pass: $45 (includes 3 guests; so ideal for groups of 4)
Senior Annual Pass: US citizens and residents 62+ years old $20.00
Senior Lifetime Pass: US citizens and residents 62+ years old - $80.00

Muir Woods Free Days 2026

February 16: Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
May 25: Memorial Day
June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
September 17: Constitution Day
October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
November 11: Veterans Day

Muir Woods Shuttle Schedule 2026: Locations, Timetables

Go Muir Woods is the official shuttle and parking operator for Muir Woods, there are no other services that the park partners with.

Muir Woods Shuttle Stops 2026

Larkspur Ferry (across the street from Marin Country Mart aka Larkspur Landing)
- Spring & Fall: Fridays, Saturday & Sundays & Holidays;
- Summer: weekends + select weekdays June-August
- Parking is free on weekends and after 1pm on weekdays, othewise $2.
~~Sausalito Ferry~~
- Service was cut in 2026 to/from Sausalito ferries as it runs less frequently than the Larkspur ferry.

Muir Woods Shuttle Timetable

8-9am (every 30 minutes), every 20 minutes after until 4:20pm

Muir Woods Shuttle Reservations

Reservations are required for Muir Woods shuttle services and they do sell out during peak times, days. Reservations are available up to 3 months in advance but some weekday reservations may not be available just yet as those dates have been announced recently and the system has not been updated.

Muir Woods Shuttle Prices 2026

Some official park/government sites quote the old prices of $3.75 (it’s now $4).

Muir Woods Shuttle Duration

30-45 minutes.

Muir Woods Parking

Parking at Muir Woods requires a parking reservation.

Muir Woods Parking Fee: $10

Muir Woods Bus Tours From San Francisco

Most tours you see online are 4-5 hours long, but only allow for 60-75 minutes in the park. For most people, that might be enough, but for those wanting to spend more time there, tours are not really a good option.

Parking Lot, Muir Woods

The other thing to consider is that during slower times/days, tours have been known to cancel day before if there is not enough people.

How Much Time Is Needed In Muir Woods

Most people can get by with 120 minutes (suggested time from the Muir Woods Shuttle Service) but if it’s crowded or you spend way too much time posing for ‘perfect’ Instagram photos, you might need more time than that. Similarly, there are lots of great trails connecting and nearby Muir Woods that should not be missed.

Renting A Car To Get To Muir Woods

For most people who want flexibility, or are traveling with families, renting a car may be your best bet as most tours charge by the person and buses/shuttles may be inconvenient if traveling with kids or hangry spouses/in-laws. If you do rent a car, please read this guide. Not sure much worries about break-ins in Marin/Mt-Tam but more so for San Francisco.

Where To See Redwoods Near San Francisco

Muir Woods Alternatives San Francisco Bay Area

Where To See Redwoods In Marin County

Roy’s Redwood Preserve, San Geronimo
- Only free option for Redwoods in Marin.
Samuel P Taylor State Park, Lagunitas
Mardrone Avenue, Larkspur
- Residential neighborhood with hiking trail all the way in the back.

Where To See Redwoods In San Francisco

Transamerica Park (small Redwood Grove, free; open during business hours only)
San Francisco Botanical Park (small Redwood grove) in Golden Gate Park
Walking path b/w WWI Memorial & Rose Garden in GGP (near 10th Ave).

Where To See Redwoods In The Bay Area

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Boulder Creek
Butano State Park, Pescadero (small to medium Redwood trees)
Reinhardt Redwoods Regional Park, Oakland
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, Guerneville

Muir Woods Trail Maps

https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Muir Woods Weather

Muir Woods is mostly covered so it’s a bit cooler than areas around the park. Similarly, the park is elevated so it’s also cooler than areas down below.

Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour, Excursion

Many folks who plan a trip to Muir Woods often do a stop in Sausalito on the way back. Check out my guide for activities, restaurants and more in Sausalito.

Muir Woods Alternative Transportation; Food Near Muir Woods

Central Coast California Food, Beer & Wine Festivals, Events

Eddie Hernandez — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:44:17 GMT

Santa Barbara Harbor | Eddie Hernandez Photography

Last updated March 3, 2026

Central California Coast Food Festivals, Events & More

For more annual events, things to do each week, check out my free weekly email newsletter which contains some of the fun festivals, annual events and more. While focused on the Bay Area, I do include some events, things to do outside the area including Mendocino, Central Valley and beyond.

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Related Reads On Eddie’s List

Below is a list of some of the most popular food, beer & wine festivals & annual events on the Central Coast California counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, Paso Robles, Ventura & Santa Barbara. It’s organized by month (no exact dates attached nor url links) but depending on interest, I may add these things in later.

List Food Events Santa Cruz, Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara

If you have an event, festival you would like to submit for consideration use this form below to do so.

Submit Tips Here!

Winter Central Coast California Food, Wine Festivals

December Events, Beer, Wine & Food Festivals Central Coast

Downtown Los Angeles Activities, Restaurants, Bars & Things To Do

Eddie Hernandez — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:25:04 GMT

Downtown Los Angeles Activites, Bars, Restaurants & Things To Do

Last updated August 6, 2025

See my other travel guides outside the Bay Area here.

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Downtown Los Angeles is a place I love and is often the area I stay in when I visit whether for football games, catching up with friends or working with clients on their dating photos.

As someone who went to USC, DTLA was the first major city I spent significant time in as a young adult, and the diversity, grit, and culture are something I miss dearly.

In a city that is so spread out and so dependent on vehicles to get around, I like to be efficient with my travels so I can do, see and taste as much as possible when I am not working.

Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time on the West Side and sorely miss warm winter afternoons on the beaches, but there is something about downtown that keeps luring me back.

Downtown Los Angeles Containment Zone, Map

Photo from the city of Los Angeles

The containment zone, which endured curfews and lockdowns for two weeks was largely between the 110, 10 and 5 freeways. Areas nearby were also impacted during this time.

Unfortunately, the area has received a lot of bad press, and many restaurants and bars have closed either during the pandemic i.e. Bäco Mercat : ( or more recently during the curfews and lockdowns earlier this year. Bars and restaurants operate on a thin margin, and closing early, closing unexpectedly or losing staff can be the nail in the coffin for many businesses.

I have been thinking about writing a piece about my Los Angeles recommendations for quite some time, and my recent visit there last week helped me accelerate the effort after seeing many places struggle.

Downtown Los Angeles Recommendations

Before you look up reviews, check out maps or begin to bookmark locations, I highly recommend watching this documentary: City of Gold. It’s about Jonathan Gold, LA Times food writer who passed away in 2018. You get to see Los Angeles through the food and cultural lens that is vital to appreciating the food that arrives at your table.

His focus was on lesser-known restaurants and immigrant-owned places - he was simply the best.

Below is a range of recommendations from restaurants, bites, a few bars, and activities to explore on your next visit to downtown Los Angeles and a few recommendations nearby.

DTLA Restaurant Recommendations

Weekend Getaway Mendocino, Anderson Valley & Fort Bragg; Things To Do

Eddie Hernandez — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:17:31 GMT

Point Arena Lighthouse | photo by: Eddie Hernandez

Unique Activities, Things To See Mendocino, Lost Coast

Mendocino makes up part of the California Lost Coast which along with Humboldt feature some incredible rugged coastlines that have epic views, high winds, strong waves and classic lighthouses popular on the East Coast.

Sign up for my free weekly email newsletter featuring events & things to do in/around the Bay Area (and some in the Mendocino area and more) from talks, classes, live music, street fairs, block parties, live music & more.

It features mostly events, food festivals and more in the Bay Area but I also include some special events from outside the Bay Area including Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mendocino, Tahoe and more.

Check it out, over 28,000 people have discovered Eddie’s List - are you next?

Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

Weekend Getaway: Mendocino, Anderson Valley

Things To Do, See & Eat Anderson Valley, Mendocino, Lost Coast

Mendocino is a beautiful area to visit but when I was in my 20s, I’d go up for the drive alone whether through Anderson Valley or along the coast. Being able to see beautiful scenery, lose cell phone coverage and not see crowds was great.

While most folks go to Marin and Sonoma/Napa for hiking and wine tasting, Mendocino offers both for those who are willing to travel a bit further. Below are some of my favorite things to do in/around Mendocino and Anderson Valley.

Check back soon for updates, more details and additions.

Related reads on Eddie’s List:

Best Things To Do In Mendocino County

Wineries, Hikes, Restaurants & Activities Mendocino

Things To Do In Bodega Bay Day: Day Trips, Restaurants, Hotels & More

Eddie Hernandez — Sat, 10 May 2025 16:11:00 GMT

Bodega Bay Recommendations, Things To Do, Day / Weekend Trips, Restaurants & Hotels

Bodega Bay Day Trip, Getaway: What Is There To Do?

Be sure to sign up for my free weekly newsletter of events and things to do each week (24,000+ subscribers): food, drinks, classes, pop-ups, shows, talks, live music, street fairs, festivals, galas, book stuff, art openings, speed friend events, date ideas & more.

Things To Do In Bodega Bay, Places To See

Bodega Bay is one of the more under-rated areas in the Marin/Sonoma coastal areas and is known for views, hiking, fewer crowds than Marin, birds, flowers and seafood restaurants.

It can be done in a day, depending on your endurance, day of week/time of year, activities, weather, and more but it’s great to do an overnight to soak up more of the offerings, nature and more.

The best thing about Bodega are all the stops along the way and enjoying the scenery, bites and more.

Below are some of my favorite things to do, see, explore and eat in the area and some places to stop along the way and back.

Related reads:

Bar Trivia List In Marin County
Things To Do In Marin County (bars, restaurants, activities & more)
Bay Area Social Clubs
Bay Area Run Clubs
Bay Area Third Spaces
Things To Do Along SMART Train
Dog/Kid Friendly Spots Bay Area
North Bay Date Ideas
Where To Meet Singles In Sonoma County

Bodega Bay Day Activities, Beaches, & Hiking Trails

More day trips/getaways here: https://www.eddies-list.com/t/san-francisco-day-trips-weekend-trips

Weekend Getaway, Day Trip: Santa Cruz, Capitola; Things To Do

Eddie Hernandez — Fri, 09 May 2025 20:40:06 GMT

Santa Cruz, CA | photo by: Eddie Hernandez

Last updated: May 9, 2025

Santa Cruz Travel Guide, Visitor Info, Food Festivals

Sign up for my free weekly email newsletter featuring events & things to do in/around the Bay Area from talks, classes, live music, street fairs, block parties, live music & more.

It features mostly events, festivals and more in the Bay Area but I also include some special events from outside the Bay Area including Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mendocino, Tahoe and more.

Check it out, over 26,000 people have discovered Eddie’s List - are you next?

Day Trips, Weekend Getaways To Santa Cruz From Bay Area

Santa Cruz is a great town; most people know it for the beach boardwalk for kids and young adults, but there is much more to it. For those looking to get out of the Bay Area and explore, this is one of the best options out there.

Like San Francisco or other coastal towns, it can be cool and foggy so best to look at temperature, cloud coverage at hourly intervals to optimize your trip for dress and comfort (aka wear layers).

Below are a range of recommendations from hikes, bars, restaurants, cafes, stops and more in/around Santa Cruz and Capitola. Not everything is accessible without a car, or at least not easily but there is enough to do there if you are adventurous and plan ahead.

Check back for updates, additions.

Related reads:

Getting To Santa Cruz From Bay Area Without A Car

Santa Cruz can feel so close yet so far, depending on where your journey begins. If you can catch Caltrain, you can exit the San Jose Diridon Station and take the Santa Cruz Metro Bus (Highway 17 Express). It’s about an hour give or take, but has two stops an hour in the mornings and the middle of the day during week, and stops 30-60 minute intervals on weekends.

If you are coming from BART in the East Bay, there is a bus from Berryessa Station to Diridon that leaves every 10-20 minutes or so depending on day and time of the week.

Coming down HWY by car is more scenic while driving down 17 can be a bit nerve-racking as it is two lanes, through the mountains and features lots of speeding and bad drivers (be extra cautious during the rainy season). There is even a local Facebook group shaming drivers on this road. Not ideal if you get car sick easily.

Roads get backed up during the day, so arrive early as many people are passing through toward Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur as well.

Things To Do, See, Eat, Drink In/Around Santa Cruz

Restaurants In Santa Cruz

San Francisco Visitor Guide, Travel Tips & Tourist Recommendations

Eddie Hernandez — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:38:00 GMT

Last updated: March 3, 2025

San Francisco Tourism Tips, SF Visitor Guide, Travel Information

Things To Do In San Francisco This Week: Events, Festivals & More

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Runner-Up: Best Bay Area Local Website -48 Hills, Best of the Bay & San Francisco Bay Guardian 2024 & 2025!

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San Francisco Visitor Guide, Tourism Information

This is just a general overview of things to consider, what to explore, and questions to ask yourself on a first visit to SF.

This is not your typical tourism guide. I write this from the perspective of a local who has clients who come to visit me from all over the world.

I answer all the important questions about where to dine alone, weather conditions, popular restaurants, coworking spaces, neighborhood information and more.

San Francisco Travel Guides, Tips

Business Travel Tips San Francisco

San Francisco Visitor Center, Tourism Guides

California Welcome Center Pier 39: https://www.pier39.com/california-welcome-center/
Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center: https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/golden-gate-bridge-welcome-center
Presidio Visitor Center: https://presidio.gov/explore/attractions/presidio-visitor-center

Hiking & Camping (Mostly in Marin, Sonoma, Big Sur, Yosemite, Mendocino)
Yoga / Wellness (Meditation, Silent Retreats etc.)
Arts & Crafts
Reading / Writing
Crypto / AI
Failed Startups
Plants / Foraging
Mezcal / Amaro / Whisk(e)y / Wine
Spirit Forward/Fun Cocktails
- ABV, Stoa, Interval, Nari, Absinthe, Lolo, Spruce, NOPA, Bar Piccino, Beretta, Delfina, Comstock, Alembic
Classic Cocktails/Bars
- Buena Vista Irish Coffee, Manhattan Bix, Espresso Martini Balboa Cafe, Tommy’s Margarita, Vieux Carre Zuni, Smugglers Cove, Martuntis
Craft Beer (more on this guide)
- Breweries: Russian River, Sante Adairius, Cellarmaker, Wondrous, Faction, Great Notion (Portland, but Berkeley taproom), Moonlight, Ghost Town
- Bars: Toronado, Liquid Gold, Crafty Fox, Holy Water, City Beer Store, Monk’s Kettle, Ale Arsenal
Coffee
- Saint Frank, Coffee Movement, Verve, Chromatic, Sightglass, Ritual
Bouldering
Protesting
Vegan
EDM / Burning Man / Psychedelics
Salsa Dancing
Complaining About Anything (But Mostly About Dating & Making Friends)
Kayaking / Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Running
Waiting In Line
Food
- Recommended Cuisines: Italian, Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean, California (Farm-To-Table), Burmese, Yucatan, Salvadorean, Peruvian, Vegetarian
- Recommended Items: Irish Coffees, Craft Beer, Cocktails, Pastries, Dutch Crunch, Garlic Crab Noodles, Hot Pot, Burgers, Dim Sum, Ramen, Pizza
- More Left To Be Desired: Greek, Mexican (go to Oakland, San Jose & Redwood City), Korean, Vegan, Eastern European, Jewish Delis, Southern BBQ, Balkan, NY Style Pizza

Each week, I recommend a dish/drink in the Bay Area in my weekly newsletter.

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events This Week

Solo Dining San Francisco: Best Bar-Seating, Restaurants To Eat, Dine/Drink Alone SF

Updated May 24, 2024 sub-divided categories: value, low-key, fun & treat yo’ self; neighborhoods added; more places added to the list added a few places beyond SF Below are some of my favorite places to dine and drink alone. Whether you are shy and want to eat at places alone or are a social butterfly and want to meet people in SF, this list is for you…

3 years ago · 3 likes · Eddie Hernandez

First Time Visiting San Francisco: Itineraries, Info Guide

San Francisco is a a small city and most people spend most of their time in the North/East quadrants but there is lots to do all over. My recommendation is to pick a few neighborhoods to get a feel for the city, travel on foot and prioritize what you want to see.

Winds pick up in the afternoon, so look at hourly weather/wind on Weather Underground.
Focus on what San Francisco does well and what you can’t get back home.
Check back for my itineraries coming soon.

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events & Things To Do

Best Places To Eat, Drink Near Union Square San Francisco, Things To Do Nearby

Updated September 17, 2024…

2 years ago · Eddie Hernandez

How To Dress In San Francisco, What To Wear

Check sites like Weather Underground, plug in zip codes and hourly wind/cloud coverage. Also check out Fog Today for general coverage.
Wear layers. Be prepared to take coats off/on depending on time of day, neighborhood and if you are standing in the sun or shade.
Foggiest months are usually June (June Gloom), July and August (Fogust).
Wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring light layers to protest from wind/cold.
If you want to meet people on your trip, learn to stand out and avoid looking like another boring tech bro.

San Francisco Water Bottle Refill Map

https://sfpuc.org/learning/how-you-can-help/free-drinktap-drinking-water-and-restroom-map

San Francisco Public Restrooms, Bathroom List!

San Francisco Public Bathroom List!

San Francisco City Walks, Non-Touristy Things To Do

Best Neighborhoods To Visit In San Francisco

Mission District
- Street Art & Murals
- Cocktails, Beer, Food, Wine Bars, Shops, Coffee
North Beach/Chinatown
- Architecture, Dim-Sum, Pizza Slices, Coffee, Views
Hayes Valley/Civic Center
- Boutiques, Bars, Food, Symphony, Ballet
Inner Richmond/Clement Street
- Wine bars, SF’s 2nd Chinatown (Hotpot, Burmese), Croissants
Financial District POPOS
- Rooftops, patios, lounges, coworking spaces
Haight
- Upper: Shops, boutiques, bars, Victorian homes
- Lower Haight: Toronado/Stoa (favorite cocktail/beer places in the city)
Divisadero/NOPA
- Restaurants, Wine Bars, Parks
Fillmore
- Restaurants, Live Music, Boutiques, Yoga Studios
Union Street/Chestnut Street (Cow-Hollow, Marina)
- Yoga Studios, Vests, Yoga Pants, Wine Bars, Cafes, Coffee Shops

San Francisco Weather Tips, Best Months To Visit SF

Summer can be quite cold in the city but hot in surrounding areas as the pressure systems suck in cold are from the ocean and into/over the city. Temperature can be 30-40 degree difference between SF and surrounding areas in the summer.

If in SF, wear layers, look at micro-climates for neighborhoods
Warmest areas are usually Mission, Hayes Valley, South Beach, Mission Bay, Dogpatch (SE parts of the city)
Coldest/foggiest places are Richmond/Sunset neighborhoods, Presidio areas.
Use Weather Underground.
Wind can make the temps feel 10 degrees cooler; shade can feel 10-15 degrees cooler than sun.
Best weather in SF is usually September-October
Best times for waterfall hikes in the area is January-March
Best time for wine tasting is September-December (weather/foliage); April for mustard season
Outdoor festivals & street fairs are busy from April-October.

San Francisco Convention Calendar

This is an important one so you can avoid expensive days when tens of thousands of people come into town. Hotels can 2x-3x (or more) in price easily during these days.

https://portal.sftravel.com/calendar_public/home_sfdc.cfm

San Francisco Parking Rules: How To Avoid Tickets, Tows

There are lots of tickets dished out to tourists and people visiting San Francisco for the day. Review this guide on how to avoid getting parking tickets and drastically reduce your chances of being towed in San Francisco.

San Francisco Privately Owned Public Spaces

San Francisco has many places downtown for public use on private property during business hours. You can read about them here.

Some are crappy, some are meh, but a few are pretty nice, including rooftops, lounges, patios, and more.

Things To Do Without A Car In San Francisco

Ferry rides to Larkspur or Sausalito (Marin County)
- Connect in Larkspur to SMART train to get to Petaluma, Santa Rosa etc.
Ferry rides to Alameda (Jack London Square)
- Great for JLS Ale Trail
Amtrak to Yosemite, Tahoe
Get a Clipper Card to use on BART, Muni, Ferries etc.
Alcatraz tickets (plan ahead as these sell out but visit booths for cancellations or possible people selling their tickets)

More tips here: https://www.eddies-list.com/t/things-to-do-without-a-car-san-francisco-bay-area

San Francisco Visitor Pass, Public Transportation

1/3/7-Day Visitor Pass Muni: https://www.sfmta.com/fares/3-day-visitor-passport

Bike Rentals San Francisco (San Francisco Travel Guide)

Check out Sports Basement (several locations).

San Francisco Attractions

Nature/Parks: Twin Peaks, Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Tank Hill, Corona Heights
Lookouts: Equator Coffee (GGB), Pacific Heights, Ina Coolbrith Park, Dolores Park
Buildings: Sentinal Building, Columbarium, Alamo Square, Palace of Fine Arts, City Hall

Daytrips, Best Weekend Trips From San Francisco

Big Sur (hikes, camping, views)
Santa Cruz/Monterey (food, beaches, surfing)
Tahoe (skiing, views, mountain biking)
Yosemite (hikes, camping, views, rock-climbing)
Sonoma/Napa (wine, cheese and more wine)
Mendocino (wine, camping, beaches)
Marin/Point Reyes (camping, hiking, mountain biking, oysters)

Bridge Toll Information, Payments

Golden Gate Bridge Tolls, Bay Bridge Tolls

Note, if you are crossing bridges, there are no toll collectors in the toll booths. Tolls are electronically billed to the address of the file. If you don’t pay electronically in 48 hours, you will be mailed a bill that needs to be paid in 30 days.

Some rental car companies may have bs charges/fees so check with them on the contract ahead of time.

San Francisco Restaurants With A View

Eddie’s List: San Francisco Bay Area Events This Week

San Francisco Restaurants With A View (Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, City Skyline)

More places, details and notes will be added over time. Be sure to check back. Be sure to check weather underground for hourly visibility reads as fog can roll in pretty quickly and unpredictably. Be sure to check out my visitor guide for more helpful tips while navigating San Francisco including free events, how to reduce break-ins and more…

2 years ago · Eddie Hernandez

Best Hotels In San Francisco, Where To Stay

Most people will tell you to avoid the Tenderloin and conversely Union Square as it’s next to the Tenderloin but it really depends on your itinerary, where you walk etc. Most people don’t need to walk in that direction and most people will take bus or cabs to get through parts of the city.

Ghiradelli Square and Pier 39 areas are super touristy but have nice walkable spots, views etc. However, lots of break-ins occur (see guide above) as lots of high-risk vehicles are targeted there.

Be sure to check Yelp, Google and Booking ratings for hotels as some may have inflated ratings.

Related read: Best Hotels In San Francisco

Visiting SF With Family, Best Area To Stay For Couples

Best Hotels San Francisco: Views, Families, Dogs, Couples, Affordable & More

Eddie Hernandez — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 22:02:22 GMT

Last updated: January 22, 2025

Best San Francisco Hotels, Cheap Hotels, Hotels With Parking

San Francisco Hotels w/ Views, Parking, Affordable Hotels

Be sure to check out my free weekly email newsletter with events, things to do, pop-ups, street fairs, festivals, talks, live music, shows, exhibits and more. Over 26,000 subscribers and counting.

2024 & 2025 Best of the Bay Best Local Website Runner-Up
-48 Hills & San Francisco Bay Guardian

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Best Hotels San Francisco

Best San Francisco Hotels For Families, Kids, Dogs & More

Below are my recommendations for hotels in San Francisco based on specific criteria such as families, couples, pets, budget hotels, or those looking to avoid downtown/touristy areas. Typing these queries returns an insane number of results and false positives via Google or sponsored ads via booking sites.

That said, be sure to look up conventions and busy holidays as San Francisco hotel rates can definitely be 2-4x (or more) regular prices or completely sold out.

For those that want to consider things like safety, location, business proximity, family activities, dog friendly areas, romantic views or places with good public transportation nearby, this guide is for you.

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